Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Safe Routes for Afghans to the UK (Eng)

FAQs: Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP)

The ARAP scheme is open for applications. There is an online application form available: please click here. You can find further information on the ARAP scheme on APBI ARAP Self Help Guide here.

Question 1: How long is the ARAP scheme open for?
The ARAP scheme has no closure date. Current guidance says it will remain open for the foreseeable future.

Question 2: I do not live in Afghanistan, can I still apply for ARAP?
Yes, you can apply for ARAP outside of Afghanistan.

Question 3: I was an interpreter with the British Army in Afghanistan. How can I apply for the resettlement schemes for Afghans in the UK?
The ARAP scheme is for those: – who were directly employed by the UK government; or – who worked very closely alongside a government department in achieving the UK government military or national security objectives and are at serious direct risk due to their work with the UK government. Interpreters under contract for the British Army or directly employed by them are eligible to apply under the ARAP scheme.
Provide as much evidence as possible of employment by the British army and any details about threats or risk resulting from this.

Question 4: I have a reference number / pending application for the ARAP scheme, how can I follow up on my case with the UK government?
If you have questions on your existing ARAP application, contact this email: ARAP-Casework@mod.gov.uk. Include the following information:

• reference number;
• any local staff number;
• your date of birth; and
• your full name. To make a new application under the ARAP, there is an online form to fill in: please click here.

Question 5: I have lost my documents, can I still submit an ARAP application?
Yes, you can either do the following: – Submit a “Subject Access Request” to the UK Government department that you used to work and request a copy of any documents; and/or – Use your Local Staff Number in your ARAP application.

Question 6: How do I submit a “Subject Access Request” (SAR)?
If you worked with the Ministry of Defence, you can find the form here. Other government agencies may have a different process for SAR; if you have not worked with the MOD or the FCDO, we recommend you search in the individual webpages of the government agency you worked with for the specific SAR process.

Question 7: My ARAP application was refused, can I request a review of the application?
If the application has been rejected on eligibility grounds, you can request a review within 90 days from when the letter was issued via the “request a review” form. If you have compelling new evidence that you did not submit in the initial application, then you can add it when requesting a review.

Question 8: I have received a refusal of my ARAP review, what can I do?
You can only request a further review if you have compelling new evidence that was not available at either the initial application, or when the review was undertaken. This does not guarantee a further review as applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. You will need to email: ARAP-Casework@mod.gov.uk.

Question 9: As an ARAP applicant, can I apply for my partner and children under 18 years old to reunite with me in the UK?
All family members should be included in your application to relocate. If they are not, they cannot be considered under the ARAP scheme. If you did not list them and you have not received an outcome, you urgently email: ARAP-Casework@mod.gov.uk with the following information: 

• details of your application; and
• naming the family members. Additional family members may be considered in exceptional circumstances under the ARAP scheme. It is worth seeking further legal advice on this.

Question 10: I was evacuated under the ARAP scheme and have an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) / ALES settlement. I left my adult family members behind (elderly mother/father, adult brother/sister and their families) ; how can they apply to join me in the UK?
Once ILR has been granted, the family members cannot apply under ARAP. They will have to make an application directly to the Home Office to join their family in the UK. Further details can be found here.

Question 11: My organisation was a contractor with DFID, am I eligible to apply for ARAP?
You would need to show that:

• You were directly working for or contracted by for the UK government; and
• your work made a substantive and positive contribution to the UK’s military and national security objectives; and
• you are at direct risk because of this or you hold information due to this work that puts you at risk.

All three requirements must be met. For further details, see the guidance on category 4 (special case-by-case basis). People applying under category 4 need very strong evidence. To access the form used to make an ARAP application please click here.

Question 12: I have worked for an international organisation/the UN/international non-governmental organisation in Afghanistan, can I apply for ARAP?
Please see answer to Question 11.

Question 13: I worked with Afghanistan’s previous government fighting against corruption, am I eligible to apply for settlement under the ARAP scheme?
Being employed by an Afghan government department in itself will not be enough to apply for ARAP. In order to fit into category 4, it will need to be shown that: – you worked closely alongside a UK government department and that the role meant that the work or provision of services made a substantive and positive contribution to the UK’s military or national security objectives; and – you are at risk or danger because of the role.

Question 14: I worked for the Afghanistan Government in counter-corruption, terrorism, and/or narcotics; am I eligible to apply for resettlement under ARAP scheme?
Please see answer to Question13.

Question 15: Is there any scheme supporting Afghan female judges?
There is no specific scheme for this. It might be possible for a judge to apply under ARAP but only if they met the narrow criteria of the scheme – this is unlikely in most cases.