UK Threatens Visa Ban on Eritreans

The UK has threatened to bar Eritrean nationals from entering the country unless Eritrea agrees to accept more citizens being returned, including small-boat migrants and foreign offenders.

UK introduces restrictions on Eritrean officials

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced that, from Thursday, Eritrean diplomats would face restrictions on travelling outside London without permission. The government will also suspend fast-track visa services for VIPs.

Diplomats will be prohibited from travelling more than 60km beyond London without authorisation. The Home Office said the measures mirror restrictions imposed on British officials in Eritrea’s capital, Asmara.

Government demands cooperation on returns

Mahmood said Eritrea had repeatedly refused to accept the return of people convicted of crimes and those without the right to remain in the UK. She warned that further penalties could follow if other countries also failed to cooperate.

The UK government accused Eritrean authorities of abruptly ending cooperation earlier this year. Eritrea’s embassy in London has been contacted for comment.

Similar measures used against other countries

The UK has previously threatened visa restrictions against Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo over returns policies.

Restrictions against the DRC were later lifted after cooperation improved, while Angola and Namibia agreed to changes before penalties were introduced.

Mahmood had also outlined plans for an emergency visa restriction mechanism targeting countries with high asylum claims that refuse to accept citizens who are in the UK illegally.

Eritreans lead small-boat arrivals

House of Commons Library figures show Eritreans accounted for 18% of small-boat arrivals in the 12 months to June, making them the most common nationality among those crossing the Channel during that period.

Home Office data recorded more than 20,400 small-boat arrivals since the beginning of this year, a 40% decrease compared with the same period last year.

More than 40,600 people were returned or deported from the UK between July 2025 and June 2026, an 8% increase year on year. Fewer than 6,000 of those returned had been convicted of a criminal offence.