The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following Namibia and Angola, will take back migrants who entered the UK irregularly after the Home Office threatened them with visa penalties. Up to 3,000 people could now be deported.
Three African nations have agreed to take back their nationals who entered the UK irregularly, following threats from the British government to impose visa penalties.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) became the latest country to cooperate, the Interior Ministry announced on Friday (February 6), after the UK suspended fast-track visa processing for Congolese nationals and halted preferential treatment for diplomats and VIPs in December.
"My message is clear, if foreign governments refuse to accept the return of their citizens, then they will face consequences," UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said following the agreement.
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Up to 3,000 people may be deported from the UK
Namibia and Angola had already agreed to return their nationals a month earlier after similar threats from Mahmood. The Home Office said the three countries had previously frustrated efforts to deport their citizens, including refusing to process paperwork or requiring individuals to sign their own documents, giving them an effective veto over removals.
Officials said that up to 3,000 people from Namibia, Angola, and the DRC could now be removed from the UK as a result of the agreements.
"Illegal migrants and dangerous criminals will now be removed and deported back to Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo," Mahmood added. "I will do what it takes to secure our order and to control our borders."
Countries refusing to cooperate 'cannot expect normal visa relationship'
The use of visa threats forms part of a broader plan announced by Mahmood in November to tighten the UK’s asylum system and accelerate removals of those who entered irregularly. The Home Office emphasized that nations refusing to cooperate on returns “cannot expect a normal visa relationship,” with further sanctions possible for countries that do not comply.
The measure comes amid ongoing political debate over immigration, including continued arrivals via small boats in the Channel, and growing anti-migrant sentiments among the public.
Since the 2024 election, more than 15,000 people have been removed from the UK, a 45 percent increase on the previous 19 months, while another 43,000 are said to have left voluntarily after being informed they were in the country "illegally," the German Press Agency reported (dpa).
The UK has indicated that other countries, including India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Somalia, and Gabon, are also resistant to return agreements, raising the possibility of similar visa measures in the future.
With AFP and dpa