Asylum Seekers Allegedly Buying Sick Notes Online to Delay Home Office Interviews

Asylum seekers are reportedly purchasing sick notes online to postpone their Home Office interviews, potentially delaying the process for up to six months. This tactic allegedly allows claimants more time to build their case and continue working in the United Kingdom. An internal Home Office memo obtained by The Mail highlights concerns about "the same type of GP 'sick notes' being added to different files."

The memo states that these notes are being acquired for approximately £44 from a website called Home2Lab, where an appointment is not required and a description of an illness can lead to same-day approval. The document directs staff to report any such notes found in asylum claim files. A Home Office source indicated to The Mail that these sick notes are being used as "time-buying devices."

According to the source, claimants submit these notes just before or on the day of their scheduled interview, leading to postponements without penalty. The interviews are then rescheduled months later, providing claimants with additional time to prepare their narratives or develop supporting evidence. The source also noted that individuals whose work visas are nearing expiration may use this method to extend their stay in the UK by remaining in the asylum process.

Linked asylum applicants, such as family members, are also suspected of employing this strategy. The source explained that when multiple related individuals have interviews scheduled on the same day, one might submit a sick note to delay their interview. This allows another family member to proceed, who can then provide information about the interview questions to the "sick" applicant, particularly concerning personal details and alleged relationships.

Home2Lab maintains that its certificates may be issued by various registered healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, and has amended its website wording to reflect this. The company stated it does not issue certificates for immigration purposes and requires customers to declare the intended use, noting that in three instances where certificates were presented to the Home Office, customers stated they were for work purposes. Home2Lab claims it has no record of customers disclosing an immigration purpose at the time of application.

The Home Office stated that asylum interviews are not delayed due to illness without sufficient medical evidence from a qualified professional, in line with their published policy. However, the source described the submission of sick notes as "very common," though it remains unclear how many cases involve Home2Lab or other online providers. Some claimants reportedly submit sick notes multiple times before attending an interview.

In an investigative effort, a reporter obtained a sick note from Home2Lab within 24 hours after submitting personal identification, an online assessment, and a video falsely claiming to have the flu. The note diagnosed a respiratory tract infection and was signed by a registered pharmacist, despite the website initially stating notes were signed by a UK-registered GP. Home2Lab acknowledged the inaccuracy in its website wording and has since corrected it. Another reporter's request for a sick note based on "stress and anxiety" was not approved, with Home2Lab recommending a face-to-face GP appointment instead, which the company cited as evidence of its procedural safeguards.