Visa brake for four countries
The UK Government has introduced a ‘visa brake’, placing a restriction on Student visa applications made from outside the UK by nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan. This measure has been introduced due to a high number of asylum claims made by students of these nationalities after arriving in the UK.
What is the Visa Brake and who does it affect?
From 26 March 2026, any Student Visa application submitted from outside the UK by nationals of of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan will be refused, regardless of the country from which it is submitted.
As a result, the University will not be able to issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to applicants from these countries to support a Student Visa application.
Who does the Visa Brake not affect?
- Dual nationals who hold a passport from another country not affected by the visa brake can apply using that nationality.
- Individuals already in the UK who meet the eligibility requirements to apply for a Student Visa from within the UK. For example, switching from Dependant to Student Visa.
- Applicants applying under other visa routes, except for the Skilled Worker route for nationals of Afghanistan.
- Current students in the UK whose existing Student Visas remain valid, applying for a visa extension to complete the same course, or applying for a new period of their current Student Visa for a further course at a higher level.
- Dependants of eligible visa holders, who may still apply from overseas if they meet the requirements of the main visa holder’s category and whose application is not affected by the Visa Brake.
Other useful links
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