Information for Afghans (2022)

This scheme offered relocation or other assistance to former Locally Employed Staff (LES) in Afghanistan. The ARAP scheme was launched on 1 April 2021 and is now closed to new applications. 

UNHCR was not involved in this scheme and cannot answer questions regarding this scheme. 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). 

1. Can family members join those who are relocated under the ARAP? 

According to the UK Government, those who are found eligible under the ARAP will still have their immediate family members – such as one spouse and children under 18 – automatically considered for relocation. They will also have 30 days from accepting their ARAP offer to make an application to relocate any additional family members to the UK. 

Individuals who come to the UK through the 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. 

The ACRS opened on 6 January 2022 and officially closed to new referrals on 1 July 2025. There was no application process for the ACRS; prioritisation and referral was undertaken via three pathways. Further information can be found here: Afghan citizens resettlement scheme – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). 

Pathway 2 of the ACRS is a UNHCR resettlement scheme. UNHCR is not involved in the other pathways. Under Pathway 2, UNHCR referred to the UK Government Afghan refugees, who, by definition, are individuals outside of their country of origin, and who were deemed in need of resettlement. For more information on resettlement, please see: Resettlement – UNHCR United Kingdom 

In accordance with the resettlement quota provided by the UK Government, UNHCR referred 2,000 Afghan refugees for resettlement, mostly from Pakistan and Iran. UNHCR identifies refugees for resettlement in accordance with its baseline resettlement activities and submission categories. For more information, please see: UNHCR Resettlement Handbook | 

Refugees, family members and legal representatives cannot apply for individuals to be resettled. 

Please do not approach UNHCR or partner agencies seeking resettlement consideration. UNHCR identifies potential resettlement cases based on the information on record about the needs of individuals and families.  

Resettlement is free of charge, 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. For further information, please see Reporting fraud and misconduct – UNHCR United Kingdom. 

For more information on resettlement, please see: Resettlement – UNHCR Frequently asked questions 

1. How do I know if my case was submitted for resettlement under ACRS Pathway 2? 

If you have an active resettlement case, you will have been informed by UNHCR in the country where you are registered. UNHCR in the UK does not have access to case files in other countries and cannot advise individuals on the status of their case. If you have an active resettlement case and wish to seek further information from UNHCR, please contact your local UNHCR office. 

1. UNHCR informed me that my case was submitted to the UK under ACRS Pathway 2. Will I still be resettled now the scheme has closed? 

The UK Government has confirmed that all existing cases already submitted under ACRS Pathway 2 will continue to be processed.  

1. I have come to the UK through the ACRS scheme. Can my family join me? 

Between 30 July and 30 October 2024, the UK Government opened the Separated Families Pathway for immediate family members of those evacuated from Afghanistan to the UK under Pathway 1 of the ACRS. The UK Government has committed to processing all applications that it received under this Pathway during this time. UNHCR was not involved in this pathway; for more information, see: Afghan citizens resettlement scheme: Separated Families Pathway – GOV.UK 

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. 

1. Can UNHCR help me or my relatives leave Afghanistan? 

Unfortunately, no. UNHCR does not evacuate nationals from their country of origin. For more information about UNHCR in Afghanistan, please see their Help Page: UNHCR Afghanistan – Help for refugees and asylum-seekers 

1. How do I contact UNHCR if I am in Afghanistan or a neighbouring country? 

If you are in Afghanistan or a neighbouring country, or you have friends and relatives who are, you may wish to refer them to UNHCR Help Pages: 

• UNHCR Afghanistan – Help for refugees and asylum-seekers 

• UNHCR Iran – Help for refugees and asylum-seekers 

• UNHCR Pakistan – Help for refugees and asylum-seekers 

• UNHCR Central Asia – Help for refugees and asylum-seekers 

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:

• UNHCR Afghanistan – Help for refugees and asylum-seekers
• UNHCR Iran – Help for refugees and asylum-seekers
• UNHCR Pakistan – Help for refugees and asylum-seekers
• UNHCR Central Asia – Help for refugees and asylum-seekers