The United Kingdom government has imposed visa restrictions on arrivals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after Kinshasa failed to agree to measures enabling the return of illegal migrants and foreign national offenders.
Under the move, fast-track visa processing for Congolese nationals will end, while preferential access for VIPs and politicians has been withdrawn, announced on Sunday, December 28. The Home Office said the action follows the DRC’s failure to meet requirements under the UK’s tougher asylum reforms announced in November 2025.
By contrast, Angola and Namibia have agreed to strengthen co-operation on taking back their citizens after being threatened with similar sanctions. The Home Office described these agreements as the first tangible outcome of last month’s asylum overhaul and said they could lead to the removal of thousands of people.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood warned that further visa penalties, including full bans, could be imposed on countries that refuse to co-operate. She said the UK expects governments to accept the return of citizens with no legal right to remain and urged the DRC to comply or risk additional restrictions. The new asylum framework will introduce temporary refugee status, end guaranteed housing support for asylum seekers and create capped “safe and legal routes” into the UK, alongside visa sanctions for non-co-operating countries.
