UK Visa Brake Explained: Who Is Affected And What Applicants Should Check

The UK visa brake is now in force for certain visa applications made from outside the UK. It does not affect every UK visa applicant.

According to GOV.UK, applications submitted online after 12:01am on 26 March 2026 will be refused if the main applicant is applying for a Student visa as a national of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, or Sudan, or applying for a Skilled Worker visa as a national of Afghanistan.

This applies even if the applicant already has a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, known as a CAS, or a valid Certificate of Sponsorship, known as a CoS.

What Is The UK Visa Brake?

The UK visa brake is a restriction introduced by the UK government for specific visa routes and nationalities.

It applies to certain entry clearance applications, which means applications made from outside the UK.

The visa brake currently affects:

The rule is based on the nationality of the main applicant. GOV.UK says it does not depend on where the applicant lives or where they apply from.

This means an Afghan national applying for a Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK may be affected even if they are living in another country.

Who Is Affected By The UK Visa Brake?

The UK visa brake affects applicants only if all of these points apply:

• The application is made from outside the UK

• The application is for an affected visa route

• The main applicant is a national of one of the listed countries

• The online application was submitted after the rule took effect

For Student visa applications, the affected main applicant nationalities are:

• Afghanistan

• Cameroon

• Myanmar

• Sudan

For Skilled Worker visa applications, the affected main applicant nationality is:

• Afghanistan

Other visa routes and other nationalities are not affected by the current visa brake unless GOV.UK updates the list.

When Did The UK Visa Brake Start?

The visa brake applies to applications submitted online after 12:01am on 26 March 2026.

If your application falls under the affected route and nationality, GOV.UK says it will be refused.

This includes cases where the applicant already has:

• A valid CAS for a Student visa

• A valid CoS for a Skilled Worker visa

The important date is the date the online application was submitted, not only when the CAS or CoS was issued.

Does A Valid CAS Or CoS Still Help?

For affected applicants, a valid CAS or CoS does not stop the visa brake from applying.

GOV.UK says the visa brake applies even if the applicant already has a valid Certificate of Sponsorship or Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.

This is important for:

• Students who already received a CAS from a UK education provider

• Skilled Worker applicants who already received a CoS from a UK sponsor

• Sponsors who already assigned a CoS

• Universities or education agents working with affected students

A CAS or CoS may still be a required part of the visa route, but for applicants affected by the visa brake, it does not override the restriction.

Does The Visa Brake Affect Existing UK Visa Holders?

No, the visa brake does not automatically cancel an existing valid UK visa.

GOV.UK says that if you already have a valid UK visa:

• You must continue to follow the conditions of your visa

• Your permission remains valid until its expiry date

• Your visa will not be cancelled by the visa brake if it has already been granted

• You may still be able to apply for an in-country extension or another in-country route if you are eligible

This means the visa brake is mainly about affected applications made from outside the UK, not automatic cancellation of visas that were already granted.

Does The Visa Brake Affect In-Country Applications?

GOV.UK says the visa brake applies to visa applications made outside the UK, also called entry clearance applications.

This means the current rule does not apply in the same way to applicants who are already inside the UK and applying for an extension or another in-country route, if they are eligible.

However, eligibility for in-country applications depends on the person’s current visa, route, timing, and immigration history.

Applicants should check GOV.UK or speak with a qualified UK immigration adviser before making decisions.

Why Did The UK Introduce The Visa Brake?

The UK government said the visa brake was introduced after an increase in asylum claims from people who had entered the UK through legal visa routes.

In its announcement, the Home Office said the measure applies to nationals from the affected countries because of patterns linked to asylum claims after arrival through study or work routes.

For applicants and sponsors, the practical point is not the political debate. The practical point is whether the rule applies to the route, nationality, and location of the application.

What Applicants Should Check Before Applying

Before applying for a UK visa, check these points carefully:

Do not rely only on advice from an agent, sponsor, university, or online forum. Check the GOV.UK page directly before submitting.

What Students Should Know

Student visa applicants should check whether their nationality is affected before using a CAS to submit a UK visa application from outside the UK.

The affected nationalities for Student visa applications are:

• Afghanistan

• Cameroon

• Myanmar

• Sudan

If you are a national of one of these countries and you are applying from outside the UK, the visa brake may apply even if you already have a valid CAS.

Students should contact their university or education provider and check GOV.UK before paying additional fees, booking travel, or submitting an application.

What Skilled Worker Applicants Should Know

The Skilled Worker visa brake currently affects Afghan nationals applying from outside the UK.

If you are an Afghan national and you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK, the visa brake may apply even if you already have a valid CoS.

Skilled Worker applicants should check:

• Whether the application is being made from outside the UK

• Whether the main applicant nationality is Afghanistan

• Whether the CoS has already been assigned

• Whether GOV.UK has published any update

• Whether professional immigration advice is needed

What Sponsors And Employers Should Check

Employers and sponsors should not only check the visa brake. They should also review the separate Skilled Worker salary compliance changes.

From 8 April 2026, Skilled Worker salary compliance is assessed more closely by pay period. GOV.UK’s Skilled Worker guidance says the salary paid to the worker in each pay period must equal or exceed the going rate for every hour worked in that pay period.

The guidance also explains that where a worker is paid monthly or less frequently, the salary paid over any 3-month period must be at least equal to a quarter of the required annual salary. If the worker is paid more frequently, the salary paid over any 12-week period must be at least equal to 12/52 of the required annual salary.

