Student applications from nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, and Skilled Worker applications from Afghan nationals, made from outside the UK are refused if submitted after 12:01 on 26 March 2026.
Key facts
- Who: Main applicants applying from outside the UK (entry clearance) for a Student visa who are nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar or Sudan; and main applicants for a Skilled Worker visa who are nationals of Afghanistan
- From: 26 March 2026 (applications submitted online after 12:01)
- Source: Visa brake: changes to the UK visa system
The UK government has introduced a restriction known as a visa brake. Under it, applications for certain visa routes are refused if the main applicant is a national of a listed country. The guidance says the brake applies to routes and nationalities where high numbers and proportions of people who are issued visas later claim asylum.
The brake currently applies to two routes:
- Student visa applications made outside the UK by main applicants who are nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar or Sudan.
- Skilled Worker visa applications made outside the UK by main applicants who are nationals of Afghanistan.
It affects only nationals of those countries applying on those routes. Other routes and nationalities are not affected, and their applications are processed as normal.
The brake applies to entry clearance applications. It is based only on the main nationality given on the application form, and it does not depend on where the applicant lives or applies from.
Applications submitted online after 12:01 on 26 March 2026 are refused if they fall within these groups. This includes applicants who already hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
For people who already hold a valid UK visa, the guidance says they must keep following their visa conditions and their permission remains valid until its expiry date. A visa that has already been granted is not cancelled by the brake. They can still apply for an in-country extension, or for another route in-country, if eligible.
The guidance says the visa brake will be reviewed regularly. It is not permanent, but it ends only when the UK government considers it appropriate. Updates will be published on GOV.UK.
What this means for applicants
Nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar or Sudan who apply from outside the UK for a Student visa, and Afghan nationals who apply from outside the UK for a Skilled Worker visa, will have the application refused if it was submitted after 12:01 on 26 March 2026. A CoS or CAS does not change this.
Applicants on other routes, or of other nationalities, are processed as normal. Anyone who already holds a valid visa keeps it until its expiry date, must continue to follow its conditions, and can apply in-country to extend or switch if eligible.