New data from the Ministry of Defence shows that only a small fraction of Afghan applicants to the UK’s relocation scheme have been granted eligibility so far this year.
In response to a parliamentary question by Labour MP Mary Glindon, Defence Minister Luke Pollard revealed that “from 1 January to 30 June 2025, the MOD received 17,625 principal applications” to the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme. Of these, the department made decisions on 3,579 first-time applications, finding just 73 eligible, an acceptance rate of just 2.04%.
By contrast, in 2024, the ministry received “27,491 applications” and determined eligibility on “7,046 principal first time applications”, with 375 accepted — an eligibility rate of 5.3%. These figures include “first time, duplicate and additional principal applications”.
The number of successful appeals remains even smaller. In 2024, the MOD “reviewed and confirmed the ineligible outcome of 1,070 principal applications where the applicant had requested a review”, but only “seven were overturned”. In the first half of 2025, of “91 principal applications” reviewed, only “six were overturned”.
The ARAP scheme was introduced to support Afghan nationals who worked with British forces during the UK’s two-decade involvement in Afghanistan. Despite ministerial assurances that eligible applicants would be relocated, many have been left waiting in dangerous or precarious situations. The figures suggest a significant tightening of eligibility assessments, with fewer applications accepted and an even lower rate of successful reviews.
Here’s the reply from Pollard in full.
“In 2024, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) received 27,491 applications to the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme. Additionally the Department reviewed and confirmed the ineligible outcome of 1,070 principal applications where the applicant had requested a review. Of those applications reviewed, seven were overturned. These figures include first time, duplicate and additional principal applications. The MOD also made decisions on 7,046 principal first time applications, with 375 (5.3%) being found eligible.
From 1 January to 30 June 2025, the MOD received 17,625 principal applications. The Department reviewed the ineligible outcome of 91 principal applications where the applicant had requested a review. Of those applications reviewed, six were overturned. These figures include first time, duplicate and additional principal application. The MOD also made decisions on 3,579 principal first time applications, with 73 being found eligible.”
The questions I have are what are the criteria for judging the applicants/applications and what’s the audit process for ensuring the criteria were properly applied and the agreed process followed?
No doubt long and strenuous with an appeals process and requiring the support of The British Army officers they fought along side. Given the size of UK forces these figures seem like a reasonable expectation to me.