UK Resettlement Scheme Reopens: What It Means for Afghan Nationals
By Alvyn Kee, Solicitor
The Government reopened the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) for new referrals on 28 September 2026. Around one quarter of referrals across the scheme are expected to involve Afghan women and girls and Palestinian refugees.
Although this announcement offers hope to vulnerable Afghan refugees, it is important to understand that the UKRS is not a new Afghan visa route and does not permit direct applications.
Following an enquiry from Qazi & Co Solicitors, the Home Office provided written clarification about how the reopened scheme operates and what Afghan nationals and their families can realistically do.
There is no direct application process
The UKRS is a referral-based resettlement programme. An Afghan national cannot submit an application directly to the Home Office.
The Home Office will not accept:
Self-referrals
Registrations of interest
Nominations from relatives in the UK
Direct applications submitted by solicitors
Requests asking the Home Office to prioritise a particular person
For Afghan refugees, identification and referral will normally be undertaken by the United Nations Refugee Agency, commonly known as UNHCR, through its established procedures.
People inside Afghanistan cannot be referred under UKRS
A particularly important limitation is that the UKRS is intended for refugees who have left their country of origin and are living in a country of asylum.
This means that an Afghan national who remains inside Afghanistan cannot be referred for resettlement under the UKRS.
An Afghan national who has left Afghanistan and sought protection in another country should contact the UNHCR office responsible for that country. Where appropriate, that office may consider the person’s protection concerns, vulnerability and individual circumstances.
Registration with UNHCR does not guarantee consideration for resettlement. Resettlement places are extremely limited and are generally prioritised for refugees facing serious protection risks in their country of asylum.
Who decides whether someone is referred?
UNHCR identifies refugees who may require resettlement by assessing matters such as:
Threats to life, safety or liberty
Serious protection risks in the country of asylum
Risks faced by women and girls
Medical or disability-related vulnerabilities
Risk of violence, exploitation or abuse
Family circumstances
The absence of a safe or durable solution
The possibility of safely returning to the country of origin
The Home Office does not choose which Afghan nationals UNHCR should refer. If UNHCR makes a referral, the UK authorities will then decide whether to accept the person for resettlement.
Neither registration with UNHCR nor the presence of relatives in the United Kingdom creates an automatic entitlement to resettlement.
This is not the reopening of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme
The reopening of the UKRS should not be confused with the former Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.
The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme is closed to new referrals. The recent announcement does not reopen that scheme and does not create a new application form for Afghan nationals or their relatives.
Afghan refugees will instead be considered through the established UKRS referral framework.
What can relatives in the United Kingdom do?
A relative in the United Kingdom cannot nominate a family member for UKRS resettlement. However, families may still take practical steps:
Confirm whether the person is inside Afghanistan or in another country.
If outside Afghanistan, contact the appropriate UNHCR office in that country.
Keep evidence of any asylum registration or lawful status.
Retain evidence of threats, medical conditions and other vulnerabilities.
Keep records of communications with UNHCR or local protection organisations.
Obtain immigration advice about whether another UK route may be available.
Alternative routes will depend on the individual circumstances and may include family-based, human-rights or other immigration provisions. The availability of another route should always be assessed carefully.
How can a solicitor assist?
A solicitor cannot guarantee a UKRS referral or submit a resettlement application directly to the Home Office.
Legal assistance may nevertheless be useful in:
Identifying the correct UNHCR office
Presenting protection concerns clearly
Organising supporting evidence
Responding where UNHCR permits or requests further information
Advising relatives in the UK about other possible immigration routes
Explaining the difference between resettlement, family reunion and visa applications
Challenging incorrect immigration decisions where a legal remedy is available
Any adviser who promises to secure or fast-track a UKRS referral should be treated with caution.
A welcome development, but not an open application route
The reopening of the UKRS is a positive development for some of the world’s most vulnerable refugees. However, it remains a limited and tightly controlled resettlement programme.
