Britain’s Home Secretary has announced that the UK Resettlement Scheme has reopened to new referrals, restoring a safe and legal route for eligible refugees to enter the country. The Home Office expects about a quarter of referrals to involve Afghan women and girls and Palestinian refugees fleeing war and persecution. The scheme will operate in partnership with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), which will identify and refer eligible refugees through established procedures.
Special Focus on Afghan Women and Girls
A central feature of the renewed scheme is the allocation of places to Afghan women and girls. The Home Office said Afghan women and girls are among those forced to flee conflict and persecution, and that they and Palestinian refugees are expected to account for about a quarter of referrals. The decision comes as restrictions on women’s and girls’ rights to education, employment and public participation in Afghanistan remain a major international concern.
Partnership With Local Authorities Across the UK
The scheme will be delivered with councils and local organisations across the United Kingdom. Referrals are resuming immediately, with the first arrivals expected before the end of 2026.
The government said the program continues Britain’s longstanding commitment to people fleeing war and persecution. Previous resettlement pathways have supported refugees from Syria’s civil war, Afghans who left following the Taliban’s return to power, and people displaced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Three New Refugee Sponsorship Pathways
The reopening of the UKRS comes alongside three new safe and legal pathways announced in November 2025. Built around community sponsorship, the pathways will cover community, education and employment-based support.
Community Sponsorship Pathway
From October, charities and not-for-profit organisations will be able to apply to become sponsors. Local communities will host refugees and support their settlement and integration.
Education Sponsorship Pathway
This pathway will allow universities to host refugee students and enable them to continue their studies in the United Kingdom. The first arrivals through the community and education pathways are expected in autumn 2027.
Employment Sponsorship Pathway
Under the third pathway, businesses and employers will be able to sponsor refugees. Applications from participating companies will open in spring 2027, with the first arrivals expected later that year.
Sponsors’ Responsibilities for Settlement and Integration
Under the government’s plan, sponsors will be responsible for providing accommodation, supporting community integration and helping refugees find employment. Ministers say the model could also ease pressure on councils and local organisations.
Initially, combined arrivals through the UK Resettlement Scheme and the three new sponsorship pathways are expected to number in the hundreds. The government said the total could rise to several thousand as irregular migration falls. An annual cap will be set on admissions.
Five-Year Pathway to Permanent Residence
People arriving through these safe and legal routes will enter a five-year pathway to permanent residence. The government said their immigration status will be deliberately different from that of people who enter by small boat or other irregular routes. It argues the distinction is intended to discourage dangerous journeys and encourage the use of limited, controlled and lawful pathways.
Government Emphasises Enforcement Against Irregular Migration
The reopening is particularly significant for Afghans, especially women and girls. With about a quarter of new referrals expected to be allocated collectively to Afghan women and girls and Palestinian refugees, these groups will make up a substantial share of the scheme’s initial intake. However, referral does not guarantee acceptance. UNHCR and IRAP will identify and refer candidates in line with eligibility criteria and available places.
Increase in Returns of People Without a Right to Remain
More than 80,000 people without a legal right to remain in the United Kingdom have left the country since July 2024, according to government figures. Ministers say this is a 52 per cent increase compared with the previous two years and the highest rate of returns in a decade. The Home Office said expanding safe and legal refugee routes while tackling irregular migration is central to its strategy for reforming the system.
Why the Decision Matters for Afghans
The reopening of the United Kingdom’s resettlement programme for Afghans — particularly Afghan women and girls — carries significant importance. The UK government has announced that around one‑quarter of new referrals under the scheme will be allocated to Afghan women and girls as well as Palestinian refugees, meaning these groups will make up a substantial portion of the programme’s initial intake.
Source: UK Home Office, 28 September 2026.
