The UK has announced visa restrictions on travellers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after the country failed to agree to measures allowing the return of illegal migrants and foreign national offenders.
UK ministers said the DRC has not implemented the changes required under the tougher asylum rules announced in November. As a result, fast-track visa processing for DRC nationals will be suspended, and preferential treatment previously given to VIPs and politicians will be withdrawn.
The Home Office said Angola and Namibia, which were also threatened with sanctions, have agreed to strengthen efforts to accept the return of their citizens. A government source described this as the first tangible outcome of last month’s asylum reforms.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood warned that visa bans could be imposed on other countries that refuse to co-operate with returns policies. She said the UK expects countries to take back citizens who have no legal right to remain in Britain.
Under the revised asylum framework, 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. The government has also reserved the right to apply an “emergency brake” on visas for countries with high asylum claims and poor co-operation on deportations.
The Home Office said returns from the DRC have been obstructed by delays in paperwork and other administrative hurdles, and warned that further measures, including a full visa ban, could be imposed unless co-operation improves.
