UK may suspend visas for countries that won't take back failed asylum seekers, says Mahmood

"Confirming that she hopes to take a harder line than her predecessor, Yvette Cooper, she said she would do whatever it takes to cut the number of people entering the UK by irregular routes such as small boats. In a first announcement as home secretary, she proposed to cut the number of visas granted to countries that delay or refuse returns of their citizens who have no right to remain in the UK."

"It was one of several proposals discussed with Britain's closest allies at a meeting of the Five Eyes security partnership, which is made up of the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Mahmood said: For us, that means including possibly the cutting of visas in the future. We do expect countries to play ball, play by the rules and if one of your citizens has no right to be in our country, you do need to take them back."

"We don't currently know what sort of restrictions the government has in mind. In theory, it would involve entirely preventing citizens of certain countries from getting visit, work or study visas the nuclear option - or smaller restrictions such as higher costs. This would affect the impacts both in the UK and on the negotiation. Governments around the world are likely to respond di"

Shabana Mahmood plans to use visa restrictions against countries that delay or refuse to take back rejected asylum seekers to reduce irregular migration. The policy aims to target irregular routes such as small boats and to cut visas granted to countries that do not cooperate with returns. The measure was discussed with Five Eyes partners including the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Countries cited with low return rates and high UK visa demand include India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal. Experts warn that lack of detail makes impacts uncertain; options range from total bans to higher costs. Governments are likely to respond differently depending on the nature of any restrictions and the diplomatic impacts. Keir Starmer favors a more transactional visa approach.

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