Migrant Voice is seeking information about the experiences of those who were accused of cheating in a TOEIC English language test by the Home Office. They have launched a survey, which you can complete here.

Your responses will provide important evidence for legal and campaigning work to secure justice for TOEIC victims.

The TOEIC scandal

The TOEIC scandal has been described by MP Mike Gapes as “a bigger scandal than Windrush in terms of the number of individuals removed from the country and whose livelihoods are being destroyed by anguish and despair.”

Tens of thousands of people have been accused by the Home Office of having cheated on a TOEIC English language test, which was a Home Office-approved test between 2010 and 2014. The Home Office took action on a vast scale against those accused, and in many different ways: some people had their leave curtailed directly, others were refused further leave to remain when they came to make an application, and others found themselves being ejected from their university courses without any actual immigration decision being taken. The evidential basis of the allegations has always been heavily contested.

In the great majority of cases, the accused either had no right of appeal at all, or were required to return to their home countries and try to bring an appeal from there. This means that they had no way to challenge the allegation against them.

Following years of litigation, many accused individuals have finally been allowed to bring an appeal from within the UK. Having waited years for justice, it is understood that a majority are now winning their appeals. The allegations against them have been shown to be unfounded.

Migrant Voice survey

Migrant Voice hopes to build a picture of what has happened to people who were accused of TOEIC fraud, and what the Home Office has offered to people who have now won their appeals. If you have been affected, please complete the survey and please share with anyone else you know who was affected here.

Bindmans acts for a number of individuals who have been affected by the TOEIC scandal, and has worked with the National Union of Students to prepare reports and briefings on the issue.

Have you been a victim of the TOEIC scandal? We have launched the TOEIC Justice Project to provide you with the information, resources, and support you need to help with your fight for justice.