News|MigrationUK curbs DRC visas, announces migrant return deals with Angola, NamibiaHome Office announces visa restrictions on DRC for alleged failure to cooperate with UK’s new asylum seeker return policy.

The United Kingdom has implemented visa restrictions on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) due to non-compliance with new policies concerning the return of undocumented migrants and individuals committing criminal offenses. The UK Home Office announced these measures on Sat, Nov 11, 2025. Concurrently, Angola and Namibia have agreed to enhance efforts to repatriate their citizens.

The UK has taken significant steps under new reforms introduced by Secretary of State for the Home Department Shabana Mahmood. These changes aim to make refugee status temporary and expedite the deportation process for individuals arriving without documentation in the UK. The DRC has not met the required cooperation standards, resulting in the removal of fast-track visa services and preferential treatment for their VIPs and officials.

Mahmood has indicated that further measures, including a complete cessation of visas for the DRC, could be enacted unless cooperation improves. She emphasized the expectation that countries should repatriate their citizens if they have no legal right to remain in the UK.

Other nations, including Angola and Namibia, were acknowledged for their cooperation in this matter.

The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has introduced comprehensive changes to the asylum system. These include reducing protections for refugees and their children to address the increase in irregular migration. The reforms, inspired by Denmark's asylum policies, aim to deter refugees and asylum seekers from crossing the English Channel from France.

Temporary refugee status subject to review every 30 months. A 20-year waiting period before applying for permanent residency, increased from five years. Legislation to limit the use of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) by irregular migrants and foreign criminals to prevent deportation.

Since July of the previous year, the UK has removed over 50,000 individuals with no right to remain, marking a 23% increase compared to the prior period. Diplomats are instructed to prioritize returns.

Asylum claims in the UK have reached a record high, with approximately 111,000 applications made in the year leading to June 2025. However, the number of initial positive decisions granted fell from 2023 to 2024. While most asylum seekers and refugees arrive legally, net migration saw a record high of 906,000 in the year to June 2023, later decreasing to 431,000 in 2024 due to stricter regulations.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.