Afghan nationals and their relatives should not assume that the announcement creates a general right to apply. The person must normally be outside Afghanistan, have sought protection in another country and be identified through the relevant referral process.
How Qazi & Co Solicitors can help
For advice about Afghan resettlement, family-based immigration options or other protection routes, contact Qazi & Co Solicitors Limited.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration and resettlement policies may change. Advice should be obtained on the individual circumstances of each case.
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UK Resettlement Scheme Reopens: What It Means for Afghan Nationals
UK Resettlement Scheme Reopens: What It Means for Afghan Nationals
By Alvyn Kee, Solicitor
The Government reopened the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) for new referrals on 28 September 2026. Around one quarter of referrals across the scheme are expected to involve Afghan women and girls and Palestinian refugees.
Although this announcement offers hope to vulnerable Afghan refugees, it is important to understand that the UKRS is not a new Afghan visa route and does not permit direct applications.
Following an enquiry from Qazi & Co Solicitors, the Home Office provided written clarification about how the reopened scheme operates and what Afghan nationals and their families can realistically do.
There is no direct application process
The UKRS is a referral-based resettlement programme. An Afghan national cannot submit an application directly to the Home Office.
The Home Office will not accept:
For Afghan refugees, identification and referral will normally be undertaken by the United Nations Refugee Agency, commonly known as UNHCR, through its established procedures.
People inside Afghanistan cannot be referred under UKRS
A particularly important limitation is that the UKRS is intended for refugees who have left their country of origin and are living in a country of asylum.
This means that an Afghan national who remains inside Afghanistan cannot be referred for resettlement under the UKRS.
An Afghan national who has left Afghanistan and sought protection in another country should contact the UNHCR office responsible for that country. Where appropriate, that office may consider the person’s protection concerns, vulnerability and individual circumstances.
Registration with UNHCR does not guarantee consideration for resettlement. Resettlement places are extremely limited and are generally prioritised for refugees facing serious protection risks in their country of asylum.
Who decides whether someone is referred?
UNHCR identifies refugees who may require resettlement by assessing matters such as:
The Home Office does not choose which Afghan nationals UNHCR should refer. If UNHCR makes a referral, the UK authorities will then decide whether to accept the person for resettlement.
Neither registration with UNHCR nor the presence of relatives in the United Kingdom creates an automatic entitlement to resettlement.
This is not the reopening of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme
The reopening of the UKRS should not be confused with the former Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.
The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme is closed to new referrals. The recent announcement does not reopen that scheme and does not create a new application form for Afghan nationals or their relatives.
Afghan refugees will instead be considered through the established UKRS referral framework.
What can relatives in the United Kingdom do?
A relative in the United Kingdom cannot nominate a family member for UKRS resettlement. However, families may still take practical steps:
Alternative routes will depend on the individual circumstances and may include family-based, human-rights or other immigration provisions. The availability of another route should always be assessed carefully.
How can a solicitor assist?
A solicitor cannot guarantee a UKRS referral or submit a resettlement application directly to the Home Office.
Legal assistance may nevertheless be useful in:
Any adviser who promises to secure or fast-track a UKRS referral should be treated with caution.
A welcome development, but not an open application route
The reopening of the UKRS is a positive development for some of the world’s most vulnerable refugees. However, it remains a limited and tightly controlled resettlement programme.
Afghan nationals and their relatives should not assume that the announcement creates a general right to apply. The person must normally be outside Afghanistan, have sought protection in another country and be identified through the relevant referral process.
How Qazi & Co Solicitors can help
For advice about Afghan resettlement, family-based immigration options or other protection routes, contact Qazi & Co Solicitors Limited.
Telephone: 020 3161 5450
Email: advice@qazisolicitors.com
Website: www.qazisolicitors.com
This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration and resettlement policies may change. Advice should be obtained on the individual circumstances of each case.
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