Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) Visa

United Kingdom•Europe

Closed

Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) Visa

Residency Pathway PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed Remote Work

Closed to new applications — July 1, 2025

Closed to new principal applications at 15:00 BST on 1 July 2025. Existing applications received before closure continue to be processed. Replaced by the Afghanistan Response Route (ARR).

At a Glance

Processing Time

6 months – 2 years

Estimated Cost

Free

Stay Duration

Indefinite

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

Official Information

Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living

2% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary£31,000

Quality of Life

174/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Humanitarian / Immigrant

The ARAP provides immediate permanent settlement in the UK for Afghan citizens who served the UK government in Afghanistan in an exposed or meaningful role. Closed to new principal applications since July 2025, it grants Indefinite Leave to Enter or Remain — with no application fees or health surcharge.

Settlement is conferred on arrival (or in-country), giving full work rights and no time limit on stay. Partners and minor children may accompany the principal applicant. Additional family members may be included in exceptional circumstances.

This visa is ideal for Afghan nationals who worked directly with UK forces or government and face serious risk to their life, seeking permanent UK settlement for themselves and their family.

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Cost Breakdown

Application FeeGBP £0

Biometric FeeGBP £0

Immigration Health SurchargeGBP £0

Stay & Extensions

Status type

Permanent / indefinite

Eligible Nationalities (1)

Afghanistan

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be an Afghan citizen.

Must have worked for or with the UK Government in Afghanistan in an exposed or meaningful role.

Must be assessed by the MOD as being under serious threat to life or at risk of reprisals.

Must be deemed suitable for relocation by the Home Office.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Proof of employment with the UK government/military (contracts, payslips, reference letters).

Identity documents (passport, Tazkira).

Evidence of threat/risk.

Details of dependent family members.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Immediate permanent settlement (ILR).
No application or health surcharge fees.
Full work rights.

Worth Knowing

Scheme is closed to new principal applicants.
Processing times are highly unpredictable.
Strict qualification criteria regarding employment history.
New principal applications closed as of July 1, 2025.
Failure to pass Home Office security and suitability checks.

Application Process

Submit online ARAP application (pre-July 2025).

MOD qualification review.

Family information submission.

Home Office security and suitability checks.

Entry clearance issuance and relocation.

Application Forms

ARAP Online Application Form

Fill online

Verified Claims (22)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps

Submit online ARAP application (pre-July 2025).; MOD eligibility review.; Family information submiss…

gov.uk

Dependent Visa

Eligible dependents (partner and minor children) can accompany; additional family members may be con…

gov.uk

Discontinued

true

gov.uk

Discontinued Note

Closed to new principal applications at 15:00 BST on 1 July 2025. Existing applications received bef…

gov.uk

Fee Breakdown

Application Fee: 0 GBP; Biometric Fee: 0 GBP; Immigration Health Surcharge: 0 GBP

gov.uk

Fees

£0

gov.uk

Forms

ARAP Online Application Form

gov.uk

Included Nationalities

gov.uk

Official Information

Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living

2% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary£31,000

Quality of Life

174/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

Humanitarian / Immigrant

This visa is ideal for Afghan nationals who worked directly with UK forces or government and face serious risk to their life, seeking permanent UK settlement for themselves and their family.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be an Afghan citizen.

Must have worked for or with the UK Government in Afghanistan in an exposed or meaningful role.

Must be assessed by the MOD as being under serious threat to life or at risk of reprisals.

Must be deemed suitable for relocation by the Home Office.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Proof of employment with the UK government/military (contracts, payslips, reference letters).

Identity documents (passport, Tazkira).

Evidence of threat/risk.

Details of dependent family members.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Immediate permanent settlement (ILR).
No application or health surcharge fees.
Full work rights.

Worth Knowing

Scheme is closed to new principal applicants.
Processing times are highly unpredictable.
Strict qualification criteria regarding employment history.
New principal applications closed as of July 1, 2025.
Failure to pass Home Office security and suitability checks.