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<p>The UK has a proud history of providing protection to those who need it – and this
Government is committed to ensuring refugees can take positive steps towards integration
as they rebuild their lives in the UK.</p><p>The Government provides a safe and legal
route to bring families together through its family reunion policy. This allows a
partner and children under 18 of those granted protection in the UK to join them here,
if they formed part of the family unit before the sponsor fled their country. Under
this policy, we have granted visas to over 26,000 partners and children of those granted
protection in the UK in the last five years – that is over 5,000 a year. In exceptional
circumstances, our policy also makes clear there is discretion to grant visas outside
the Immigration Rules, which caters for extended family members including young adult
sons or daughters who are dependent on family here and living in dangerous situations.</p><p>Family
connections are an important enabler of integration. However, we must also ensure
we do not create incentives for more people, particularly children, to leave their
homes and risk dangerous journeys hoping relatives can join them later. Those who
need protection must claim in the first safe country they reach – that is the fastest
route to safety.</p>
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