In a new press release published on 1st September the UK government announced that arriving Afghan nationals will be given immediate indefinite leave to remain, funding for school attendance and access to healthcare under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP). This is a scheme for Afghans who worked closely with the British military and UK Government in Afghanistan and have risked their lives in doing so. The scheme aims to support arriving Afghans, by both rebuilding their lives and integrating them into local communities.
It also applies to Afghans who have already relocated to the UK under ARAP, as they will now be able to apply to change their temporary leave to indefinite leave free of charge.
Further support will be provided for family members of those who qualify for indefinite leave to remain under ARAP:
- At least £12 million will become available to ensure there will be additional school places for children, in addition to travel and English language support to assist with learning.
- Further funding will be provided for 300 undergraduates and postgraduate scholarship for young adults from Afghanistan at UK universities.
- Adults will be able to access English language courses free of charge.
- Liaison officers will be able to help Afghan families register with a GP, attain a National Insurance number, school place, accommodation and answer other queries.
Once registered with a GP, Afghan nationals will be offered the COVID-19 vaccine, have access to prescriptions, wound care and dressings, maternity care, mental health support and screening for infectious diseases.
