India is now among 23 nations on the UK’s expanded “Deport Now, Appeal Later” list, under which foreign criminals will be sent home before being allowed to appeal their deportation.
The UK Home Office announced that the scheme — previously covering eight countries — will nearly triple in scope as part of efforts to speed up removals and cut costs. Appeals will be heard remotely via video link from overseas.
Home secretary Yvette Cooper said, “For far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our immigration system… That has to end.” Foreign secretary David Lammy added that more countries could join the scheme.
Alongside India, the newly added nations include Angola, Australia, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Guyana, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uganda, and Zambia.
The UK says the change will reduce taxpayer costs, noting that offenders often stayed long after finishing their prison terms. Since July 2024, about 5,200 foreign nationals have been deported — up 14% from the previous year. Foreign offenders currently make up 12% of the UK prison population, costing an average of GBP 54,000 per inmate annually.
