Reinstate Student Visas for Afghans

Background

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmoud paused student visas for Afghans on 4 March, 2026. This must be reversed.

Additional details

Banning one of the only legal routes left for Afghan asylum seekers is cruel. The UK had direct involvement in enabling the Taliban's takeover by irresponsibly withdrawing its troops in August 2021. Afghan women, especially, deserve the right to apply for their education in the UK as they have not been able to work or study since the Taliban's takeover. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has formally referred to Afghanistan as undergoing "gender-based apartheid".