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Since 1993, the British Red Cross has administered two resettlement programmes: the Mandate Scheme; and Ten or More Plan, on behalf of UNHCR and the UK Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND).
Individuals and families, granted refugee status under the UNHCR Mandate, are selected for resettlement by UNHCR in their first country of asylum. The cases are submitted to the IND via the British Red Cross. The IND decide whether the case should be approved for resettlement to the UK.
Under the Mandate Scheme, the refugee must have a link to the UK, either historical or close family ties. For more information click here.
Under the Ten or More Plan, the refugee must be unable to obtain medical treatment or care in the first country of asylum. For more information click here
Who we help
In 2005, 101 refugees were resettled to the UK: 83 individuals arrived under the Mandate Resettlement Scheme and 18 individuals arrived under the Ten or More Plan. They were 12 different nationalities and had initially sought asylum in 20 different countries.
In 2004, 30 individuals arrived under the Mandate Resettlement Scheme and seven individuals arrived under the Ten or More Plan, they were from ten different nationalities and had sought asylum in 13 different countries.
The Gateway Protection Programme, the third UK resettlement programme, was launched in March 2004. Through this programme, a caseload of refugees is resettled to a particular town or city in the UK at one particular time.
For more information about this programme from the IND, click here.
For enquiries about the Mandate Scheme or Ten or More Plan please contact:
Resettlement and Travel
Assistance Services
British Red Cross
44 Moorfields
London
EC2Y 9AL
Direct Tel: 020 7877 7292 / 7294
Switchboard: 020 7877 7000
Fax: 020 7562 2053
E-mail: familyreunion@redcross.org.uk
Refugee family reunion
Information
We provide a limited information service, usually signposting individuals to immigration advisors. However, we can provide simple information on procedures for family reunion. The British Red Cross does not provide legal advice on immigration, please click here to find links to organisations offering immigration advice (links page to OISC, RLC, IAS, etc.)
Travel assistance
The British Red Cross, on behalf of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and with the assistance of the UK Immigration and Nationality Directorate, provides a travel assistance service for refugees. The service enables refugees to be reunited with their families. The UNHCR will organise and pay for flights for the relatives to come to settle the UK. The service is for individuals who meet the following criteria:
- The relative in the UK must have Refugee Status, Humanitarian Protection, or Indefinite Leave to Remain following Discretionary Leave or Exceptional Leave to Remain;
- The relatives abroad must have visas to come to UK for family reunion; and
- The relative in the UK should be on a low income or on benefits.
The applicant will be asked to complete an application form and submit proof that they meet the criteria above.
Who we help
In 2005, 238 individuals came to the UK through the travel assistance programme and were reunited with their relatives. These people were from 19 different nationalities, living in 21 different countries. This compares favourably to 2004, when 119 individuals came to the UK through this programme.
To obtain an application form or for more information about family reunion and travel assistance, please contact us:
Resettlement and Travel
Assistance Services
British Red Cross
44 Moorfields
London
EC2Y 9AL
Direct Tel: 020 7877 7292 / 7294
Switchboard: 020 7877 7000
Fax: 020 7562 2053
E-mail: familyreunion@redcross.org.uk |
