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<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. Our policy makes clear there is discretion to grant
visas outside the Immigration Rules, which caters for extended family members in exceptional
circumstances – including young adult sons or daughters who are dependent on family
here and living in dangerous situations.</p><p>The Government is listening carefully
to calls to extend family reunion and we will continue our productive discussions
with key partners on this complex and sensitive issue.</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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