To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 20 September 2022 to Question 46210, what steps her Department must complete between UNHCR referral under Pathway 2 of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme and the arrival of such refugees in the UK.
Answered on
29 September 2022
We launched ACRS Pathway 2 in January and anticipate referrals of up to 2,000 refugees from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) during its first year.
The steps between the Home Office receiving a referral for resettlement under Pathway 2 of the ACRS from the UNHCR, and a refugee’s arrival in the UK, follow the same well established process as those for referrals to the UK Resettlement Scheme:
- Referrals from the UNHCR are reviewed by the Home Office, who determine whether the case should be accepted for resettlement to the UK. Officials will assess eligibility through a case working process and by commissioning screening and security checks. Officials will also consider individual circumstances, such as medical and safeguarding needs.
- If a referral is accepted for resettlement by the Home Office, it will notify the UNHCR who, in turn, will inform the individual.
From there, it is vital that those resettling in the UK have somewhere suitable to stay upon arrival. An offer of resettlement under Pathway 2 of the ACRS is, therefore, provisional on suitable accommodation becoming available, and refugees will not travel to the UK until this is in place.