Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how her department plans to facilitate biometrics checks in Gaza following the statement by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to the House on 24th June 2026 regarding the resumption of medical evacuations and student pathways.

All individuals who enter the UK as part of the Medevac and Student processes will be subject to robust security checks and will be required to submit their biometrics ahead of travel. This is a vital way of protecting the UK public from individuals who pose any national security, criminality or safeguarding risks.

Where individuals are approved for travel from Gaza, the Government will work with the authorities of a third country to facilitate the enrolment of biometrics before onward travel to the UK. We may waive in-person biometric requirements only for individuals medically certified as too ill to enrol. All those accompanying such individuals must also provide their biometrics in person and present valid travel documentation for everyone.

We are not able to offer a running commentary on operational matters. HMG will work closely with authorities in a third country to ensure individuals undertake biometric checks before coming to the UK.

Supporting Medevac and Student departures is a coordinated effort across HMG. Departures from Gaza remain highly complex and dependent on factors outside the UK Government’s control. As such, travel and timelines cannot be guaranteed.