Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether scholars from Afghanistan who have been (a) validated by the Council for At-Risk Academics and (b) awarded funded research posts at UK universities will be required to pay in advance (i) visa fees and (ii) health surcharges if they are in hiding without access to funds in (A) Afghanistan and (B) hostile countries adjacent to Afghanistan whilst awaiting safe passage to the UK; and whether the dependants of such scholars will be required to provide in advance evidence of ability to support themselves for a specified period. [53821]
[Due for Answer on 18 October. Answered on 19 October.]
ANSWER
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Victoria Atkins): The Government has issued a policy statement which gives further information on the eligibility, prioritisation and referral of people for the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS). The policy statement can be found on the GOV.UK:
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghanistan-resettlement-and-immigration-policy-statement
Those who were not called forward as part of Op PITTING, or who are not offered resettlement under the ACRS, will need to apply to come to the UK under the existing economic or family migration rules. They will be expected to meet the eligibility requirements of their chosen route, which includes paying relevant fees and charges, and providing biometrics. Dependants are able to apply as a dependent on their partner or parents application. However, they must provide information to show they meet the specific requirements of the Immigration Rules.
The ACRS is not yet open and is being developed at pace. Further details will be released in due course. Eligible people will be prioritised and referred for resettlement to the UK as set out in the policy statement.
More details, as soon as they are available, will be published on the GOV.UK: