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

A BBC investigation has uncovered that certain migrants are falsely asserting domestic abuse victim status to secure their place in the UK. These individuals are leveraging a policy introduced by the government to expedite residency for genuine abuse survivors, often bypassing traditional routes like asylum. Legal experts claim that insufficient scrutiny by the Home Office is enabling these claims, while British partners are left struggling with the consequences of the fabricated accusations.

The policy, known as the Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession, allows temporary visa holders in relationships with British citizens to apply for permanent residency more swiftly. This process is particularly advantageous for those reliant on their partners for support, as it can grant them indefinite leave to remain in just three months—far quicker than the standard five-year wait for other pathways.

Undercover meeting reveals exploitation of system

In late February, a BBC undercover reporter encountered an immigration adviser in a London hotel lounge. The man, having recently arrived from Pakistan, was facing a dilemma: his visa was tied to his marriage, and a separation would force him to leave the UK. The adviser, Eli Ciswaka, quickly proposed a solution—pretending to be a victim of domestic abuse. For £900, he would fabricate a story to convince the Home Office of the claim.

“What evidence are you going to use because she doesn’t hit me or anything so there’s no domestic violence,” our 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, who runs Corporate Immigration UK, frequently promotes this strategy on social media. During the meeting, he outlined how he would present the case, suggesting that even minor conflicts could be twisted into evidence of abuse. The reporter, unaware of their true identity, was used to demonstrate the process of exploiting the system.

False accusations disrupt lives of British partners

The investigation highlights how these claims can upend the lives of unsuspecting British partners. In one instance, a mother from the UK was accused of domestic abuse by her ex-partner after he left her following a rape allegation. Though the accusation was never proven, she was compelled to stay in the UK under the false claim. Such cases exemplify the broader impact of the policy’s misuse.

Over the past three years, the number of people using domestic abuse claims for fast-track residency has surged by more than 50%, reaching over 5,500 annually. This increase has raised concerns among legal professionals about the vulnerability of the system to exploitation. As the BBC continues to examine immigration processes, it has shed light on how some advisers are helping migrants craft stories to gain indefinite leave to remain in the UK.