Eritrea has become the fourth African country to face UK visa pressure over migrant deportations, joining Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo in a dispute over the return of nationals who have no legal right to remain in Britain.
- Eritrea is the fourth African country to face UK visa restrictions over its refusal to accept deported nationals.
- Previously, Angola and Namibia improved cooperation after UK threats, and measures against the DRC were lifted when it complied.
- Eritreans made up 18% of small-boat arrivals to the UK in the year to June, the highest of any nationality in that period.
- The UK has imposed travel and visa restrictions on Eritrean officials and warned of a total visa ban if cooperation doesn't resume.
According to the UK Government statement, Angola and Namibia agreed to improve cooperation on returns after Britain threatened visa restrictions, while measures against the DRC were later lifted after the UK said cooperation had improved.
Britain is now threatening a wider entry ban against Eritreans unless their government resumes accepting more deportees.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said Eritrea had refused to cooperate with the return of foreign national offenders and people without the right to remain in the country. Eritrea’s government has not been reported as agreeing to the UK’s demands.
The dispute has particular significance for Britain’s migration debate. Eritreans accounted for 18% of small-boat arrivals in the 12 months to June, making them the most common nationality among people crossing the Channel during that period, according to figures cited by the House of Commons Library.
The UK government also announced a new migration deal with Egypt that is expected to cut the time taken to return Egyptian nationals with no legal right to remain in the country by 90%, from around 30 weeks to three weeks.
Britain escalates pressure on Eritrea
The UK has already introduced measures against Eritrean officials. From Thursday, Eritrean diplomats will need permission from the Foreign Office to travel more than 60 kilometres beyond London, while fast-track visa processing for government officials and other VIPs has been withdrawn.
The Home Office said the diplomatic travel restrictions mirror limits imposed on British officials in Eritrea’s capital, Asmara. Mahmood warned that the measures could be extended to a complete visa ban if Eritrea does not agree to accept more of its nationals being returned.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:
"Eritrea has had every chance to accept the return of criminals and those with no right to be in the UK. Unlike other countries, it has refused. My message to the Eritrean government is simple: take back your nationals or face a complete ban on your citizens entering the UK. I will not hesitate to impose further measures on other countries refusing to co-operate."
Mahmood has warned that the measures could escalate into a ban on all Eritrean citizens entering Britain if the government does not resume cooperation on returns.
The UK says Eritrea withdrew cooperation earlier in 2026, making it harder to deport people who lack valid travel documents.
The threatened blanket ban has not yet taken effect.
The dispute reflects Britain’s growing use of visa access as leverage to secure cooperation from African governments on deportations, with Eritrea now facing the prospect of broader restrictions if talks fail.