Overview
Refugee family reunion allows the close family members of someone in the UK with refugee status or humanitarian protection to join them. For most of the last decade this was handled through Appendix FRP, a dedicated, fee-free route under the Immigration Rules. That route is currently suspended.
⚠️ Important update: Appendix FRP (Refugee Family Reunion) was suspended at 15:00 on 4 September 2025 and remains paused as of June 2026 pending the Government's wider family-migration review. New refugee family reunion applications cannot currently be lodged under Appendix FRP. Applications already submitted before the suspension continue to be processed under transitional provisions.
While Appendix FRP is paused, alternative pathways remain open. The right alternative depends on the family relationship, the sponsor's current immigration status, and the specific circumstances of the case. Our Glasgow office maps families to the correct route at the advice stage, and prepares the application from the ground up. Glasgow is one of the UK's major refugee dispersal cities, and this is one of the most common enquiry types we handle.
Key Benefits
Right route identified first
With Appendix FRP suspended, the alternative depends on the sponsor's status and the family relationship. We map the correct route (FM, Child Relative, Adult Dependent Relative, or outside-the-rules) before any fee is paid, so families are not wasted on the wrong application.
Non-standard evidence built
Refugee families rarely hold standard documents. Communication records, money transfer receipts, witness statements and partial registry records all count. We build the evidence bundle from what is realistically available, rather than what a routine application would normally require.
Refusal risk checked before submission
Alternative family routes have stricter requirements than Appendix FRP had. Before submitting, a Glasgow adviser reviews the full file against the relevant rules and flags any gap in relationship, financial or accommodation evidence. We would rather address a weakness now than advise on a refusal later.
Glasgow refugee community connections
Glasgow is one of the UK's principal refugee dispersal cities. We work alongside the sector: Scottish Refugee Council, Refugee Survival Trust, and Maryhill Integration Network. We take the adviser-level cases that community organisations refer on. Clients across Glasgow, Paisley and the west of Scotland come to us for this work.
Our Service Packages
Advice Package
A one-to-one consultation with a Glasgow immigration adviser. We confirm which alternative route applies to your family, explain the requirements, fees and timelines for that route, and give you a written action plan to the application date.
From £150 + VAT
Application Package
Full end-to-end application under the right alternative route: Appendix FM, Child Relative, Adult Dependent Relative, or outside-the-rules. We prepare every document, draft the cover letter and supporting statement, complete the online form, and submit on your behalf.
From £900 + VAT
Document Check
Already prepared your own alternative-route application? Our advisers review every document and the completed form before you submit, with a written checklist of any gaps in your relationship, identity or sponsor evidence.
From £350 + VAT
Refusal Review
If a family reunion or alternative-route application was refused, we review the refusal letter against the Immigration Rules, advise whether a fresh application or administrative review is the stronger route, and rebuild the file. Where an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal is the right path, we advise on the grounds and refer you to a representative for the hearing.
From £450 + VAT
What is refugee family reunion?
Refugee family reunion refers to the immigration routes that allow the close family members of a person in the UK with refugee status or humanitarian protection to join them. For most of the last decade, this was handled through Appendix FRP: a dedicated, fee-free route under the Immigration Rules specifically designed for spouses, civil partners and children under 18 of a refugee or protection holder.
Appendix FRP recognised that refugees are separated from their families by the same circumstances that forced them to flee, and that the standard financial and English requirements applied to other family routes could not reasonably be imposed on them. The route was well used by Glasgow’s refugee community, which is one of the largest in Scotland.
That route is currently suspended. This page explains what changed, what remains available, and how we help families in Glasgow and across Scotland navigate the alternatives.
The 4 September 2025 suspension
By Statement of Changes HC 1298, the Home Office suspended new applications under Appendix FRP from 15:00 on 4 September 2025. The stated context was operational pressure and a wider Government review of the family-migration framework. As of June 2026 the suspension remains in force, and no firm reopening date has been published.
Applications submitted before 15:00 on 4 September 2025 continue to be processed under transitional provisions, meaning the rules in force before the suspension still apply to those cases. If you lodged an application before the cut-off and are waiting for a decision, we can monitor progress and correspond with the Home Office on your behalf.
