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<p>We are committed to working in step with the international community and continue
to do all we can to enable those who are eligible to relocate to the UK.</p><p>Operation
PITTING was the largest UK military evacuation since the Second World War, during
which we evacuated c.15,000 individuals to the UK. In the year since Op Pitting a
further c. 5,000 have arrived in the UK via neighbouring countries. This is in addition
to c.2000 arrivals under Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) between the
end of June 2021 and when the evacuation began on 14 August 2021.</p><p>Any current
or former staff directly employed by the UK Government and assessed to be at serious
risk of threat to life are eligible to apply for ARAP. So far - we have relocated
around 10,300 eligible Afghan citizens and their family members under the ARAP scheme
since it opened in April 2021 – and the scheme remains open.</p><p>For those who are
not eligible for relocation under the ARAP, the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme
(ACRS) will provide up to 20,000 women, children, and others at risk with a safe and
legal route to resettle and re-build their lives in the UK.</p><p>Since the scheme
launched, in January this year, we have, through ACRS Pathway 1, granted Indefinite
Leave to Remain to some of those already evacuated to the UK under Op PITTING.</p><p>More
recently, under ACRS Pathway 2 – which opened in June - we have now begun to receive
the first referrals from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),
of Afghans who have already fled their country and are seeking resettlement in the
UK. We look forward to welcoming the first new arrivals under this pathway in due
course.</p><p>And, under ACRS Pathway 3 – which also opened in June - the Foreign,
Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) launched an online system on Monday 20
June, through which eligible individuals were able to express interest in UK resettlement.</p><p>The
window for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) under ACRS Pathway 3 closed on 15 August
2022. The FCDO is in the process of reviewing EOIs in the order they were received
and those who have submitted one will be informed of the outcome of the process and
next steps, via email.</p><p>Beyond the first year of the ACRS, we will work with
international partners and NGOs to welcome wider groups of Afghans at risk.</p><p>Finally,
we intend to establish a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan as soon as the security
and political situation in the country allows. We are coordinating this effort with
allies. This will enable us to deliver on our commitment to the people of Afghanistan,
including through the provision of humanitarian aid and by bringing more vulnerable
Afghan people to the UK through the ARAP and the ACRS</p>
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