The United Kingdom government has unveiled plans to require certain asylum seekers to repay the cost of state support they received before becoming eligible for permanent residency.
The proposal, announced by the UK Home Office on Tuesday, formed part of a wider package of immigration reforms aimed at reducing the financial burden of the asylum system on taxpayers.
Under the proposed policy, asylum seekers who are considered financially capable would be required to contribute about £10,000 towards the cost of accommodation and financial support provided by the government before they can obtain indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
In a statement shared on X, the Home Office said the reforms would ensure that migrants who are able to contribute towards the cost of their support do so before becoming eligible for settlement.
“New reforms will see asylum seekers pay towards the cost of their housing and financial support. Migrants who can afford to are expected to have to pay around £10,000 to be eligible for settlement,” the department stated.
According to the government, the policy will apply only to individuals who are financially able to make repayments, with contributions expected to be determined through a means-testing process.
Officials said eligible migrants would be allowed to repay the amount through monthly instalments or deductions from welfare benefits. The government added that safeguards would be put in place to ensure that repayments do not leave individuals in financial hardship.
The reforms also provide that asylum seekers who leave the UK with outstanding balances would be required to settle their debts if they intend to return to the country in the future.
The UK government said the initiative is designed to make the asylum system more sustainable, noting that accommodation and support for asylum seekers currently cost about £4 billion annually.
Explaining the rationale behind the policy, UK Interior Minister, Shabana Mahmood, said beneficiaries of state support should contribute once they are financially capable.
“Receiving asylum support is a right, but it is also a responsibility. Once people can contribute and repay the generosity of the British people, we expect them to do so,” she said.
The proposed reforms are expected to be presented to Members of Parliament in the coming weeks as part of the government’s broader efforts to manage rising migration costs while maintaining protection for genuine asylum seekers.
If approved, the measures would mark a significant change in the UK’s approach to asylum support and settlement eligibility.
