UK High Court Upholds ARAP Closure: No New Applications for Afghan Relocation
Summary
The UK High Court has dismissed a judicial review challenging the decision to close the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme to new applications without notice. This means the closure on July 1, 2025, stands, effectively ending a vital pathway for eligible Afghans seeking relocation to the UK. For those hoping to apply, exploring alternative immigration routes will now be crucial as this specific scheme is definitively shut.
The UK Home Secretary and Secretary of Defence's joint decision to close the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme to new applications without prior notice on July 1, 2025, has been definitively upheld following the dismissal of a judicial review. The High Court considered arguments spanning procedural unfairness, legitimate expectation, and fettering discretion, ultimately finding no legal basis to overturn the government's decision. This ruling confirms that the window for new ARAP applications has effectively shut, impacting numerous Afghans who might have been preparing to apply or were awaiting the opportunity. The scheme was designed to offer relocation to current or former Afghan staff who worked for the UK government and were at risk.
This dismissal carries significant practical implications for potential applicants. Individuals who were eligible for ARAP but had not yet applied will now need to urgently explore other, more general immigration pathways to the UK, which may have stricter criteria and longer processing times. The broader context highlights the UK government's increasing restrictiveness on certain humanitarian immigration routes, placing greater emphasis on alternative legal routes or potentially leaving vulnerable individuals without a clear path to safety. It underscores the importance for affected individuals to seek expert legal advice immediately.
Background
The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) was launched in April 2021 to provide a pathway to relocation to the UK for Afghan staff who worked for or alongside the UK government in Afghanistan and were deemed at serious risk. This policy was established in response to the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and the withdrawal of international forces.
Who This Affects
- Former Afghan staff who worked for the UK government and their families are directly impacted, as their primary route for relocation through ARAP has now been definitively closed.
- Afghans who were preparing ARAP applications or were unaware of the closure date are now left without a specific, tailored pathway for relocation to the UK.
- Legal practitioners and support organizations assisting Afghan refugees must now shift their focus to advising on alternative, often more complex, immigration routes.
What You Should Do Now
- Urgently seek independent legal advice from UK immigration specialists to understand alternative immigration routes available, such as asylum or other visa categories.
- Gather all relevant documentation proving your past employment with the UK government and any threats faced, as these may still be crucial for other applications.
- Explore general immigration pathways to the UK, noting that eligibility criteria and application processes will differ significantly from the ARAP scheme.
Key Takeaway
The definitive closure of the ARAP scheme means no new applications will be accepted, compelling eligible Afghans to immediately seek alternative UK immigration pathways.
Source: Read official article on Free Movement (UK)
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