Britain To End Afghan Relocation Program By 2028

The United Kingdom government said its Afghan relocation and resettlement programs are expected to end by 2028 as authorities reduce pending applications and phase out temporary housing measures.

According to British defense officials on Monday, May 18, eligible Afghan applicants will no longer receive UK-supported transfers inside Afghanistan and must instead travel independently to a safe third country before relocation processing continues.

British officials said the decision followed an increase in successful transfers to third countries as well as concerns over operational costs and security risks.

The UK government said the backlog of pending Afghan relocation cases has fallen from around 25,000 to fewer than 17,000 after new applications closed in July 2025.

Officials estimate that fewer than 9,000 additional people remain eligible for transfer under the remaining schemes, with all outstanding cases expected to be reviewed by next spring.

Britain also announced plans to gradually close temporary accommodation centers and hotels used for Afghan arrivals as part of efforts to complete the program before the end of the current parliamentary term.

The United Kingdom launched several Afghan relocation programs following the withdrawal of Western forces and the return of the Taliban to power in 2021.

Thousands of Afghans who worked with Western governments, military missions and international organizations continue seeking relocation amid security fears, economic hardship and growing restrictions inside Afghanistan.

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