Accredited official statistics

How many people come to the UK via safe and legal (humanitarian) routes?

Published 27 November 2025

Back to ‘Immigration system statistics, year ending September 2025’ content page.

Data relates to year ending September 2025 and all comparisons are with year ending September 2024 (unless indicated otherwise).

This chapter covers the safe and legal humanitarian schemes allowing eligible people to come to, or remain in, the UK. It includes both out-of-country grants to individuals overseas and in-country extensions for people already in the UK, either to switch onto one of these schemes from another type of leave or to extend their stay on the same route. The schemes covered are:

• Ukraine Scheme visas (including Ukraine Family, Sponsorship, and Extension Schemes): introduced in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine to allow persons affected by the war to come to the UK
• British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) visas: introduced in 2021 to provide those with BN(O) status the opportunity for them and their family members to live, work and study in the UK
• Refugee resettlement schemes: which allow for the transfer of refugees from other countries to the UK
• Refugee Family Reunion visas: which allow the partners and children of refugees in the UK to join them

1. Overview of safe and legal (humanitarian) routes

Out-of-country grants have been declining since their peak in 2022. However, these safe and legal routes remain active, with many individuals continuing their protection through in-country extensions.

In the year ending September 2025, there were 170,582 grants of leave on safe and legal (humanitarian) routes, allowing people to come to, or remain in, the UK. This was 95% higher than in the year ending September 2024, largely due to grants on the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme which will have been granted to people on existing Ukraine schemes.

Of these, 52,883 were out-of-country grants, issued to individuals outside of the UK. This is 26% fewer than the year ending September 2024. Of which, there were:

• 14,724 out-of-country visa grants through Ukraine schemes

• 10,012 out-of-country visa grants through the BN(O) route

• 7,271 refugees resettled

• 20,876 grants of Refugee Family Reunion visas

In addition, there were 117,699 in-country extensions, issued to individuals already in the UK, in the year ending September 2025. This is a substantial increase from 15,963 in-country extensions in the previous year ending September 2024. The rise is linked to the introduction of the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE), which allows people previously on the Ukraine Scheme to extend their leave. Prior to the introduction of the UPE, most people extending in country would have been switching onto a safe and legal route for the first time, Of the 117,699 in-country extensions, there were:

• 111,169 in-country extensions through the Ukraine schemes; 110,792 were through Ukraine Permission Extension

• 6,530 in-country extensions through the BN(O) route

Figure 1: Grants of leave on safe and legal (humanitarian) routes to the UK, by route, years ending September 2019 to September 2025 ^1,2

Source: Safe and legal (humanitarian) routes summary tables – Hum_01

Notes:

1. Includes main applicants and dependants.

2. Resettlement and relocation include the Afghan Resettlement Programme, UK Resettlement Scheme and Mandate Scheme. It also includes previous schemes such as the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme and Vulnerable Children Resettlement Scheme which closed in February 2021. Figures include those sponsored through Community Sponsorship.

2. Ukraine Schemes

In March 2022, the UK Government introduced the Ukraine Family Scheme and the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme to allow persons affected by the war in Ukraine to come to the UK, followed in May by the Ukraine Extension Scheme, which allowed those already in the UK to remain.

The Ukraine Family Scheme closed to new applications from 19 February 2024 and the Ukraine Extension Scheme closed for most new applications on 16 May 2024. Some applications received decisions after these dates.

The Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme opened to applications on 4 February 2025 for people already legally resident in the UK on existing Ukraine Schemes who wished to remain in the UK for a further 18 months.

Following the initial peak when the scheme opened, visa applications, grants and arrivals on the Ukraine Schemes have continued to decrease since 2022.

There were 14,724 grants of out-of-country visas under the Ukraine Schemes in the year ending September 2025, bringing the total grants to 278,529 visas since the schemes opened. There were 209,706 visas granted in 2022 following the introduction of the schemes in March of that year, falling to 40,287 in 2023. Visas have continued to gradually fall since.

There were a further 111,169 in-country extensions granted in the year ending September 2025.

Most (110,792) were on the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, granted to people previously on one of the Ukraine schemes, many of whom will have come to the end of their initial 3 years leave. There were also 373 grants on the Ukraine Extension Scheme and 4 grants on the Family Extension Scheme, which were granted to people already in the UK on other routes.

