Family Reunion

The family reunion provisions allow qualifying family members (spouse or partner and children under the age of 18, who formed part of the family unit before their sponsor fled their country) to be reunited with a family member who has been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK, unless the applicant and/or the family member should be excluded from protection or criminality thresholds apply. See General grounds for refusal for more information.

This policy recognises that families can become fragmented because of the nature of conflict and persecution and the speed and manner in which those seeking asylum are often forced to flee their country of origin. The policy is intended to allow those currently recognised as refugees or granted humanitarian protection in the UK to sponsor pre-flight, immediate family members to join them here.

Immediate family members are defined in the Immigration Rules as a spouse or partner and children under the age of 18, who formed part of the family unit before their refugee sponsor fled their country of origin or former habitual residence to claim asylum in the UK.

For the purposes of family reunion the sponsor is the individual who has refugee status or humanitarian protection.

Family reunion applications can be made from abroad by making an entry clearance application or from within the UK. Those granted under family reunion provisions are granted leave in line with their sponsor and are entitled to the same rights and benefits.
Share by: