Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that applications to the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme from applicants with credible links to the UK armed forces are processed in a timely way.

The latest Immigration System Statistics, year ending December 2022, published on 23 February, show that since their first arrivals in 2021, the ACRS and the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) have resettled a total of 21,387 people. These statistics also show that we have now relocated 11,212 individuals under ARAP scheme since it began in 2021.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) will first consider any applications under the ARAP. They will then refer eligible individuals to the Home Office for permission to enter the UK. This will be subject to the enrolment of biometrics and security checks.

The Home Office continues to work at pace to assess incoming ARAP visa applications against the Immigration Rules.

We will continue to honour our commitment to those who remain in Afghanistan and the region. Our priority is to ensure that future UK arrivals can go directly into appropriate accommodation rather than costly temporary hotel accommodation. Doing this, whilst making sure that these individuals are fully supported and are able to successfully integrate into life in the UK is the right thing to do.