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UK Faces Visa Overstayer Crisis: 200,000 to 400,000 Affected

12/11/2025

39 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Immigration lawyer Harjap Singh Bhangal says there could be between 200,000 and 400,000 visa overstayers in the UK, calling it a shambles.
The Home Office has not collected accurate overstayer data for more than five years, hindering assessment.
Migrants such as Ramesh from India work cash-in-hand and fear deportation.
Community leaders report visa abuse, with migrants arriving on visitor visas intending to overstay.

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Story summary

Immigration lawyer Harjap Singh Bhangal says there could be between 200,000 and 400,000 visa overstayers in the UK, calling it a shambles.
The Home Office has not collected accurate overstayer data for more than five years, hindering assessment.
Migrants such as Ramesh from India work cash-in-hand and fear deportation.
Community leaders report visa abuse, with migrants arriving on visitor visas intending to overstay.