Bangladesh May Face UK Visa Sanctions as Government Targets Countries Failing to Take Back Migrants

By Rashed Belal:

Bangladesh could be among the next countries to face visa restrictions from the United Kingdom, following the government’s announcement of tough new measures aimed at nations that refuse to take back illegal migrants.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed this week that Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are the first countries to be formally warned. According to the Home Office, these three governments have collectively declined to accept the return of more than 4,000 illegal migrants and foreign criminals from the UK.

Mahmood has given the countries one month to improve their co-operation. If they fail to do so, the UK will introduce a series of escalating penalties, beginning with the removal of priority visa services for diplomats and other VIP travellers. If problems persist, the UK could eventually impose a full visa ban on all citizens of the affected countries. Letters outlining the warning have already been sent to all three embassies in London.

Although Bangladesh is not included in the initial group, both The Sunday Times and The Guardian have reported that the UK government is closely monitoring several other nations with low rates of accepting deported nationals. Bangladesh is repeatedly mentioned in this context, alongside India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Somalia and Gabon. These countries all have high demand for UK visas.

The possibility of Bangladesh being added to the sanctions list has raised concerns among British-Bangladeshis, many of whom rely on UK visas for family visits, education and work. A restriction on priority visas alone could lead to long delays for applicants, while a full ban would severely disrupt travel between the two countries.

Mahmood said the government’s message to foreign governments was simple: “accept the return of your citizens or lose the privilege of entering our country.” She argued that the UK has been too patient for too long and that firmer action is now required to ensure the immigration system is respected.

The visa measures form part of a much larger overhaul of the UK’s asylum and immigration system, which ministers have described as the most significant reform since the Second World War. The package includes major changes to appeals, human rights claims and settlement rules. Migrants who arrive illegally will be limited to a single appeal against removal and will have to bring all human rights or modern slavery claims at once instead of submitting new challenges over many years. The government also plans to tighten the interpretation of family rights under the European Convention on Human Rights, after arguing that some migrants have used distant or newly formed relationships to avoid deportation. This is happening at a time when small boat crossings have risen sharply, with more than 39,000 people arriving across the Channel so far this year.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended the new measures, saying that the public must have confidence that borders are secure and immigration rules are properly enforced. However, the changes have sparked criticism from refugee organisations. The Refugee Council warned that the proposals could create serious practical difficulties and may risk injustices similar to the Windrush scandal. Meanwhile, Conservative politicians accused the Labour government of not going far enough, with some arguing that Britain should leave the European Convention on Human Rights entirely to regain full control over removals.

For now, Bangladesh remains off the formal sanctions list. But the repeated mention of the country in British media reports suggests that London expects stronger co-operation in processing returnees. Without improvements, Bangladesh could find itself facing the same measures now directed at Angola, Namibia and the DRC.

Community leaders and travel agents in London and across the UK say they hope both governments will work quickly to avoid any disruption to the thousands of families who regularly travel between Britain and Bangladesh.