Government allows dependents of Gazan students to join them in the UK

In a reversal of its original policy, the government has confirmed it will now allow Gazan students to bring their partners and children with them as they begin their studies in the UK.

Previously, it was only the students with fully-funded scholarships at UK universities who could apply to be evacuated from the Gaza strip. As a result, many students were faced with the choice of pursuing their studies or leaving their families behind.

Now, the government has confirmed it will review the applications of dependents wishing to move to the UK on a “case-by-case” basis.

This policy reversal comes two weeks after a cross-party group of more than 100 MPs wrote to the government

Approval of any dependent student visa application will remain contingent on applicants’ abilities to meet specific requirements, including the ability to cover their living costs.

So far, 75 students have been evacuated from Gaza by the British government, all of them with fully-funded scholarships to complete their postgraduate studies in the UK.

Despite the changes to the government’s policy, however, six students set to study for masters’ degrees at the University of Glasgow were unable to find a place on the evacuation scheme, as they would arrive past their enrolment date.

This policy reversal comes two weeks after a cross-party group of more than 100 MPs wrote to the government detailing the dilemma faced by Palestinians of having to choose between their studies and their family’s safety.

‘[The students] can now begin to rebuild their lives through studying in our world-class universities’

Government Spokesperson

One of those prospective students, 26 year-old Loay, told The Guardian that postponing his evacuation to study at the University of Oxford was “heartbreaking”.

He added, “my wife, Hala, and our three-month-old daughter, Raseel, are my whole world. I couldn’t leave them behind in Gaza City, where life has become a daily nightmare.”

With regards to the new policy, a government spokesperson said: “Students coming from Gaza to the UK have suffered an appalling ordeal after two years of conflict. They have endured unimaginable hardship but can now begin to rebuild their lives through studying in our world-class universities.”

“That is why we are supporting the evacuation of dependents of students on scholarships who are eligible to study here under the immigration rules on a case-by-case basis.”