Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA) Welcomes Reopening of UK Resettlement Scheme and Calls for Greater Role for Refugee-Led Organisations

ACAA welcomes the Government’s renewed commitment to safe and legal refugee resettlement and expresses its readiness to work with the Home Office, UNHCR, universities, employers and community sponsors to help vulnerable refugees access protection, education and employment opportunities in the United Kingdom.

The Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA) has welcomed the UK Government’s decision to reopen the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) for new referrals, following the closure of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) and the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) to new applicants and referrals in July 2025.

The Association describes the announcement as an important development for vulnerable refugees, particularly Afghan women and girls, former government employees, journalists, human rights defenders and others who continue to face persecution and insecurity under Taliban rule.

ACAA also welcomes the Government’s wider proposals to introduce new refugee sponsorship pathways involving community organisations, universities and employers, which could enable recognised refugees to be identified and sponsored for resettlement, education and employment opportunities.

The Association believes these developments present an important opportunity for experienced refugee-led organisations to contribute directly to the UK’s humanitarian response.

Darius Nasimi, Head of Funding and Partnerships at the Afghanistan & Central Asian Association (ACAA), said:

“We warmly welcome the Government’s decision to reopen the UK Resettlement Scheme. Following the closure of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme and the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy to new applications, many vulnerable Afghans have been left facing considerable uncertainty about their futures. Women and girls in Afghanistan continue to face severe restrictions on their fundamental rights, while many refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries, including Pakistan and Iran, remain at risk of detention, deportation and forced return. The United Kingdom has a proud history of providing sanctuary to those fleeing persecution. We hope the reopening of this scheme, alongside the development of new sponsorship pathways, will provide meaningful opportunities for vulnerable refugees to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.”

ACAA Ready to Support New Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement Pathways

Founded in 1999 by Dr. Nooralhaq Nasimi MBE HonDSS (RHUL), The Afghanistan & Central Asian Association (ACAA) is an award-winning UK-based refugee charity headquartered in London and the largest charity supporting Afghan and Central Asian communities in the United Kingdom. Building on this experience, ACAA is keen to explore opportunities to participate in the Government’s renewed approach to refugee resettlement through several areas of cooperation.

Community and Named Refugee Sponsorship

ACAA wishes to explore becoming an approved refugee sponsorship organisation, either directly or in partnership with an accredited lead sponsor.

Under the Government’s proposed named sponsorship arrangements, eligible community organisations would be able to identify and nominate recognised refugees for consideration, subject to Home Office approval and the relevant eligibility and safeguarding requirements.

ACAA would welcome the opportunity to support vulnerable individuals and families, particularly Afghan women, human rights defenders and others facing persecution, while helping arrange accommodation, integration assistance and long-term community support.

Partnerships with Universities and Higher Education Institutions

ACAA is interested in developing partnerships with British universities and higher education institutions to identify talented refugees whose education has been interrupted by conflict, persecution or displacement.

Through the proposed Refugee Study Route, participating universities would be able to sponsor eligible refugees to pursue higher education in the United Kingdom.

ACAA could work alongside universities to identify and put forward prospective candidates for institutional consideration, assist with outreach and documentation, and support students with language preparation, academic integration and community connections.

Particular attention could be given to Afghan women and girls who have been denied access to secondary and higher education under Taliban restrictions.

Partnerships with Employers and Businesses

ACAA also welcomes proposals for a Refugee Work Route, through which participating employers would be able to sponsor eligible refugees for employment opportunities in the United Kingdom.

The Association is interested in working with businesses, employers, professional associations and recruitment partners to identify skilled refugees who may be suitable for available positions.

This could include referring prospective candidates to participating employers, supporting skills assessments, facilitating introductions and providing employment preparation and integration assistance.

ACAA believes such partnerships could help refugees rebuild their professional lives while enabling British employers to access skills and experience that might otherwise be lost through displacement.

Cooperation with the Home Office and UNHCR

ACAA is keen to strengthen its engagement with the Home Office and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to better understand the referral arrangements under the reopened UK Resettlement Scheme and the Government’s proposed sponsorship pathways.

The Association would welcome discussions about establishing appropriate mechanisms for bringing particularly vulnerable cases to the attention of authorised protection and referral partners, including refugees currently stranded in Pakistan, Iran and other countries.

While referrals under the UK Resettlement Scheme remain subject to UNHCR assessment and Home Office decisions, ACAA hopes to explore how its community networks, casework experience and relationships with vulnerable Afghan communities could support protection identification, information sharing and access to appropriate referral channels.

Partnerships with Local Authorities and Resettlement Providers

ACAA is also interested in working with local authorities, regional migration partnerships, government contractors and other organisations involved in refugee reception and resettlement.

Through its existing services and regional networks, ACAA could contribute to accommodation support, English language classes, legal information, employment preparation, access to education, women’s empowerment, family support and community integration.

The Association would welcome opportunities to participate in relevant funded programmes, delivery partnerships and consortium arrangements.

Ensuring Vulnerable Refugees Are Not Forgotten

ACAA believes the Government’s renewed approach should prioritise those facing the greatest risks, including Afghan women and girls, journalists, human rights defenders, former public servants, ethnic and religious minorities and individuals at risk of forced return from neighbouring countries.

The Association encourages the Government to publish clear information on eligibility, referral procedures, sponsorship requirements and implementation timelines, ensuring that community organisations and prospective sponsors can prepare effectively.

Darius added:

“The Government’s proposed approach offers an opportunity for organisations such as ACAA to play a more direct role in refugee resettlement. We want to explore becoming a recognised sponsor ourselves, while also developing partnerships with universities that can offer educational opportunities, employers that can provide jobs, and organisations working with UNHCR and the Home Office to identify those most in need of protection. Through these partnerships, we hope to help identify and nominate eligible refugees for consideration under the appropriate sponsorship routes, ensuring that vulnerable individuals are connected with genuine opportunities for safety, education and employment.

ACAA was founded by refugees, for refugees. My family and I came to the United Kingdom after fleeing Afghanistan, and we know from personal experience how life-changing the opportunity to rebuild one’s life in safety can be.Over almost three decades, we have seen the enormous contribution that refugees make to British society when they are given the opportunity to learn, work and participate in their communities. We stand ready to engage with the Home Office, UNHCR, universities, employers, local authorities and other partners to help turn these proposals into practical opportunities for those who need them most.

ACAA calls on the Government to ensure that refugee-led organisations are meaningfully involved in the design and delivery of the new sponsorship pathways and that suitable arrangements are established to enable experienced community organisations to contribute to refugee identification, sponsorship and integration. The Association looks forward to constructive engagement with the relevant authorities and partners as further details of the schemes are announced.”