UK threatens visa sanctions as Nigeria, others resist migrant returns deals

The United Kingdom has signalled possible visa sanctions against Nigeria and five other countries over their refusal to cooperate with migrant returns, following new agreements secured with three African states.

UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed that Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have agreed to accept the return of foreign offenders and illegal migrants after being threatened with visa penalties.

Mahmood said countries that refuse to take back their citizens “will face consequences,” warning that cooperation on returns is now central to maintaining normal visa relations with the UK.

It is understood that Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Somalia and Gabon remain resistant to similar return agreements, raising the prospect of sanctions if their positions do not change.

The UK government had previously accused Angola, Namibia and the DRC of frustrating deportations through delayed paperwork and obstructive processes, prompting threats of visa restrictions. Following the agreements, Mahmood said illegal migrants and foreign criminals from the three countries would now be deported.

The Home Office estimates that more than 3,000 people from the cooperating countries could be eligible for removal.

In the year ending September 2025, the UK recorded 36,475 returns and deportations, an 11 per cent increase from the previous year. About 5,000 of those removed were foreign national offenders.

Mahmood said the government hopes tougher returns enforcement will deter irregular migration, including dangerous crossings of the English Channel, which rose by 13 per cent last year.

She added that countries unwilling to cooperate on returns “cannot expect business as usual” on visas, suggesting further diplomatic pressure could follow.