Petitions/Exempt Afghan women from the study-visa suspension and reinstate routes to study
StatusOngoing
Opened8 Apr 2026
Closes
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

Create an immediate exemption to the current suspension of study visas for Afghan nationals, so Afghan women and girls can obtain UK education visas (including university, foundation and English pathways) with appropriate safeguards, and publish clear guidance for applicants and institutions.

The UK has paused study visas for Afghan citizens. We believe that this decision effectively shuts one of the last education routes for Afghan women and girls at a time when education inside Afghanistan is severely restricted. In our view, penalising genuine students because others may claim asylum for illegitimate reasons is disproportionate. We believe that the UK can protect border integrity without blocking women’s education, and that taking this action aligns with UK values on girls’ education and human rights.

1,761Total signatures
Select your constituency →
10,000
100,000

Constituency engagement ranking

Tom Gordon
1Tom Gordon MP
Harrogate and Knaresborough
20
Shabana Mahmood
2Shabana Mahmood MP
Birmingham Ladywood
18
Rachael Maskell
3Rachael Maskell MP
York Central
18
Imran Hussain
4Imran Hussain MP
Bradford East
13
Naz Shah
5Naz Shah MP
Bradford West
13
Dr Rupa Huq
6Dr Rupa Huq MP
Ealing Central and Acton
13
Liam Byrne
7Liam Byrne MP
Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North
12
Helen Hayes
8Helen Hayes MP
Dulwich and West Norwood
11
Katie White
9Katie White MP
Leeds North West
11
Layla Moran
10Layla Moran MP
Oxford West and Abingdon
11