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Written question asked by Baroness Coussins (Crossbench) on Wednesday, 17 July 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 31 July 2024. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Thursday, 15 August 2024 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.


Afghanistan: Resettlement

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to amend the eligibility criteria for the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme to allow visas for the UK to be issued to those who were employed indirectly as well as directly to work for UK government departments or armed forces.

Answer

The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme already provides resettlement routes within the existing criteria for those formerly employed, directly or indirectly, by the UK Government. There are no current plans to widen the eligibility criteria.

The scheme’s full eligibility criteria can be found via the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy-information-and-guidance

The new team of Ministers have made ARAP an early priority for the Department, to tackle problems which have been faced with processing ARAP applications and ensure the scheme delivers on our commitments to those brave Afghans who worked in support of UK objectives in Afghanistan.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL26
Session
2024-26
Attachment
Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy
Subjects
Asylum Afghanistan Resettlement Home country nationals
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk