UNHCR is receiving a number of questions from Afghans about the possibility of reuniting with family members living outside Afghanistan. Family re-unification programs, and who might qualify for these programs, are established by individual countries. Applications to access these programs are not submitted through UNHCR, but through the procedure established by that country.
Links to the details of some family reunification programs are below. UNHCR will work to update this list to include details on family reunification programs of other countries. In the meantime, if you are seeking information about a family reunification program in a country that is not below, please search for “family reunification” on the government website of the country about which you are interested.
🇦🇺 Australia 🇦🇺
If you have family members in Australia, there may be family reunification or sponsored visa options available to you. Please visit our Help Australia page for more information.
🇦🇹 Austria 🇦🇹
If you were separated from your family members who are now in Austria, you may be able to join them in Austria under particular conditions that you can find here.
🇧🇪 Belgium 🇧🇪
If you were separated from your family members who are now in Belgium, you may be able to join them in Belgium under particular conditions. You can find more information and other requirements like having a visa here.
🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦
For more information on family reunification to Bosnia and Herzegovina, please visit our Bosnia and Herzegovina Help page.
🇨🇦 Canada 🇨🇦
🇭🇷 Croatia 🇭🇷
According to Croatian legislation, if your family member has been granted international protection (asylum or subsidiary protection) you have the right to come to Croatia and continue living there. For more information on who is eligible, please visit our Help Croatia webpage.
🇩🇪 Germany 🇩🇪
You may be able to join your family in Germany depending on the type of legal status they have and your relationship to them. You can find information on who is eligible to apply for family reunification in Germany, how to apply and who can help you here.
🇮🇪 Ireland 🇮🇪
If you were separated from your family members who are now in Ireland, you may be able to join them in Ireland under particular conditions. You can find out who is eligible and how to apply here.
🇳🇱 Netherlands 🇳🇱
If you were separated from your family members who are now in the Netherlands, you may be able to join them in the Netherlands under particular conditions. You can find more information here and be directed to information from the Dutch Council for Refugees who can inform you about the process.
🇳🇿 New Zealand 🇳🇿
If you have family members in New Zealand, there may be family reunification or sponsored visa options available to you. Please visit our Help New Zealand page for more information.
🇨🇭 Switzerland 🇨🇭
If your core family is in Switzerland, you may join them under certain conditions. Whether you can join your family will ultimately depend on their legal status in Switzerland. For information on who is eligible and more details, please visit our Help Switzerland webpage.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇬🇧
You may be able to join your family in the UK depending on the type of legal status they have and your relationship to them. You can find information on who is eligible to apply for family reunification in the UK, how to apply and who can help you here.
🇺🇸 United States 🇺🇸
If your relative has entered the United States as a resettled refugee or been granted asylum in the United States, they may be eligible to petition for you to join them in the United States. For more information on the available family reunification processes, please visit our Help USA page.
Related information
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