Refugee Family Reunion Route Closed: What Families Must Do Now

What Has Changed

• If you applied before 3:00pm on 4 September 2025, your application will still be considered under the old Refugee Family Reunion rules.

• If you apply after this date, you must meet the Family Visa Rules (sometimes called Appendix FM) or, in the case of siblings or other dependent children, the Child Relative Rules.  

New Requirements for Refugee Families 

Under the Family Visa Rules, refugee families must meet the same requirements as all other family visa applicants. These include:

• Income Requirement

You must show that your household earns at least £29,000 per year before tax. If you do not earn this much, you may rely on cash savings, but the amount needed is high.

• Accommodation Requirement

You must prove your family has suitable housing in the UK that is not overcrowded.

• English Language Requirement

Adults applying to join a refugee in the UK usually need to pass an approved English test. Some people are exempt, for example due to age, disability, or nationality

• Application Costs
  

   

  • Home Office fee: £1,938 per person (applications made outside the UK).

  • Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year per adult and £776 per year per child.

📌 If you cannot afford these fees, you may be able to apply for a fee waiver. This means you may not have to pay the Home Office fee or the health surcharge if you can show that paying would be unaffordable and leave your family without enough money for essentials 

Children of Refugees – Clearer Rules

The new Family Visa Rules also give children of refugees and people with humanitarian protection clearer rights. Children can apply to join their parent in the UK. The child’s permission to stay will normally last the same length of time as the parent’s. The child will usually have the same conditions as the parent, such as whether they can access public funds.

Applications Made Before 4 September 2025

If you applied before this date, your case will still be considered under the old Refugee Family Reunion rules. This means you will not need to prove £29,000 income, pay the high application fees and NHS charges, or meet the accommodation and English language requirements.

What If You Do Not Meet the Rules?

The Home Office recognises that some families may not be able to meet all of the requirements. In some cases, applications can still be considered on exceptional grounds. This means the Home Office may look at your individual circumstances, especially if refusing the application would have a serious impact on your family life or the welfare of a child.

What If You Do Not Meet the Rules?

These changes mean that refugee families who once had a simpler and free route to reunion will now face stricter rules and higher costs. Families will need to plan carefully, prepare strong evidence, and budget for fees.