Quick Summary:
- UK suspends refugee family reunion applications (Sept 2025).
- Refugees must now meet £29,000 income, housing & English language rules.
- Aim: align with European standards (e.g., Denmark, Switzerland).
- Govt cites pressure on housing & councils from rapid applications.
- Critics say move will endanger families and push people to smugglers.
- Political backdrop: Labour under pressure from Reform UK & Conservatives.
- Govt reviewing ECHR interpretation on immigration/family life.
The UK government has temporarily suspended new refugee family reunion applications, marking one of the most significant changes to immigration policy in recent years. The move, announced by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper on 1 September 2025, has sparked concern among refugee charities, lawyers, and affected families.
At DavidsonMorris, we analyse the details of these changes, their political context, and the potential impact on refugees and migrants hoping to reunite with loved ones in the UK.
What Has Changed?
Previously, refugees granted asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK were able to apply under a dedicated family reunion scheme. This allowed them to bring:
- Partners (if in a genuine and subsisting relationship), and
- Children under the age of 18.
Applications were exempt from the usual financial and English language requirements that apply to other visa categories.
Figure 1: Trends in Asylum Grants and Refugee Family Reunion Grants, Year Ending June 2011 to 2025[footnote 5]
Under the new suspension:
- No new refugee family reunion applications will be processed.
- Refugees seeking to reunite with loved ones must instead apply under general immigration rules, which require:
- A minimum income of £29,000 per year;
- Proof of suitable accommodation;
- English language requirements for family members.
Cooper stated the changes were needed because “applications often arrive within a month” of refugee status being granted, before the individual has secured housing or stable income, leading to pressure on local councils.
Comparisons with Europe
The UK government has pointed to examples from Denmark and Switzerland, where refugees must wait at least two years before applying to reunite with family. By contrast, in the UK, applications were often made within weeks.
The government argues that aligning with European neighbours will ensure refugees have time to integrate, secure housing, and gain employment before family members join them.
Political Context
The suspension comes amid a highly charged political climate:
- The Labour government is under pressure from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, which has seen rising support in polls by campaigning on immigration.
- Anti-immigration protests have targeted hotels used to house asylum seekers, most recently in Epping, northeast of London.
- The opposition Conservatives have criticised the move as inadequate. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp argued that “tweaking the family reunion rules” does not address the UK’s “border security crisis” and called for the revival of the Rwanda deportation plan.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he wants to accelerate the closure of asylum hotels, but emphasised the need to process cases “orderly” and return those not entitled to remain.
Humanitarian Concerns
Refugee charities and legal experts have strongly criticised the suspension:
- Safe Passage said the government was “giving in to far-right pressure,” warning children fleeing war in Afghanistan, Sudan, or Iran could be left “trapped in danger.”
- Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, warned the policy would push more desperate families into the hands of smugglers.
These concerns reflect the tension between controlling migration flows and upholding humanitarian obligations.
Legal Implications: The ECHR Debate
A further development is the government’s intention to reinterpret the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in relation to immigration. The right to family life under Article 8 ECHR has long been a key legal argument in family reunion cases.
- The government has ruled out withdrawing from the ECHR, but is reviewing how far its protections should apply in immigration matters.
- The Conservative Party has called for the ECHR to be disapplied, while Reform UK supports leaving the treaty altogether.
For families and their legal representatives, this raises uncertainty about how future appeals may be assessed.
Practical Guidance for Refugees and Migrants
If you or your family are affected by these changes:
- Check Eligibility under Standard Immigration Rules – Refugees may now need to meet salary, housing, and English requirements.
- Plan for Delays – Further reforms are expected in spring 2026, meaning current restrictions could tighten further.
- Seek Legal Advice Early – Individual circumstances may allow for alternative immigration routes or humanitarian discretion.
- Consider Appeals and ECHR Rights – Legal representation is crucial if you are seeking to challenge a refusal on family life grounds.
Conclusion
The suspension of refugee family reunion applications is a major policy shift, reflecting the Labour government’s effort to balance political pressure with legal and humanitarian obligations.
For refugees, the new rules will make it significantly harder to reunite with loved ones in the UK. For legal practitioners and advocacy groups, the coming months will be critical in shaping how reforms are implemented, especially around appeals, housing, and income requirements.
At DavidsonMorris, our immigration specialists can provide tailored advice on refugee and family reunion cases, helping you navigate the legal complexities during this period of change.
The SRO has agreed these findings.
Complete: Yes.
- Restoring control over the immigration system: white paper – GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper ↩
- https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-june-2025/summary-of-latest-statistics ↩
- https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-june-2025/summary-of-latest-statistics ↩
- Applications for RFR is available from the Entry clearance tables, Vis_D01: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/immigration-system-statistics-data-tables. Grants for RFR is available from the Family Reunion data tables, Fam_D01, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/immigration-system-statistics-data-tables ↩
- Immigration system statistics, year ending June 2025, Family Reunion visa grants, Fam_D01 and Asylum initial decisions Asy_D02, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/immigration-system-statistics-data-tables ↩
- Immigration system statistics data tables – GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/immigration-system-statistics-data-tables ↩
- Immigration system statistics, year ending June 2025, Family Reunion visa grants, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/immigration-system-statistics-data-tables ↩
- Family visa financial requirements review (accessible) – GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/family-visa-financial-requirements-review/family-visa-financial-requirements-review-accessible#chapter-2-economic-wellbeing-and-family-life ↩
- Restoring control over the immigration system: white paper – GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper ↩
- Local authority revenue expenditure and financing England: 2023 to 2024 individual local authority data – outturn – GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-authority-revenue-expenditure-and-financing-england-2023-to-2024-individual-local-authority-data-outturn ↩
- Statutory homelessness in England: financial year 2023-24 – GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statutory-homelessness-in-england-financial-year-2023-24 ↩
