Refugee family reunion — what changed
A refugee used to be able to bring a spouse and children under 18 for free and with no conditions. From 3pm on 4 September 2025 new applications on that route are suspended — the promised "spring 2026" deadline has passed, the pause continues. For now, only via the general Appendix FM route: income of about £29,000, accommodation, and English A1. Clause 17 of the bill changes the procedure (the UK sponsor makes the claim).
How it worked (before 4 September 2025)
A recognised refugee (or a person with humanitarian protection) could use the Appendix Family Reunion route to bring a spouse/partner and children under 18 — for free and with no conditions: there was no need to show income or knowledge of English.
What it is now (suspended)
From 3pm on 4 September 2025 new applications on the refugee route are suspended (Statement of Changes HC 1298). The government called the route "financially unsustainable"; in the year to June 2025 a record 20,817 visas were issued (+30%).
While the route is closed, family can be brought via the general Appendix FM route — but with its requirements: income ~£29,000/year, suitable accommodation, English A1. This is significantly harder and more expensive than the old free route.
What is proposed next
A new "sponsor human rights claim": the Article 8 claim for a relative is made by the family member in the UK, who has a right of appeal against a refusal. This is procedure; it does not set income/English conditions. More on the Article 8 page.
In March 2026 the government confirmed the pause continues while financial and integration requirements are developed. How the new system is planned:
- Who applies: the family member in the UK (the sponsor) — the new "sponsor human rights claim" procedure from clause 17 of the bill, with a right of appeal against a refusal of the relative's entry.
- Conditions under discussion: a financial contribution / income level, English language, and a longer waiting period for newly recognised refugees. These are proposals, not rules — no figures exist in any official text.
- When: no date; the relaunch appears tied to the Immigration and Asylum Bill passing (Royal Assent autumn 2026 or later) and to new Immigration Rules. Watch gov.uk (Statements of Changes) and bills.parliament.uk.
⚠️ Do not rely on specific figures or dates until the official rules are published. While the route is closed, the only way to bring family is Appendix FM (£29,000, accommodation, A1).
What to do now
This page explains law and policy — it is not legal advice. Family cases are highly fact-specific.
- For your own situation, see a regulated adviser: iaa.gov.uk. Free help: /lawyer.
- Gather documents proving family ties: marriage/birth certificates, correspondence, photos, certified translations.
- Appendix FM is complex — do not apply blindly; a mistake costs money and time.
- We will update this page when the new relaunch rules are published.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to family reunion?
From 3pm on 4 September 2025, new applications on the refugee family reunion route (Appendix Family Reunion) were suspended (Statement of Changes HC 1298). The government promised a relaunch "by spring 2026" — that deadline has passed: in March 2026 it confirmed the pause continues while new rules are prepared. No new date has been named.
How did it work before?
A recognised refugee (or a person with humanitarian protection) could bring a spouse/partner and children under 18 for free and with no conditions — there was no need to show income or knowledge of English. That is what has now been suspended.
What can I do if I need to bring family now?
While the refugee route is closed, you can try to bring family through the general family route — Appendix FM. But it has its own requirements: an income of about £29,000 a year, suitable accommodation, and elementary English (level A1) for the applicant. This is much harder and more expensive than the old free refugee route.
Why was it suspended?
The government called the route "no longer financially sustainable or fair". In the year to June 2025 a record 20,817 family reunion visas were issued (+30%). It also argued that smugglers use the promise of family reunion to encourage dangerous journeys.
Who makes the application now — me or the relative abroad?
This connects to clause 17 of the new Immigration and Asylum Bill: a new "sponsor human rights claim" means the Article 8 claim for a relative is made by the family member in the UK (the sponsor), who gains a right of appeal against a refusal. This is procedural; the income/English conditions are set by Appendix FM, not by this clause.
Will the route reopen? When, and how would it work?
The government says yes — but the "spring 2026" deadline has been missed and there is no new date. The plan, from government statements and clause 17 of the bill: 1) the application for the relative would be made by the family member in the UK (a "sponsor human rights claim"), with a right of appeal if entry is refused; 2) the conditions under discussion — a financial contribution / income level, English language, and a longer waiting period for newly recognised refugees — are proposals, not rules in force; 3) the relaunch appears tied to the Immigration and Asylum Bill passing (Royal Assent autumn 2026 or later) and to new Immigration Rules. We will update this page when the official text appears.
Is the "2 years in the UK" condition real?
Not as a firm current condition — no. The government has only spoken in general terms of a "longer waiting period" before applying. No specific period is fixed. Do not rely on a number until the official rules are published.
What should I do right now?
Family cases are highly fact-specific. For an assessment, see a regulated immigration adviser (check at iaa.gov.uk). Gather documents proving family ties (marriage/birth certificates, correspondence, photos, certified translations). We will update this page when the new rules are published.