Refugee Family Reunion: Why it Matters

UNHCR

When forced to flee their home country because of war, violence or persecution, refugee families often face further trauma as they are torn apart and separated. Refugees, including women and children, may go for many years without seeing their loved ones. Some refugee families may never be reunited. Family unity is a human right, and states have a legal responsibility to put in place frameworks that enable family reunion. Not only do well-designed refugee family reunion systems offer dignified and legal routes for refugees to reach safety, but they provide a managed and controlled way for states to receive them.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, helps to safeguard refugees’ right to family unity. We work with states to help address barriers and challenges around refugee family reunion, and advocate for flexible and fast procedures to bring families back together safely, with structures that consider the specific circumstances of refugees. In December 2024, UNHCR issued updated Guidelines on international legal standards relating to family reunification for refugees and other beneficiaries of international protection.

Families belong together and the United Kingdom (UK) has a rich and proud history of reuniting refugee families in a regular, safe, dignified and managed way. Noting the temporary suspension of the existing refugee family reunion pathway to the UK, pending further review, UNHCR remains committed to working with the UK, as with other governments, to ensure a system that works for states and refugee families that takes into account the following considerations: