The Commonwealth is the association of 56 countries, mostly former territories of the British Empire. The countries of the Commonwealth share a historical and cultural connection to the UK, and many have close political, economic, and social ties to the country.

A new report from the Commonwealth has found that Brexit has not led to any improvements in the UK visa process for citizens of Commonwealth countries. The report, which analyzed visa applications and approvals before and after Brexit, revealed that there had been no significant changes in the ease or speed of obtaining a UK visa for Commonwealth citizens.

It further shows that the visa refusal rate for the UK has been more for the commonwealth countries than other nations. Thus, even though new policies are put into effect after Brexit, there has not been much improvement for the citizens of Commonwealth nations.

UK Visa Refusal Rate increased for Commonwealth Nations.

The UK has traditionally had a strong relationship with the Commonwealth countries, with many Commonwealth citizens travelling to the UK for work, study, or tourism. It has also been a significant trading partner for many Commonwealth countries, and two-way trade has been important.

The passing of Queen Elizabeth II, whose rule saw the Commonwealth's independent nations develop from the British Empire's former colonies, has caused a lot of introspection. Now, a lot of the members are interested in the organization's goals.

It is being proposed that a special visa for applicants from Commonwealth countries could address the concerns. It would also lessen the likelihood that governments would seek to quit the Commonwealth and assist in filling some of the labour shortages.

Of all the causes for all of this, the most significant would be unmet expectations. Free mobility inside the EU was highly unpopular in the UK and contributed significantly to the decision to exit the organization. As for now, UK visa processing has been incredibly beneficial for the countries that are allowed visa-free entry to the country. 

The issue could be influenced by a record increase in immigration to the UK and all the challenges for asylum seekers. According to immigration integration consultant Heather Rolfe, as long as the British people think it is necessary, having a special visa for talented Commonwealth citizens shouldn't be an issue. 

UK Visa Refusal rate for Commonwealth Nations.

During the last five years, fewer than 6% of applications for work visas from China, Mexico, Russia, or Saudi Arabia were turned down, as opposed to more than 10% for other African Commonwealth nations, such as Cameroon, Uganda, and Tanzania.

The refusal rate has been alarming for the African Commonwealth nations. For instance, Kenya had a work visa rejection rate of 8%, which is roughly four times greater than Australia or Canada. While Kenyan nationals must apply for visas in order to enter the UK for any length of time, while citizens of some countries, like New Zealand, Australia, Canada, etc., are free to travel there for stays of up to six months.

Moreover, the visa rejection for a study or family visa is also shocking. The rejection rate for study visas in Cameroon, a Commonwealth country since 1960, was 27.2%, or about 50 times more than rejection rates in Singapore or Malaysia, where only 0.5% of study visa applications are denied.

Conclusion

A recent report suggests that visa refusal for the citizens of commonwealth countries has increased massively. The report's findings have raised concerns about the UK's commitment to its relationship with the Commonwealth and the potential impact on trade and travel between the UK and Commonwealth countries. Experts have suggested the introduction of a separate visa, but no changes have been considered by the officials.

FAQS

Why was the Commonwealth organisation established?

The Commonwealth is an intergovernmental organisation founded on the consensus that has a wide range of goals, including democratisation, poverty alleviation, health care initiatives, and cultural interaction.

Is there a separate UK visa for citizens of Commonwealth nations?

Despite sharing a wide range of goals, there is no separate UK visa for these countries. Moreover, most of these countries are not given visa-free entry to the UK.