The requirement for biometric enrolment presents a significant hurdle for the family members of British citizens seeking to apply for visas to travel to the UK, even for short periods to reunite with family or seek essential medical care. The recent amendments to the policy by the Home Office, seemingly in response to the crisis in Gaza, have further tightened the already stringent rules governing the circumstances under which biometric enrolment deferral is permitted, making them exceedingly difficult to satisfy.
For Palestinian nationals attempting to leave Gaza and seek refuge in Egypt, the bureaucratic challenges persist. Access to appointments for biometric enrolment at the Cairo visa application center is severely limited, leaving visa applications in limbo and families separated while awaiting available slots. This predicament also affects applicants who lack permission to remain in Egypt and lack the means to travel to the UK to be with their loved ones.
There is optimism that the Home Office will adopt a more pragmatic approach to applications, such as those made by Bassem Abudagga’s family, and begin to demonstrate the compassion they deserve.
