UK Imposes Stricter Visa Rules on DRC Citizens in Escalating Deportation Row – Breaking News
London – In a significant escalation of tensions over immigration policy, the United Kingdom has tightened visa requirements for citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The move, reported by The Daily Telegraph and confirmed by UK officials, stems from what the government describes as insufficient cooperation from Kinshasa in the repatriation of individuals who have overstayed their visas or have been convicted of crimes within the UK. This is a developing story, and Archyde is committed to bringing you the latest updates as they unfold.
What’s Changed? The New Visa Restrictions
The immediate impact of the new measures will be felt by Congolese nationals applying for UK visas. Diplomats and politicians from the DRC will no longer receive priority consideration for their visa requests. More significantly, ordinary citizens will no longer be able to apply for visas on an expedited basis. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmoud issued a stark warning: continued lack of cooperation could lead to a complete suspension of visa issuance, even extending to President Felix Tshisekedi himself.
“We hope that countries will play by the rules,” Mahmoud stated in comments to The Daily Telegraph. “If one of their citizens does not have the right to be here, they have the responsibility to take him away. I thank Angola and Namibia and welcome their engagement. Now it is time for the DRC to do the right thing: take away your citizens or you will lose the privilege of entering our country.”
Numbers and Context: The Scale of the Issue
Between June 2024 and June 2025, the UK approved 299 visas for DRC citizens for legitimate purposes – work, study, family reunification, or humanitarian reasons. However, a much larger number entered the UK as tourists, raising concerns about potential visa overstays. The core of the dispute revolves around approximately 4,000 individuals – illegal migrants and convicted criminals – originating from the DRC, Angola, and Namibia, who the UK is seeking to return to their home countries.
Angola and Namibia, facing similar warnings last month, have reportedly begun to cooperate with British authorities. This highlights the UK’s increasingly assertive stance on repatriation and its willingness to leverage visa policies to achieve its goals. The government is signaling that this approach may be extended to other nations deemed uncooperative, including India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Somalia, Egypt, and Gabon.
The Broader UK Immigration Landscape: A Post-Brexit Challenge
The tightening of visa regulations for DRC citizens occurs against a backdrop of increasing pressure on the UK’s immigration system. Since leaving the European Union in 2018, the number of individuals attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats has surged, with over 185,000 crossings recorded. This has fueled a political debate about border control and immigration policy.
The Labour Party, which formed the government after the July 2024 parliamentary elections, pledged to strengthen cooperation with EU states to curb illegal immigration. However, the number of asylum requests continues to rise. In the period from June 2024 to June 2025, the UK received a record 111,084 asylum applications – a 14% increase compared to the previous year. This places the UK fifth in Europe for asylum applications, behind Germany, Spain, France, and Italy.
Evergreen Insight: The UK’s immigration policies are constantly evolving, influenced by both domestic political pressures and international agreements. Understanding the historical context – including the impact of Brexit and the ongoing challenges of managing irregular migration – is crucial for interpreting these developments. For those seeking to understand the UK’s immigration system, resources like the UK government’s official website provide detailed information on visa requirements and immigration rules.
This situation underscores the complex interplay between national sovereignty, international obligations, and the humanitarian considerations inherent in managing migration flows. The UK’s approach, while firm, is likely to be closely watched by other nations grappling with similar challenges.
Stay tuned to Archyde for continuous coverage of this breaking story and in-depth analysis of the evolving immigration landscape. Explore our World News section for more updates and perspectives.
