Eritrean VIPs and officials have been stripped of fast-track
access to UK visas as the government ramps up pressure on
countries refusing to take back illegal immigrants.
And the Home Secretary today warns she will block all visas for
Eritreans if the country does not rapidly agree to the return
of its nationals with no right to be in the UK.
The warning comes after Eritrea abruptly withdrew returns
co-operation earlier this year.
Eritreans were also the most common nationality arriving by small
boat in the year ending June 2026. Returns arrangements
are vital to removing failed asylum seekers and foreign
criminals.
From today, the Home Office will scrap Eritrea's preferential
visa processing for VIPs and government officials.
The country must now rapidly improve returns
co-operation or face a total visa shutdown. It comes after months
of efforts by the UK to resolve the matter privately with the
Eritrean government, which has refused to engage
constructively.
In her first week in post, the Home Secretary vowed to impose
visa penalties on countries that refuse to take back their
citizens.
All 3 countries since threatened Angola, Namibia, and
the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have chosen to improve
co-operation.
Home Secretary said:
Eritrea has had every chance to accept the return of criminals
and those with no right to be in the UK. Unlike other countries,
it has refused.
My message to the Eritrean government is simple: take back your
nationals or face a complete ban on your citizens entering the
UK.
I will not hesitate to impose further measures on other countries
refusing to co-operate.
From today, Eritrea's diplomats will also now be barred from
travelling 60 kilometres (37 miles) beyond London without
permission from the Foreign Office,
mirroring similar restrictions placed on British officials
in Asmara.
Following the threat of visa penalties last
autumn, Angola and Namibia quickly agreed enhanced
arrangements.
The DRC was slower to act, prompting the Home Secretary to impose
visa measures, including restrictions on officials and
visas. Following 6 months of sustained co-operation, with
returns flights now running, those restrictions have been
lifted.
The government is also strengthening returns co-operation with
other countries. A new migration deal with
Egypt will cut the time taken to return Egyptian
nationals with no right to be
here by around 90%, from around 30 weeks
to 3 weeks.
