The allocation of resources across competing demands within the immigration system requires that prioritisation decisions are made, but the Home Office continues to work hard to meet the timescales set out in public guidance for the processing of AR applications.

The allocation of resources across competing demands within the immigration system requires that prioritisation decisions are made, but the Home Office continues to work hard to meet the timescales set out in public guidance for the processing of AR applications.

The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues.

We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year. Further details will be set out in the normal way in due course, and where necessary, will be subject to consultation.

Biometrics underpin the UK immigration system to support identity assurance and suitability checks on foreign nationals who are subject to immigration control.

In most circumstances, foreign nationals who are required to apply for entry clearance to come to the UK are required to enrol their biometrics in the form of a facial image and fingerprints as part of the application process at a visa application centre.

We will accept applications from those in Gaza, at any of the UK’s Visa Application Centres. Customers can visit Welcome to VFS Global | vfsglobal for an up to date list of Visa Application Centres in the region.

Palestinian nationals who wish to come to the UK and do not have a current UK visa can apply under one of the existing visa routes available.

The routes available for families to reunite will depend on the status of the sponsor. Options available may include appendix family reunion, appendix family migration - where the sponsor is a British national or has indefinite leave, and can also include dependents of those with most work or certain postgraduate study visas.

Any application for a UK visa will be assessed against the requirements of the Immigration Rules.

It is the decision of the Israeli authorities as to who can leave Gaza.

Since 7 October 2023, the Home Office have granted 143 predetermination requests, and 5 biometric excusal requests to Palestinians located in Gaza.

The Home Office is aware from legal representatives that two Palestinian nationals located in Gaza died before their applications for predetermination/bio excusal had been concluded.

Since 7 October 2023, the Home Office have granted 143 predetermination requests, and 5 biometric excusal requests to Palestinians located in Gaza.

The Home Office is aware from legal representatives that two Palestinian nationals located in Gaza died before their applications for predetermination/bio excusal had been concluded.

Since 7 October 2023, the Home Office have granted 143 predetermination requests, and 5 biometric excusal requests to Palestinians located in Gaza.

The Home Office is aware from legal representatives that two Palestinian nationals located in Gaza died before their applications for predetermination/bio excusal had been concluded.

In most circumstances, foreign nationals who are required to apply for entry clearance to come to the UK are required to enrol their biometrics in the form of a facial image and fingerprints as part of the application process.

The Visa Application Centre in Gaza has been closed since 7 October 2023 due to the conflict in the region and to ensure the safety of staff and customers. UKVI will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with the supplier, VFS, to re-open the centre when it becomes safe to do so.

In the interim, those who wish to make a UK visa application are required to enrol their biometrics at an alternative Visa Application Centre. For those in OPT this includes Ramallah or Jerusalem. Customers can visit Welcome to VFS Global | vfsglobal for an up to date list of Visa Application Centres in the region.

The Government is working with the Israeli, Jordanian and Egyptian authorities to identify alternative safe routes for British nationals and other eligible people to leave Gaza. Ultimately, it is at the discretion of the Israeli authorities as to who can leave Gaza.

We have taken a number of steps to support people with the rollout and transition to eVisas.

We are running targeted communications to raise awareness of the decommissioning of physical immigration documents and our move to eVisas, and to encourage people to create a UKVI account and access their eVisa. This includes developing various communications materials, informative videos, guidance available at www.gov.uk/evisa, and engagement with stakeholders.

Support is available through the eVisa grant funded network of organisations for vulnerable holders of physical immigration documents who require support in making the transition to eVisa. There are a number of national grant funded bodies and community-based organisations spread across the UK, which offer immediate, free support for vulnerable people in their transition to an eVisa throughout the rest of 2024, and beyond. Details of support available, including the list of organisations is available on GOV.UK at: eVisa: community support for vulnerable people - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Our Assisted Digital service is available in the UK to provide individual support by phone, email and in-person to those with low/no digital skills or access, or who require assistance with IT-related aspects of creating a UKVI account.

People can also contact the UKVI Resolution Centre, which provides support via email and webchat to those creating their UKVI account, and telephone support to those using the online immigration status services.

Where a person is unable to manage their own affairs due to, for example, age or disability, a ‘proxy’, who is authorised, can create and manage the account on behalf of the person.

People can also nominate a ‘helper’ and give them limited access to their account, so that they can assist with creating a UKVI account, completing details to access an eVisa, and with any immigration application.

Successful visa applicants receive written confirmation by email or letter that they have been granted permission, which they can keep for their personal records. Where this document cannot be used as evidence of their status, these printed documents can be used when interacting with the Home Office should any subsequent issues be encountered with their eVisa. Customers may also wish to print out their eVisa profile page if they would like a physical version for their own records.

We are taking further steps to reduce the number of circumstances where people need to provide evidence of their immigration status, by developing services to make the relevant immigration status information available automatically through system to system checks with other government departments and the NHS, removing the need for people to prove their status themselves.

We have enabled transport operators including airlines, ferries, and international trains to securely and automatically access the immigration status of passengers travelling on their services when they present their passport which is linked to their eVisa for a more convenient journey. We have also established a 24/7 Carrier Support Hub in case a carrier does not receive confirmation of the passenger’s immigration status.

