The UK government is imposing visa restrictions on people travelling from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after failing to reach an agreement with its government on the return of illegal migrants and foreign national offenders.
Ministers say the DRC has not made the changes required under tougher asylum rules announced in November. As a result, fast-track visa services for applicants from the country will be withdrawn, and senior figures such as politicians and VIPs will no longer receive preferential treatment when travelling to the UK.
The Home Office said Angola and Namibia, which had also been threatened with sanctions, have now agreed to strengthen efforts to take back their nationals. Officials described this as the first concrete outcome of last month’s asylum reforms.
A government source said Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood would not hesitate to impose visa bans on other countries that refuse to accept the return of their citizens. The Home Office added that improved co-operation from Angola and Namibia could lead to the removal and deportation of thousands of people.
Under the new asylum system, refugee status will become temporary, guaranteed housing support for asylum seekers will end, and new capped “safe and legal” routes into the UK will be introduced.
When announcing the reforms, Mahmood warned that visa penalties would be used against countries that fail to co-operate on returns, including an “emergency brake” on visas for nations with high asylum claim rates. The Home Office said returns to the DRC, Angola and Namibia had previously been blocked by slow paperwork and requirements for migrants to sign their own documents.
While officials said the DRC has shown some engagement, they warned further action could follow if co-operation does not improve, including the possibility of a full visa ban.
Mahmood said: “We expect countries to play by the rules. If one of their citizens has no right to be here, they must take them back. I thank Angola and Namibia for their co-operation. Now it’s time for the Democratic Republic of Congo to do the right thing.”
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