Politics

Keir Starmer Threatens UK Visa Restrictions on Countries Refusing Migrant Return Deals

Published on June 18, 2025

Keir Starmer has warned that countries refusing to engage in return agreements for migrants could see their citizens’ access to UK visas restricted. The Labour leader, echoing some tough rhetoric seen in previous years, made the warning as he described the situation surrounding Channel crossings as a “serious challenge” that demands serious solutions.

“We are looking at issues like a smarter use of our visas,” Starmer said, suggesting that the UK could tie its visa allocations to how well countries cooperate on tackling illegal migration and agree to take back migrants who have crossed the Channel.

Starmer revealed that he had discussed the matter with leaders from France, Germany, and Italy during the recent G7 summit. Speaking about his conversations with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Starmer mentioned that the aim was to find ways to curb the flow of migrants crossing the Channel.

“It’s a serious challenge that requires serious responses to it,” Starmer added, hinting that visa restrictions might be part of a broader, more transactional approach to international cooperation on migration. He noted that countries failing to agree on return deals could face tighter visa limits for their citizens looking to come to the UK. “It would be much more sort of transactional, if you like,” he said, adding, “We’re looking into it.”

This push comes amid rising tensions over the UK’s struggle to manage the increasing number of small boat crossings from France. In addition to restricting visas, Starmer raised the possibility of using counter-terrorism-style sanctions to clamp down on people-smuggling gangs.

“I raised it specifically and indeed in detail with President Macron,” Starmer explained. “I also spoke with Giorgia Meloni and Friedrich Merz about the issue, as some of the boats are passing through Germany.” The UK already has return deals in place with several countries, including Albania, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Iraq, Nigeria, and others, but Starmer is keen to expand the scope of such agreements.

He was less clear when asked whether the UK could agree to return deals with individual EU countries or if it would need to be a broader, EU-wide agreement. “Again, we are looking at what we can do on returns agreements,” Starmer responded, carefully avoiding a direct answer. “We’ve done a number of bilateral returns agreements, so the question is, again, whether it’s possible to go a bit beyond that.”

The issue of Channel crossings remains a top priority for the UK government, with Starmer pushing hard for action. In his meeting with Macron, the two leaders reportedly agreed that stopping the small boats would be a key focus of their upcoming discussions during Macron’s state visit to the UK in July. Downing Street has described the situation in the Channel as deteriorating, emphasising the need for “high-ambition outcomes” and “innovative” solutions to the problem.

As the government and opposition leaders intensify their efforts to tackle the crisis, it’s clear that tougher measures could be on the horizon for countries that refuse to cooperate on migrant returns.

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