The following information is to assist persons with friends or family in Afghanistan or forcibly displaced in the region.
The UK Government has announced two schemes to support Afghan nationals: the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS). UNHCR is not involved in the ARAP, and it is only involved with the second pathway of the ACRS. More information about the second pathway of the ACRS can be found in this page.
This scheme offers relocation or other assistance to former Locally Employed Staff (LES) in Afghanistan. The ARAP scheme was launched on 1 April 2021 and remains open.
UNHCR is not involved in this scheme and cannot answer questions regarding this scheme. You can contact the Home Office with questions related to the ARAP scheme by using this form: ARAP Contact Us با ما تماس بگیرید موږ سره اړیکه ونیسئ (office.com).
If any former LES believe they qualify, they should apply by using the online application form available here: Application For Relocation To The United Kingdom Under ARAP (office.com). They will be eligible to apply from any country (including Afghanistan and regardless of their employment status, rank or role, or length of time served).
More information can be found here: Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy: further information on eligibility criteria, offer details and how to apply – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
UNHCR is not involved in reviewing these applications and cannot answer questions regarding this scheme. You can contact the Home Office with questions related to the ARAP scheme by using this form: ARAP Contact Us با ما تماس بگیرید موږ سره اړیکه ونیسئ (office.com).
If an applicant is successful under the ARAP scheme, they will have the opportunity to apply for indefinite leave to enter the UK. Applicants already in the UK with temporary status under ARAP can apply, free of charge, to convert their status to indefinite leave to remain.
Individuals who come to the UK through ARAP do not have refugee status and therefore are not eligible to sponsor family members under the Refugee Family Reunion Rules. We recommend that you seek legal advice.
You might also wish to contact the Aghan Pro Bono Initiative, which helps Afghans apply to be reunited with their family in the UK. Further details can be found here: Launch of the Afghan Pro Bono Initiative — Safe Passage and they can also be contacted on [email protected].
The UK Government formally opened the ACRS on 6 January 2022. There is no application process for the ACRS. Prioritisation and referral for the ACRS will be in one of three ways which can be found here: Afghan citizens resettlement scheme – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
UNHCR is only involved with Pathway 2 of the ACRS, which is the referral of Afghan refugees, who, by definition, are individuals outside of their country of origin, and who are deemed in need of resettlement. Any referrals to Pathway 2 of the ACRS will be in line with UNHCR’s resettlement procedures. This means that resettlement will be based on an individual refugee’s protection needs in the country where they reside, and refugees cannot apply for resettlement. More information can be found at: “How can I be considered for resettlement under pathway 2 of ACRS?”
Unfortunately no. Resettlement involves the transfer of refugees, who, by definition, are individuals outside of their country of origin, and who are deemed in need of resettlement. Therefore, Afghan nationals inside of Afghanistan cannot be referred under Pathway 2 of the ACRS. For more information on state-led evacuations, please visit the UNHCR Afghanistan Help Page here: Relocation Programmes – UNHCR Afghanistan.
Please note, the UK Government has a helpline that can be used if you are a non-British national in Afghanistan or are a family member of a non-British national in Afghanistan, and in need of assistance, call: +44 2475 389 980 (or 02475 389 980 in the UK).
UNHCR will refer Afghan refugees to Pathway 2 of the ACRS in accordance with UNHCR’s resettlement submission categories. For more information on the submission categories please see: https://www.unhcr.org/46f7c0ee2.html
UNHCR will make most referrals from Iran and Pakistan. Those who have been in protracted situations as well as those fleeing Afghanistan more recently will be considered for resettlement.
Resettlement is not a right. Resettlement countries offer limited quotas, meaning that most refugees cannot be considered for resettlement to another country even if UNHCR believes it would be necessary for their protection or to reunite them with family members. UNHCR will prioritize the most urgent cases for referral to a resettlement country.
For more information, please see: https://help.unhcr.org/faq/how-can-we-help-you/resettlement/
It is not possible to apply for resettlement under Pathway 2 of the ACRS.
Refugees, family members or legal representatives, cannot apply to be resettled and cannot register with UNHCR for resettlement.
Please do not approach UNHCR or partner agencies seeking resettlement consideration. UNHCR will identify resettlement cases based on the information on record about the needs of individuals and families. Individuals should contact UNHCR in the country where they have sought asylum to raise protection concerns.
If UNHCR determines that an individual may have a resettlement case, UNHCR will contact the individual directly. Resettlement is free as are all services provided by UNHCR or its partners. If someone has asked you or a family member for money in exchange for resettlement or other services, please report this to UNHCR.
Individuals who come to the UK through Pathways 1 and 3 of the ACRS do not have refugee status and therefore are not eligible to sponsor family members under the Refugee Family Reunion Rules. We recommend that you seek legal advice.
You might also wish to contact the Afghan Pro Bono Initiative. Among other things, the project helps people apply to be reunited with their family in the UK. Further details can be found here: Launch of the Afghan Pro Bono Initiative — Safe Passage and they can also be contacted on [email protected].
If you are in Afghanistan or in a neighbouring country, or you have friends and families who are there, you may wish to refer them to UNHCR Help Pages:
