London: India has been added to the United Kingdom’s broadened “Deport Now, Appeal Later” list, a policy under which foreign nationals convicted of crimes will be removed from the country before their appeals are considered.
The UK Home Office announced that the program, which previously applied to offenders from eight countries, has now been extended to 23 as part of a drive to speed up removals and cut delays. About 320 Indian nationals currently serving prison sentences in the UK could be affected by the change.
Under the scheme, offenders will be deported once their sentence is handed down, with any appeals to be handled remotely via video link from their home countries.
“For far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our immigration system, remaining in the UK for months or even years while their appeals drag on. That has to end,” Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said in a statement.
NEWS: We’re expanding the ‘Deport Now, Appeal Later’ scheme.
More foreign criminals now will have appeals heard from abroad, stopping them from exploiting the system to delay their deportation from the UK.
Restoring control, enforcing our laws, and keeping our streets safe. https://t.co/dH4XLW8ZdB
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) August 11, 2025
“Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system. We are restoring control and sending a clear message that our laws must be respected and will be enforced,” Cooper added.
The policy’s original list included Finland, Albania, Belize, Nigeria, Estonia, Mauritius, Tanzania, and Kosovo. The latest expansion adds India, Angola, Australia, Canada, Guyana, Indonesia, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uganda, and Zambia.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said talks are continuing with other nations to secure similar arrangements. “We are leading diplomatic efforts to increase the number of countries where foreign criminals can be swiftly returned, and if they want to appeal, they can do so safely from their home country,” he said.
Officials say the measure will help ease pressure on British taxpayers by preventing foreign offenders from remaining in the country after completing their prison terms while legal proceedings continue.
