The UK government is set to initiate talks with Kosovo about hosting a “return hub” for failed asylum seekers, marking a new phase in its strategy to manage illegal migration and increase deportations. Kosovo is among nine countries shortlisted by the UK as potential locations for these overseas facilities, designed to house migrants who have exhausted all legal avenues to remain in the UK before being deported. This move comes amid record numbers of small boat crossings in the English Channel and rising political pressure to tighten border controls.
What Are ‘Return Hubs’?
Return hubs are overseas centers where failed asylum seekers—those whose claims have been rejected and who have no further legal appeals—would be temporarily housed prior to deportation to their home countries. The UK government intends these hubs to reduce the need for accommodating such individuals within the UK, particularly in asylum hotels, which it plans to close. The hubs also aim to prevent migrants from using administrative tactics, such as losing paperwork, to delay their removal.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the hubs as a “really important innovation,” complementing other measures to combat criminal smuggling gangs and stem the flow of small boat crossings across the Channel. While the government has not disclosed all countries it is negotiating with, Kosovo is confirmed as a key candidate alongside other Western Balkan nations like North Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Kosovo’s Position and Regional Context
Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani has indicated openness to discussing the proposal but emphasized that no formal talks have yet taken place. She highlighted the longstanding alliance between Kosovo and the UK, noting cooperation on technology to combat illicit trafficking. However, she refrained from committing to any agreement without further details.
Albania, another Western Balkan country, has publicly rejected the idea of hosting a UK return hub, with Prime Minister Edi Rama calling a similar Italian agreement a “one-off” deal for a key ally. North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski also confirmed that his country had not been formally approached.
The Western Balkans have become a significant migration transit route into Europe, with nearly 22,000 people recorded using this path in 2024 alone. The UK government views cooperation with these countries as critical to its broader migration strategy.
Rising Migration Pressures on the UK
The UK is experiencing unprecedented migration pressures, particularly from small boat crossings in the English Channel. Over 12,000 migrants have crossed illegally so far in 2025, with the year on track for a record number of arrivals. The majority of these migrants claim asylum upon arrival, with 94% lodging claims.
In the year ending March 2025, the UK saw 26,388 voluntary returns and 8,590 enforced returns, increases of 19% and 22% respectively compared to the previous year. Albanian nationals constitute the largest group among enforced returns, representing 29% (2,530) of all enforced removals, although their numbers have recently declined by 11%.
Despite these returns, only about 4% of small boat arrivals have been returned since 2018, underscoring the challenges in managing irregular migration effectively.
Political and Public Reactions
The return hubs plan has sparked debate across the UK political spectrum and in the region. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticized the scheme as unlikely to deter illegal crossings, pointing out that most small boat migrants have their asylum claims accepted and thus would not be subject to removal under the plan.
Similarly, Shadow Justice Minister Kieran Mullan welcomed efforts to create alternative deterrents but questioned why the Labour government had not operationalized the existing Rwanda deportation policy, which was designed to send failed asylum seekers to a third country. Mullan cited Australia’s offshore processing model as a successful example that led to a 90% drop in crossings.
The UK government faces pressure to demonstrate tangible action on migration, especially as hardline parties like Reform UK gain traction by advocating stricter border controls. Meanwhile, NGOs and civil society groups have criticized the government’s tougher rhetoric and policies as potentially harmful to migrants’ rights.
Broader European Context
The UK’s return hubs are part of a wider European trend toward offshoring asylum processing and deportations. Italy currently operates a similar arrangement with Albania, and other European countries, including Germany, are exploring comparable frameworks. The European Union has also taken steps to facilitate such initiatives and proposed measures to revoke protections for deportable individuals.
Politicians favor return hubs for their perceived ability to provide clear metrics on deportations and to potentially deter irregular migration by signaling that failed asylum seekers will not be allowed to remain in Europe.
What’s Next?
The UK government aims to begin formal negotiations with Kosovo and other shortlisted countries before a Western Balkans leaders’ meeting scheduled in London this autumn. These talks will likely focus on the terms of hosting return hubs, including financial compensation per relocated individual.
As the UK grapples with record migration flows and political demands for stricter border enforcement, the success or failure of the return hubs initiative will be closely watched. Kosovo’s willingness to participate could mark a significant development in the UK’s migration management strategy, but opposition from some Balkan countries and political critics at home may complicate progress.
