Closure of Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy

11 July 2025: Right To Remain: Closure of Safe Routes for Afghans: Changes to the Immigration Rules

On 1^st July 2025, the UK Government introduced significant changes to the Immigration Rules. While some of these changes were expected following the White Paper published on 12^th May 2025, others came without warning.

One of the most concerning and unexpected changes is the abrupt closure of two key resettlement schemes for Afghans: the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS). We previously wrote about these schemes here.

The ARAP Scheme

The ARAP scheme was established in April 2021 following “Operation Pitting,” a UK military-led evacuation operation during the Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan. Operation Pitting evacuated 15,000 people over two weeks, but many eligible individuals were left behind.

ARAP was designed to offer a safe route to the UK for Afghan citizens who had worked with or for the UK Government in roles that exposed them to risk.

On 1^st July 2025, the UK Government announced the immediate closure of ARAP, with only a few hours’ notice. Officials claimed the scheme had fulfilled its original purpose and that resources would now be redirected to national security priorities.

The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS)

Launched in January 2022, the ACRS provided an alternative safe route for Afghans who supported UK efforts in Afghanistan but were not eligible for ARAP. It also covered other vulnerable groups, such as women and children.

The ACRS included different parts, some of which had already closed to new applicants. For example, the Separated Families Route closed on 30^th October 2024.

On 1^st July 2025, the UK Government also shut down the final part of ACRS, the UNHCR Resettlement Referrals section, again with no prior notice.

Impact of the Closures

Over 34,000 Afghans have been resettled in the UK under ARAP and ACRS. There are 22,000 outstanding applications still waiting for a decision.

However, the security situation in Afghanistan remains dangerous, particularly for those associated with Western forces. Many continue to face persecution or are in hiding. Closing these schemes eliminates safe, legal pathways for those still at risk.

When safe routes are not possible, more people will be forced to travel on unsafe routes. There has been a number of studies that have shown this. As a result, more Afghans are likely to be driven to take dangerous routes, such as crossing the Channel to get to the UK in small boats. Afghan nationals are already the most common group arriving in the UK via small boats.

This move makes little sense, given the Government’s commitment to curbing ‘irregular’ migration, whilst removing the very safe routes that could have prevented it.

Why the Sudden Closure?

The decision to close the schemes without the standard 21 days’ notice that these legal changes normally have, was justified by the Government as a measure to prevent a surge in last-minute ‘unmeritorious’ applications.

What You Need to Know

Applications submitted under ARAP before the 3pm deadline on 1^st July 2025 will still be considered. If allowed, successful applicants will be entitled to bring their immediate family members with them.
Applications under the Separated Families Route of ACRS submitted before its closure on 30^th October 2024 will also still be processed.
No new applications will be accepted under ARAP or ACRS.

The Bigger Picture

The closures are part of a broader Government agenda to reduce immigration and redirect funding towards defence and national security. However, the way these closures have taken place, lacking transparency and sufficient notice, has just led to more fear and uncertainty among Afghan communities.

While the UK continues to publicly commit to its obligations to those who helped them in Afghanistan, the reality suggests otherwise. The end of ARAP and ACRS leaves many vulnerable individuals with no legal avenue to safety, undermining both humanitarian commitments and public trust.

3 July 2025: Turpin-Miller: Afghan resettlement schemes closed without notice

On 1 July 2025 the UK government published a new statement of changes to the Immigration Rules confirming the immediate closure of Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS).

Main applicants under the ARAP scheme must have applied to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) before 3pm on 1 July 2025. All applications made under the ARAP received before the closure of the scheme will continue to be considered. Applications for family members will continue to be accepted after 1 July 2025.

The scheme has been closed with almost immediate effect, despite a convention that changes should be laid before Parliament at least 21 calendar days before they come into force

Explaining why the convention has been breached, the government says that giving notice would lead to a spike in applications and 95% of applications submitted to date are duplicates or ultimately found to be ineligible. This would further increase the backlog in ARAP decisions, which already face long delays.

Alongside the closure of ARAP, the ACRS scheme has also closed. Although unlike ARAP it was not possible to apply to ACRS directly, the UK government has confirmed they will not accept any further referrals no further pathways will open.

The explanatory memorandum accompanying the statement of changes notes that over 12,800 people have been successfully resettled under the ACRS since 2021. However, this falls significantly short of the commitment to resettle 20,000 people through the scheme.

2 July 2025: Gov.uk: Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy: further information on eligibility criteria and offer details

The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) is for Afghan citizens who worked for or with the UK Government in Afghanistan in exposed or meaningful roles and may include an offer of relocation to the UK for those deemed eligible by the Ministry of Defence and who are deemed suitable for relocation by the Home Office.

Afghan citizens who are eligible for relocation to the UK under the ARAP may relocate with a partner, dependent children and additional family members who are also deemed eligible for relocation under the ARAP by the Ministry of Defence and suitable for relocation by the Home Office.

The ARAP was launched on 1 April 2021 and was closed to new applications on 1 July 2025. It followed the former intimidation policy (in place from 2010 to 2013), and ex-gratia scheme (EGS – in place between 2013 and 30 November 2022).

All ARAP applications received before the scheme closed on 1 July will be processed, but new principal applications will not be accepted after this point. Those who are found eligible will still have their immediate family members – such as one spouse and children under 18 – automatically considered for relocation. They will also have 30 days from accepting their ARAP offer to make an application to relocate any additional family members to the UK. However, no new applications will be accepted following the closure of the scheme.