Fact-check: False claims circulate regarding UK Visa requirements for Pakistanis

A letter circulating on Pakistani social media alleges that the United Kingdom will no longer accept financial documents from major Pakistani banks for visa or immigration applications. Additionally, it adds that certain English language tests, including IELTS, will be deemed unacceptable for Pakistani students as well.

The claim is false.

Claim

The letter, dated May 28 and purportedly issued by the UK Visas and Immigration, lists Pakistani banks whose financial documents, such as bank statements, will no longer be acceptable for UK visa applications.

“This is to inform all concerned parties that the following banks from Pakistan have been rejected for visa approval,” reads the letter.

The letter then goes on to name nine major banks in the country.

It also mentions English language tests allegedly rejected by the UK, including Oxford ELLT Digital, IELTS Life Skills, and Pearson Test of English.

The letter has been shared here and here as well.

Fact

The British High Commission in Islamabad has refuted the authenticity of the circulating letter, clarifying that no such restrictions have been imposed.

Pawan Dhande, the director of communications and public diplomacy at the British High Commission, told Geo Fact Check via email that the Commission is aware of a "fake document being shared pretending to be from UK Visa and Immigration” and falsely claiming certain banks and English language proficiency tests have been banned for UK visa applications.

The Commission also debunked the letter on their official X (Twitter) account.

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