Home Office urged to end costly, discriminatory visa route for migrants

A recent analysis has revealed that the 10-year immigration route in the UK disproportionately affects people of colour, particularly those from Nigeria, Pakistan, India, Ghana, and Bangladesh. This route requires applicants to renew their leave to remain every 30 months, incurring a fee of £3,850 for each renewal. Many individuals resort to borrowing money to cover these costs, leading to significant debt and financial strain. Affected individuals often work in low-paid jobs, such as cleaning and care work, making it difficult to manage these expenses. One case highlighted is that of a Ghanaian woman who, after being granted leave in 2018, became an overstayer due to a late renewal application. She expressed feelings of entrapment and frustration, as her immigration status prevents her from pursuing her goal of becoming a nurse. This sentiment is echoed by advocates who argue that the lengthy wait for settlement is inhumane and should be reduced to five years. Critics of the 10-year route, including representatives from organizations like Ramfel, describe it as a remnant of the UK's hostile immigration environment, suggesting that it is designed to discriminate against African and South Asian nationals. They call for a reevaluation of the immigration policies that place individuals on this challenging path. The Home Office maintains that decisions regarding the immigration route are not influenced by race or nationality, stating that the 10-year route is applied in cases where families do not qualify for a five-year route but where refusal would violate human rights obligations.