Submitted by Cairah Areej Ahmed on Wednesday 11th October 2023
Published on Wednesday 18th October 2023
Current status: Closed
Closed: Thursday 18th April 2024
Signatures: 103,823
Relevant Departments
Create a Palestinian Family Visa Scheme for Palestinian people affected by war
We want the government to take action and create a Visa scheme that allows Palestinian individuals affected by war, to be allowed into the UK. Just like we did for Ukraine.
This visa would provide them with an opportunity to seek refuge and reunite with their families safely in the UK. By implementing this visa, the government can demonstrate its commitment to compassion, inclusivity, and supporting those who have endured the hardships of war. Together, let's urge the government to enact policies that provide a lifeline for Palestinians seeking safety and a chance to rebuild their lives safely.
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The Government responded to this petition on Thursday 21st December 2023
There are no plans to introduce bespoke arrangements for people arriving from the region. Those wishing to come to the UK who currently have no visa can apply under one of the existing visa routes.
The UK Government is monitoring the situation in Israel and Gaza closely to ensure that it is able to respond appropriately.
We recognise that some people impacted by the events in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories may wish to join family in the UK. The Government is working with authorities across the region to facilitate the repatriation of British citizens and their family members who already hold permission to come to the UK.
There are currently no plans to introduce bespoke arrangements for people arriving from the region who do not hold permission to come to the UK. That means that immediate family members of British citizens, and those settled in the UK, who wish to come and live in the UK and do not have a current UK visa can apply under one of the existing family visa routes. Individuals who meet these criteria should apply for a visa to enable them to enter the UK in the normal way. Fee waivers are available to those who can not afford the application fee, and exceptional circumstances may be taken into account where certain requirements are not met.
UK Visas and Immigration is working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in supporting family members of British nationals evacuated from Gaza who require a visa, signposting the necessary steps and expediting appointments at the Visa Application Centre (VAC). VACs in the region such as Egypt, Jordan and Turkey are open and offering a full service.
Since 2015, over half a million people were offered safe and legal routes into the UK. This includes over 28,600 individuals resettled to the UK under its global UNHCR resettlement schemes, which include the UK Resettlement Scheme, Community Sponsorship and the Mandate Resettlement Scheme. However, our approach must be considered in the round, rather than on a crisis-by-crisis basis.
Home Office
This petition has reached the threshold for a Parliamentary debate, but the debate has not yet been scheduled.
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