Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme overseas letter
Published 27 June 2023
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Information on UK accommodation for those assessed as eligible through either ACRS Pathway 3 or the ARAP scheme
22 May 2023
You may be aware that the UK government announced on 28 March 2023 that people under both the ACRS and ARAP who are currently living in hotels and serviced accommodation in the UK will be required to move out. They will be given support to find settled homes. This is because hotels are not - and were never designed to be - a permanent solution.
We are continuing to work hard to help eligible people to relocate to the UK and, where appropriate, support them to find suitable accommodation as soon as possible.
This announcement does not have any effect on decisions about eligibility for relocation or resettlement to the UK. The UK government will continue to honour its commitments to bring eligible people to the UK, into suitable accommodation. However, this will continue to take some time, and eligible people should expect to be waiting overseas for several months or longer.
Resettlement in the UK under ACRS Pathway 3 is subject to enrolment of biometrics, security, and other checks. In order to submit biometric data, eligible people must attend a visa application centre overseas. Many people have opted to move to Pakistan. Individuals will continue to be supported as necessary whilst they await final processing of their cases, resettlement to the UK and into suitable accommodation.
The UK government will only arrange travel for eligible ACRS and ARAP people to the UK where suitable accommodation has been secured, meaning there will be a temporary delay in issuing new visas and facilitating travel until suitable accommodation is in place. Eligible people can either wait until accommodation is found for them, or they can arrange their own accommodation, possibly with help from friends and family members who may already live in the UK. Whichever option chosen; eligible people should wait overseas until granted permission to enter and issued a visa to come to the UK.
If eligible people think they are able to arrange their own accommodation in the UK, they should speak to their International Organization for Migration (IOM) caseworker. They will provide more information in due course.
The UK government continues to work with Local Authorities and other partners to source suitable accommodation in the UK. We know everyone being resettled or relocated will be keen to understand timeframes, and we will share more details as soon as they become available.
IOM remain your main point of contact for questions you have regarding your case.