{"id":148,"date":"2021-05-26T15:24:39","date_gmt":"2021-05-26T15:24:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/uk\/?page_id=148"},"modified":"2026-02-06T10:36:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T10:36:13","slug":"family-reunion","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/uk\/family-reunion\/","title":{"rendered":"Family Reunion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Changes to Refugee Family Reunion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 4 September 2025, the UK Government temporarily suspended the Family Reunion route, meaning that it is not currently possible to make new applications under the Appendix Family Reunion (Protection) rules. During the suspension, people with Refugee Status or Humanitarian Protection in the UK who wish to reunite with their immediate family members (spouses and children under 18) need to apply under a different set of rules called Appendix FM. We highly recommend seeking legal advice from a qualified legal professional if you wish to make an application under Appendix FM.<\/strong> For more information on legal advice, please see Access to Legal Assistance in the UK – UNHCR United Kingdom<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you submitted an application to the Home Office for Refugee Family Reunion before 3pm on 4 September 2025, your application is not affected by the suspension. You will have 240 days from the date of submission to gather evidence and for your relatives to enrol their biometrics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Government has announced that new rules will be introduced in spring 2026 for people with Refugee Status or Humanitarian Protection who wish to reunite with their immediate family members. The Government has not yet confirmed what the new rules will be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For further information on the recent changes, you may wish to visit the British Red Cross website: British Red Cross | Family Reunion for Refugees<\/a>. For general information on applying for a family visa, please see the UK Government\u2019s website: Family visas: apply, extend or switch: Overview – GOV.UK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please note that all immigration applications are made to the UK Government. UNHCR in the UK is not involved in receiving or reviewing visa applications and is unable to provide advice to individuals on making an application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related information<\/h2>

Legal Assistance<\/a><\/p>

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Asylum in the United Kingdom<\/a><\/p>

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Rights and duties of refugees<\/a><\/p>

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Where to find help?<\/a><\/p>

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