Alternative routes available now
While Appendix FRP is paused, four alternative pathways remain open. The right one depends on the family relationship, the sponsor’s current immigration status, and the circumstances of the case.
| Route | Who it fits | Headline fee |
|---|---|---|
| Appendix FM (Partner / Parent / Child) | Partner or child of a British citizen or settled refugee (ILR) | ~£1,938 + IHS |
| Appendix Child Relative (Sponsors with Protection) | Child of a refugee or HP holder where Appendix FM does not apply | Per-child fee |
| Appendix Adult Dependent Relative | Elderly parent or adult dependant requiring long-term personal care | ~£3,250 + IHS |
| Outside-the-rules (Article 8 ECHR) | Where no strict route fits but family or private life rights apply | Underlying route fee |
⚠️ Important: Each alternative route has different requirements, fees and timelines. Applying on the wrong route means a refusal and a wasted fee. Talk to an adviser before lodging any application. Call us on 0141 496 0321.
The Appendix FM route for refugee sponsors
Appendix FM is the main family route for British citizens and settled persons. A refugee or humanitarian protection holder can sponsor under this route once they hold Indefinite Leave to Remain, or in some cases once they have refugee status and meet the FM requirements. The standard requirements apply: the financial requirement of £29,000 a year, the English language requirement (at A1 for the initial application), and the accommodation requirement.
This is a meaningful hurdle for many refugee sponsors, who may not yet have stable employment or adequate savings. Where the couple’s relationship was formed before the protection grant (for example, a couple who married before one fled), the Article 8 proportionality of imposing those requirements is a relevant consideration in how the case is framed. We assess the sponsor’s status and the correct evidential approach at the first consultation.
Appendix Child Relative (Sponsors with Protection)
Appendix Child Relative (Sponsors with Protection) applies where a refugee or humanitarian protection holder in the UK wants to bring a child to join them, and Appendix FM does not fit, for example because the child is not a direct child of the sponsor, or because the FM requirements cannot be met. This route has its own evidence requirements, including proof of the family relationship and the sponsor’s protection status, and does not carry the £29,000 income threshold that FM does.
The route is less well known than Appendix FRP and is sometimes overlooked by families trying to identify their options. We confirm whether it applies at the advice stage.
Appendix Adult Dependent Relative
Appendix Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) is intended for elderly parents or other adult relatives who need long-term personal care that can only reasonably be provided by a relative in the UK. It is a high-threshold route: the applicant must show that the level of care they require cannot be obtained in their home country, even with family support or through professional services. The Home Office applies this test strictly.
ADR carries a higher application fee than most family routes and a long processing time of 12 to 24 weeks. It is the appropriate route for the limited category of cases it fits, but it is not a substitute for refugee family reunion for spouses and children who would previously have qualified under Appendix FRP.
Outside-the-rules Article 8 applications
Where no defined route fits the family’s circumstances, it may still be possible to apply outside the Immigration Rules on the basis of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to respect for family and private life). An outside-the-rules application asks the Home Office to grant leave even though the strict criteria of a formal route are not met, on the basis that refusal would be a disproportionate interference with family life.
These applications require more preparation than a standard route application: a detailed witness statement from the sponsor, country-of-origin evidence where the family cannot safely reunite elsewhere, medical or social-care evidence where relevant, and a structured case explaining why the refusal would be disproportionate. Where children are involved, the best interests of the child are a primary consideration. We prepare and submit outside-the-rules applications. If a Home Office refusal leads to an appeal, we advise on the grounds and refer you to a representative for the First-tier Tribunal hearing.
Who could have applied under Appendix FRP
It is worth understanding what Appendix FRP covered, because it explains why the suspension has had such an impact on refugee families and why the alternatives are a harder fit. Under Appendix FRP, the following family members of a refugee or humanitarian protection holder could apply without a financial requirement, without an English language requirement, and without an application fee:
- The pre-flight spouse or civil partner
- The pre-flight unmarried partner in a durable relationship
- Children under 18 at the date of application
The “pre-flight” condition, that the relationship existed before the sponsor left their country, was central. Post-flight relationships did not qualify under FRP and were already directed to the standard Appendix FM route.
