The UK government has reactivated its refugee resettlement scheme following another suspension. Under the programme, around a quarter of those referred for relocation to the country will be Afghan women and girls and Palestinian refugees.
Shabana Mahmood, the UK Home Secretary, announced the reopening of the programme on Monday, September 28, saying that eligible refugees would be referred in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP).
According to a statement from the UK Home Office, the scheme is designed to provide a safe and legal route for people fleeing war and persecution. Afghan women and girls who have fled harassment and pressure from the Taliban, as well as Palestinian refugees who have escaped the war in Gaza, are among those covered by the programme.
Under the scheme, partner organizations will identify eligible refugees through designated procedures and refer them for resettlement in the UK. Applicants will undergo security and criminal background checks before relocation.
The UK Home Office said the refugee referral process would begin immediately in cooperation with local authorities, and the first group is expected to arrive in the country before the end of 2026.
Under the programme, people relocated to the UK through this route will follow a five-year pathway to permanent residence. The UK government said the number of people accepted would initially be in the hundreds and could increase to several thousand in the coming years, subject to annual caps.
The programme is part of three new refugee resettlement routes through community sponsorship, universities, and employers. According to the UK government, charities and non-profit organizations will be able to apply to support refugees through the community sponsorship and student routes from October 2026. Applications for the employment sponsorship route are expected to open in spring 2027.
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