If you have refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK and want your partner or children to join you, the dedicated Refugee Family Reunion route remains closed to new applications. The pause began at 3pm on 4 September 2025 and is still in place. The government says replacement rules are being designed, but no start date has been published.
What changed in September 2025
Before the pause, Appendix Family Reunion allowed a person with protection status to sponsor a pre-flight partner and children who were normally under 18. Applications were free and were not subject to the standard partner-route minimum income or English-language requirements.
The route was paused while the government reviewed its approach. Officials cited pressure on housing and local services as part of the rationale. Home Office figures show that 16,787 Refugee Family Reunion visas were granted in the year ending March 2026, 17% fewer than in the previous year. Grants in October 2025 to March 2026 were 50% lower than during the preceding 6 months, largely reflecting the halt to new applications.
What you can do if you have not applied
A partner or child who did not apply before the deadline may be able to use Appendix FM. This is a different family visa route with fees and eligibility requirements.
For an application made outside the UK, the fee is £2,064 per person from 8 April 2026. The Immigration Health Surcharge may also apply. For a typical 2-year-and-9-month grant, it is currently £3,105 for an adult and £2,328 for a child.
A partner application usually requires combined qualifying income of at least £29,000 a year. An initial partner applicant may also need to demonstrate English at level A1. Different financial rules can apply where the sponsor receives certain disability or carer benefits. A fee waiver may be available where the applicant cannot afford the fee or essential living costs.
Where the standard requirements are not met, the Home Office must consider whether refusal would produce unjustifiably harsh consequences and breach Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. That assessment is individual and does not guarantee approval.
Applications made before the pause
Applications submitted before 3pm on 4 September 2025 continue to be decided under the earlier rules, including cases under appeal. GOV.UK says applicants should normally receive a decision within 12 months.
Applicants outside the UK may have up to 240 days from submitting the online application to attend a Visa Application Centre and enrol biometrics. This is a biometric deadline, not a general period for delaying evidence. Requests from UK Visas and Immigration should be followed carefully.
What may happen next
In March 2026, the government confirmed that family reunion remained paused while rules involving financial and integration requirements were developed. The final criteria, transitional arrangements and implementation date have not yet been published.
Families should not assume that the former route will reopen unchanged. Whether to apply under Appendix FM now or await further rules depends on finances, family circumstances, safety concerns and available evidence.
Our team can also advise on later immigration steps, including British citizenship, where a family member eventually becomes eligible.
Frequently asked questions
Can I submit a new Refugee Family Reunion application?
No. New applications under the dedicated route are not accepted. A partner or child may instead consider an appropriate family visa under Appendix FM.
What about a child born in the UK?
The overseas family reunion route is not used for a child born in the UK. The child’s immigration or citizenship position depends on the parents’ status and the circumstances at birth, so a separate application or registration may be required.
Can I appeal a family visa refusal?
A refusal may carry a right of appeal where the Home Office has refused a human rights claim. The decision letter should explain the available remedy and deadline.
Talk to someone who understands your situation
Family separation under changing rules can be difficult to navigate. Our immigration lawyers in the UK can assess current routes, fee-waiver options and Article 8 evidence relevant to your family. Contact us today for advice tailored to your circumstances.
