Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many applications to the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy are awaiting decision.

As of 3 November 2022 there are 72,269 applications awaiting a decision. We estimate the vast majority of these applicants to be ineligible.

HMG knows everyone who has worked with the British Armed Forces or partners, and MOD has access to this information. As such, we are prioritising finding those we know to be eligible and in need of our support.

We estimate there to be approximately 4,600 ARAP eligible Afghans (including dependants) to be relocated to the UK, of which around 1,620 have already received an offer letter. Of those who have been granted approximately 625 have already moved to safety in a third country. Not all those who are deemed eligible are expected to take up the offer of relocation having successfully settled elsewhere.