Visa brake: information for students

New restrictions for nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan.

The UK Home Office has announced a “visa brake” affecting work and study visa applications made from outside the UK for four nationalities. Student visa applications submitted on or after 26 March 2026 from outside the UK will be refused.

Who is affected?

From 26 March 2026, the visa brake will affect new visa applications made from outside the UK by nationals of the following countries:

  • Afghanistan
  • Cameroon
  • Myanmar
  • Sudan

Student visa applications submitted on or after 26 March 2026 from outside the UK will be refused.  This means that during the visa brake, universities will not be permitted to sponsor new Student visas for nationals of these four countries. 

Additionally, Skilled Worker visa applications submitted on or after 26 March 2026 from outside the UK will be refused for Afghan nationals. 

This change only applies to main applicants applying for entry clearance from overseas.

Read more about the UK Government visa brake announcement

 

What is not affected?

The visa brake does not affect:

  • Students who are already in the UK with a valid permission
  • Students applying for Graduate visa after successfully completing their programme
  • Visa extensions or switching applications made inside the UK
  • Visitor visa
  • Child Student visa
  • Short-Term Study visa
  • Dependants applying under eligible routes
  • Other UK visa routes

How long will the visa brake last?

The government has stated it will be reviewed after 18 months and may be either released or extended after that date.

Current students in the UK on a Student visa

If you are already in the UK with a valid Student immigration permission or visa, this change does not affect your current immigration status. 

  • Your current visa remains valid
  • You can continue studying in line with your visa conditions  
  • You can apply to extend your Student visa or switch to another immigration category or route from within the UK, provided you meet the relevant eligibility requirements at the time you apply.
  • The visa brake does not cancel your current visa and does not apply to applications made from inside the UK. 

We understand that some students may have some further questions, and our advice team is here to support you.

Important considerations for current Student visa holders

While the visa brake does not affect current students studying in the UK already, it is important to carefully consider any changes to your studies (for example, resits/repeats, programme changes, interruptions of studies), as some situations or changes may require you to apply for a new Student visa from outside the UK. 

Example:

If you interrupt your studies for more than 60 days, your Student visa may be cancelled in line with the visa compliance requirements. 

If this happens, you may need to leave the UK and apply for a new Student visa from overseas before returning to continue your studies. 

Students from affected nationalities who need to make a new Student visa application from outside the UK after 26 March 2026 even if they are returning to complete their programme after an interruption will be impacted by the visa brake. 

For this reason, it is important that current students already studying in the UK carefully consider any changes to their programme of study as these decisions may have immigration consequences. If you are considering making a change to your studies, we strongly recommend that you seek immigration advice before making a decision.

Contact us

If you are a current student from one of the affected nationalities and would like to discuss your situation or any concerns, please contact the Student Immigration Service for immigration advice, guidance and support.

Contact the Student Immigration Service

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