Figure 2: Out-of-country visa grants and in-country extension grants on Ukrainian Visa Schemes, January 2022 to September 2025¹

Source: Ukraine visa schemes summary tables - UVS_05

Notes:

1. In-country grants include the Ukraine Family Scheme and the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.

Figure 2 shows grants on the Ukraine visa schemes peaked in the year ending December 2022 with almost 210,000 grants. The number of visas granted has since fallen and has remained below 30,000 per year since the year ending June 2024. The Ukraine Extension Scheme peaked in year ending March 2023 with almost 25,000 and has been steadily decreasing since year ending June 2023. The Ukraine Permission Scheme has been increasing since it’s opening in February 2024, reaching 110,000 in the year ending September 2025.

Not everyone granted a visa will have used it, either because they have not yet arrived in the UK or may have chosen to go elsewhere or remain in Ukraine. The number of arrivals follows a similar trend to visas granted, peaking not long after the introduction of the schemes, at 110,000 in year ending December 2022. Visas granted were initially higher than arrivals in the first year of the scheme opening, suggesting some people in the early days of the scheme may not have used their visa, however numbers have been broadly aligned since.

Some of those who arrived from Ukraine will have since left the UK either temporarily or permanently. Management information indicates that as of the end of September 2025, around 97,100 people (42%) who had previously arrived on the Ukraine schemes had exited the UK and were believed to be out of the country, although some may subsequently return.

As of the end of September 2025, adult females aged 18 to 64 accounted for just under half (46%) of the people who have arrived from Ukraine since the schemes began, children (aged 17 and under) accounted for a further 26%, adult males aged 18 to 64 accounted for 21% and other adults aged 65 and over accounted for 6%.

3. British National Overseas (BN(O)) route

On 31 January 2021, British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) passport holders from Hong Kong were given the opportunity along with their family members to live, work and study in the UK.

BN(O) out-of-country visas peaked in 2021, with 75,579 granted, soon after the scheme opened. The general trend since this period has seen BN(O) visa grants decrease since 2021, with some fluctuations.

There were 10,012 grants of BN(O) visas in the year ending September 2025, bringing the total number of grants to 184,203 since the scheme opened.

In addition, there were 47,830 in-country grants for people already in the UK to extend their stay, with 6,530 in the year ending September 2025. Extensions also peaked in 2021, with 20,839 grants.

Figure 3: Out-of-country visa grants and in-country extension grants on the British National (Overseas) route, January 2021 to September 2025

Source: Safe and legal (humanitarian) routes summary tables - Hum_01

While numbers remain relatively small, nearly 1,500 individuals on the BN(O) route have been granted settlement up to the end of September 2025. The BN(O) route came into effect in January 2021 and typically requires 5 years of continuous residence in the UK before becoming eligible for settlement. Some individuals may be qualifying earlier, where time spent on other eligible visa routes, prior to moving onto the BN(O) route, counts towards their 5-year residence period.

4. Resettlement

The UK runs a range of resettlement schemes to bring refugees from other countries to the UK. Information on the different resettlement schemes and the differences between resettlement and relocation can be found in the user guide.

The number of refugees being resettled has decreased since the peak in 2021, which followed the launch of the Afghan Resettlement Programme.

There were 7,271 people resettled in the year ending September 2025. This is 26% fewer than the year ending September 2024. Of those resettled in the latest year ending September 2025:

• 89% (6,437) arrived through the Afghan Resettlement Programme; the remaining 11% (834) arrived through the UK Resettlement Scheme and Mandate Scheme, including those on Community Sponsorship schemes

• the most common nationality was Afghan (88%), whereas prior to 2021 the most common resettled nationality was Syrian most of whom were resettled under the now closed Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS)

Figure 4: People resettled and relocated, by scheme, years ending September 2019 to year ending September 2025 ^1,2

Source: Resettlement – Res_D02

Notes:

1. Date at which the refugee arrived in the UK.
2. ‘Other resettlement schemes’ include the Gateway Protection Programme and the Mandate Scheme.

Between 2015 and 2021, the VPRS and VCRS resettled a total of 22,014 people, mainly Syrian nationals, while the UK Resettlement Scheme has resettled 4,228 refugees since its launch in 2021.

4.1 Afghan Resettlement Programme

Since the first arrivals in 2021, the Afghan Resettlement Programme has resettled a total of 37,218 people.

