Introduction of transparency data for ARAP eligibility case working

Question 1

1. Types of ARAP Eligibility Application听

Accepted Answer

The data provided will include听figures听for the听following types of听ARAP applications:听听

ARAP Applications -听where an individual has applied to the ARAP scheme for the first time and is awaiting an eligibility decision.听
ARAP Review Applications - where an individual has requested a review of the听initial听decision on their ARAP application after being found ineligible.听
ARAP Re-applications 鈥撎齱here an听ARAP applicant previously found ineligible for ARAP re-applied after completing both the ARAP application and ARAP Review processes (if applicable).听
ARAP Additional Family Member Applications (AFM) - where an individual has听submitted听an AFM application is awaiting an eligibility decision.听
ARAP AFM Review Applications - where an individual has requested a review of听an initial听ineligible decision on their AFM application.听

Question 2

2. Performance听

Accepted Answer

The MOD has historically听received听more applications than were ever expected for this relocation scheme. ARAP was not intended as a broad or general relocation scheme and was only ever for听Afghan citizens who worked for or with the UK Government in Afghanistan in exposed or meaningful roles.听

Certain applications may be听decided in shorter听timeframes听than standard processing times. This typically occurs when the application does not meet the requirements set out on 扒哥吃瓜. Common examples include:听

The applicant has provided invalid contact details, preventing successful communication.听听
The applicant has failed to听respond to requests for information听to enable a decision.听
A review request is听submitted听prior to the issuance of an ineligible decision.听听
A review request cannot be reconciled with the details of听ARAP or ARAP AFM application.听

The MOD is making strong progress in decision-making, however full KPI compliance will take time given numerous factors. These include:

Surge periods: A听surge听period is defined as a month(s) when a significantly higher-than-average number of ARAP eligibility听applications听were received, specifically experienced as a notable spike as opposed to a gradual increase in applications. The surge months can correlate to increased media coverage of the ARAP scheme, like Parliamentary updates on the Triples Review or announced policy changes, like changes to the ARAP Additional Family Member (AFM) policy.听
The temporary and or unexpected pauses in ARAP听decision-making听during policy development.鈥疶his includes the near pause in decision making for ARAP AFM and AFM Review applications听for听a period听following听the publication of the听Rimmer Review in June 2025听after which the risk framework for听those applications was re-assessed.鈥疨reparatory and casework activities were鈥痬aintained鈥痶hroughout this period, with decisions鈥痓eing made鈥痑nd communicated upon the conclusion of the pause.听
The听prioritisation of听decisions on first time ARAP applications听and AFM applications. This may have had an adverse impact on ARAP Re-applications, ARAP Reviews, and AFM Reviews,听which will听have exceeded听KPI听timelines before听KPIs听were introduced.听听

We expect to听see an听upward trend in month-on-month听performance, including听decision making and听KPI听compliance听going forward.听听

Transparency in casework performance is key to driving improvements in case handling times. By sharing results openly, even when听KPIs听are still evolving, we create opportunities for continuous progress听and improvement.听

Question 3

3. Definitions听

Accepted Answer

This section听defines听key terms used听in听the published data, aiming听to ensure clarity and consistency by听explaining听terminology听specific to听ARAP听casework.听

3.1 Applications Received听

An application or review request has been received when an individual has applied using the online form for ARAP or to request a review, or via email for an AFM application.听

3.2 Decision Made听

An application has been resolved or a decision made when an听electronic letter informing the applicant about the outcome of their application is issued.听

3.3 Surge Period听

A surge period is defined as a month(s)听when a significantly higher-than-average number of ARAP eligibility applications were received.听

3.4 Complex听

A complex ARAP casework decision is typically one where there are听additional听or wider factors to consider in how the published policy applies. This can include but is not limited to cases where an applicant had been dismissed due to misconduct, cases under Category 4, or those with,听a high level听of sensitivity that requires听additional听scrutiny, which could include cross-departmental input and can require ministerial endorsement.鈥€齖u003c/p>

3.5 Non-Complex听

A non-complex ARAP eligibility casework decision is one that, within the published ARAP policy framework, can be assessed by the MOD needing only routine checks and there are no听additional听or wider factors to consider in the application of policy. No ministerial endorsement is听required.鈥齖u003c/p>

3.6 ARAP Casework听KPIs听

The听KPIs听commit to the following听timeframes听against听different types听of ARAP casework decisions:鈥齖u003c/p>

Make 60% of non-complex decisions in 6 months.鈥齖u003c/li>
Make 95% of non-complex decisions in 9 months.鈥齖u003c/li>
Make 100% of non-complex decisions in 12 months.鈥齖u003c/li>
Make 60% of complex decisions in 9 months.鈥齖u003c/li>
Make month on month improvement.

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