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The United Kingdom will impose visa restrictions on individuals arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following the Congolese government’s failure to reach an agreement on measures facilitating the return of illegal migrants and foreign national offenders.
Government ministers assert that the DRC has not implemented the necessary changes stipulated under the UK’s enhanced asylum regulations, as announced in November.
Fast-track visa processing will no longer be available to applicants from the DRC. Furthermore, the Home Office has stated that preferential treatment for VIPs and politicians from the DRC seeking entry to the UK will be discontinued.
Conversely, the Home Office has acknowledged that Angola and Namibia have agreed to intensify efforts to repatriate their citizens, following warnings of potential sanctions similar to those levied against the DRC.
A government source indicated that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is prepared to implement visa bans for other nations that refuse to cooperate with the return of their citizens.
The Home Office lauded the agreements from Angola and Namibia as the “first delivery success from last month’s asylum reforms.”
The government had previously cautioned that it would suspend visa issuance to individuals from Angola, Namibia, and the DRC if their respective governments did not promptly improve cooperation regarding removals.
A Home Office source suggested that these agreements could facilitate the removal and deportation of thousands of individuals.
Under the government’s revisions to the UK’s asylum system, refugee status will transition to a temporary basis, guaranteed housing support for asylum seekers will be discontinued, and new, capped “safe and legal routes” into the UK will be established.
Announcing the changes last month, Home Secretary Mahmood warned that visa penalties would be applied to countries that failed to cooperate with the returns policies, including an “emergency brake” on visas for countries with high asylum claims until they take back citizens in the UK illegally.
The Home Office had stated that returns from the DRC, Angola, and Namibia were being impeded due to unprocessed paperwork or requirements for individuals to sign their own documents, effectively granting them a veto.
It had cautioned that the three countries faced penalties for their “unacceptably poor and obstructive returns processes”.
It said there had been some engagement by the DRC but “unless co-operation rapidly improves” further measures could be imposed, including the possibility of a complete visa ban on people from the country coming to the UK.
Home Secretary Mahmood stated: “We expect countries to play by the rules. If one of their citizens has no right to be here, they must take them back.”
“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.”
The authority’s leader says the decision shows the government is listening to residents’ concerns.
Herbert and Eva King say their past experiences influence their interest in helping refugees.
Those particularly affected are children and pregnant women – some going without food for days.
Napier Barracks, a former military site, will be handed over to a property developer for housing.
A Surrey charity welcomes government efforts, but says more cash is needed to “join the dots”.
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