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The United Kingdom is looking to expand legal migration pathways for Bangladeshi workers as part of efforts to discourage irregular migration, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook has said.
Cook expressed the British government’s interest during recent meetings with Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque and State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur in Dhaka.
She said the UK wants to develop more structured and regular routes for Bangladeshis seeking to migrate, particularly by providing training for skilled workers in sectors where Britain faces labour shortages.
According to UK government data, Bangladesh ranks fifth among countries whose nationals apply for asylum in Britain. However, the UK considers Bangladesh a safe country, making asylum claims by Bangladeshi nationals less likely to succeed.
In 2025, 40% of asylum applications overall were granted, while the approval rate for Bangladeshi applicants was only 14%, according to UK Home Office figures.
Bangladesh, however, is not among the top five nationalities of asylum seekers arriving in the UK by irregular routes, including those crossing the English Channel by boat.
During the meetings, Cook also highlighted concerns over human trafficking and the exploitation of prospective migrants.
Minister Ariful Haque said Bangladesh needs more practical support from the UK to develop technical and vocational training programmes aligned with the demands of the British labour market.
State Minister Nurul Haque Nur proposed closer cooperation between British professional bodies and Bangladeshi training centres.
He said internationally recognised training certifications could encourage Bangladeshi workers to pursue safer and regular migration channels.