Documents and evidence for alternative-route applications
Refugee and protection-status sponsors often hold non-standard documentation. The Home Office is in principle mindful of this, but the burden of proof remains on the applicant. The following categories cover most alternative-route applications.
Relationship and identity: original or certified copies of marriage, civil partnership or birth certificates where available; communication records across the period of separation (messages, email, call logs); money transfer records (bank statements, Western Union or MoneyGram receipts); photographs across years; witness statements from family members, community members or religious leaders; partial country-of-origin registry records.
Sponsor documents: current passport or travel document; BRP or eVisa screenshot showing current immigration status; refugee status letter or humanitarian protection grant; proof of address in the UK; for Appendix FM applications, payslips and bank statements covering the financial evidence period.
Article 8 specific: a detailed statement from the sponsor explaining the family relationship and the impact of separation; country-of-origin evidence showing why the family cannot safely reunite there; mental health or social care evidence where separation is causing demonstrable harm; best-interests-of-the-child documentation where children are involved.
We issue a personalised document checklist for every client based on their chosen route, rather than a generic list, because the gaps and the workarounds differ case by case.
When relationship documents do not exist
A significant proportion of refugee family cases involve applicants who cannot obtain standard civil registry documents: the relevant records may have been destroyed in conflict, the registering authority may no longer function, or retrieving documents from the country of origin could put family members at risk. This is not unique to refugee family reunion; it applies across the alternative routes too.
The Home Office accepts non-documentary evidence where documentary evidence is unavailable through no fault of the applicant. The quality of the substitute evidence matters: a well-constructed bundle of communication records, transfer receipts and credible witness statements can carry a case where a marriage certificate cannot be produced. We have experience building these bundles, and we know from the Glasgow refugee community what types of substitute evidence the Home Office finds credible for specific countries.
Fees and processing times in 2026
Costs vary significantly by alternative route. The key point is that the alternatives to Appendix FRP are not free: FRP was one of the very few immigration routes that carried no Home Office fee, and none of the current alternatives replicate that.
| Route | Application fee | IHS / extras | Standard processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appendix FRP (suspended) | £0 | None | n/a (no new applications) |
| Appendix FM Partner (entry clearance) | ~£1,938 | IHS £1,035/yr | ~12 weeks |
| Appendix Child Relative | Per child | IHS where applicable | ~12 weeks |
| Appendix Adult Dependent Relative | ~£3,250 | IHS where applicable | 12 to 24 weeks |
| Outside-the-rules (Article 8) | Underlying route fee | IHS where applicable | 6+ months |
Note on fees: All 2026 Home Office fees rose by approximately 6 to 7% from 8 April 2026. Confirm the current figure for your route before applying. Fee waivers are available in limited circumstances where the applicant can demonstrate destitution. We advise on waiver eligibility at the first consultation.
How a family reunion alternative-route application works
Most alternative-route applications are made online through the gov.uk service, from outside the UK. The applicant attends a Visa Application Centre for biometrics and to submit supporting documents. The process moves through five practical stages.
Stage 1: Route mapping. We assess the family relationship, the sponsor’s current status, and the practical urgency. We identify the correct alternative route or, where no strict route applies, advise on outside-the-rules options before any fee is paid.
Stage 2: Evidence build. We issue a personalised checklist. The applicant gathers identity and relationship evidence; the sponsor pulls together financial, accommodation and immigration-status documents. We work with Glasgow-based community organisations to source witness statements where appropriate.
Stage 3: Application preparation. We complete the online form, draft a supporting cover letter, and label every document. For outside-the-rules applications the cover letter is a substantive submission; for standard route applications it directs the caseworker through a complex evidence bundle.
Stage 4: Submission and biometrics. We submit the form, pay the fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, and confirm the applicant’s biometric appointment at the closest Visa Application Centre to where they are. Documents are uploaded in advance through the VFS portal.
