AN illicit trade targeting individuals applying for UK visas from certain parts of South Asia has been growing in the past few years, an investigation revealed.
Brokers in these regions are charging exorbitant prices, sometimes up to £800, for appointments that should be freely available, reported The Guardian.
The thriving underground trade is prominently advertised on social media platforms like Facebook and Telegram.
Posts lure potential applicants from Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh with promises of stress-free UK visa appointments. Additional offers propose assistance to navigate through the official system's delays, pledging next-day appointments at what they deem "fair rates," all without an upfront payment.
The spike in demand for UK visas, particularly from international students and healthcare workers, has led to this exploitative system, the report added.
Appointments for those planning to stay in the UK for over six months or short-term visitors from specific countries require an in-person meeting in their home country for biometric data submission.
However, in South Asia, acquiring these appointments through the official channels has become increasingly challenging due to the actions of these brokers. These middlemen deploy various methods, including using automated bots to detect and secure newly available slots and even needlessly booking and re-booking appointments, subsequently selling them to desperate clients.
The situation is particularly dire in Pakistan, where the abuse of the appointment system has seen a significant surge in the past year. Applicants have found themselves compelled to resort to these brokers after facing insurmountable challenges securing appointments through legitimate means.
For many, these middlemen have become the only feasible option. Individuals seeking visas report the struggle to secure appointments through official channels, leading to turning to brokers who demand high fees for a service that should be easily accessible.
According to the report, the issue not only burdens applicants financially but also causes considerable stress and inconvenience. Some applicants have experienced significant setbacks, such as missing flights and having to defer university start dates due to these appointment delays.
While officials from VFS Global, the company handling UK visa applications in the region, are taking measures to counter the fraudulent activities, critics call for a simpler and more transparent appointment booking system. They propose direct assignment of appointments to applicants or scheduled release times to curb the exploitation by unauthorised agents.
In reaction to the findings, the Home Office expressed its commitment to taking strong measures to address the 'misuse of the visa scheduling system' by unauthorised agents in South Asia.
“We are continuing to work with the provider to introduce measures to stop this fraudulent behaviour and ensure appointments are made available to genuine individuals,” a spokesperson said.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)