According to a report by British newspaper The Times, the UK government is in advanced stages of planning to open offshore deportation centers for migrants whose asylum requests have been denied. Among the countries being considered for such centers is Kosovo.

Sources cited by the newspaper say the British plan involves nine selected countries, including Kosovo, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as several non-European states.

The objective of this initiative is to curb the influx of migrants entering the UK illegally, especially across the English Channel, the number of which has seen a sharp increase in 2025.

The newspaper reports that the UK government aims to strike deals with these countries to accept migrants who can no longer remain in Britain, in exchange for financial support. The proposed centers would not be like those in Rwanda but would resemble the ones built by Italy in Albania.

In a comment to The Times, Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani stated that there has been no official request from the UK so far on this matter, but added that Kosovo is open to hearing and discussing such ideas if presented.

Previously, the UK held talks with Albania about opening a similar center, but Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama publicly rejected the proposal.

The British government aims to accelerate the process ahead of a Western Balkans leaders’ summit, expected to take place in London this fall, where migration will be one of the main topics.