The suspension of refugee family reunion visas risks leaving women and children stranded in war zones, forcing families apart and cutting off one of the few safe routes to the UK.
Women and children make up 92% of refugee family reunion visas.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has temporarily suspended family reunion visas for refugees while the visa is reviewed. This risks leaving women and children in war zones, unable to join their husbands and fathers.
Typical patterns for refugees coming to the UK are for the men to take the dangerous journey first, followed by the women and children, with a formalised route.
“Family reunion should be easier, not harder.”
It is well documented that forced migration has gendered impacts. This is seen in Europe, with only 31% of asylum seekers being women compared with 50% of displaced people worldwide. Restricting family reunion visas will only serve to further prevent these women from reaching safety.
With the announcement of this policy, Jon Featonby, chief policy analyst at the Refugee Council, took to Bluesky: “In the year to June 2025, 92% of refugee family reunion visas were given to women and children. More than half went to children. Two-thirds to people from Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran and Sudan. It helps integration and provides a safe route. Family reunion should be easier, not harder.”
The Home Secretary’s announcement comes as tensions rise over housing asylum seekers in hotels across the country. A policy which is frowned upon by both migration critics and refugee charities.
While asylum seekers await the outcome of their refugee status, which can take more than a year, they are banned from working and forced to live off £7 a day. Only if and when they are granted refugee status can they apply to bring their family. However, this could all change.
Jon Featonby said: “The immigration white paper proposed putting in financial and language requirements. Financial requirements for refugees who have been stuck in the asylum system, unable to work, and language requirements for children escaping war zones.
“This will either force families to stay split up, leaving thousands of women and children in extremely dangerous situations, or it will force them into dangerous journeys. Either way, this has terrible consequences.”
The suspension and future changes of the family reunion visa for refugees are likely to put women and children in danger. It will split up families, forcing dangerous journeys and leaving vulnerable people in war zones.
