Changes to the Afghan Schemes
The UK government has announced changes to the Afghan resettlement schemes:
ARAP (Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy)
The ARAP scheme is now closed for new applications.
Initial ARAP applications had to be submitted before 15:00 BST on 1 July 2025. The online application form is no longer available.
If an ARAP application was already submitted before that deadline, it will still be processed:
- Those who are found eligible will still have their immediate family members automatically considered for relocation.
- They also still have 30 days from accepting their ARAP offer to make an application to relocate any additional family members to the UK.
If a client has been refused under ARAP, they can still submit a Request for Review (the review form remains online).
Cases under Phase 2 of the Triples review will also continue to be processed.
ACRS (Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme)
The ACRS is now closed for new referrals. No new referral pathways will open.
Referrals already made under the ACRS Separated Families Pathway will continue to be considered.
If a person has already been found eligible for the ACRS, their case will not be affected by this announcement.
Further information
- To refer a family reunification case to Refugee Legal Support: here
- How to find a lawyer in the UK: follow this link for more information
- To appeal a refusal of your family reunification case: find more information on the Right to Remain‘s website
- To find information about UK organisations offering support to refugees: please follow this link
- For urgent humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan: contact Awaaz or the UNHCR or find more information on Beporsed‘s website
- For assistance in Pakistan: contact SHARP or SEHER or find more information about services on Bolo‘s website
- For assistance in Iran: contact the UNHCR in Iran
- For assistance in Turkey: find more information on Refugee Rights Turkey‘s website
- If you are an asylum seeker in the UK: follow this link for useful information
- For information on relocation to the United States: find more information on IRAP‘s and AfghanEvac‘s websites
- For information on relocation schemes to other countries: follow this link