Introduction of KPIs for ARAP eligibility case working
Updated 3 November 2025
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As well as providing an online ARAP eligibility self checker, the MOD is committing to implementing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP). These KPIs are intended to improve case handling times, provide transparency around indicative timescales and provide progress updates for both applicants and those supporting applicants. These KPIs link to the date an application was raised and will be reported on from mid- December 2025.
Due to application surge periods (a number of months when a significantly higher-than-expected number of initial ARAP applications and reapplications were received), there are expected to be challenges with complete KPI compliance overall, but it is expected there will be a positive KPI compliance trend. Timescales are indicative, not definitive and there will be cases that take longer than the indicative timescales to consider properly.
To track performance against KPIs for ARAP eligibility decisions, applications are differentiated into two cohorts, those considered complex or non-complex.
In all ARAP eligibility casework decisions, published policy must be interpreted and applied and all relevant information carefully considered. A complex ARAP casework decision is typically one where there are additional or wider factors to consider in how the published policy applies. This can include but is not limited to cases where an applicant had been dismissed due to misconduct, cases under Category 4, or those with, a high level of sensitivity that requires additional scrutiny, which could include cross-departmental input and can require ministerial endorsement.
A non-complex ARAP eligibility casework decision is one that, within the published ARAP policy framework, can be assessed by the MOD needing only routine checks and there are no additional or wider factors to consider in the application of policy. No ministerial endorsement is required.
Key Performance Indicators
The KPIs commit to the following indicative timeframes against different types of ARAP casework decisions. From the date of application:
- make 60% of non-complex decisions in 6 months
- make 95% of non-complex decisions in 9 months
- make 100% of non-complex decisions in 12 months
- make 60% of complex decisions in 9 months
- make 95% of complex decisions in 18 months
- make 100% of complex decisions in 24 months
- improve month-on-month performance
By introducing KPIs, the MOD intends to provide ARAP applicants with confidence that their eligibility application will be answered within an indicative timeframe.
Indicative timescales for decision phases
The phases below provide indicative timescales for each stage of casework within each type of ARAP casework and are not definitive. Initiation of casework for each application will not be immediate, as there is a significant caseload of decisions for casework teams to process and these are generally processed on a first raised, first considered basis.
Non-complex decision phases
ARAP applications
| Phase | Description | Indicative timescale |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Triaging and initial screening | Application received into casework database and further information requested from applicant (Employment details, documentary evidence to support the case) | Average timescales of 11-17 weeks |
| Phase 2: Allocation to specific casework team | Case assigned to a caseworker for assessment | Average timescales of 10 -12 weeks following Phase 1 |
| Phase 3: Standard eligibility assessment, routine checks and decision-making | Caseworker makes a detailed assessment of the case and final decision is then reviewed by a team leader | Average timescales of 4-8 weeks for assessment. Average timescales of 1-2 weeks for review |
| Phase 4: Decision notification | Applicant formally notified of outcome of application. If negative, applicant is informed of the rationale and review options communicated |
ARAP review applications
| Phase | Description | Indicative timescale |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Triaging and initial screening | Application received into casework database and further information requested from applicant (Employment details, documentary evidence to support the case) | Average timescales of 11-17 weeks |
| Phase 2: Allocation to specific casework team | Case assigned to a caseworker for assessment. Caseworker makes a detailed assessment of the case and final decision is then reviewed by a team leader | Average timescales of 11 - 16 weeks for assessment. Average timescales of 2 - 3 weeks for review |
| Phase 3: Decision notification | Applicant formally notified of outcome of application. If negative, applicant is informed of the rationale | |
| Phase 4: Request not valid | The application has not been processed as it did not fulfil the criteria required to request a Review |
ARAP Additional Family Member/s (AFM) applications
| Phase | Description | Indicative timescale |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Triaging and initial screening | Application received into casework database and further information requested from applicant | Average timescales of 11-17 weeks |
| Phase 2: Standard eligibility assessment, routine checks and decision-making | Caseworker makes a detailed assessment of the case and final decision is then reviewed by a team leader | Average timescales of 11 - 16 weeks for assessment. Average timescales of 2 - 3 weeks for review |
| Phase 3: Decision notification | Applicant formally notified of outcome of application | |
| Phase 4: Application not processed | The application has not been processed as it did not fulfil the criteria required to request AFM |