The Afghan Resettlement Programme contains the following Afghan Resettlement Schemes:

1. the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP)

2. the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS)

3. Afghanistan Response Route (ARR)

In July 2025, the Government confirmed that there will be no further ACRS pathways or referrals, ARAP is closed to new applicants and that ARR is discontinued. However, existing applications on these schemes will continue to be processed and therefore, there will be arrivals in future quarters. For further detail please see guidance on the Afghan Resettlement Programme.

Since the first arrivals in 2021, the Afghan Resettlement Programme has resettled a total of 37,218 people. Out of the 37,218 people resettled on Afghan schemes, 40% (14,842) were brought to the UK in July to September 2021, immediately following the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in August 2021.

Table 1: Annual arrivals on the Afghan Resettlement Programme, by Scheme, up to September 2025

	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025 (Q1 - Q3)	Total
ACRS	9,258	497	797	2,061	935	13,548
ARAP	7,171	4,238	2,898	3,950	1,365	19,622
ARR	z	z	z	1,180	2,838	4,018
Total ARP arrivals	16,445	4,737	3,695	7,199	5,142	37,218

Source: Safe and Legal summary tables – Hum_01

Notes:

1. ‘z’ in the table indicates that the scheme was not open during that time period.

4.2 International comparisons of refugee resettlement

International resettlement data is sourced from UNHCR and is accurate as of October 2025.

Between 2010 and December 2024, the UK resettled just under 35,000 individuals through UNHCR resettlement schemes – the fifth largest number in the world (after the United States, Canada, Australia and Sweden) and third in Europe (after Sweden).

International comparisons should be made with caution as available data from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) relates only to UNHCR resettlement schemes (the UK Resettlement Scheme, Community Sponsorship Scheme, Mandate Scheme and ACRS Pathway 2). The UNHCR data does not include ARAP, ARR or ACRS Pathway 1 and 3 cases, meaning it is an undercount for the UK in terms of total resettlement and relocation. Information on the different resettlement schemes can be found in the user guide.

4.3 What happens after a refugee is resettled in the UK?

Upon arrival in the UK through a resettlement programme, individuals are supported to integrate into mainstream systems for housing, benefits, health care, and education. Resettled refugees have the right to work from day one and can access English language learning and employment support through both national initiatives and locally delivered services.

The Refugee Integration Outcomes (RIO) project links Home Office refugee records and cross-government administrative datasets, examining individuals granted asylum and refugee status in England and Wales between 2015 and 2023. While findings may not necessarily be generalisable to refugees resettled after this period, they provide a strong foundation for understanding social and economic integration outcomes.

The latest findings of the RIO project state that in their first year in the UK, fewer than 3 in 100 resettled refugees of working age (16 to 64 years) were in employment. Outcomes improved however and after 7 years about 23% found work. However, not all resettlement schemes have the same outcomes. Refugees resettled through the UKRS have appeared to do better early on, with 1 in 5 in employment after 2 years compared to those who arrived under earlier programmes like the VPRS or VCRS.

By comparison, refugees who applied for asylum and were granted refugee status had higher employment rates. Just over a quarter (26%) were working in the same year they were granted refugee status, and after 2 years, their employment rate stayed steady at around 48% to 51%.

The difference may reflect the distinct profiles of each group. Asylum refugees are predominantly single, working-age men, while resettled refugees more often part of family units, which can affect their ability to enter the labour market quickly.

English language proficiency among resettled refugees improves with time in the UK and is closely associated to integration outcomes such as employment and social connection.

Previous findings from the RIO project using Census 2021 data linked to resettled refugees in England and Wales between 2015 and 2021 (published in September 2025) provided insight into the sort of employment refugees found and their language proficiency and housing outcomes.

Resettled refugees in the UK were most often employed in part-time roles, with full-time work being less common. They were most likely to be employed in elementary occupations, although around a quarter were also employed in skilled trades occupations.

Only 4% of resettled refugees reported English as their main language. Younger refugees, especially those aged 16 to 24, showed stronger proficiency, while older women - particularly those aged 65 and over - had the lowest levels of English. These differences may reflect prior exposure to English, country of origin, and other cultural factors.

Resettled refugee households were more likely to live in social rented accommodation than asylum refugee households, which may be due to the support provided by local authorities upon arrival. Home ownership among the resettled refugee cohort was very low and showed no clear trend over time, likely due to financial barriers and the relatively short duration of residence.

5. Refugee Family Reunion

The number of people coming to reunite with refugee family members in the UK has been increasing since the year ending December 2022.

