The United Kingdom (UK) is preparing to introduce strict visa restrictions on countries that fail to cooperate with the deportation of their citizens, in what is shaping up to be one of the Labour government’s toughest immigration enforcement measures to date.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood signalled that the UK will adopt what officials describe as “Trump-style visa bans,” aimed at pressuring foreign governments to expedite travel documentation and repatriation procedures for nationals ordered to leave Britain.
According to UK government sources, the plan will be rolled out in phases and will initially target countries with consistently low cooperation rates in processing deportees.
Angola, Namibia, DRC Among First Countries at Risk
Officials say Angola, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are among the countries most likely to face the first wave of restrictions. Under the proposed measures, the UK could suspend visa issuance for citizens of these countries until their governments demonstrate improved willingness to accept deported migrants and criminal offenders.
British authorities argue that the three nations have held up thousands of return cases due to long delays in issuing travel documents and requirements that deportees personally sign return paperwork — a step many refuse, slowing removals significantly. The Home Office says these obstacles have contributed to a growing backlog in deportation operations.
India Could Also Face Scrutiny
India — one of the UK’s largest migrant-source countries — may also come under review if cooperation does not improve. Reporting by The Times suggests India is among the least willing to accept deported nationals, potentially placing it at risk of future visa penalties.
However, any action against India would carry major diplomatic and economic implications, given its population size, tech talent pipeline in the UK, and ongoing trade negotiations between both governments.
Part of a Broader Push to Tighten Immigration Rules
The planned visa restrictions are part of a wider strategy to reduce net migration and address political pressure over the UK’s immigration system. The government is also looking to narrow the legal grounds used to challenge deportation orders.
Under new proposals, the UK aims to:
- Restrict Article 8 (Right to Family Life)
Only immediate family — parents or children — would qualify as grounds to appeal deportation, significantly limiting broader family-based claims. - Refine interpretation of Article 3 (Protection from Inhuman Treatment)
Officials argue the rule has been interpreted too broadly in recent years, preventing legitimate deportations. - Require all appeal grounds to be submitted at once
Migrants who withhold claims until later in the process could face immediate removal once their case is rejected, closing a loophole often used to prolong deportation timelines.
UK to Expand Legal Pathways for Refugees
Despite the tougher stance on illegal migration, the government plans to widen legal migration routes for refugees. A new initiative will allow eligible candidates — referred by the UNHCR — to come to the UK for work or study, hosted by British families. The model mirrors the sponsorship framework used for Ukrainian arrivals.
Officials say the programme aims to reduce reliance on asylum hotels, which cost taxpayers more than £2 billion in the 2024–2025 financial year.
