We write to express our concern and dismay about the Government's statement of 4 March 2026. The statement declared that visas will not be issued for students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, on account of what it calls widespread abuse, namely students from these countries lodging asylum claims.

The UK and Sudan have a long and deep, mutually beneficial history of educational ties and exchange, dating back to colonial times. Maintaining this relationship could not be more important than in the present circumstances. The war that erupted in Sudan almost three years ago has devastated the country's education sector. Millions of Sudanese children, youth, and young people are facing an uncertain educational future, making them and the country ill-prepared for the task of post-conflict reconstruction to come.[1] Offering British education for Sudanese students, rather than cutting it off, should therefore be a policy imperative at a time of utmost need.

Doing so aligns with the FCDO's stated commitment to assist the people of Sudan. As the UN Security Council penholder on Sudan, the UK's conduct carries considerable weight. Effectively banning students from studying in the UK sends the wrong message, to the Sudanese and to the world at large, on how the UK responds to the war and views the Sudanese people. It is a discriminatory and disproportionate response to the 120 Sudanese students who reportedly claimed asylum last year, up from 90 the year before, out of over 4 million Sudanese refugees worldwide.[2]

Many Sudanese students are recipients of scholarships which demonstrates their potential. They and their families frequently have to make considerable sacrifices to enable them to study in the UK, which Sudanese still value as a destination for higher education. Seeing letters that are circulating in which applications by Sudanese students for Chevening Scholarships have been terminated following the announcement is heartbreaking and unconscionable. It runs contrary to the spirit of the programme which is intended "to enable outstanding emerging leaders [and to] build lasting positive relationships with the UK".[3]

SSSUK therefore calls on the UK government to lift the visa ban for Sudanese students. At the very least, it should provide visas for students on schemes like Chevening and university scholarships. SSSUK also urges the Government to take proactive steps to enable young Sudanese to exercise their right to education, to prepare themselves for the future challenges their country faces, and to contribute to maintaining and strengthening the long-standing relationship between the two countries and its peoples in the field of education.

SSSUK Committee

7 March 2026

enquiries@sssuk.org

The Society for the Studies of the Sudans UK (SSSUK) is a UK registered charity that promotes the study and understanding of South Sudan and Sudan in all their aspects, serving as an important forum for exchange and learning between the UK and the Sudans.

[1] 'Case Study: Current Education Situation in Sudan', ERICC Helpdesk report by Rebecca Glade and Ahmed MS Elbashir, May 2025 (accessed 6 March 2026); and ' Universities under siege: The impact of the Sudanese war on the sustainability of higher education in Sudan', by Mohd Elmagzoub Eltahir, Osman Sirajeldeen Ahmed, Asma Sirageldin Ahmed, Emad Eldin Omer, Journal of Adult and Continuing Education, 16 October 2025 (accessed 6 March 2026).

[2] Figures on the numbers of Sudanese Study Visa holders making applications for asylum are taken from Home Office press pack 'Notes to editors', 3 March 2026, accessible online on Politics UK. 'Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan 2026 - At a Glance', available on the UNHCR Operational Data Portal (accessed, 6 March 2026).

[3] Chevening, the UK government’s international scholarships and fellowships programme, Scholarships website page (accessed, 6 March 2026).