Migrants making false domestic abuse claims to stay in UK, BBC investigation finds

Migrants making false domestic abuse claims to stay in UK, BBC investigation finds

A BBC investigation has uncovered that some migrants are using domestic abuse claims to remain in the UK. These individuals are leveraging a policy introduced by the government to assist real victims of abuse in securing permanent residency faster than through other immigration pathways, such as asylum. However, insufficient checks by the Home Office are enabling them to exploit the system with minimal evidence, leaving British partners in disarray, according to legal experts.

The policy, called the Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession, allows temporary visa holders in relationships with UK citizens to apply for special status if they allege abuse. This has become a target for manipulation, with migrants sometimes fabricating stories to avoid deportation. A BBC undercover reporter recently demonstrated how this occurs, revealing a scheme where individuals are coached to create false narratives.

In late February, a young immigration adviser in London’s St Pancras area met a client in a hotel lounge. The man, a recent immigrant from Pakistan, had faced a dilemma: he wanted to end his marriage to his British wife and live with his mistress, but his visa depended on the relationship. The adviser, Eli Ciswaka, who operates under the firm Corporate Immigration UK, quickly proposed a solution. “Pretend you’re the victim of domestic abuse,” he advised, hinting at a strategy to bypass the system.

“What evidence are you going to use because she doesn’t hit you or anything so there’s no domestic violence?” the reporter asked. “Orally,” Ciswaka replied. “You two have been having an argument and she’s been telling you things like: ‘Remember, I’m the one who brought you here’—those kind of things.”

Ciswaka later outlined his plan in more detail. He suggested framing the case with fabricated claims, such as disputes over food or accommodation, to convince the Home Office of a valid abuse scenario. The process allows migrants to stay in the UK for three months, during which they can apply for indefinite leave to remain—a much quicker route than the usual five-year wait for permanent residency.

Experts warn that the policy’s ease of access has made it vulnerable to misuse. In one instance, a British mother accused her ex-partner of domestic abuse after he separated from her, claiming she had raped him. The allegation, which she disputes, helped the man retain his residency. While the abuse claims are not proven, the system has enabled him to stay in the UK without returning to Pakistan.

The number of abuse-based residency applications has surged by over 50% in three years, now exceeding 5,500 annually. This rise highlights growing concerns about the policy’s integrity, as legal advisers and migrants collaborate to exploit its provisions. The BBC’s findings reveal a troubling trend where false accusations can upend lives and secure permanent stays for those who might not otherwise qualify.