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Asylum & Humanitarian Protection

Refugee Family Reunion

Refugee family reunion is the way that a person granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK can be joined by their closest family members from abroad. Under the established rules, this means a partner and children under 18 who were already part of the family before the refugee had to flee. It is one of the most important things a refugee can do, but it is also an area that is changing. The dedicated route was suspended in September 2025 and a reformed route is expected in 2026, so different rules and fees apply for now. The applications are detailed, and the evidence can be difficult to gather when a family has been separated by conflict. We guide you through the rules that apply to your situation, and help you give your family the best chance of being together again.

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What is refugee family reunion?

Refugee family reunion is the process by which a person granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK can be joined by close family members from abroad. Under the established rules, this means a partner and children under 18 who were part of the family before the refugee fled their country.

The idea behind it is simple and humane. When someone has been recognised as needing protection after an asylum claim, they should not have to choose between safety and their closest family. Refugee family reunion exists so that a partner and children left behind, often in danger themselves, can come to the UK to rebuild their lives together. People granted humanitarian protection can apply in the same way.

The right to family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights sits behind these applications, and in some cases it can help where a family member falls outside the strict rules. This is a sensitive and important area, and getting the application right the first time can save months of painful separation.

Who can be reunited

The established rules are focused on the immediate, pre-flight family. The people who can usually be brought to the UK are set out below.

  • A spouse or civil partner, where the marriage or civil partnership existed before you fled your country.
  • An unmarried partner, where you had been living together in a relationship like a marriage, usually for at least two years before you fled.
  • Your children who are under 18, were part of the family before you fled, and are not leading an independent life.
  • In exceptional cases, other relatives, such as a dependent child over 18, may be allowed in outside the rules on compassionate grounds.

The main requirements

The detail matters in these applications. These are the points that usually decide whether refugee family reunion succeeds.

You have protection status in the UK

The sponsor must have been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK. A person who is still waiting for a decision on their asylum claim cannot yet sponsor family reunion.

The family existed before you fled

The rules are built around pre-flight family. The relationship with your partner, or your children, must have existed before you left your country. Relationships formed after fleeing are usually dealt with under different, fee-paying immigration rules.

Evidence of the relationship and identity

You need to show who your family members are and how they are related to you. This can be hard for refugees, who may have lost documents or never had them. Missing evidence can often be explained, and witness statements can help, but it needs to be handled carefully.

Children must usually be under 18

The rules normally cover children who are under 18 at the date of application and are not living an independent life. A child who has turned 18, or other relatives, may sometimes be allowed in outside the rules, but these cases are harder and need strong reasons.

The dedicated refugee family reunion route was suspended on 4 September 2025 while the government reviews it, and a reformed route is expected in 2026, possibly with new conditions such as a contribution requirement and a qualifying residence period for the sponsor. Until then, family members generally have to apply under a different set of immigration rules, which carry application fees. Because this area is changing, it is important to take advice on the rules that apply to your situation now. The points on this page are a general guide, correct as at June 2026, and are not legal advice on your case.

How we help

  1. 1

    Confirming your status and who can join you

    We check your protection status and advise on exactly which family members can apply, under the rules that currently apply, and on what the reformed route may mean for you when it opens.

  2. 2

    Gathering and explaining the evidence

    We help you assemble the evidence of relationship and identity, and where documents are missing, which is common for refugees, we prepare statements and explanations so that the gaps are properly addressed rather than left to chance.

  3. 3

    Preparing and submitting the application

    We complete and submit the applications for each family member, present the case clearly to the Home Office, and keep you informed at every stage, so you are not left wondering what is happening.

  4. 4

    Refusals, appeals and exceptional cases

    If an application is refused, we advise on the next step, including any right of appeal and arguments based on Article 8 family life. We also handle the more difficult cases that fall outside the strict rules.

What is included in our service

  • A full assessment of who can join you and under which rules
  • Advice on the suspended route and the reforms expected in 2026
  • Help gathering and explaining relationship and identity evidence
  • Preparation and submission of each family member's application
  • Article 8 and outside the rules arguments where needed
  • Advice on any refusal and appeal

Funding for refugee family reunion is different from most of our protection work. Legal Aid for family reunion was removed in England and Wales in 2013, and is generally available now only where the case involves an unaccompanied child. In other cases you may be able to apply for exceptional case funding, and we can advise on this. Where Legal Aid is not available, the work is privately funded, and we set out any fee clearly and in writing before any work begins. There is no charge for an initial phone consultation to find out where you stand.

Common questions

Refugee family reunion is the process by which a person granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK can be joined by close family from abroad. Under the established rules, this means a partner and children under 18 who were part of the family before the refugee fled. It allows families separated by conflict to be together again.

Under the established rules, you can usually be joined by your pre-flight partner, which includes a spouse, civil partner or long-term unmarried partner, and your children who are under 18 and not living independently. In exceptional cases, other relatives may be allowed in outside the rules on compassionate grounds.

Yes. The family reunion rules apply both to people granted refugee status and to people granted humanitarian protection in the UK. The same focus on pre-flight partners and children under 18 applies. We can confirm how your particular grant of protection affects your application.

Yes. The dedicated refugee family reunion route was suspended on 4 September 2025 while the government reviews it. A reformed route is expected in 2026, possibly with new conditions for the sponsor. Until it opens, family members generally have to apply under a different set of immigration rules, which carry fees. Specialist advice is important right now.

Not normally under the standard rules, which focus on a partner and children under 18. In some cases, a dependent child over 18, or another close relative, can be allowed in outside the rules on compassionate or exceptional grounds, often supported by Article 8 family life. These cases are harder and need careful preparation.

This is very common, because refugees often flee without papers or never had them. Missing documents do not automatically end an application. The Home Office guidance recognises the difficulties refugees face, and a plausible explanation, witness statements, and any other available evidence can all help. We help you present this as strongly as possible.

Usually not in England and Wales, because Legal Aid for family reunion was removed in 2013, except where the case involves an unaccompanied child. You may be able to apply for exceptional case funding, which we can advise on. Otherwise the work is privately funded, and we explain any fee clearly and in writing before we begin.

Last updated: June 2026.