More than 70 British Members of Parliament have urged the UK government to waive biometric visa requirements for approximately 80 Palestinian students from Gaza who have been accepted into academic programs at UK universities. The students are currently unable to complete mandatory biometric enrollment due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the closure of the region’s only UK visa application center in October 2023.
Biometric Checks Inaccessible Due to Conflict
UK visa policy mandates that applicants submit fingerprints and a digital photograph as part of identity verification and security screening. These biometric requirements are standard procedure across all visa categories. However, with no functioning visa center in Gaza since October, and given the Israeli siege, continued bombardment, and blockades affecting travel, the affected students cannot meet this requirement in time for the upcoming academic term.
Labour MPs Abtisam Mohamed and Barry Gardiner are leading the call for an exemption. In a letter signed by more than 70 MPs, they wrote: “Even before the war, leaving Gaza to pursue higher education was a complex process. The ongoing siege and restrictions made travel extremely difficult, but in the current state of constant bombardment, shootings at aid sites, and an IPC-declared famine, this process has become all but impossible.”
The MPs’ letter refers to around 80 students who have secured placements at UK universities and must arrive by September to begin their studies. While some news outlets have previously reported a smaller figure, the most recent statements from Parliament cite the higher number.
Support from Civil Society and International Comparisons
Advocacy for the students has extended beyond Parliament. The Cambridge Students’ Union issued an open letter calling the situation “a matter of life or death,” citing reports that some of the affected students have died while awaiting visas. The letter urges immediate action to prevent further tragedy and facilitate safe passage for the remaining students.
Several European countries have already taken steps to assist students from Gaza. Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, and Italy have introduced measures such as emergency visas, biometric deferrals, and coordinated evacuations. These efforts have allowed students to reach higher education institutions across Europe despite the difficult circumstances in Gaza.
Barry Gardiner emphasized the long-term value of allowing the students to attend their programs, stating: “These youngsters are coming over here with that full range of study potential, with the express intention of going back and building their nation.” He described the students as resilient, courageous, and committed to using education to improve conditions in their home region.
With the new academic year approaching, pressure is growing for the UK Home Office to follow the lead of other European countries and offer temporary biometric waivers or alternative processing options to students from Gaza.
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
