Information for Refugees Abroad
Information for Refugees Seeking Sanctuary
Information about Named Sponsorship
We know many people are looking for safe ways to reach protection. We acknowledge the awful and urgent circumstances you may be facing.
We want to manage expectations and avoid disappointment. It is important to understand that Named Community Sponsorship will only be available to a small number of people, and unfortunately most people will not be able to come through this route.
Named Sponsorship is still being developed by the UK government, and applications have not opened. The government has not decided who will be eligible to be sponsored, or how to sponsor.
However, we do expect that refugees will be identified and named by a sponsor based in the UK. At the moment, there is:
❌ No public application process for refugees overseas
❌ No waiting list
❌ No matching service that pairs refugees with sponsors
❌ No organisation that can help find a sponsor for you
Unfortunately, if you do not already have a connection with a person or group in the UK that wishes to sponsor you, it is unlikely that Named Community Sponsorship will be available to you.
If you do have someone in the UK who wishes to sponsor you, please direct them to our information for sponsors so they can begin preparing for the process.
Beware of Scams
Nobody can guarantee a visa or place in the UK through Named Sponsorship. Be cautious of anyone who:
- Promises to secure sponsorship for payment
- Claims to have special access to the scheme
- Offers guaranteed approval
- Requests money in exchange for sponsorship
If Named Community Sponsorship becomes available to you, applications will be handled through accredited organisations and the UK Government.
Stay Updated
Named Community Sponsorship is still being developed by the UK Government and civil society partners. We will update this website as soon as more information becomes available about eligibility, applications and how the programme will operate.
For now, there is no process for refugees to apply directly for Named Community Sponsorship.
Other Ways to Reach Safety in the UK
Depending on your circumstances, there may be other routes available.
The UK continues to resettle some refugees through the UK Resettlement Scheme.
You cannot apply directly to the UK Government for this programme. Refugees are identified and referred by UNHCR based on vulnerability and protection needs. Registering with UNHCR does not automatically mean you will be considered for resettlement, and only a very small proportion of refugees worldwide are resettled each year.
If you are seeking international protection, you should contact UNHCR or the relevant authorities in the country where you are currently living. [help.unhcr.org]
The UK's previous refugee family reunion route was paused in September 2025, and family members may now need to apply under other immigration routes. [gov.uk], [gov.uk] You and your UK based family member should seek specialist immigration advice. You are entitled to free legal aid; you can find a legal aid adviser at gov.uk/check-legal-aid.
The UK established several Ukraine-specific schemes following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including Homes for Ukraine and family-based routes. Different arrangements and extension options continue to exist for many Ukrainians already in the UK. Check government guidance: [assets.pub...ice.gov.uk], [gov.uk]
USPUK may be able to help connect you with a UK based host: https://www.uspuk.org/
Some Afghan citizens may be eligible through Afghan-specific programmes.
The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) was created for certain Afghan citizens who worked for or alongside the UK Government in Afghanistan. New principal applications to ARAP closed on 1 July 2025, although previously submitted applications continue to be processed. [gov.uk], [gov.uk]
If you previously worked for the UK Government in Afghanistan, you should review the latest Government guidance to determine whether any options remain available to you. [gov.uk]
This page is about sponsorship and resettlement routes, not asylum claims. The UK does not allow asylum claims to be made from outside the country; this can only be done once you are physically in the UK or at the UK border. If you are already in the UK and wish to claim asylum, you can contact the Home Office's Asylum Registration Appointment Line on 0300 123 4193, or go to a screening location in person if you have nowhere to stay. Migrant Help and the Refugee Council both offer free, practical support throughout the asylum process. You are entitled to free legal aid; you can find a legal aid adviser at gov.uk/check-legal-aid .