UK Imposes Visa Restrictions on DR Congo Over Asylum Reforms
The UK government has imposed visa restrictions on visitors from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) after the country failed to agree to measures for returning illegal migrants and foreign national offenders. The UK had introduced asylum reforms in November requiring cooperative measures from countries like DR Congo, but these have not been implemented.
As a result, the UK will halt fast-track visa processing for arrivals from DR Congo, and VIPs and politicians will no longer receive preferential entry treatment. Angola and Namibia have agreed to step up efforts to repatriate their citizens, marking the first success under the asylum reforms.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has indicated a willingness to extend visa bans to other countries that refuse to cooperate on removals. The new asylum reforms will make refugee status temporary, end guaranteed housing support for asylum seekers, and introduce capped safe and legal routes into the UK.
The government has also reserved an 'emergency brake' on visas for countries with high asylum claims if they do not take back their citizens. Returns from DR Congo, Angola, and Namibia have been delayed due to paperwork and signature requirements, effectively giving those countries veto power over removals.
The UK has warned that visas to Angola, Namibia, and DR Congo could be stopped if those governments do not rapidly improve cooperation on removals. Should cooperation improve, the new measures could result in thousands of people being removed and deported.
