UK suspends study and work visas for Afghans over asylum application concerns

The UK government announced on Tuesday the temporary suspension of study visas for citizens of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan, as well as work visas for Afghans, citing an increase in asylum requests through legal routes.

UK Home Office stated that this marks the first time visa issuance is halted for citizens of these four countries due to misuse for temporary asylum applications. Richard Linzi, the UK special representative for Afghanistan, emphasized that Britain remains committed to supporting those in genuine need and that the measure does not diminish support for Afghans' rights and freedoms.

Human rights activist Shahrzad Akbar responded in a note, questioning why the UK does not temporarily halt support for wars, abandon commitments to refugees, or adopt right-wing refugee policies. She compared the visa suspension to the Taliban's restrictions on education.

The decision has drawn reactions from Afghan civil society activists. Khushal Nabizada, a beneficiary of the UK Chevening scholarship, told Afghanistan International that denying students education based on nationality amounts to discrimination. He argued that education without discrimination is a universal right and that UK universities have established admission criteria which should be applied regardless of birthplace.

This comes as girls and women above sixth grade in Afghanistan remain deprived of education under Taliban control, with the group altering the national curriculum to prioritize religious studies over scientific subjects. Many young Afghans have sought to continue studies in the UK and other Western countries following these restrictions, and observers note the visa suspension has disappointed prospective Afghan students.