Afghan service Frequently Asked Questions
Afghan service Frequently Asked Questions
I am seeking asylum in the UK / I did not come to the UK on a resettlement scheme. Am I eligible for this service?
You do not need to have come to the UK on a resettlement scheme to be eligible for our service.
You are eligible if you needed to relocate due to risks to you and your family related to your work with the UK Government. Some of our clients have arrived on the ARAP or Ex-Gratia schemes. Others have sought asylum in the UK due to fears for their safety due to their work in Afghanistan with the UK Army or UK Government.
If you are currently living in England and previously were locally employed for or alongside the UK Armed forces or British Government in Afghanistan, then you can refer yourself to our service here for support with your mental health difficulties.
Can I access support from your service if I did not work for the British Government or supported the British Armed Forces?
We are not able to accept referrals for Afghan individuals who did not work directly for or closely alongside the British Government or British Armed Forces while in Afghanistan.
If you require mental health support and are currently living in the UK, please speak to your GP or see here for local mental health services in your area.
Can I get mental health support for my family member(s) or children?
At the moment, we can only offer mental health support to those who directly worked for the British Government or British Armed Forces – not their family members. We can offer some support for carers of our clients in relation to their caring role.
Please fill in our referral form online or contact us if you would like mental health support.
I need immigration support to resettle to the UK – can you help?
We are not able to help with immigration. We are a mental health service for people who are already living in England.
We suggest applying to the UK Government ARAP scheme if you are eligible. You can find their information on the UK Government website. The application form is here.
If you have already applied to the ARAP scheme, and were deemed ineligible, you have the right to seek a review of your decision – you can access their ARAP review form here.
If you want legal advice about family reunification, you can get this from the Afghan Pro-Bono service. They do have a waiting list for their advice. Please email details of your case to: cases@afghanprobono.org.uk
They also have a newsletter, which answers a lot of questions about migration.
I am living in the UK, but my family members are still in Afghanistan – can you help?
We are not able to help with immigration. We are a mental health service for people who are already living in England.
If you want legal advice about family reunification, you can get this from the Afghan Pro-Bono service. They do have a waiting list for their advice. Please email details of your case to: cases@afghanprobono.org.uk
They also have a newsletter, which answers a lot of questions about migration.
You can also seek advice from your local community law centre.
I need support but I live in Scotland – who can I contact?
We are a mental health service for people who are living in England.
Please speak with your GP to access mental health support in Scotland.
However, if you supported the British Armed Forces while in Afghanistan but now live in Scotland, then you can also contact ‘Veterans First Point’ on https://www.veteransfirstpoint.org.uk/. Veterans First Point support people from Afghanistan whom can provide evidence that they served to support HM forces. If they have military experience of this nature then they can contact Veterans.Enquiries@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk.
Veterans First Point do not accept civilians from Afghanistan; however, there are a number of alternative services to support these individuals in Scotland and they are happy to provide further details.
I need support but I live in Wales – who can I contact?
We are a mental health service for people who are living in England.
Please speak with your GP to access mental health support in Wales.
For further information online on local support available to you, please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/mental-health-support/ or NHS 111 Wales.
We are not currently aware of a similar veteran’s service for Afghan interpreters or other locally employed civilians who supported the British Armed Forces and are now living in Wales.
Where can I get some ARAP immigration advice?
The Afghan Pro Bono Initiative ("APBI") has prepared an ARAP self-help guide in English, Dari and Pashto. The guide is aimed at giving Afghan people and their families the tools to pursue their ARAP application, including a review after refusal, on their own in the absence of an advisor assisting them.
You can access the guide in three languages here: