Arabic version: بريطانيا تهدد إريتريا بحظر التأشيرات بسبب إعادة المهاجرين

According to BBC News, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has threatened to bar all Eritreans from entering the UK unless Eritrea accepts more returns of small-boat migrants and foreign national offenders.

From Thursday, Eritrean diplomats will face limits on travel outside London, while fast-track visas for VIPs will be halted. Diplomats will be unable to travel more than 60km beyond London without permission. The Home Office said the measure mirrors restrictions faced by British officials in Eritrea’s capital, Asmara.

Mahmood said Eritrea had been given opportunities to accept the return of criminals and people without a right to remain in the UK, but had refused. The UK government said Eritrean authorities had “abruptly” withdrawn co-operation earlier this year. Eritrea’s embassy in London has been contacted for comment.

Eritreans were the most common nationality among people arriving in small boats in the 12 months to June, accounting for 18% of arrivals, according to House of Commons Library figures. Home Office data shows more than 20,400 people have arrived by small boats since the start of this year, down 40% on the same period last year.

The government has used the prospect of visa restrictions to press other countries on returns. Restrictions imposed on the Democratic Republic of Congo last year were lifted after co-operation improved, while Angola and Namibia agreed changes before measures were introduced. More than 40,600 returns and deportations took place from July 2025 to June this year, an 8% rise year on year; fewer than 6,000 people returned had been convicted of a criminal offence.