Stage 5: Decision and arrival. The Home Office issues a decision. If granted, the applicant receives entry clearance and travels to the UK. We help coordinate UK arrival including, for Glasgow-based sponsors, BRP collection at the designated local post office.
After arrival in the UK
Each route grants different leave on arrival. An Appendix FM partner grant is 33 months entry clearance, leading to an FLR(M) extension and, after five years on the partner route, Indefinite Leave to Remain. An Adult Dependent Relative grant gives five years immediately, with a route to settlement thereafter. Outside-the-rules grants vary depending on the circumstances of the decision.
Once the family is in the UK, we diary the next milestone (extension or settlement) and start preparing for it in advance of the expiry date. A family that arrived through a difficult alternative-route application should not have to rebuild the case from scratch at the extension stage.
If an application is refused
A refusal on an alternative family route is not always the end of the route. Where the decision contains a case-working error, there may be a right of administrative review. Some family-route refusals carry a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal on human rights grounds. In many cases a carefully rebuilt fresh application, on the same route with a stronger evidence bundle or on a different route altogether, is the faster and more reliable path.
We review the refusal letter against the Immigration Rules and the specific alternative route applied under, advise honestly on which option gives the best prospect, and rebuild the application where that is the right course. Where an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal is the correct path, we advise on the grounds and refer you to a representative for the hearing.
Refugee family reunion in Glasgow
Glasgow is one of the UK’s principal refugee dispersal cities and has a large, established refugee population across the north and west of the city, including areas such as Pollokshields, Govan and Maryhill. The suspension of Appendix FRP has had a direct impact on Glasgow families who were either planning to use the route or were in the process of gathering documents when the suspension came into force.
We work alongside the Scottish Refugee Council, Refugee Survival Trust and Maryhill Integration Network, who provide community-level support and refer cases requiring professional immigration advice to us. We also see clients directly: anyone across Glasgow, Paisley, Renfrew or the wider west of Scotland can contact us for an initial assessment. Most of the work from that point on is done by phone, video and secure document exchange, so being outside the city centre is not a barrier.
Current status and what to watch
As of June 2026, Appendix FRP remains suspended. The Government’s family-migration review is ongoing and no firm timeline for reinstatement or replacement has been published. When the review concludes, the outcome could be a return to Appendix FRP, a replacement route with modified eligibility, or a permanent direction toward the standard family routes.
We monitor Statements of Changes to the Immigration Rules and update our advice accordingly. If you are a refugee or humanitarian protection holder in Glasgow hoping to bring family to the UK, the right step now is to get an assessment of the alternative routes available to your family rather than wait for a possible reinstatement that may not come on a predictable timeline.
Related guidance
We also publish a dedicated guide on family reunion for Iranian refugees, covering the current position for Iranian families, including the suspension of the standard refugee family reunion route and the Appendix FM alternative.
How UK Visa Assistance helps
UK Visa Assistance is a Glasgow immigration practice. We advise on and prepare family reunion applications end to end: confirming which alternative route applies, mapping the evidence requirements, building the document bundle, drafting the application and supporting statement, and submitting on your behalf. We work on fixed fees agreed in advance so there are no surprises. To start, call 0141 496 0321 or request a callback for a free initial assessment of your family’s options.
For partner applications under Appendix FM, see our Spouse Visa service
Frequently asked questions
Appendix FRP was suspended at 15:00 on 4 September 2025 by Statement of Changes HC 1298, pending a wider Government review of family migration including refugee family routes. The Government has not published a firm reopening date. Until the route is formally reinstated or replaced, families of refugees and humanitarian protection holders must use the alternative routes. We monitor Statements of Changes and update our advice when there is concrete news.
Applications submitted before 15:00 on 4 September 2025 are decided under the rules in force before the suspension, under transitional provisions. The Home Office continues to process those applications. We can monitor the progress of a pre-suspension application and correspond with the Home Office on your behalf where there are delays.
