Britain has imposed strict visa restrictions on the Democratic Republic of Congo after the country declined to cooperate with the UK’s efforts to remove illegal migrants, government sources said.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood ordered the measures as part of a wider border enforcement drive. Under the new rules, Congolese politicians and officials no longer receive preferential visa treatment and must apply under standard procedures. The UK has also withdrawn fast-track visa processing for all Congolese nationals.
Officials said the government could suspend visas entirely for the Democratic Republic of Congo if authorities continue to refuse cooperation on returns. The decision reflects a tougher approach that ministers say aims to ensure foreign governments meet their obligations under international agreements.
UK places visa sanctions on DR Congo over migrant returns https://t.co/3bpstCgwEp
— Financial Times (@FT) December 28, 2025Mahmood outlined the policy during an appearance on the BBC’s Sunday political programme with journalist Laura Kuenssberg. She stressed that countries must take responsibility for their citizens who have no legal right to remain in the UK.
The Home Secretary confirmed that Angola and Namibia agreed to accept the return of illegal migrants and foreign criminals after the UK warned of similar visa sanctions. She thanked both governments for their cooperation and urged the Democratic Republic of Congo to follow suit.
Read: UK Fast-Track Residency for High Earners: New Visa Rules
“We expect countries to play by the rules,” Mahmood said. “If someone has no right to be here, their home country must take them back. Now is the time for the Democratic Republic of Congo to do the right thing.”
She added that the government would escalate measures if necessary. “Take your citizens back or lose the privilege of entering our country,” she said. “This marks only the beginning of stronger action to secure our borders and increase removals.”
A government source said officials are expanding deportations of people who remain in the UK illegally. The source added that ministers would not hesitate to extend visa bans to other countries that refuse to cooperate.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper backed the stance, saying people who enter the UK unlawfully, overstay visas, or commit crimes should expect swift removal.
