Visa brake: changes to the UK visa system
Information on what a visa brake is and which applicants it affects.
Overview
The UK government has introduced a restriction that refuses visas for people applying for certain UK visas on specific routes and for specific nationalities. This is known as a visa brake.
The visa brake applies to specific visa routes and nationalities where high numbers and proportions of people who are issued visas later claim asylum.
When a visa brake is applied:
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applications made from outside the UK for the affected visa routes will be refused if the main applicant is a national of one of the listed countries
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other visa routes and nationalities are not affected
If you are not applying for one of the affected routes from one of the listed countries, your application will be processed as normal.
Which visa applicants the visa brake affects
The visa brake applies to visa applications made outside the UK (entry clearance) based on the nationality of the main applicant. It does not depend on where you live or from where you apply.
The visa brake currently applies to:
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Student visa applications made outside the UK from main applicants who are nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan
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Skilled Worker visa applications made outside the UK from main applicants who are nationals of Afghanistan
The visa brake only affects nationals of these countries who are applying on these routes.
The visa brake is based only on the main nationality you give on your application form.
When the changes took effect
Any applications submitted online after 12:01am on 26 March 2026 will be refused if you are applying for:
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a Student visa and you are a national of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar or Sudan
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a Skilled Worker visa and you are a national of Afghanistan
This includes if you already have either a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
If you currently have a valid UK visa
If you already have a valid visa for the UK:
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you must continue to follow the conditions of your visa
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your permission remains valid until its expiry date
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your visa will not be cancelled by the visa brake if it has already been granted
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you are still able to apply for an in-country visa extension or another visa route in-country if you are eligible
How long the visa brake will last
The visa brake will be reviewed regularly. It is not permanent, but it will only end when the UK government considers it appropriate to do so.
Any updates will be published on GOV.UK.
Get more information
Before you apply, you should:
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check the How to apply for a visa to come to the UK page on GOV.UK
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use the Check if you need a UK visa service
If you need help with an existing application, contact UK Visas and Immigration.
Updates to this page
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Updated guidance to reflect that the visa brake is now in force.
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First published.