The United Kingdom has imposed visa restrictions on nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over what it described as the country’s “poor cooperation” in returning illegal migrants, the UK government said on Saturday.
Britain’s interior ministry warned that further measures, including a potential complete halt on visas, could follow unless the DRC rapidly improves its cooperation. The current curbs revoke fast-track visa processing for all DRC nationals and remove preferential treatment for VIPs and decision-makers.
The move follows threats issued in November by Britain’s Interior Minister, Shabana Mahmood, who had warned the DRC, Angola, and Namibia of visa bans unless they accepted the return of irregular migrants. While Angola and Namibia agreed to improve their processes and avoid restrictions, the DRC singled out for failing to facilitate returns.
The UK ministry accused the DRC of maintaining “unacceptably poor and obstructive returns processes,” including requiring individuals to sign their own paperwork, effectively blocking deportations.
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In response, the DRC said on Sunday that discussions with Britain had begun to resolve the matter. Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said, “The framework of the procedure has been clarified, and operational points identified.”
Minister Mahmood urged the DRC to comply fully with the rules, saying, “If one of their citizens has no right to be here, they must take them back. Now is the time for the Democratic Republic of Congo to do the right thing: take your citizens back or lose the privilege of entering our country.”
The visa restrictions are part of a broader set of reforms announced by Mahmood in November aimed at tightening Britain’s asylum rules.