Policy background Individuals coming to the UK through safe and legal routes
The UK will maintain well-defined safe and legal routes for people in need of protection. With worldwide displacement now standing at around 100 million people, the UK cannot help everyone. Data from the United Nations Refugee Agency on resettlement shows that from 2016 to March 2023, the UK resettled over 28,000 individuals, including a large number of children, direct from regions of conflict and instability via established refugee resettlement schemes – the fourth highest number in the world (after the United States, Canada and Sweden). In total, the UK has granted permission to enter to over 500,000 people including through bespoke routes created for those from Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Ukraine.
	In his statement on 13 December 2022, the Prime Minister committed to continuing to work with the United Nations Refugee Agency to identify those most in need of sanctuary so the UK remains a safe haven for the most vulnerable. In the statement the Prime Minister said that, "the only way to come to the UK for asylum will be through safe and legal routes and, as we get a grip on illegal migration we will create more of those routes". The statement reiterates the Government's commitment to continue to provide safe and legal routes for protection, with the intention that this commitment is achieved through resettlement routes. The Prime Minister also committed to introduce an annual quota, set by Parliament in consultation with local authorities to determine the country’s capacity, and amendable in the face of humanitarian emergencies; section 60 gives effect to that commitment.
	The Government currently operates the following safe and legal routes:
	Global Resettlement Schemes:
	The UK Resettlement Scheme is the UK’s global resettlement scheme, offering a route for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees-referred refugees from priority situations. The UK Resettlement Scheme was launched in March 2021, following the closure of the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme and the Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme in February 2021; under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme the UK resettled some 20,000 refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria.
The Mandate Resettlement Scheme resettles recognised refugees with a resettlement need, who have a close family member in the UK who is willing to accommodate them.
The Community Sponsorship Scheme enables civil society - friends and neighbours, charities and faith groups - to directly support refugees resettled to the UK. This route has been used to resettle individuals predominantly from Syria and Afghanistan.
	Resettlement Schemes for Specific Contexts:
	The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme, launched in January 2022, provides a bespoke solution to 20,000 people affected by events in Afghanistan.
	Relocation/Visa routes for Specific Contexts:
	The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy, open since April 2021, provides relocation to those who served for or alongside HM Government and military in Afghanistan.
The British Nationals (Overseas) ("BN(O)") immigration route provides a pathway to settlement for BN(O) status holders and their immediate family members from Hong Kong.
Homes for Ukraine, the Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Extension Scheme, launched in early 2022, provide a three-year visa to those fleeing the war in Ukraine.