The main alternatives are Appendix FM (partner, parent or child of a British citizen or settled person, including settled refugees), Appendix Child Relative (Sponsors with Protection, for children where Appendix FM does not fit), Appendix Adult Dependent Relative (for elderly parents or adult dependants needing long-term personal care), and outside-the-rules applications grounded in Article 8 ECHR where no strict route applies. Each has its own requirements, fees and timelines. We advise which route fits your family's circumstances before any application is made.
Yes, once the refugee has Indefinite Leave to Remain or refugee status with permission to sponsor under Appendix FM. The standard Appendix FM financial requirement applies: £29,000 a year, along with the English language and accommodation requirements. Where the couple's relationship was formed before the protection grant, Article 8 considerations can be relevant to how the case is presented. We assess the sponsor's current status and the correct category at the first consultation.
It depends on the route. Appendix FRP had no financial requirement, as it was specifically designed for refugees who typically cannot meet income thresholds. The Appendix FM partner route requires a minimum income of £29,000 a year from the sponsor. Appendix Adult Dependent Relative and Appendix Child Relative (Sponsors with Protection) have different, often lower financial evidence requirements. Outside-the-rules Article 8 applications assess the overall proportionality of the decision rather than a strict income threshold. We identify the right route for your income position.
Refugee families often cannot produce standard civil registry documents. The Home Office is, in principle, aware of this context, but the burden of proof remains on the applicant. Alternative evidence that is regularly accepted includes communication records such as WhatsApp messages, emails and call logs; money transfer records from Western Union, MoneyGram or bank statements; photographs across the span of the relationship; witness statements from community members, religious leaders or family friends; and whatever partial country-of-origin registry records are available. We build the bundle around what is realistically obtainable.
Appendix FM partner-route applications take around 12 weeks from biometrics. Appendix Child Relative applications run on a similar timeline. Adult Dependent Relative applications typically take 12 to 24 weeks. Outside-the-rules Article 8 applications can take six months or longer because they are decided on individual circumstances rather than against fixed criteria. Priority services are available for some categories. We advise whether priority makes sense for your timeline and budget.
No. Appendix FRP was free of Home Office fees, which was one of its defining features. The alternative routes carry standard fees: Appendix FM partner entry clearance is around £2,064, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge at £1,035 per year of leave. Appendix Adult Dependent Relative is around £3,250. Outside-the-rules applications pay the standard fee for the underlying category. Fee waivers exist in limited circumstances where an applicant can demonstrate destitution. We confirm the exact fee for your route at the advice stage.
An outside-the-rules application asks the Home Office to grant leave even though the applicant does not meet the strict criteria of a defined immigration route, on the basis that refusing would breach Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to respect for family and private life). These applications require a detailed witness statement from the sponsor, country-of-origin evidence where relevant, and a structured case setting out why the refusal would be disproportionate. We prepare and submit these applications. If the Home Office refuses and an appeal follows, we advise on the grounds and refer to a representative for the tribunal hearing.
The options depend on the route and the reason for refusal. Some decisions carry a right of administrative review where a case-working error is identified. Some carry a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal on human rights grounds. In other cases a carefully rebuilt fresh application on the same or a different route is the stronger path. We review the refusal letter against the Immigration Rules, advise honestly on which option gives the best prospect, and refer you to a representative for tribunal advocacy where an appeal is the right decision.
Urgency does not create a fast-track outside the formal application routes, but it is directly relevant to the Article 8 proportionality assessment and to the evidence bundle. Where children are in an unsafe situation, the best-interests-of-the-child analysis becomes central. Where the sponsor can demonstrate ongoing risk to the family, country-of-origin evidence strengthens the Article 8 case. We advise on how to present urgency effectively within the application framework, rather than relying on urgency alone.
Yes. Glasgow is one of the UK's principal refugee dispersal cities, and refugee family reunion is one of the most common enquiry types we handle. We meet clients across Glasgow, Paisley, Renfrew and the wider west of Scotland. We work alongside the Scottish Refugee Council, Refugee Survival Trust and Maryhill Integration Network, who provide community support and refer formal immigration casework to us. Clients in other parts of Scotland can work with us by phone, video and secure document exchange.