UK adds India, Australia, Canada and 12 more to ‘Deport Now’ list
Foreign offenders to appeal removals from outside the United Kingdom
DUBAI: The government of United Kingdom (UK) has widened its “Deport Now, Appeal Later” policy to include 15 more countries, bringing the total to 23.
The expanded scheme means citizens from nations such as India, Australia, Canada and Kenya, if convicted of a crime in the UK and given a custodial sentence, can be deported immediately after sentencing, with any appeals processed remotely from their home countries.
Originally introduced in 2014 under Theresa May’s tenure as Home Secretary, the policy is rooted in Section 94B of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. It was paused in 2017 following a Supreme Court ruling over fairness concerns, but reinstated in 2023 after the government introduced video-link facilities for remote appeals.
Deport Now, Appeal Later
The original eight countries covered were Albania, Belize, Estonia, Finland, Kosovo, Mauritius, Nigeria and Tanzania. The new additions announced in August 2025 are: Angola, Australia, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uganda and Zambia.
The Ministry of Justice says the scheme targets foreign offenders given prison terms, excluding those serving life sentences such as murderers or terrorists, who will serve their full term in the UK before deportation.
Officials state that foreign nationals make up about 12.3% of the prison population in England and Wales – 10,772 inmates as of June 2025 – with Albanians, Irish nationals and Indians among the most common. Of the 15 new countries now covered, only India appears among the top nationalities in UK prisons.
How will appeals work?
Under the scheme, appeals are still possible but must be lodged and heard from abroad, typically via live video links. The Home Office argues this will stop offenders from using lengthy appeals to remain in the UK for months or years, reducing both immigration backlogs and prison overcrowding.
Since July 2024, 5,200 foreign offenders have been removed from the UK – a 14% rise on the previous year. The government says this acceleration is aided by £5 million in funding for specialist staff across nearly 80 prisons.
For too long, foreign criminals have remained in the UK and exploited our system while their cases are processed.
— Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) August 11, 2025
We are increasing the number of foreign criminals who can have their legal appeals heard from abroad - making more returns flights like this possible sooner ????
Human rights groups, however, argue the approach risks undermining access to justice, especially where language barriers, limited internet access, or difficulties securing legal representation abroad exist.
When could more countries join?
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has signalled that further expansions are possible, depending on bilateral agreements and operational capacity. Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed ongoing talks with other governments.
The Labour government says the scheme is key to its pledge of stronger immigration enforcement, particularly as prisons in England and Wales are close to capacity. Each prison place costs an average of £54,000 annually, and ministers argue faster removals will save taxpayer money and boost public safety.
For travellers, students and professionals from countries now on the list, the policy does not affect lawful visitors. However, those convicted of crimes in the UK could now find themselves on a much faster route out of the country – with the appeal process playing out from thousands of miles away.