Reform UK Sets out Immigration Policies
Reform UK’s Shadow Home Secretary, Zia Yusuf, used a speech in Dover today alongside party leader Nigel Farage to set out a package of immigration and internal security proposals. The party said it would deliver “net negative” migration, meaning annual departures would exceed arrivals, and outlined plans for large-scale deportation enforcement.
Central to the announcement is a proposal to suspend visa issuance for certain countries that refuse to accept deportees.
The countries named in public reporting include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia.
The proposal is presented as a reciprocal mechanism: where a foreign government does not cooperate with deportation and returns arrangements, visa access to the UK would be restricted for its nationals.
What does Suspension of Visa Issuance mean?
Suspension of visa issuance refers to halting the grant of new entry clearance applications processed by the UK Home Office. In practical terms, a suspension of visa issuance would mean UKVI would stop granting new entry clearance to affected nationals. How that would be implemented operationally has not been set out in detail.
Under the Immigration Act 1971, the Secretary of State holds broad authority to define visa categories and set eligibility criteria through the Immigration Rules. Differential treatment by nationality is legally possible within that framework.
The proposal links directly to deportation enforcement. Removal of individuals with no lawful right to remain often depends on cooperation from the country of nationality, and that cooperation may include confirmation of identity and issuance of travel documentation.
Where a receiving state declines to cooperate, removal can be impeded.
Reform UK’s proposal is therefore seeking to use suspension of visa issuance as leverage in those circumstances.
At face value, the proposal relates to new visa issuance rather than cancelling visas already granted, but Reform has not set out any details of any transitional framework or which routes would be affected.
Parallels with US issuance suspension
The concept of suspension of visa issuance as leverage for deportation cooperation has a parallel in US law. Under Section 243(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the US government may suspend the issuance of visas to nationals of countries that refuse to accept the return of their citizens.
In January 2026, the US Department of State paused visa issuance for immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of listed countries, meaning applications and interviews could proceed but immigrant visas were not issued while the pause applied. Applications could continue to be submitted and interviews attended, but consular posts were instructed not to issue immigrant visas while the policy review remained in place. Existing valid visas were not cancelled, and exemptions applied in limited circumstances, including where an applicant travelled on a passport from a non-listed country.
Reform UK Immigration Policy Unveiled
The proposed visa freeze has been presented as part of a broader package of immigration and internal security reforms. Beyond suspension of visa issuance, Reform UK outlined proposals that would affect the legal framework, enforcement infrastructure and long-term settlement model of the UK immigration system.
Among the measures announced were plans to leave the European Convention on Human Rights and repeal the Human Rights Act, replacing it with a British Bill of Rights. The party also pledged to introduce an “Illegal Migration Mass Deportation Act”, described as legislation intended to require removals of individuals with no lawful right to remain and to restrict judicial intervention in deportation decisions.
In parallel, Reform set out plans to abolish indefinite leave to remain, replacing it with renewable five-year work visas, alongside tighter spouse visa requirements. Additional proposals include expanded stop and search powers, increased prison capacity and changes to the PREVENT counter-terror framework.
Detention and Removal Infrastructure
A central operational proposal is the creation of a UK Deportation Command. The party has stated that this body would coordinate detention and removals and operate with capacity to detain up to 24,000 individuals at any one time, with removals potentially reaching up to 288,000 annually.
The plan references the use of modular accommodation and daily charter removal flights. If implemented at the scale described, this would represent a significant expansion of the current detention estate and removals capability.
From an administrative standpoint, delivery would require substantial estate development, procurement processes, recruitment of enforcement and detention staff, expansion of escorting contracts and continued cooperation with receiving states. Returns operations depend not only on domestic enforcement capacity but also on bilateral agreements and travel documentation arrangements with foreign governments.
Legislative and Constitutional Proposals
The proposals affecting the UK’s human rights framework would require primary legislation. Withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights and repeal of the Human Rights Act would involve full parliamentary process and engage broader constitutional considerations, including the relationship between domestic courts and international obligations.
Similarly, any new “Illegal Migration Mass Deportation Act” would need to be drafted, scrutinised and enacted through Parliament. Its final effect would depend on its precise wording and interaction with existing public law principles.
Status and Route Reform
Replacing indefinite leave to remain with renewable five-year visas would alter the current model of permanent settlement. Indefinite leave presently provides residence without time limitation and serves as a pathway to British citizenship. Moving to renewable status would require amendment to the Immigration Rules and adjustment to long-term settlement policy.
At present, none of these changes has been enacted. The existing Immigration Rules, settlement framework and visa routes remain in force.
DMS Perspective
The political framing of the proposal on suspending visa issuance surounds illegal entry, overstaying and deportations, so for most people using the UK immigration system lawfully, this announcement is unlikely to alter their position in the immediate term. The emphasis of the proposals would appear to be on enforcement, removals and cooperation with foreign governments, rather than on closing established economic migration routes that remain central to the UK’s labour market and higher education model.
If we look at the mechanics of what’s being proposed, a suspension of visa issuance could be legally possible within the existing framework. The Secretary of State has wide discretion under the Immigration Act 1971 to amend the Immigration Rules and differentiate by nationality. If drafted narrowly and tied to deportation cooperation then, such a policy could be implemented via Immigration Rules changes and operational direction, with timing dependent on drafting and delivery.
That said, other elements would be materially more complex. Leaving the European Convention on Human Rights, repealing the Human Rights Act and limiting judicial oversight would require primary legislation and careful constitutional handling. Creating a deportation command with detention capacity for 24,000 individuals and removals approaching 288,000 annually (as per the party’s proposal) would also demand significant time, investment and expansion of estate, staffing, transport contracts and bilateral returns agreements.
Fundamentally, the gap between political messaging and operational delivery is vast, with the headline enforcement pledges certainly exceeding the immediate administrative capacity and capability. We’d expect implementation to be phased, and most likely subject to legal challenge.
