Why the Government should rethink the emergency visa brake on study visas

This blog was kindly authored by Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Sussex.

The UK Government’s recent announcement of an ‘emergency visa brake’ on study visas for university applicants from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan has profound consequences, not only for those who will be denied the opportunity to study in the UK, but for the UK’s global reputation and soft power and for the prospect of international development and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals in four of the countries most in need of global support to achieve them.

The suspension has been introduced in response to a rise in asylum claims from these countries (up 470% between 2021 and 2025). But the decision raises serious concerns for prospective and current international students, who have often made personal and financial sacrifices to study in the UK and who contribute positively to our academic community and wider society.

This is particularly so for those who were recently shortlisted for the government’s prestigious postgraduate Chevening Scholarships, and who have now been told that the scheme is ‘closed indefinitely.’  In the six years to 2024, there were 119 Afghan recipients of these scholarships, 58 from Cameroon, 65 from Myanmar, and 101 from Sudan. For the ‘outstanding emerging leaders’ from these countries, the scholarship provided the opportunity to expand their knowledge and to develop advanced skills, in order to return to their countries of origin to drive positive change.

The impact of this policy will be particularly severe for women. In Afghanistan, girls have been excluded from secondary education and women from higher education for over four years. For many Afghan women, the opportunity to study abroad is one of the last remaining pathways to education, professional development and personal safety. The suspension of study visas for Afghan nationals, therefore, raises urgent questions about whether an Equalities Impact Assessment has been undertaken, and how the Government has considered the sex-equality consequences of this decision. The reopening of the Chevening scheme to students residing in Afghanistan in 2024 was described by alumni as a ‘beacon of hope’ after years of exclusion. The visa brake removes one of the last remaining avenues for Afghan women to access higher education, develop leadership skills, and contribute to the future of their country.

The University of Sussex has an exceptional and distinguished history of educating students from countries undergoing profound social and political transitions. Generations of Sussex alumni have returned to their home countries to contribute to democratic renewal, peace and institution‑building, and social and economic reform. This includes heads of state and other senior leaders in society and industry, with the well-documented role played by Sussex in supporting students who went on to lead South Africa’s post-apartheid transition one particularly powerful example of how educational exchange contributes to long‑term societal transformation.  

As the world’s leading institution for Development Studies – ranked 1st in the world for Development Studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 for the ninth consecutive year – Sussex  attracts applications from excellent and highly motivated students from across the global south and from conflict regions, including from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan. They are seeking to expand their knowledge at a postgraduate level and to develop advanced skills in order to return to their countries of origin to drive positive change. Their presence enriches our academic community, expands the horizons and global understanding of UK students, and strengthens the UK’s international connections. Because of our reputation for Development Studies, Sussex is one of the most popular destinations for Chevening Scholars, and many of our Chevening alumni have gone on to hold senior positions in government and public service in their home countries. Removing access to UK universities for outstanding students from these countries risks undermining this powerful force for peace and democracy, and weakening the UK’s influence in regions where constructive engagement is essential.

The government is right to seek to protect the integrity of the immigration system, but it can do this without closing off legitimate educational pathways for students who seek to contribute to the development of their home countries, and who invariably return home with deep respect and fondness for our country. I urge the government to work with universities to ensure that the UK remains open, outward-looking and committed to attracting global talent in ways that align with national priorities. Universities such as Sussex stand ready to work constructively to ensure that the UK continues to play a leading role in global education, international development and peace-building.