Asylum seekers will be required to pay back 10,000 pounds of what the taxpayer spends on supporting them, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will announce on Tuesday.
Daily Mail reports that the cash could be deducted from their pay cheques in monthly instalments once they get a job, similar to a student loan.
However, serious doubts remain over how much money the Home Office will be able to claw back, as the payments will be means tested.
Those who successfully argue they cannot afford to repay the money will be excused from the scheme.
The sum, a flat charge imposed on all adult asylum seekers, will partly reimburse the taxpayer for the cost of keeping asylum seekers in hotels or self-catering accommodation while their claims are decided.
Last year 4 billion pounds was spent on asylum support in the UK.
The Home Office has said it costs an average of 158,000 pounds a year to support a family of asylum seekers.
Ms Mahmood said: “The cost of asylum accommodation on the British taxpayer is too high.
“We have already reduced asylum costs by one billion pounds, but it is also right that we ask those who can contribute to do so.
“Receiving asylum support is a right, but it is also a responsibility.
“Once people can contribute and repay the generosity of the British people, we expect them to do so.”
