Up to 78,000 IELTS tests marked between August 2023 and September 2025 were incorrectly scored due to a British Council technical error, potentially allowing thousands of migrants to secure UK visas despite failing mandatory English requirements.

According to The Telegraph, the marking mistake affected candidates worldwide, especially including many from Bangladesh, China and Vietnam, with some receiving artificially high scores. IELTS has only recently notified affected candidates with corrected results and an apology.Separately, authorities have uncovered cheating rackets in Bangladesh, China and Vietnam, where criminals sold leaked IELTS papers for £1,000–£2,500. Police in Bangladesh have already made arrests. Several UK universities have since suspended recruitment from Bangladesh and Pakistan over concerns about visa system abuse.

The Conservatives have urged the Government to remove anyone who obtained a visa without genuinely passing the English test, amid wider fears over migration control and public safety.