Britain has threatened to suspend all types of entry visas for Eritrean nationals and bar them from entering the country unless the Eritrean government agrees to take back its citizens who have no right to remain in the UK. The warning comes as part of the British government's efforts to address irregular migration and increase the number of people being returned from the country.
Restrictions on Eritrean diplomats' movement
British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood issued the warning to the Eritrean authorities, accusing them of refusing to co-operate with efforts to return rejected asylum seekers, as well as foreign criminals, to their country. From Thursday 15 October 2026, Eritrean diplomats will face new restrictions on the extent of their travel outside London.
The measures include cancelling fast-track visa services for VIPs and requiring Eritrean diplomats to obtain prior permission before travelling more than 60 kilometres outside the British capital. The British Home Office said the measure was in response to similar restrictions already imposed on British officials in Eritrea.
Mahmood takes tougher line towards Eritrea
The move follows the British government's accusation that the Eritrean authorities abruptly withdrew their co-operation earlier this year. Mahmood said in a press statement: “Eritrea has been given every opportunity to accept the return of criminals and people who have no right to be in Britain, but it has refused, unlike other countries.”
My message to the Eritrean government is clear: take back your citizens, or you will face a comprehensive ban on your citizens entering the UK. I will not hesitate to impose additional measures on any other countries that refuse to co-operate
Figures on Eritreans arriving by boat and seeking asylum
Home Office figures showed that Eritrean nationals accounted for around 18% of arrivals by this route in the 12 months ending in June 2026, making them the largest national group among those arriving by small boat. During the same period, 5875 Eritreans arrived in Britain by small boat, while 6952 Eritrean nationals lodged asylum claims.
A comparison of the two figures indicates that the asylum claims also included Eritreans who arrived through airports or legal border crossings, in addition to those who arrived by sea in boats. The figures also showed that the asylum grant rate for Eritrean applicants was slightly above 83%. Over the past four years, 2626 asylum applications submitted by Eritrean nationals were rejected, while 106 rejected asylum seekers were returned to Eritrea.
The British government has previously threatened visa restrictions to put pressure on other African countries. Earlier this year, Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were warned that restrictions could be imposed unless they agreed to receive their returning citizens.
Angola and Namibia later agreed to make changes before any sanctions were imposed. Restrictions were also placed on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, before the British Home Office said they were later lifted after co-operation improved.
