UK Ends Evacuation Support for Afghan Allies, Shifts Responsibility to Self-Relocation

DID Press: UK’s Ministry of Defense announced that around 9,000 Afghan nationals eligible for relocation to United Kingdom will no longer receive practical assistance to leave Afghanistan and must independently reach a third country to continue their resettlement process, a move that has triggered strong criticism from refugee advocacy groups.

Luke Pollard stated in a written submission to Parliament that support with visas and accommodation will continue until 2028, but only after individuals manage to reach another country on their own.

The policy shift comes despite ongoing security threats faced by many Afghans due to their previous cooperation with British forces or exposure of their identities following what officials described as an administrative error by the defence ministry. Pollard cited increased evidence of self-organized departures and concerns about cost-effectiveness for taxpayers as key reasons behind the decision.

The change follows a warning issued in March by the National Audit Office, which indicated that without accelerating relocation efforts, completion of the program could be delayed by up to three additional years.

Under the revised framework of the Afghan resettlement scheme, the British government had previously pledged to relocate all eligible individuals by March 2029, but the final deadline has now been brought forward to December 2028.

Responding to the announcement, Sarah de Jong described the decision as deeply alarming for Afghans awaiting relocation, warning that many individuals unable to leave hiding places or afford high visa costs are effectively being left behind.

Reports also highlight growing obstacles along exit routes to neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan, where tightening security conditions have made cross-border movement increasingly difficult.