For sponsors, this means annual salary alone may not be enough if pay slips show shortfalls in specific pay periods.

Sponsors should review:

• CoS details

• Salary level

• Contracted hours

• Pay frequency

• Payroll records

• Deductions

• Salary sacrifice arrangements

• Role-specific going rate

• Whether the worker’s pay meets the required salary in the relevant pay periods

This is a sponsor compliance issue, not the same rule as the visa brake. But it matters for employers sponsoring Skilled Workers.

Common Misunderstandings About The UK Visa Brake

“The Visa Brake Affects All UK Visa Applicants”

No. The visa brake currently affects specific visa routes and specific nationalities.

Other routes and nationalities are not affected unless GOV.UK updates the rule.

“A CAS Or CoS Protects The Application”

Not for affected applicants.

GOV.UK says the visa brake applies even if the applicant already has a valid CAS or CoS.

“The Visa Brake Cancels Existing UK Visas”

No. GOV.UK says existing valid UK visas are not cancelled by the visa brake if they have already been granted.

“It Depends On Where You Live”

GOV.UK says the rule is based on the main applicant’s nationality, not where they live or where they apply from.

“Payroll Rules Are Part Of The Visa Brake”

No. The Skilled Worker pay period rule is separate from the visa brake.

However, both changes matter for sponsors, employers, and Skilled Worker applicants.

What To Do If You May Be Affected

If you may be affected by the UK visa brake, do not submit an application without checking official guidance first.

You should:

• Read the GOV.UK visa brake page

• Check whether your nationality is listed

• Check whether your visa route is listed

• Check whether you are applying from outside the UK

• Contact your university, sponsor, or employer if you already have a CAS or CoS

• Ask a qualified UK immigration adviser if your situation is complex

• Avoid relying only on unofficial advice

If you already have a pending application, check GOV.UK and contact UKVI through official channels.

Where Outbound Can Help

Outbound can help travelers and visa applicants review their visa profile, documents, and application details before applying.

You can use Outbound’s Free Visa Chance Checker to check parts of your profile that may need clearer explanation, such as travel purpose, financial proof, sponsor details, travel history, previous refusals, and home ties.

For UK immigration-specific legal advice, especially if you are affected by the visa brake, you should check GOV.UK or speak with a qualified UK immigration adviser.

FAQ

What Is The UK Visa Brake?

The UK visa brake is a restriction that applies to certain visa applications made from outside the UK. It currently affects Student visa applications from main applicants who are nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, or Sudan, and Skilled Worker visa applications from main applicants who are nationals of Afghanistan.

Who Is Affected By The UK Visa Brake?

The visa brake affects applicants applying from outside the UK on listed visa routes, based on the nationality of the main applicant.

For Student visas, the affected nationalities are Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan. For Skilled Worker visas, the affected nationality is Afghanistan.

When Did The UK Visa Brake Start?

The visa brake applies to applications submitted online after 12:01am on 26 March 2026.

Does A Valid CAS Still Work Under The Visa Brake?

For affected Student visa applicants, a valid CAS does not stop the visa brake from applying. GOV.UK says the rule applies even if the applicant already has a valid CAS.

Does A Valid CoS Still Work Under The Visa Brake?

For affected Skilled Worker applicants, a valid CoS does not stop the visa brake from applying. GOV.UK says the rule applies even if the applicant already has a valid CoS.

Does The Visa Brake Affect Existing UK Visa Holders?

No. GOV.UK says a visa already granted will not be cancelled by the visa brake. The holder must continue to follow the visa conditions until the visa expires.

Does The Visa Brake Affect People Applying Inside The UK?

The current GOV.UK guidance says the visa brake applies to applications made from outside the UK. People applying inside the UK may still be able to apply for an extension or another in-country route if they are eligible.

What Should Employers Check After The Skilled Worker Salary Rule Change?

Sponsors should check that Skilled Workers are paid the required salary in the relevant pay periods, not only as an annual figure. They should review salary, hours, pay slips, deductions, and the going rate for the occupation code.

Before You Apply

Before applying for a UK visa, check whether the visa brake applies to your situation.

Ask:

• What is my nationality?

• What visa route am I applying for?

• Am I applying from outside the UK?

• Was my application submitted after 12:01am on 26 March 2026?

• Do I already hold a valid UK visa?

• Do I need UK immigration advice before applying?

For sponsors, also check whether payroll and salary records meet the current Skilled Worker sponsor requirements.

UK immigration rules can change quickly. Always check GOV.UK before submitting an application, assigning a CoS, issuing a CAS, or making travel plans.

Sources

• GOV.UK — Visa Brake: Changes To The UK Visa System
  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visa-brake-changes-to-the-uk-visa-system

• GOV.UK — Visa Brake Imposed On 4 Countries After Widespread Visa Abuse
  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/visa-brake-imposed-on-4-countries-after-widespread-visa-abuse

• GOV.UK — Student And Child Student Caseworker Guidance
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/points-based-system-student-route/student-and-child-student-accessible

• GOV.UK — Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker
  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-skilled-worker

• GOV.UK — Skilled Worker Caseworker Guidance
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-caseworker-guidance/skilled-worker-caseworker-guidance-accessible

• KPMG — Home Office Issues Key Changes To Immigration Rules
  https://kpmg.com/xx/en/our-insights/gms-flash-alert/2026/flash-alert-2026-072.html

• Outbound Visa — Free Visa Chance Checker
  https://www.outboundvisa.com/en/visa-chance-checker