The United Kingdom has included India in a list of countries whose citizens, if convicted of crimes, can now be deported immediately without the right to appeal from within the UK. Under the expanded “deport now, appeal later” policy, these individuals will have to participate in any appeal hearings remotely from India via video link.

The change, announced by the UK Ministry of Justice, means that Indian nationals convicted of crimes—except for terrorists, murderers, and those serving life sentences—can be removed from the country soon after sentencing, rather than serving a portion of their prison term in Britain. Those exempt categories will still serve their full sentence in the UK before deportation is considered.

Previously, offenders could remain in the UK for years while appealing against deportation under human rights provisions. Once returned to India, it will be up to Indian authorities to decide whether they face further imprisonment or are released. Deportees are banned from re-entering the UK.

Until now, the policy applied to nationals from eight countries: Finland, Nigeria, Estonia, Albania, Belize, Mauritius, Tanzania, and Kosovo. India is among 15 new additions, including Australia, Canada, Kenya, Malaysia, and Uganda.

The UK government is in talks with more nations to join the scheme. According to official figures, as of June 30, 2025, there were 320 Indian nationals in prisons in England and Wales—310 men and 10 women.

Currently, most foreign prisoners can be deported after serving 30% of their sentence, but new plans will allow removals to begin immediately after sentencing, subject to parliamentary approval.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Our message is clear: if you abuse our hospitality and break our laws, we will send you packing.”

In the first quarter of 2025, 1,903 people were deported from the UK to India. Last year, the number stood at 6,069, including overstayers and failed asylum seekers.

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