The UK government has issued a stern warning to Eritrea, threatening to impose a complete visa ban on its nationals unless the country agrees to accept the return of irregular migrants and convicted criminals currently in the UK. The announcement came from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who criticized Eritrea for abruptly halting cooperation on returns earlier this year.

Eritreans represented the largest group of small-boat arrivals to the UK in the year ending June 2026, accounting for about one in five such migrants. The Home Office emphasized the need for Eritrea to facilitate the repatriation process, stating that the UK has offered multiple opportunities for the country to take back its nationals but has so far been met with refusal.

As part of the measures announced, fast-track visa services for Eritrean government officials and diplomats have been suspended. Moreover, Eritrean diplomats in the UK will face movement restrictions, requiring special authorization for travel exceeding 40 miles from London. Mahmood indicated that such restrictions could escalate to a full visa ban if Eritrea fails to resume cooperation on returns.

The Eritrean Embassy in London responded strongly to the UK’s move, rejecting the claims that it had ceased cooperation and disputing the characterization of the returns process. The embassy described the UK’s approach as politically motivated, accusing London of “politicising” its asylum system and offering blanket asylum to anyone claiming Eritrean nationality. It also contended that the UK has not engaged in meaningful dialogue despite Eritrea’s repeated requests.

The embassy further blamed the UK’s policies for encouraging mainly underage Eritreans—and some asylum seekers posing as Eritrean nationals—to undertake dangerous journeys to Britain. It denounced the suspension of Eritrean officials’ visas as a superficial political gesture, noting that the UK had already not issued any visas to Eritrean officials since 2023.

Mahmood also signaled that other countries refusing to cooperate with the UK on the return of irregular migrants could face similar punitive measures. Recent months have seen other nations, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, and Namibia, agree to repatriate their nationals.

The issue highlights ongoing tensions between the UK and Eritrea concerning migration and asylum. Eritrea maintains a firm stance against accepting what it calls “forced returns,” while the UK government seeks to manage increasing irregular migration and uphold immigration controls. The dispute continues as both sides maintain their positions, with diplomatic and administrative measures poised to escalate should cooperation not be restored.