The Home Office is facing now a perfect storm. Huge backlogs in the processing of asylum claims, the Covid-19 pandemic and now the rapidly unfolding refugee crisis caused by the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.

Amidst this chaos, the Home office have released guidance that if you are a British National, or a family member of a British national stuck in Afghanistan, you can call +44 1908 516 666 (or 01908 516 666 in the UK) and select the option of ‘Consular services for British nationals’ for further assistance.

The Home office have also launched The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP), which is for Afghans who have supported British efforts in Afghanistan, for example interpreters and other personnel. They aim to prioritise 

• current or former Chevening Scholars
• people with existing leave or an open application for student, work, and family visas
• journalists and those who worked with British news agencies
• members of civil society groups for women’s’ rights
• Afghan government officials
• officials working in counterterrorism and counter-narcotics
• employees of charities, humanitarian organisations and NGOs

And then there is the Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme which will welcome up to 5,000 vulnerable Afghans to the UK who have been forced to flee the country, with up to a total of 20,000 in the long term. This number is in addition to 5,000 Afghan expected to relocate to the UK this year under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP). 

As Kabul falls, it is our responsibility to ensure that our clients never again experience the fear of being returned to the warzone that they have left behind. Afghanistan is not safe and will not be any time soon. Our expert team of immigration advice solicitors in London, can provide fast, friendly, and reliable immigration advice online and face to face.  Reach out to us on 020 538 0114 or email info@shawstoneassociates.com for more enquiries.