Britain’s new Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has warned that the UK could suspend or restrict visas for citizens of countries that refuse to take back migrants with no legal right to stay. Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Iran, Iraq and the Gambia have previously been listed among such nations.
The remarks came during Mahmood’s first international engagement since her appointment last week. She said securing Britain’s borders was her top priority and stressed that cooperation from foreign governments was essential when their citizens were found to be living illegally in the UK.
The warning highlights growing pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government to curb illegal migration, particularly small-boat crossings across the Channel, which have hit record levels this year. Home Office data shows more than 30,000 people have arrived by small boats in 2025 so far.
Officials are considering new measures, including stricter visa restrictions, to prevent abuse of the system. Earlier reports suggested that applications from Pakistan, Nigeria and Sri Lanka were already under tighter scrutiny due to concerns about overstaying and asylum claims.
Recent figures also point to a 37 percent drop in overall visa applications compared to last year, following tougher migration rules introduced in 2024. Mahmood said the current scale of illegal migration remained unacceptable and pledged swift action.
