A recent UK media investigation has uncovered claims that some migrants from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are allegedly using fake documents to obtain UK visas. The undercover probe found that migrants are willing to pay as much as £50,000 for visa applications loaded with false information. These revelations have raised serious concerns about the misuse of the UK’s immigration system.
According to the report, one application submitted to the UK Home Office included a job reference from a non-existent hospital in PoK. Many of these migrants reportedly apply for asylum after arriving in the UK, further complicating the country’s immigration challenges.
While Pakistani nationals—along with Afghans, Iranians, and Bangladeshis—form a large part of the UK’s migrant population, they are not among the top nationalities entering the country illegally via small boats. Instead, many reportedly use legal visa routes and then overstay or apply for asylum after entry.
Immigration lawyer Harjap Bhangal explained, “They don’t need to come on small boats because they come on visas. They are one of the biggest groups that come on visas and don’t go back.”
The UK Home Office responded swiftly to the investigation’s findings. A spokesperson confirmed that the government is currently looking into the allegations. “Illegal activity will not be tolerated, and we will stop at nothing to ensure our immigration rules are respected and enforced,” the spokesperson stated.
The Home Office stated that it has already taken enforcement action against approximately 30,000 individuals who were found to have no legal right to remain in the UK. Authorities are also stepping up measures to prevent visa fraud, including revoking the licenses of organisations found to be aiding in such illegal activity.
New measures are being introduced to swiftly remove registered advisers and organisations suspected of serious abuse of the immigration process. These steps are part of broader efforts to protect the integrity of the UK’s immigration system and ensure fraudulent applications do not undermine it.