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The United Kingdom has limited visa privileges for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while confirming that Angola and Namibia have agreed to cooperate with its new policy on the return of undocumented migrants and those who commit criminal offences.
After threatening to impose visa penalties on countries that did not comply, the UK Home Office said in a statement on Saturday, December 27, that the two southern African nations had “met the gold standard by agreeing to improve their processes.”
The DRC, however, had failed to meet the requirements, the Home Office said.
As a result, preferential visa treatment for senior officials and decision-makers from the DRC has been withdrawn. Fast-track visa services have also been revoked, meaning all applicants must now follow standard procedures, it added.
The department said there had been “some engagement” from the DRC but warned that further measures could follow unless cooperation improves, including “a complete halt on visas.”
“We expect countries to play by the rules. If one of their citizens has no right to be here, they must take them back,” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said.
Mahmood thanked Angola and Namibia for their cooperation and urged the DRC to do the same.
“I thank Angola and Namibia and welcome their co-operation. Now is the time for the Democratic Republic of Congo to do the right thing. Take your citizens back, or lose the privilege of entering our country.
“This is just the start of the measures I am taking to secure our border and ramp up the removal of those with no right to be here.”
The measures are a part of the government’s strategy to expeditiously remove individuals who have no legal right to stay in the United Kingdom.
According to the Home Office, nearly 50,000 people have been removed since July 2024, a 23 % increase on the previous period. More than 7,000 foreign national offenders were also deported during the same time.
