Angola and Namibia have agreed to take back illegal migrants and foreign national offenders after the UK government threatened visa sanctions for countries refusing to co-operate.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood had warned in November that visa bans would be imposed on Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) unless they improved their returns processes. The Home Office said Angola and Namibia had now “met the gold standard” by agreeing to strengthen their systems.
However, officials said the DRC had failed to make sufficient progress. As a result, preferential visa treatment for VIPs and senior decision-makers from the country has been removed, and fast-track visa services have been withdrawn for all DRC nationals.
Those travelling to the UK will now have to apply under standard visa rules.
The Home Office said there had been some engagement from the DRC but warned that tougher action could follow unless co-operation improves, including the possibility of a full suspension of visas.
Ms 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 and welcome their co-operation. Now is the time for the Democratic Republic of Congo to do the right thing.”
She added that the measures marked the start of a broader effort to strengthen border controls and increase removals of people with no right to remain in the UK.
According to the Home Office, nearly 50,000 people have been deported since July 2024, a 23% increase compared with the previous period.
More than 7,000 foreign national offenders have also been returned from the UK during that time.
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