ARAP AFM review applications
| Phase | Description | Indicative timescale |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Triaging and initial screening | Application received into casework database and further information requested from applicant (Employment details, documentary evidence to support the case) | Average timescales of 11-17 weeks |
| Phase 2: Allocation to specific casework team | Case assigned to a caseworker for assessment. Caseworker makes a detailed assessment of the case and final decision is then reviewed by a senior team leader | Average timescales of 11 - 16 weeks for assessment. Average timescales of 2 - 3 weeks for review |
| Phase 3: Decision notification | Applicant formally notified of outcome of application. If negative, applicant is informed of the rationale | |
| Phase 4: Request not valid | The application has not been processed as it did not fulfil the criteria required to request a review |
Complex decision phases
ARAP applications
| Phase | Description | Indicative timescale |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Triaging and initial screening | Application received in casework database and further information requested (Employment details, documentary evidence to support the case) | Average timescales of 11-17 weeks |
| Phase 2: Allocation to casework team | Case assigned to a caseworker for assessment | Average timescales of 5-10 weeks following Phase 1 |
| Phase 3: Evidence gathering and partner input | Enrichment sought from other parts of Defence, supporting units or Other Government Departments | Average timescales of 13- 26 weeks following Phase 2 |
| Phase 4: Standard eligibility assessment, routine checks and decision-making | Caseworker makes a detailed assessment of the case and final decision is reviewed by a team leader | Average timescales of 6 -12 weeks for assessment. Average timescales of 2 - 3 weeks for review |
| Phase 5: Decision endorsement (if required) | Ministers are required to sign off certain categories of decisions | Average timescales of 2 - 10 weeks following Phase 4, if required. Average timescales of 2 - 3 weeks for review |
| Phase 6: Decision notification | Applicant formally notified of outcome of application |
ARAP review applications
| Phase | Description | Indicative timescale |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Triaging and initial screening | Application received in casework database and further information requested (Employment details, documentary evidence to support the case) | Average timescales of 11- 16 weeks |
| Phase 2: Allocation to casework team | Case assigned to a caseworker for assessment. | Average timescales of 5 - 10 weeks following Phase 1 |
| Phase 3: Evidence gathering and partner input | Enrichment sought from other parts of Defence, supporting units or Other Government Departments. Caseworker makes a detailed assessment of the case and final decision is reviewed by a team leader | Average timescales of 12 - 26 weeks following Phase 2 to complete enrichment. Average timescales of further 6-12 weeks to complete eligibility assessment. Average timescales of 2-3 for review |
| Phase 4: Decision endorsement (if required) | Ministers are required to sign off certain categories of decisions | Average timescales of 2-10 weeks following Phase 3, if required. Average timescales of 2 - 3 for review |
| Phase 5: Decision notification | Applicant formally notified of outcome of application | |
| Phase 6: Request not valid | The application has not been processed as it did not fulfil the criteria required to request a review |
ARAP AFM applications
| Phase | Description | Indicative timescale |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Triaging and initial screening | Application received into casework database and further information requested from applicant | Average timescales of 11-17 weeks |
| Phase 2: Standard eligibility assessment, routine checks and decision-making | Caseworker makes a detailed assessment of the case and final decision is reviewed by a team leader | Average timescales of 20-30 weeks for assessment. Average timescales of 2 - 3 weeks for review |
| Phase 3: Decision notification | Applicant formally notified of outcome of application | |
| Phase 4: Application not processed | The application has not been processed as it did not fulfil the criteria required to request AFM |
ARAP AFM review applications
| Phase | Description | Indicative timescale |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Triaging and initial screening | Application received in casework database and further information requested (Employment details, documentary evidence to support the case) | Average timescales of 11-16 weeks |
| Phase 2: Allocation to casework team | Case assigned to a caseworker for assessment | Average timescales of 5 -10 weeks following Phase 1 |
| Phase 3: Evidence gathering and partner input | Enrichment sought from other parts of Defence, supporting units or Other Government Departments. Caseworker makes a detailed assessment of the case and final decision is reviewed by a senior caseworker/ team leader. | Average timescales of 12 - 26 weeks following Phase 2 to complete enrichment. Average timescales of further 6-12 weeks to complete the eligibility assessment. Average timescales of 2-3 weeks for review |
| Phase 4: Decision endorsement (if required) | Ministers are required to sign off certain categories of decisions | Average timescales of 2-10 weeks following Phase 3, if required. Average timescales of 2-3 weeks for review |
| Phase 5: Decision notification | Applicant formally notified of outcome of application | |
| Phase 6: Request not valid | The application has not been processed as it did not fulfil the criteria required to request a review |