Myanmar Chevening alumni urge UK to lift visa restrictions on students

Mizzima

The Myanmar Chevening Alumni Association expressed concerns about the UK government’s decision to impose emergency visa restrictions on Myanmar nationals in a 19 March statement, warning that this move will disrupt scholarships and hinder the professional development of future Chevening candidates.

The statement is as follows.

We were shocked by the 4 March announcement of an ‘Emergency Brake’ on Sponsored Study Visas for Myanmar nationals by the UK Home Office. In particular, we deeply sympathise with the short-listed Chevening candidates for the 2026-2027 academic year who were in the middle of preparing for their Chevening interviews when they were informed that the scholarships will no longer be progressed due to the visa brake.

While we note, as the announcement says, that this is a temporary measure, we have learned that it will only be lifted when the UK government considers it appropriate to do so. This will affect at least one year of potential Myanmar Chevening scholars jeopardizing their professional development and Chevening’s positive impacts on Myanmar. We respectfully request the Home Office to reconsider the ‘Emergency Brake’ for Myanmar students, and in particular to immediately remove it for Myanmar Chevening scholars.

Chevening is more than just a scholarship scheme for Myanmar. It builds bridges for longer term relationships, practical cooperation and mutual benefits at all levels between Myanmar and the UK, in development, business, culture and academia. This effective support is needed now, more than ever, by the people of Myanmar.

We reiterate our commitment to sustaining the values of Chevening in Myanmar and call on all those concerned to ensure the immediate resumption of Chevening scholarships for future leaders in all development sectors for the country of Myanmar.

Tagged Myanmar, students, UK, Visa Restrictions