Afghan family denied UK visas to reunite with son evacuated from Kabul

In February 2023, a family in Afghanistan applied for UK family reunion visas to join their son, Ahmad, who was evacuated during the chaotic Operation Pitting in 2021. Ahmad, then 10 years old, was brought to the UK with his uncle and aunt as part of a larger evacuation effort that saw around 15,000 individuals leave Afghanistan amid the Taliban's resurgence. The Home Office rejected the family's visa application in June 2023, claiming that Ahmad, now 13, was not a valid sponsor and that the family had not demonstrated exceptional dependency on him. The Home Office's decision was based on their assessment that the family was not at exceptional risk in Afghanistan, despite the father's claims of working with foreign forces. The letter from the Home Office indicated that they placed little weight on the family's assertion of being severely restricted by the Taliban, as they had managed to obtain identity documents since the regime took control. This dismissal has left the family feeling hopeless and distressed, as they have been separated from their son for three years. Ahmad has been living with his uncle and aunt in the UK, where he has started school. However, his mental health has reportedly deteriorated due to the separation, leading to night terrors and anxiety about his family's safety. His aunt emphasized the importance of family unity, especially for a child of Ahmad's age. Legal representatives from the Afghan pro bono initiative are currently appealing the Home Office's decision, hoping that a new separated families visa route announced in July 2023 may provide a pathway for reunification. Advocates for the family are urging the government to reconsider their application, highlighting the emotional toll of the separation on Ahmad and his family.