UK Closes Afghan Resettlement Schemes ARAP and ACRS to New Applications

Key Takeaways

• UK closed ARAP and ACRS to new applications on 1 July 2025, ending special Afghan resettlement routes.
• Existing applications before 15:00 BST 1 July 2025 will be processed; family members have 30 days for inclusion.
• Transitional accommodation for Afghan arrivals is available up to 9 months from 1 March 2025 under ARP.

On July 1, 2025, the UK Government made a major change to its Afghan resettlement policy, closing both the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) to new applications. This update affects thousands of Afghans who hoped to find safety in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, as well as their families and supporters. The closure was sudden, with no advance notice to the public or organizations working with Afghan applicants. Here’s a clear summary of what has changed, who is affected, what actions are required, and what this means for pending and future applications.

Summary of What Changed

• Immediate Closure: As of 1 July 2025, the UK Government closed both the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme to new principal applications. This means no new applications are being accepted under these programs.
• No Advance Warning: The closure happened without any public announcement or warning to stakeholders, including legal advisors, charities, and Afghan communities.
• Deadline for Applications: All principal applications for ARAP had to be submitted to the Ministry of Defence before 15:00 BST on 1 July 2025. Any applications received after this time are not being considered.
• Existing Applications: Applications submitted before the deadline will still be processed under the rules that were in place as of 21 July 2025.
• Family Members: Immediate family members (spouse and children under 18) of eligible principal applicants can still be considered for relocation. There is a 30-day window for applying for additional family members after accepting an ARAP offer.
• No New Pathways: The government confirmed that there will be no further pathways under ACRS, including those through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) referral section, which also closed on 1 July 2025.
• Transitional Accommodation: All Afghan arrivals under the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) are eligible for up to 9 months of transitional accommodation, starting from 1 March 2025.

Who Is Affected

• Afghans Seeking Resettlement: Anyone who had not submitted a principal application to ARAP or ACRS by 1 July 2025 is no longer able to apply under these schemes.
• Existing Applicants: Those who applied before the deadline will have their applications processed, but must follow new rules for family reunification and accommodation.
• Family Members: Immediate family members of eligible applicants can still be included, but there are strict deadlines for submitting their details.
• Local Authorities and Support Groups: Organizations helping Afghans must now work within the new rules and support those already in the system, as no new cases will be accepted.

Effective Dates

• Closure Date: 1 July 2025 – No new principal applications accepted after this date.
• Processing Rules: All existing applications will be processed under the rules as of 21 July 2025.
• Transitional Accommodation: Available for up to 9 months for arrivals from 1 March 2025 onwards.
• Family Member Application Window: 30 days from acceptance of an ARAP offer to apply for additional family members.

Required Actions for Applicants

If you are an Afghan who submitted an application before the closure, here’s what you need to do:

1. Wait for Contact: The Ministry of Defence and Home Office will contact you about your application. There is no need to reach out to them, as this will not speed up your case.
2. Family Members: If you are found eligible, your spouse and children under 18 will be considered for relocation. You have 30 days from the date you accept the ARAP offer to apply for any additional family members.
3. Prepare for Arrival: If your application is successful, you will be eligible for up to 9 months of transitional accommodation upon arrival in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧.
4. Integration Support: Local authorities will help you move from transitional accommodation to settled housing and support your integration into the community.
5. No New Applications: If you have not already applied, you cannot submit a new application under ARAP or ACRS. You must now use standard UK visa routes, which have different requirements and do not offer special protection for those at risk due to their association with the UK.

Implications for Pending Applications

• Processing Continues: All applications received before 1 July 2025 will be processed under the rules in place as of 21 July 2025.
• No Timeline for Completion: The UK Government has not given a specific timeline for when all pending applications will be completed. Some cases are complex and may take a long time to resolve.
• Family Reunification: Immediate family members are prioritized, but you must act quickly to include additional family members within the 30-day window.
• Transitional Accommodation: All arrivals under the Afghan Resettlement Programme are eligible for up to 9 months of transitional accommodation, after which you are expected to move to permanent housing.
• No New Safe Routes: There are no longer any special UK Government schemes for Afghans at risk due to their work with the UK or their vulnerability.

Background and Policy Context

The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme were launched in response to the crisis in Afghanistan 🇦🇫 after the withdrawal of Western forces in August 2021. These schemes aimed to provide safe routes for Afghans who worked with the UK Government or were otherwise at risk.

• ARP Launch: On 18 December 2024, the UK Government announced the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) to bring all Afghan resettlement schemes under one system, aiming to make the process more efficient and provide better support.
• Numbers Relocated: Since August 2021, over 34,000 Afghans have been relocated to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 under these schemes. By September 2024, 17,956 people had been relocated under ARAP and 12,400 under ACRS.
• Eligibility: ARAP was for Afghan citizens who worked for or with the UK Government in important or exposed roles. Eligibility was decided by the Ministry of Defence, and suitability checks were done by the Home Office. ACRS was a referral-based scheme, focusing on vulnerable people and those who helped UK efforts.

Key Stakeholders and Their Roles

• Ministry of Defence: Decided who was eligible under ARAP and is responsible for processing applications received before the closure.
• Home Office: Handles ongoing casework, manages transitional accommodation, and supports integration for Afghan arrivals.
• Defence Secretary: Announced the ARP and provided updates on the progress and closure of the schemes in Parliament on 1 July 2025.
• Local Authorities: Continue to help Afghan arrivals with accommodation and integration into local communities.

Policy Implications and Practical Effects

• No New Safe Routes: With the closure of ARAP and ACRS, there are no longer any dedicated UK Government safe routes for Afghans seeking resettlement. Those not already in the system must now apply through regular UK visa routes, such as work, study, or family visas. These routes have stricter requirements and do not offer special protection for those at risk because of their connection to the UK.
• Integration Support: Transitional accommodation is available for up to 9 months for all ARP arrivals. Local authorities are responsible for helping people move into permanent housing and supporting their integration.
• Processing Delays: Some applications are complicated and may take a long time to process. The government has promised to honor all existing commitments but has not given a timeline for when all cases will be resolved.
• No New Pathways: The closure of the UNHCR referral section under ACRS means there are no new ways for Afghans to be referred for resettlement through the UK Government.

Expert and Stakeholder Perspectives

The sudden closure of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme has been met with strong criticism from legal experts, non-governmental organizations, and advocacy groups. Many have raised concerns about:

• Lack of Notice: The closure happened without warning, leaving many Afghans and their supporters unprepared.
• Increased Risk: Without dedicated safe routes, Afghans who worked with the UK or are at risk because of their support for UK missions now have no special protection.
• Calls for Alternatives: Advocacy groups are urging the UK Government to create new pathways or humanitarian provisions for those left behind.

The UK Government, however, maintains that it has fulfilled its promises to Afghans who supported UK missions and points to the relocation of over 34,000 people since 2021 as evidence of its commitment. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the closure of these schemes marks the end of one of the most generous resettlement programs in recent UK history.

Step-by-Step Procedures for Existing Applicants

If you are an Afghan who applied before the closure, here’s what you need to know:

1. Existing ARAP/ACRS Applicants: If you submitted your application before 1 July 2025, your case will be processed under the rules that were in place as of 21 July 2025.
2. Family Members: If you are found eligible, your spouse and children under 18 will be considered for relocation. You have 30 days from accepting the ARAP offer to apply for any additional family members.
3. Transitional Accommodation: Upon arrival in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, you are eligible for up to 9 months of transitional accommodation. After this period, you are expected to move into permanent housing.
4. No Action Needed: You do not need to contact the government about your application. Your caseworker will reach out to you when there are updates. Contacting the government will not speed up your case.

Future Outlook

• No Announced New Pathways: As of July 2025, there are no plans to reopen the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy or the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme, and no new dedicated Afghan resettlement routes have been announced.
• Possible Policy Changes: The government has said that further immigration and asylum policy changes may be announced later in 2025, but no details are available yet.
• General Visa Routes: Afghans must now use standard UK immigration channels, such as work, study, or family visas. These routes are not designed for people at risk because of their connection to the UK and have stricter requirements.

Official Resources and Contact Information

For the most up-to-date and official information, visit the UK Government Afghan Resettlement Programme page. This page provides guidance on the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy, the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme, and the Afghan Resettlement Programme.

• Ministry of Defence: Applications for ARAP are closed as of 1 July 2025. If you applied before this date, you will be contacted directly.
• Home Office: Responsible for ongoing casework, transitional accommodation, and integration support for Afghan arrivals.

Practical Guidance for Affected Individuals

• If You Applied Before the Deadline: Wait for your caseworker to contact you. Make sure you have all necessary documents ready for yourself and your immediate family members.
• If You Missed the Deadline: Unfortunately, you cannot apply under ARAP or ACRS. You may consider applying through general UK visa routes, but these have different requirements and do not offer special protection for those at risk due to their connection to the UK.
• For Support Groups and Local Authorities: Focus on helping those already in the system, especially with integration and finding permanent housing after the transitional accommodation period ends.

Key Takeaways

• The UK Government has closed both the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme to new applications as of 1 July 2025.
• Only existing applications submitted before the deadline will be processed, and there are strict rules and timelines for including family members.
• There are no new safe routes for Afghans seeking resettlement in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, and future policy changes have not yet been announced.
• Transitional accommodation is available for up to 9 months for all Afghan arrivals under the Afghan Resettlement Programme.
• For official guidance and updates, visit the UK Government’s Afghan Resettlement Programme page.

This update marks a significant change in the UK’s approach to Afghan resettlement. Those affected should pay close attention to deadlines, keep in contact with their caseworkers, and seek support from local authorities and community organizations as they move forward.

Learn Today

Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) → UK government program for relocating Afghans who worked with the UK, closed to new applicants July 1, 2025.
Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) → Referral-based UK scheme for vulnerable Afghans, including UNHCR referrals, closed to new applications as of July 2025.
Transitional accommodation → Temporary housing provided up to nine months for Afghan arrivals under the UK Afghan Resettlement Programme.
Principal application → The initial application submitted by an Afghan seeking resettlement under ARAP or ACRS programs.
Family reunification → Process allowing inclusion of eligible immediate family members after acceptance of an ARAP offer within 30 days.

This Article in a Nutshell

The UK abruptly ended Afghan resettlement schemes ARAP and ACRS on 1 July 2025, halting new applications. Existing cases proceed under current rules. Afghan arrivals receive up to nine months transitional housing, but no new safe routes exist. Affected individuals must adapt to standard immigration pathways without special UK protection.
— By VisaVerge.com