Overview
- The Home Office revoked fast‑track services and VIP visa privileges for the Democratic Republic of the Congo after judging cooperation on returns insufficient.
- Shabana Mahmood warned measures could escalate up to a complete halt on visas for the DRC unless cooperation improves.
- Angola and Namibia agreed to new processes that will enable the UK to return undocumented migrants and foreign national offenders in the coming months.
- Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told UK diplomats to prioritise securing returns as part of the government’s push to accelerate removals.
- Officials highlighted that the three named countries account for a very small share of UK visas and irregular arrivals, while removals since July 2024 total nearly 50,000, including over 7,000 foreign national offenders.