UK Government Visa Brake
The UK Government has announced a ‘visa brake’ affecting Student visa applications made outside the UK by nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan.
The restriction applies to Student visa applications submitted outside the UK on or after 26 March 2026. Any Student visa application submitted by nationals from these four countries from outside the UK after this date will be refused, regardless of the country from which the application is made.
The University of the Highlands and Islands will therefore not be able to issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to support a visa application for affected applicants. Therefore, we are unable to process applications for nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan that require a visa to study in the UK for September 2026 entry.
The restriction is set by external immigration policy, and universities are therefore unable to make exceptions. We recognise that this may cause considerable disappointment for applicants from the affected countries.
However, we would be very happy to support students continuing their studies with us through one of our online programmes, which can be studied fully from a student's home country without the need for a UK student visa.
We offer a wide range of distance learning options, and we encourage you to explore the programmes available: