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Written question asked by Baroness Hamwee (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 September 2026. It was answered by Lord Hanson of Flint (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 September 2026 on behalf of the Home Office.

Visas: Overseas Students

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government how many visa applications have been refused under the “visa brake” policy; and what assessment they have made of the number of applications that have not been made in light of the policy, in respect of each of (1) Afghanistan, (2) Cameroon, (3) Myanmar, and (4) Sudan, since the introduction of the policy.

Answer

Applications for visas on the affected routes from the affected nationalities are now being refused. The latest public immigration statistics show that visa applications for the affected routes and nationalities in Q2 2026 have on average fallen by over 90% compared to Q4 2025.

The visa brake for Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan will be reviewed by the Home Office after 18 months after imposition. This principally involves an assessment of the risk of future visa-linked asylum claims. It does not mean the visa brake will necessarily be lifted. The brake will only be lifted once the government assesses it appropriate to do so and it is clear that there has been a reduction in the risk of high proportions of visa-linked asylum claims recommencing on these routes from these nationalities.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL2857
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Cameroon Overseas students Visas Myanmar Afghanistan Sudan
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk