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United KingdomAsylum & protectionLast checked October 30, 2026

UK Resettlement Scheme and community sponsorship routes

referral only; capped · Official name: UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS); Named Community Sponsorship and Refugee Study routes

The UK resettles a small, capped number of refugees from abroad. People cannot apply themselves: UNHCR and the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) identify and refer them. The Home Secretary reopened the UK Resettlement Scheme for new referrals on 28 Sep 2026, with about 1 in 4 referrals expected to be Afghan women and girls and Palestinian refugees. New community sponsorship routes are being set up: charities could apply to become lead sponsors from 29 Oct 2026, with first arrivals through Named Community Sponsorship and Refugee Study expected in autumn 2027, and a refugee work route opening for applications in spring 2027. A cap will be set each year; arrivals are expected to start in the hundreds.

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Life in United Kingdom

Finance

3

Currency

British Pound

GBP

British Pound

Cost of living

92

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

20–45%

Income tax (national)

VAT 20% · social security 8%

Personal allowance GBP 12,570 (tapered away above GBP 100,000); 40% from GBP 50,271 and 45% above GBP 125,140. Scotland sets different bands and rates.

Official rates, 2026/27 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

6.7

#27 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

Who it’s for

Refugees outside the UK who are referred by UNHCR or IRAP, or who will be named by an accredited community sponsor or university under the new routes.

Eligibility

  • Referral only

    There is no application form; UNHCR and IRAP identify and refer refugees, working with UK local authorities.

    Reopened for new referrals on 28 Sep 2026
    • First arrivals were expected before the end of 2026
    Official wording

    There is no application form for refugees. UNHCR and IRAP identify and refer refugees for the UK Resettlement Scheme, working with UK local authorities. The scheme reopened for new referrals on 28 Sep 2026; first arrivals were expected before the end of 2026.

  • Priority groups

    The Home Office expects around a quarter of referrals to be Afghan women and girls and Palestinian refugees.

    Official wording

    The Home Office expects around a quarter of referrals to be Afghan women and girls and Palestinian refugees.

  • Annual cap

    The routes are capped and controlled, with a cap set each year based on communities' capacity to sponsor.

    • Arrivals expected to start in the hundreds and grow to the low thousands
    • No cap figure was published on the pages read
    Official wording

    The routes are "capped and controlled", with a cap set each year based on communities' capacity to sponsor. The Home Office expects arrivals across UKRS and the new community routes to start in the hundreds and grow to the low thousands. No cap figure was published on the pages read.

SourceUK Resettlement Scheme reopens for new referralsgov.ukChecked Oct 30, 2026

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