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<p>The UK Immigration Rules have a comprehensive framework for refugees and their
families to be safely reunited in the UK. Our family reunion policy allows immediate
family members of those granted protection here to reunite with them. The Immigration
Rules also provide for relatives with protection in the UK to sponsor children in
serious and compelling circumstances. The Mandate resettlement scheme also allows
those recognised by the UNCHR as refugees to join close family members here in the
UK.</p><p>In addition, there is provision in the policy to grant visas outside the
Rules in exceptional circumstances, which caters for extended family members who otherwise
do not qualify under the Rules.</p><p>We do not believe there are unnecessary barriers
to family reunion for refugees. Over the last five years there have been 24,700 family
reunion visas issued –and this is in addition to the numbers granted asylum here or
resettled here under our resettlement schemes.</p><p>We are listening carefully to
concerns raised on this issue by Non-Governmental Organisations and others. We are
currently reviewing our approach to family reunion as part of the Government’s wider
asylum and resettlement policy strategy. We will be following the passage of the Family
Reunion Family Member’s Bill closely and will continue our productive discussions
in this area.</p>
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