Countries are expected to accept the return of their nationals who have no legal right to remain in the United Kingdom, as part of standard immigration enforcement cooperation between governments. Visa access and processing arrangements form part of bilateral migration relationships.
The Home Office and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood have announced that Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo will take back illegal migrants and foreign criminals after UK visa penalty threats were applied to secure cooperation.
The Home Office has confirmed that Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo will now cooperate with the UK in accepting the return of their nationals who have no right to remain, following visa penalty measures.
The announcement, published on 6 February 2026 by the Home Office and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, states that removal flights are already operating. The cooperation expands deportation and enforced return activity and links visa treatment to returns cooperation.
Returns Cooperation Announcement
The Home Office said Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo have agreed to cooperate with the UK on the return of nationals who have no right to remain in the country.
It stated that deportations and removals are now proceeding following the cooperation agreements secured by the Home Secretary.
- Three countries now cooperating on migrant returns
- Removals and deportation flights already operating
Countries Agreeing to Take Back Nationals
The announcement names Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo as the countries that have agreed to accept the return of their nationals.
It states that cooperation from Angola and Namibia followed earlier visa penalty threats, with Democratic Republic of Congo cooperation secured after additional visa restrictions were applied.
Visa Penalty Measures Used
The Home Office said the Home Secretary threatened to shut down visas to Britain for countries that refused to accept returned nationals.
Measures described include stripping VIPs and decision makers of preferential visa treatment and revoking fast-track visa processing services for all nationals of the affected country.
Visa Measures and Cooperation Actions
| Angola | Agreed to cooperate on returns after visa penalty threat |
| Namibia | Agreed to cooperate on returns after visa penalty threat |
| Democratic Republic of Congo | Cooperation secured after VIP and fast-track visa treatment removed |
Scale of Removals and Eligible Cohort
The Home Office said removals of illegal migrants with no right to be in the UK are at an all-time high under the current government, with 58,500 people removed or deported since it came into power.
It added that over 3,000 nationals from these three countries could now be eligible for removal due to the cooperation agreements.
- 58,500 removals or deportations recorded
- Over 3,000 nationals now potentially eligible
Wider Immigration Enforcement Reforms
The department said the agreements form part of wider reforms being delivered by the Home Secretary to increase removals and reduce incentives for illegal migration to the UK.
It links the approach to a broader effort across government departments to restore order and control to the immigration system using available policy levers.
Ongoing Non-Cooperation by Other Countries
The Home Office said some countries are still frustrating the returns process and are not taking back nationals who have no right to remain in the UK.
It stated that further visa-related measures are expected where governments continue to refuse cooperation on returns.
Cooperation Status on Returns
| Angola | Now cooperating on accepting returned nationals |
| Namibia | Now cooperating on accepting returned nationals |
| Democratic Republic of Congo | Now cooperating on accepting returned nationals |
| Other unnamed countries | Described as not yet cooperating on returns |
Ministerial Comments
Shabana Mahmood MP, Home Secretary said;
“My message is clear, if foreign governments refuse to accept the return of their citizens, then they will face consequences.”
“Illegal migrants and dangerous criminals will now be removed and deported back to Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
“I will do what it takes to restore order and control to our borders.”
In Conclusion
The Home Office states that cooperation agreements with Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo are now in place to support the return of nationals with no right to remain in the UK.
The department links the outcome to visa penalty measures and broader immigration enforcement reforms. Removal flights are reported as operating, with additional countries warned that visa arrangements may change if cooperation is refused.
Sources: Home Office and The Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
