A BBC investigation has uncovered alleged abuse of a UK immigration scheme designed to protect victims of domestic violence, raising concerns that some migrants are using false claims to secure residency.
The report, published on Thursday, focuses on the Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession a Home Office policy that allows individuals on partner visas to remain in the UK if they can prove they are victims of abuse.
Successful applicants are granted temporary leave and may later apply for permanent residency, offering a faster pathway than most immigration routes.
According to the BBC, the system is now being exploited.
The investigation found evidence suggesting that some immigration advisers are encouraging clients to fabricate domestic abuse claims in order to qualify for the scheme.
In an undercover operation, a BBC journalist posing as a prospective client was reportedly offered assistance in creating a false claim for £900.
The adviser allegedly said they would build a convincing story to present to the Home Office.
The report noted that the suggestion to fake abuse was made without prompting, raising further concerns about how such practices may be spreading within parts of the advisory system.
Some advisers are also said to openly market services that help applicants submit questionable claims, while legal experts warn that weak verification processes may be making it easier for fraudulent applications to succeed.
“Inadequate checks by the Home Office are allowing some of these claims to go through with minimal evidence,” lawyers cited in the report said.
Applications under the scheme have risen sharply in recent years, with more than 5,500 cases recorded annually a jump of over 50 per cent within three years.
The investigation also highlighted individual cases, including one where a British woman who reported her partner later faced counter-allegations of abuse. Although the claims were not proven, the partner reportedly used them to remain in the UK rather than return to Pakistan.
The concession was originally introduced to protect vulnerable migrants who may be trapped in abusive relationships due to their immigration status, giving them a way out without risking deportation.
The BBC said the findings are part of a broader investigation into potential misuse of UK immigration routes. The Home Office has yet to issue a detailed response to the allegations.
