Work is underway across the whole of government to ensure the Afghans who stood side by side with the UK in conflict, their families and those at highest risk who have been evacuated, are supported as they now rebuild their lives in the UK. Further information on the UK governments Operation Warm Welcome can be found on GOV UK.
We are also very aware of the large number of UK nationals who were also evacuated from Afghanistan in connection with the collapse of the Afghan government on 15 August 2021, who needed to leave Afghanistan suddenly.
Those arriving in the UK from Afghanistan, either as part of the repatriation efforts, or under one of the relocation and resettlement schemes have arrived under difficult circumstances. In response to this, departments have legislated to exempt those arriving from Afghanistan from the usual residency tests which restrict access certain benefits for new arrivals to the UK, including Universal Credit.
Individuals arriving from Afghanistan under a relocation or resettlement scheme
The Home Office has put in place schemes to relocate individuals from Afghanistan. These include:
- the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Programme and Afghan Locally Employed Staff scheme for those who worked alongside UK forces in Afghanistan
- the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme for those considered at risk in Afghanistan
