Immigration: Afghanistan

(asked on 27th March 2019) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons a waiver from Indefinite Leave to Remain fees was granted to the 150 Afghan Interpreters who aided the British Army during Operation Herrick.


Answered by
Caroline Nokes Portrait
Caroline Nokes
This question was answered on 4th April 2019

In May 2018, the Home Secretary announced that Afghan interpreters, who worked alongside British Forces in Afghanistan, and their family members who relocate to the UK can apply for settlement free of charge after five years’ residence here.

It was never our intention to expect Afghan local staff who relocated to the UK to return to Afghanistan. The changes to the Immigration Rules pro-vide reassurance that they can continue to build their lives and future in the UK. In addition, given the risks that Afghan interpreters faced, includ-ing threats to safety, as a direct result of their work alongside UK forces on the front line, we believe it was appropriate to provide a fee exemption.

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