The situation for so many people in Afghanistan is terrifying, and I am being contacted frequently by family and friends about support for their loved ones. I am continuing to raise individual cases with the Government despite the withdrawal of evacuation support through flights from Kabul international airport on Saturday 28 August 2021.  

British nationals  

British nationals still in Afghanistan are being asked to complete the following form:  

https://www.register-afghanistan.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/afghanistan-20210828/confirm-your-presence-in-afghanistan-to-fcdo 

If you cannot use this form, please call +44 (0)1908 516666 

Please let your relatives who are in Afghanistan and hold British Passports know about this form. 

Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) 

This is an evacuation and resettlement scheme for current or former employees of the UK Government. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy-information-and-guidance 

If you believe your family/friends might be eligible for this scheme, please call the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy on +44 (0)792907303, or +44 (0)2475 389 980, or email localstaff-afghanistan@mod.gov.uk. 

Resettlement for vulnerable non-British nationals 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/afghan-citizens-resettlement-scheme 

The Resettlement Scheme has not yet been opened. I have strongly and repeatedly urged the Government to open the Scheme as quickly as possible, however this has not yet occurred. I am continuing to forward the details of constituents’ family members to the Home Office, in the hope that doing so will make it easier for them to secure access to this scheme. 

The Government has indicated that they are identifying ways to offer continuing help to those they have shamefully abandoned in Afghanistan. They have also, repeatedly, told me that the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme will open, and that it will be possible to apply to it from countries outside Afghanistan.  Unfortunately, I have no power to force the Government to prioritise any individual case. 

If you want to get in touch with me about specific loved ones at risk, please provide the following information for each person who needs help: 

• Full name 
• Date of birth 

• Nationality 
• Relationship to you 
• Home Office Reference Number (if any) 
• Passport/Travel Document/ID card number 
• Copies of any relevant documents 

• Contact details in Afghanistan 
• Any specific reasons they are vulnerable in Afghanistan 

I will continue to argue that the planned scale of the Scheme, which plans to take just 5,000 refugees per year, is wholly inadequate. I will further continue to oppose the Government’s appalling plans to criminalise and create additional dangerous barriers against refugees, including Afghans fleeing the Taliban, who arrive in the UK through unofficial routes. 

If your family members who are currently in Afghanistan are your partners or children, another option may be an application to the Home Office under the family reunion scheme. There is no numbers cap on this scheme, however it can be a long process. If you want to consider your options, I would advise consulting a UK immigration lawyer, who should be able to help you. MPs offices do not have the legal expertise to advise on applications to the Home Office, however I will of course support any applications you make as much as I can. 

I am appalled that the Government has offered help to so few and I believe this was an avoidable tragedy. I am deeply angered by what has happened and determined to hold the Government to account for their disgraceful failures.