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UK to invoke ‘emergency brake’ to ban student visa applications from four countries

Financial Times Asia
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⚡ Quantum Brief
The UK government will suspend student visa applications from four unspecified countries in March 2026, invoking an "emergency brake" policy to curb migration. This marks the first use of the 2023 immigration law clause allowing sudden visa restrictions if net migration exceeds thresholds or poses economic risks. The ban targets countries deemed high-risk for visa overstays or low-skilled migration, though officials declined to name them pending diplomatic notifications. Universities warn the move could disrupt international student recruitment, a £40bn annual sector, and strain ties with key education partners. Critics argue the policy contradicts the UK’s post-Brexit global talent strategy, while supporters claim it protects domestic labor markets amid record migration levels.
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Source: Financial Times Asia

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