The UK Government’s recent suspension of new applications under the refugee family reunion route, introduced in early September 2025, is poised to shift the gender composition of those granted refugee status, according to analysis by the University of Oxford’s Migration Observatory. Historically, women and girls have made up 92% of recipients of family reunion visas from 2010 to 2024, a figure reflecting their greater use of this legal pathway to join family members in the UK.

This suspension, part of broader immigration reforms slated for a new framework expected by spring 2026, is expected to increase the proportion of men among successful refugee status applicants. Since 2018, the profile of asylum seekers arriving via irregular routes, such as small boats crossing the Channel, has been predominantly male—reaching as high as 80% in 2021, though this share eased to 71% in 2024. The research notes that women are generally less likely to undertake such perilous irregular crossings and more reliant on humanitarian visas, making the family reunion route crucial for female refugees.

Researcher Dr Nuni Jorgensen from the Migration Observatory highlighted that the immediate effect of suspending the family reunion visa will likely be a male-skewed increase in grants of asylum and visas. However, the longer-term consequences remain uncertain and could potentially lead to more women attempting unauthorized entry to the UK if legal avenues remain closed. This concern is echoed by refugee organisations and some MPs, who warn that the suspension might inadvertently encourage irregular migration, undermining the Government’s objectives of reducing perilous Channel crossings and disrupting smuggling networks.

The suspension has faced criticism from the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee, which cautioned that the Home Office implemented this policy without comprehensive data analysis or clear plans to monitor its impact. The committee expressed particular concern about the potential disproportionate effects on women and children, urging the Government to track and report on the policy’s consequences throughout the suspension period.

The gender dynamics of UK immigration have also been shaped by other recent policy changes, particularly concerning student visas and sector-specific work permits. Before Brexit, female students formed a majority of main student visa applicants, but the 2024 ban on dependants joining international students in the UK has reversed this trend, with women now representing only 46% of student visa holders. The Migration Observatory’s report suggests this shift is partly because female students were more likely to bring family dependants.

Similarly, visa categories linked to the care sector and the Ukraine family scheme have predominantly featured women. Between 2021 and 2024, women accounted for 69% of visas issued under the Ukraine scheme, and 71% of partner visas for British citizens. Meanwhile, work visas reflect job sector gender patterns, with seasonal agricultural work overwhelmingly male-dominated at 74%, and health and social care visas skewing 70% female.

The UK Government defends the suspension and policy revisions as necessary measures to control illegal migration and ensure a fair and sustainable asylum system. According to official statements reported by Reuters, the aim is to reduce the flow of asylum seekers crossing illegally from France and to tackle exploitation by smuggling gangs. Yet, human rights advocates and refugee groups remain apprehensive about the humanitarian repercussions and potential risks the suspension poses for vulnerable migrants seeking safety and family reunification.

As the Government prepares to unveil its revised family reunion rules by spring 2026, the unfolding policy adjustments will be closely watched for their broader impact on migration flows, gender equity in asylum access, and the welfare of refugees separated from their families.

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Source: Noah Wire Services