Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2021 to Question 73839 on Afghanistan: Refugees, whether there is an (a) online form, (b) email address and (c) telephone number for applications for visas for family members of Afghan nationals.

For those who were not called forward as part of Op Pitting, or who are not offered resettlement under the ACRS, they will need to apply to come to the UK under the existing economic or family migration rules. They will be expected to meet the eligibility requirements of their chosen route, which includes paying relevant fees and charges, and providing biometrics. However, there is currently no option to give biometrics in Afghanistan.

We encourage individuals already resettled in the UK who have eligible family members still in Afghanistan to visit gov.uk to check for the latest information about the ARAP.

(Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy: further information on eligibility criteria and offer details - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (Afghan citizens’ resettlement scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

For Afghan refugees in the UK, their close family members are free to apply for Family Reunion, but we recognise those in Afghanistan will face the same challenges in providing biometrics and so we do not recommend making applications at this time. Those in third countries are open to submit an application. Further information can be found on the GOV.UK website, which also provides details on ways to apply:

https://www.gov.uk/settlement-refugee-or-humanitarian-protection/family-reunion