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The UK government launched the ‘Visa Fraud Se Bache’ campaign in Haryana on Thursday, aiming to protect Indian nationals from the financial and emotional tolls of visa fraud and irregular migration.

This initiative builds on expanded efforts since mid-2025 to curb fraudulent applications within the student, health, and family visa routes. The UK government aims to reduce the number of people travelling to Britain on fake visas, with the UK and India cooperating to protect people from scams and tackle illegal migration at its source.

Also Read: UK switches to digital-only visas

Launched in Sonipat by Haryana Minister of State for Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Gaurav Gautam and UK Home Office Acting Permanent Secretary Simon Ridley, the campaign’s current phase focuses on Ambala, Kaithal, Karnal, and Kurukshetra. The programme is being delivered in close coordination with the Haryana state government.

The campaign encourages prospective travellers to the UK to verify information and stay vigilant through a dedicated WhatsApp chatbot (+91 70652 51380). As part of the initiative, UK teams will conduct outreach engagements in the target areas and highlight the warning signs of visa scams.

People will be advised to look out for common bogus claims such as the promise of being guaranteed a visa and UK employment, being told there is no requirement for English-language tests such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and being asked to pay exorbitant fees.

The WhatsApp chatbot is available in English, Tamil, Punjabi and Hindi. The UK launched the first pilot project in Punjab in February 2025 and further expanded it to Tamil Nadu in December 2025. The chatbot has sent more than 30,000 messages so far directing people to correct visa application information from visas and immigration, GOV.UK. 

Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, said: “The expansion of the ‘Visa Fraud Se Bache’ campaign to Haryana underscores the United Kingdom’s commitment to ensuring that prospective travellers have access to accurate and authoritative information. We want every applicant to know that trustworthy guidance is available, that the UK values their aspirations and that no one should fall victim to those who exploit them. I encourage all those considering travel to the UK to rely solely on verified channels, including our WhatsApp chatbot, to ensure their safety and wellbeing.”

In November 2025, the second phase of UK’s visa fraud was kicked off in Tamil Nadu during the visit by UK’s Indo-Pacific Minister Seema Malhotra to India. The campaign followed a successful pilot in Punjab. Malhotra, who is of Indian origin, is a British Labour (Co-op) politician serving as the member of Parliament for Feltham and Heston since 2011.

Malhotra’s is also Minister of Equalities focusing on strengthening international partnerships and previously served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Home Office (July 2024–Sept 2025), handling migration.

The UK government has been focussed on deterring illegal migration to the UK and securing the country’s borders – with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood introducing new measures to reduce asylum arrivals as well as sanctioning those responsible for trafficking vulnerable people to the UK.   

“This government is acting to stem the flow of illegal migration at its source – using campaigns targeted at hotspot areas to prevent visa fraud, keeping people safe while securing our borders,” Minister Malhotra said.

Alba Smeriglio, British Deputy High Commissioner Chandigarh, said at the recent launch: “Preventing exploitation and irregular migration remains a shared priority for the UK and India. With tools like our Hindi-enabled WhatsApp chatbot, the UK’s Visa Fraud Se Bache campaign will help people in Haryana recognise and avoid visa scams.” 

Visa fraud leads to unacceptable and unnecessary levels of debt and puts people at risk of physical harm and exploitation, a press release from the UK High Commission in Delhi said. A person found committing visa fraud can receive a 10-year ban on travel to the UK. Under the Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement, the UK and India have a shared commitment to tackling irregular migration. 

In 2025, stricter measures from the UK Home Office targeted Indian nationals, with roughly 20,000 people identified at risk of deportation due to visa compliance issues.

The number of deportations went up significantly with enforcement operations frequently targeting illegal migrants working in sectors like food delivery. New rules enacted over the past few months have increased salary requirements for skilled workers, with higher English language proficiency now mandated for certain visas.

Discover more at New India Abroad.