We are shocked and saddened by the devastating announcement made by Yvette Cooper tonight and what this means for separated refugee families, our clients and their communities. We believe all families should be able to live together if they choose. No one plans to become a refugee. No one plans to be separated from their partners and children.
Family reunion is a route described by the government as ‘safe and legal’ the type of route they are looking to support access to. A route that should provide protection to those who most need it. It is not an easy way in, the criteria are narrow, it takes months of emotional investment, lengthy applications, gathering evidence and a significant financial burden on families. Over half those granted family reunion visas in 2024 were children. (1)
As the Home Secretary said; ‘The current rules for family reunion for refugees were designed many years ago to help families separated by war, conflict and persecution.’ Today it continues to help those same families as intended. There is no lesser need now than before and those accessing, or trying to access refugee family reunion routes are largely women and children in circumstances that no one would ever want for their loved ones. (2)
Our experience tells us that family reunion applicants come from places we see daily in the news as new horrors impact those who live there. Few of us could imagine what it would be like to have your family there, waiting, eligible to come to the UK, as they apply for documents to allow them to travel legally. Watching bombardments, violence and famine on the news and anxiously waiting for updates.
The temporary suspension of this route will have hard and immediate impact. On the mother who asked us how to start the process to reunite with her seven year old son , the Afghan father who wanted advice on completing the application form, a family who became separated fleeing violence in Sudan. Individual people, those who have been granted asylum in our country because they have a specific risk of persecution, have had the route to bringing their family to safety cut off. Removal of access to these routes will not stop families from wanting to be together and will only push more people into making unsafe boat crossings, risking their lives to be able to live together as a family.
“It’s so painful to be separated with your child, it tortured both of us mentally. In fact, I suffered from severe depression and anxiety, but I can now testify that I’m OK. I’ve not had any depression and anxiety since he came.” Mother after reunion with her 10 year old son.“
We know that family reunion supports integration. That the moment a family reunite, in safety they can start thinking about settling, working and building a life in the UK. We know that just yesterday people were speaking to their family members, making plans to learn, to grow their career and to support their children to achieve and that this hope has now been taken away.
We will do everything we can to challenge this decision and reduce the impact on refugee families.
Update: After 3pm on 5 September 2025 it will not be possible to submit a new application for family reunion.
We are proud to be part of a community where caseworkers have worked tirelessly to ensure that families didn’t miss this deadline. We’d also like to thank our clients who have been in touch to share their support for those in our communities who find themselves without the options they had available.
“This is a very sad news for the families who are waiting and counting each day for the big day to come and reunited. I felt really sorry about it. Hope they will look back again and change the decisions. Thank you for supporting and make a difference by understanding and standing on behalf of the family on this situations. Very much appreciated and stay blessed. I am with my children and never forgotten your support on this matter. I wish you all the best for your kindness and support to others. You make a big difference in this world!” Father reunited with his family this year.
“It’s so sad to hear about the new government policy on Family Reunion process. I felt hurt even if my children have been granted. All three are here in London, safe with me. They’ve resumed school today. Hope the government change this so that other families can be reunited. Do not hesitate to contact me if there’s a campaign you want me involved against this law.” Mother reunited with her three children last year.
(1) Source – Home Office: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-march-2024/safe-and-legal-humanitarian-routes-to-the-uk#family-reunion
(2) All families Together Now have supported in 2025 (81) have involved vulnerable women and children fleeing dangerous or unstable living situations. 19% (35) of these were separated children travelling to reunite with a parent. 40% (32) of applications were from displaced families and the remaining families faced significant risk from war or persecution in their home country.
(3) Home Office: Statement of Changes (3) Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 1298, 4 September 2025 (accessible) – GOV.UK
“This Appendix, also known as refugee family reunion, is now closed to new applications pending a review. For those who applied under Appendix Family Reunion (Sponsors with Protection) as a partner or child of a person with protection status before 1500 on 4 September 2025, the Appendix FRP rules in place on that date will apply to a pre-flight partner or dependent child applying to stay with or join a person who has protection status or settlement on a protection route in the UK.
There is a separate route under Appendix Child Relative (Sponsors with Protection) for a child to stay with or join a close relative, for example a sibling, who has protection status in the UK.
There is a separate route under Appendix FM: family members for a partner or child to join a sponsor who has protection status, is settled or a British Citizen in the UK on the basis of their family life.”.
APP FRP2. Delete FRP1.1. to FRP 10.1.
APP FRP3. After the deleted FRP 10.1., insert:
“Transitional provisions
FRP 11.1. Applications made before 1500 on 4 September 2025 by a partner or child of a person with protection status will be decided under the Appendix Family Reunion (Sponsors with Protection) rules in force on that date. In any other case, the partner or child of a person with protection status must apply under Appendix FM to stay with or join that person until further notice.”.
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