Alternative Visa Routes For Family Members Of Refugees

• Published date: 25 October 2021
• Law Firm: Richmond Chambers Immigration Barristers
• Author: Ms Zarina Rahman

A previous article explained the rules and process for refugee family reunion. This article explores other options for family reunification that may be available to family members of refugees or people granted humanitarian protection, who are not eligible for refugee family reunion.

Who falls outside the scope of refugee family reunion?

The rules on refugee family reunion only include pre-flight spouses/civil partners and children under the age of 18.

This means that any relationships that arose after the refugee fled from their country of origin ('post-flight') are outside the scope.

Child refugees are unable to sponsor parents or siblings to join them in the UK. This has been criticised as being at odds with the UK's legal obligations under national and international law.

Extended relatives such as siblings, parents, grandparents and wider family members are also not eligible for refugee family reunion.

Other family reunification routes under the Immigration Rules

'Post-flight' partners and children

A refugee may sponsor their spouse, civil partner or fiance for entry clearance pursuant to Appendix FM of the...