UK Targets Pakistan, India, Nigeria in New Visa Restriction Warning

Britain’s newly appointed Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has made it clear that the government is ready to take tough steps against countries that refuse to cooperate in taking back their citizens who are living in the UK without legal status. One of the strongest measures under consideration is suspending or restricting visas for nationals of such countries.

In the past, countries like Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Iran, Iraq, and the Gambia have been described as “uncooperative” when it comes to accepting deported migrants. Mahmood’s recent comments show that the UK may now be less tolerant of this behavior and could use visa restrictions as leverage.

These remarks came during Mahmood’s first international appearance since she was appointed Home Secretary just last week. She emphasized that protecting Britain’s borders would be her number one priority. According to her, if individuals are found to be staying in the UK illegally, then their home countries have a duty to take them back, and Britain expects full cooperation on this matter.

Her warning also highlights the growing pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government to deal with the rising issue of small-boat crossings. These crossings, often organized by human smugglers, have reached record numbers in 2025. The UK Home Office revealed that over 30,000 people have already arrived on small boats across the English Channel this year, creating an urgent need for stronger policies.

Officials are now actively exploring new strategies to tackle the situation. Visa restrictions are one option being considered, as they could discourage potential migrants from misusing the UK’s visa system. Reports earlier in 2025 also suggested that the Home Office had begun closely reviewing visa applications from countries such as Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka, due to concerns about overstaying and increased asylum claims from their citizens.

Government statistics also reveal that there has been a 37% drop in overall visa applications compared to last year. This decline follows a set of tighter migration rules introduced in 2024, which made it harder for people to bring dependents or apply for certain work visas. While the rules seem to have reduced applications, Mahmood stressed that the current level of illegal migration is still “unacceptable.”

She promised swift and decisive action to address the problem, sending a clear message both to migrants and to foreign governments. According to Mahmood, Britain is open to international cooperation, but it will no longer tolerate countries that refuse to take responsibility for their citizens.

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