OVERARCHING RECCOMENDATIONS
As part of the REPAIR project, partners drew on their own experiences of family reunification combined with contributions from diaspora communities, insight from families supported by REPAIR project partners, and input from other organisations engaged in family reunification, to draw up 15 key recommendations that could help shape family reunification to better meet the realities and needs of families accessing the procedure.
FROM THE OUTSET: Address and remove barriers to families accessing reunification
For people with refugee status or under International Protection who by definition, cannot be with their families in their countries of origin, the pathway to being reunited with their families should be clear and straightforward. Unfortunately, as the REPAIR project has found, for many the family reunification process is increasingly long, complex and difficult. While reunification should be genuinely achievable for everyone who is eligible, barriers such as often inaccessible income thresholds or demands for documentation, and a lack of basic information in appropriate languages can make reunification an impossible ordeal. The narrow definition of the nuclear family, excluding dependent children who have been fostered or informally adopted, is a further obstacle, while people granted subsidiary protection often face damagingly long waiting periods before they can apply.
REPAIR partners call on authorities to:
1
Ensure families are supported to access affordable, reliable legal assistance, at the earliest opportunity.
Approximately 55% of family members interviewed through REPAIR reported difficulties in understanding the immigration procedure owing to language barriers and lack of understanding of the complex legal system. Trustworthy advice and representation must be made available so that families can have a fair access to the procedure and reunite with their loved ones.
2
Strengthen the capacities and capabilities of consular services to manage family reunification applications.
Vulnerable and at-risk families, including unaccompanied children, people with disabilities, and those exposed to unsafe situations such as active conflict areas or insecure refugee camps should be prioritised
3
Expand the definition of family to recognise the reality that families are not limited to only spouses and children under 18.
Subsidiary protection holders should have the same access to family reunification as other beneficiaries of international protection. Children should not be excluded from reunification when they are siblings, have been informally adopted or reach adulthood while an application is in process.
4
Tackle financial barriers to reunification.
The REPAIR experience showed that reunification costs - including obtaining evidence (e.g. DNA testing), travel expenses, translation and notarisation fees, and exit visas - can amount to thousands of euros/pounds, pushing families into debt or simply putting reunification out of reach. Sponsors should be allowed to submit documents in their original language to reduce translation costs, and administration fees for visas and laissez-passer should be reduced or eliminated. Unaccompanied minors should be exempt from these charges. Zero per cent interest loans should be made available to families to support reunification efforts.
REPAIR partners call on authorities and organisations to work together to:
5
Engage, coordinate with, and invest in community organisations – particularly those set up by and representing people of diaspora communities.
The REPAIR experience in collaborating with diaspora communities across the four countries has shown that these organisations represent vast repositories of knowledge, expertise and connections at both local and global levels, which have provided vital inputs into the project. Systematically engaging with them throughout the whole process as essential, equal partners in the long term is crucial.
6
Unlock access to information.
Around 40% of joining family members interviewed through REPAIR solely relied on their sponsors or their community for information and guidance on the immigration process, and both sponsors and family members reported a lack of information available in their native language and dialects. A range of communication tools must be made available to share guidance with families. Respondents advised that this should include direct communication with family members in countries of departure via email or social media; it could also include accessible videos in relevant languages, or digital tools enabling applicants to monitor the progress of their case online.
DURING THE PROCESS: Respond to the needs of families in countries of origin and transit
The REPAIR findings showed that the family reunification process can take a heavy toll on those waiting to join their loved ones, leaving them at risk in violent or unsafe situations. Approximately 50% of family members needed to travel to another country to attend the embassy of the State handling their application, a journey which often put them at risk of violence or exploitation. Several families faced the risk of becoming illegal aliens in transit countries due to visa issues, leading to additional obstacles and potential fines. Travel costs, living expenses in transit countries and securing necessary documentation all added to the financial burden on families seeking to be together.
The REPAIR partners call on authorities to:
7
Ensure decisions on family reunification applications are expedited.
The REPAIR Needs assessment showed that more than half (55%) of families in all four countries were separated for more than 2 years, with direct consequences on safety and vulnerability for women and children who often found themselves in insecure and precarious contexts. Decision-makers should strive to reduce detrimental delays in processing applications and set achievable service standards to make decisions.
8
Make the family reunification process safer.
Paperless visa applications should be accepted, especially during acute crises or for people at specific risk, to help reduce the dangerous journeys that REPAIR families have had to embark on. At a minimum, negative decisions should be communicated without requiring families to travel to embassies again for example by email or through enabling third parties to deliver this information. Any security biometric information should be taken just before the issuing of a visa to reduce the number of journeys families are required to take. Where possible, family members should be accompanied to and from airports to provide protection against harassment or fraud.
9
Proactively employ diplomacy to facilitate families’ journeys to countries of destination.
REPAIR found, many family members whose reunification applications have been approved find themselves stuck in countries of departure due to complex and costly exit requirements in countries of residence or transit. To prevent the prolongation of separation and impact on vulnerable family members, receiving countries should pursue diplomatic dialogue with peers to ensure smooth departure and reunification.
REPAIR partners call on authorities and organisations to work together to:
10
Collaborate with partners on the ground to support family reunification in countries of departure.
Relying on locally based organisations to assist family members – including international partners such as UNHCR and IOM, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and other community-based organisations enabled REPAIR partners to share consistent, trusted information about the process and safely support families. Resources such as funding and training should be made available to establish networks of recognised partners on the ground.
TOGETHER AGAIN: Support reunited families
Reunited families need to reconnect emotionally, at the same time as adjusting to the practical challenges of life in a new country. This can be overwhelming, with family members feeling lost or isolated. Simple support measures can make the world of difference. To facilitate successful integration, it is crucial to involve local stakeholders — including local authorities and administrators, service providers, educational communities, NGOs, employers, and religious organizations — in both the planning and implementation of activities supporting integration.
REPAIR partners call on authorities and organisations to: