UK Targets Eritrea With Visa Restrictions Over Deportation Standoff
Eritrea faces potential complete visa ban for refusing to accept return of its nationals, UK Home Office states.
The United Kingdom has imposed visa restrictions on Eritrea, targeting diplomats and VIPs with the aim of compelling the East African nation to accept the deportation of its citizens who have entered the UK illegally. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced that Eritrean diplomats will lose access to the UK's fast-track visa system, with the possibility of a complete ban on all visas for Eritrean citizens if the country does not increase cooperation.
"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," Mahmood stated. "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."
In addition, Eritrean diplomats will be restricted to traveling no more than 37 miles from London without prior permission from the Foreign Office. This retaliatory measure mirrors restrictions previously placed on British officials in Eritrea by the Eritrean authorities.
The Home Office stated that Eritrea "abruptly withdrew returns co-operation" earlier this year. The move comes as data shows a significant number of Eritreans arriving in the UK via small boats. In the year ending June, nearly 5,900 Eritreans made this journey. This represents an increase from approximately 2,000 in 2022 to 7,600 in 2025, though recent figures indicate a slight decrease in the most recent partial year reporting.
The article highlights a case involving Radiet Meles, an Eritrean national who arrived in Britain in 2015. He was convicted of rape and assault by beating last month, following his release from jail for a previous sex crime. Meles had been identified as likely to be deported after completing his initial sentence for attempted rape in 2018, but was not monitored after his release and committed further offenses.
Similar visa penalties have been used by the UK against other nations. Last year, the Home Office threatened similar measures against Angola and Namibia, which subsequently agreed to enhanced returns arrangements. Visa restrictions were also imposed on the Democratic Republic of Congo until it began cooperating, after which the restrictions were lifted and return flights resumed. These powers were initially introduced by former Home Secretary Priti Patel.