On 4 September 2025, the Refugee Family Reunion route was paused. Those seeking reunification may apply through other family routes, if they believe they meet the relevant immigration rules. Outstanding applications will continue to be considered under the family reunion rules in place prior to the commencement of the suspension, including those that are at appeal.

In the year ending September 2025, 20,876 people were granted Refugee Family Reunion visas. This is the highest 12 month period on record and is an 11% increase from year ending September 2024, when 18,837 visas were granted.

Figure 5: Refugee Family Reunion visa grants, year ending September 2011 to year ending September 2025

Source: Refugee Family Reunion Visa Grants - Fam_D01

A Refugee Family Reunion visa allows partners and children of individuals previously granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK to come to the UK to live.

The most common nationalities granted Refugee Family Reunion in the year ending September 2025 were Iran (15%), Afghanistan (15%) and Syria (13%). Trends in Refugee Family Reunion visas are partly driven by the number of individuals granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in preceding years.

6. About these statistics

6.1 Arrivals

Arrival figures linked to a Ukraine visa scheme or an out-of-country BN(O) visa are rounded to the nearest 100. Where individuals have multiple visits, only the first arrival after the visa grant has been counted. This data therefore counts people, rather than arrivals. Individuals arriving during the latest quarter may have received their grant in an earlier quarter.

The data used to record arrivals may undercount the total number of arrivals. For example, arrivals of those travelling into the UK from the Common Travel Area (from Ireland) will not be captured in the data. See the Home Office statistics on exit checks: user guide for more details.

6.2 Ukraine Visa and Extension Schemes

During March 2022, the UK government introduced 2 new visa routes to allow persons affected by the crisis in Ukraine to come to the UK. Introduced on 4 March 2022, the Ukraine Family Scheme allows applicants to join family members or extend their stay in the UK. The Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme was introduced on 18 March 2022 and allows Ukrainian nationals and their family members to come to the UK if they have a named sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

The Ukraine Family Scheme closed to new applications from 19 February 2024 and the Ukraine Extension Scheme closed for most new applications on 16 May 2024, however children who are born in the UK can apply for permission to stay after this date.

On 4 February 2025, the UK government launched the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme. If you’re a Ukrainian national, or family member of Ukrainian nationals, who are living in the UK with existing permission on one of the Ukraine schemes, you may be eligible to apply to continue living in the UK for up to a further 18 months through this scheme.

6.3 British National Overseas (BN(O)) route

In January 2021, the UK government introduced a new immigration route for British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) status holders, providing the opportunity for them and their family members to live, work and study in the UK. This route opened on 31 January 2021 and is open to individuals who hold a BN(O) passport and are, or have recently been, resident in Hong Kong, and their dependants.

6.4 Resettlement

Refugees in other countries can be given protection in the UK via resettlement schemes. The UK works with the UN Refugee Agency (the ‘UNHCR’) to arrange for the transfer of refugees from an asylum country to the UK, with the aim of ultimately granting them permanent residence. Information on the different resettlement schemes can be found in the user guide.

6.5 Refugee Family Reunion

Refugee Family Reunion visas allow partners and children aged 17 and under to join those granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK if they formed part of the family unit before their sponsor fled their country.

The family members do not receive refugee status themselves. Leave is given in line with the sponsor, so that the family member’s leave will expire at the same time as the sponsor. Individuals are allowed to work, study and have recourse to public funds.

7. Data tables

Data referred to here can be found in the following tables:

• Ukraine visa schemes summary tables
• Entry clearance visa applications and outcomes
• Extensions
• Resettlement and relocation
• Refugee Family Reunion

Further information on the latest data on applications to come to or stay in the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme, Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) or Ukraine Extension Scheme is available in Ukraine Visa Schemes: visa data. The data includes totals for visa applications received and visas issued to people.

Sponsorship Scheme data split by parts of the UK and local authorities, provided by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, is available.

Demographic Data for Ukraine Visas Schemes, split by parts of the UK, is provided by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Regional and local authority data, for individuals on the Homes for Ukraine scheme, those under the Afghan resettlement Programme, and asylum seekers receiving support, is published by the Home Office and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

We welcome your feedback

If you have any comments or suggestions for the development of this report, please provide feedback by emailing MigrationStatsEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please include the words ‘PUBLICATION FEEDBACK’ in the subject of your email.

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of our documents. If you find any problems or have any feedback relating to accessibility, please email us.

See Section 6 of the ‘About this release’ section for more details.