- UK visa brake: information for current students
- Does the visa brake affect current students in the UK?
- Can I apply for another visa from inside the UK?
- Are dependants affected by the visa brake?
- Which visa applications are affected?
- How long will the visa brake last?
UK visa brake: information for current students
The UK Government has introduced a visa brake affecting new Student visa applications made outside the UK by nationals of:
- Afghanistan
- Cameroon
- Myanmar
- Sudan.
The visa brake applies to affected Student visa applications submitted online after 12.01am on 26 March 2026.
If you are already studying in the UK with a valid visa, your existing visa is not cancelled by the visa brake.
Does the visa brake affect current students in the UK?
If you already have a valid UK visa:
- your visa remains valid until its expiry date
- you must continue to follow the conditions of your visa
- the visa brake does not cancel a visa that has already been granted
- you can still apply for an in-country visa extension or switch to another visa route if you are eligible.
If you defer your studies or need to leave the UK and make a new Student visa application from overseas, the visa brake may affect you.
Can I apply for another visa from inside the UK?
Yes. If you are eligible to apply from within the UK, the visa brake does not prevent you from applying for an in-country visa extension or switching to another visa route ((for example, another Student Visa or a Graduate Route visa after completing your studies),
This means you can still make an application from within the UK if you meet the requirements for the visa you are applying for.
Are dependants affected by the visa brake?
The visa brake applies according to the nationality of the main applicant and to applications made outside the UK on the affected routes.
Dependants must continue to meet the normal immigration requirements that apply to their application
Which visa applications are affected?
The visa brake currently applies to:
- Student visa applications made outside the UK where the main applicant is a national of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar or Sudan
- Skilled Worker visa applications made outside the UK where the main applicant is a national of Afghanistan.
Other visa routes and nationalities are not affected by the visa brake.
Read the official GOV.UK guidance on the visa brake.
How long will the visa brake last?
The UK Government states that the visa brake is not permanent and will be reviewed regularly. It will end when the Government considers it appropriate to do so. Updates will be published on GOV.UK.
You can also check UKCISA for visa and immigration news. UKCISA has published specific guidance for students affected by the visa brake.