A partner pack of readily shareable content, including factsheets and social media content, has been developed and shared with other government departments and third-party support networks which they can use to disseminate eVisa information to people with whom they engage. We have also issued press notices about the transition to eVisas, and delivered detailed media briefings with UK and International media outlets.

The Home Office is moving to a digital immigration system, and there are no plans to issue physical documents in future.

Successful visa applicants receive written confirmation by email or letter that they have been granted permission and have a digital immigration status, which they can keep for their personal records. These printed documents can be used when interacting with the Home Office should any subsequent issues be encountered with their eVisa. People may also wish to print out their eVisa profile page if they would like a physical version for their own records. However, these documents cannot be used as evidence of their status.

We have taken a number of steps to support people with the rollout and transition to eVisas.

We are running targeted communications to raise awareness of the decommissioning of physical immigration documents and our move to eVisas, and to encourage people to create a UKVI account and access their eVisa. This includes developing various communications materials, informative videos, guidance available at www.gov.uk/evisa, and engagement with stakeholders.

Support is available through the eVisa grant funded network of organisations for vulnerable holders of physical immigration documents who require support in making the transition to eVisa. There are a number of national grant funded bodies and community-based organisations spread across the UK, which offer immediate, free support for vulnerable people in their transition to an eVisa throughout the rest of 2024, and beyond. Details of support available, including the list of organisations is available on GOV.UK at: eVisa: community support for vulnerable people - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Our Assisted Digital service is available in the UK to provide individual support by phone, email and in-person to those with low/no digital skills or access, or who require assistance with IT-related aspects of creating a UKVI account.

People can also contact the UKVI Resolution Centre, which provides support via email and webchat to those creating their UKVI account, and telephone support to those using the online immigration status services.

Where a person is unable to manage their own affairs due to, for example, age or disability, a ‘proxy’, who is authorised, can create and manage the account on behalf of the person.

People can also nominate a ‘helper’ and give them limited access to their account, so that they can assist with creating a UKVI account, completing details to access an eVisa, and with any immigration application.

Successful visa applicants receive written confirmation by email or letter that they have been granted permission, which they can keep for their personal records. Where this document cannot be used as evidence of their status, these printed documents can be used when interacting with the Home Office should any subsequent issues be encountered with their eVisa. Customers may also wish to print out their eVisa profile page if they would like a physical version for their own records.

We are taking further steps to reduce the number of circumstances where people need to provide evidence of their immigration status, by developing services to make the relevant immigration status information available automatically through system to system checks with other government departments and the NHS, removing the need for people to prove their status themselves.

We have enabled transport operators including airlines, ferries, and international trains to securely and automatically access the immigration status of passengers travelling on their services when they present their passport which is linked to their eVisa for a more convenient journey. We have also established a 24/7 Carrier Support Hub in case a carrier does not receive confirmation of the passenger’s immigration status.

A partner pack of readily shareable content, including factsheets and social media content, has been developed and shared with other government departments and third-party support networks which they can use to disseminate eVisa information to people with whom they engage. We have also issued press notices about the transition to eVisas, and delivered detailed media briefings with UK and International media outlets.

The Home Office is moving to a digital immigration system, and there are no plans to issue physical documents in future.

Successful visa applicants receive written confirmation by email or letter that they have been granted permission and have a digital immigration status, which they can keep for their personal records. These printed documents can be used when interacting with the Home Office should any subsequent issues be encountered with their eVisa. People may also wish to print out their eVisa profile page if they would like a physical version for their own records. However, these documents cannot be used as evidence of their status.

The new service will cover the policies in place across all visa routes where there is a requirement for language ability to be tested as part of the visa application process.

The Government is determined to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and rapidly increase aid, ensuring humanitarian support is reaching people there.

There are existing provisions that allow Palestinians to come to the UK for Private Medical Treatment under the Immigration Rules. Where a relevant application is made consideration will be given to exceptional circumstances or where there are compelling or compassionate grounds.

It should be noted that the World Health Organisation (WHO) position is that people who are medically evacuated should stay as close to home as possible, so that they remain amongst those who are more likely to understand their language and culture, and so that their return home, when ready, is easier.

The Government is determined to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and rapidly increase aid, ensuring humanitarian support is reaching people there.

There are existing provisions that allow Palestinians to come to the UK for Private Medical Treatment under the Immigration Rules. Where a relevant application is made consideration will be given to exceptional circumstances or where there are compelling or compassionate grounds.

It should be noted that the World Health Organisation (WHO) position is that people who are medically evacuated should stay as close to home as possible, so that they remain amongst those who are more likely to understand their language and culture, and so that their return home, when ready, is easier.

The Home Secretary set out in her written statement of the 30 July 2024, the Government will continue with the measures announced by the previous government on 23 May in response to the Migration Advisory Committee review of the Graduate route.

The Government values the economic and academic contribution that international students make to this country, including those here on the Graduate route, and that is why it is important to ensure that the system is effective and not open to abuse.

Net migration statistics are produced by the independent Office for National Statistics (ONS).