Other Countries: UK "Guidance Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy: further information on eligibility criteria and offer details (Updated 4 June 2021)"
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POSTED BY THE UK GOV'T, LAST UPDATED Jun 4/21 (archived
Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy: further information on eligibility criteria and offer details (Updated 4 June 2021)
Updated 4 June 2021
On 29 December 2020, the Defence Secretary and Home Secretary announced the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP). This is a new scheme that will offer relocation or other assistance to current and former Locally Employed Staff in Afghanistan to reflect the changing situation in Afghanistan.
The ARAP scheme will launch on 01 April 2021 and will continue to remain open and operate indefinitely. The scheme will be delivered by the MOD in the new Afghan Threat and Risk Evaluation Unit (ATREU) in the British Embassy Kabul.
Under the new scheme, any current or former Locally Employed Staff assessed to be at serious risk of threat to life will be offered priority relocation to the UK regardless of their employment status, rank or role, or length of time served. Local staff who work or worked in the public eye and who could be at risk as the security situation evolves will be relocated to the UK on a routine basis, and those not eligible to move will be offered other support such as security advice and relocation within Afghanistan.
This is a new scheme, separate of existing ones. The Ex Gratia Scheme (EGS) will remain open until it closes in November 2022. Those who have applied and are eligible for the EGS will be relocated through the EGS. The Intimidation Policy will close as it will be replaced by the ARAP.
As before, those who were dismissed will not be eligible for relocation by default. If any current or former staff believe they now qualify or are at serious risk, they should apply by using the online relocation form
MOD representatives in Kabul can be contacted for further advice at localstaff-afghanistan@mod.gov.uk or on 0792 907 303.
The following summarises the eligibility criteria for the ARAP scheme and the terms of the offers themselves. The scheme does not recognise an obligation, or imply a commitment, to assist locally employed staff in other countries or theatres of operation, past, present or future.
Eligibility under the ARAP scheme:
All current and former LES are eligible for assistance under the ARAP.
Relocations under the new scheme are two-speed, recognising that some LES are at more risk than others.
There is a fast track for relocation of priority cases, and a routine track for less urgent cases. Initial risk will dictate which track is most suitable in each case.
Less urgent cases are those eligible for relocation by default and some special cases, where assessed eligible for non-urgent relocation.
The scheme also provides assistance short of relocation to cases not eligible for relocation by default or assessed to be at high risk, for example, internal moves in country and bespoke security advice, where appropriate.
There are four categories under the ARAP:
| Cohort | Assistance offered | |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | High risk / imminent threat | Urgent relocation |
| Category 2 | Eligible for relocation by default | Routine relocation |
| Category 3 | Not eligible for relocation | Other support offered |
| Category 4 | Special cases | Case-by-case basis |
Category 1
The cohort eligible for urgent relocation comprises of those who are assessed to be at high and imminent risk of threat to life.
Category 2
The cohort eligible for relocation by default comprises of those who worked or work for HMG in exposed meaningful enabling roles.
Exposed meaningful enabling roles are roles that made a material difference to the delivery of the UK mission in Afghanistan, without which operations would have been adversely affected, and that exposed LES to public recognition in performance of their role, leaving them now at risk due to the changing situation in Afghanistan.
Examples of such roles are patrol interpreters, cultural advisors, certain embassy corporate services, and development, political and counter-terrorism jobs, among others. This is not an exhaustive list, nor are all those who worked in such roles necessarily eligible by default.
LES dismissed from employment are excluded from relocation by default, unless in exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis, without prejudicing their right to other forms of assistance under the scheme.
Category 3
The cohort eligible for other support are those who are neither assessed to be at high and imminent risk of threat to life nor eligible by default due to holding exposed meaningful enabling roles.
This cohort are eligible for all other support short of relocation as deemed suitable by the ATREU.
Category 4
The cohort eligible for assistance on a case-by-case basis are those who worked in meaningful enabling roles for HMG, in extraordinary and unconventional contexts, and whose responsible HMG unit builds a credible case for consideration under the scheme.
Where relocation is offered to Category Four individuals, circumstances dictate whether it is urgent or routine, as assessed by the ATREU.
The Relocation Offer under the ARAP scheme
The Relocation Offer creates the possibility for current and former LES to have the default option to relocate to the UK if they meet the eligibility criteria above. It is offered to LES whom the UK government considers to have put themselves in the most danger and contributed the most to the UK mission in Afghanistan. The Relocation Offer is based on recognition of service and an assessment of likely current and future risk to LES due to the nature of their work for the UK government in the evolving situation in Afghanistan.
Under the ARAP scheme, the UK government will continue to offer other assistance, for example, internal moves in country and bespoke security advice, where appropriate and accepting that not all current and former LES are able or willing to relocate.
In recognition of the evolving situation in Afghanistan, those eligible LES under the ARAP scheme facing immediate threats or who are at high risk of threats in the future due to the nature of their work for the UK government will be offered priority relocation regardless of their employment status, rank or role, or length of time served.
LES who meet the eligibility criteria for relocation under the ARAP scheme will have the opportunity to apply for limited leave to enter the UK under the Immigration Rules (HC 395). Successful applicants will receive a UK visa, which grants 5 years Leave to Enter the UK, with an opportunity in the future to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK at the end of that 5-year period. Eligible LES will be able to bring certain family members with them to the UK. The details of which family members can be brought with eligible LES are set out in the Immigration Rules (HC 395).
Related Information
Government reforms intimidation scheme to relocate more Afghan staff under threat
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