The British government is reportedly exploring plans to establish overseas “returns hubs” for failed asylum seekers, with Kosovo named among a shortlist of potential host nations, according to a report by The Times.
As part of a wider strategy to overhaul the UK’s immigration and asylum system, officials are said to be in the early stages of identifying partner countries where migrants who have exhausted all avenues of appeal could be housed prior to deportation to their country of origin.
Kosovo is one of nine nations being considered for these hubs, alongside other Western Balkan states including North Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Some non-European countries are also reportedly under review. The proposal is expected to feature in discussions ahead of an upcoming summit of Western Balkan leaders in London this autumn.
President Vjosa Osmani of Kosovo confirmed last week that, while no official request has yet been made by the UK, her government remains open to dialogue.
“There’s been no formal talks with the UK on this issue. It hasn’t been raised so far. We would be open to discussing it,” she said, while stressing that no commitment could be given in the absence of concrete details.
North Macedonia’s Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, also noted that his country had not been approached formally regarding the plan.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer brought up the concept of returns hubs during the recent European Political Community Summit in Tirana, Albania, describing them as a “valuable additional tool” in the UK’s immigration policy.
However, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has publicly ruled out participating in the scheme, noting that a similar arrangement with Italy was a one-time deal.
The Foreign Office has expressed growing concern over the Western Balkans serving as a key route for irregular migration into Europe. Nearly 22,000 individuals reportedly used this path in 2024 alone. During a diplomatic visit to Kosovo and Serbia in April, Foreign Secretary David Lammy labelled parts of the region “a major transit route for irregular migration and serious organised crime.”
The UK government hopes to commence negotiations with potential partner countries in the coming months, positioning the returns hubs as part of a broader plan to manage illegal migration and streamline the asylum process.
