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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Geneva Abdul

Home Office accused of ‘blocking’ people stuck in war zones from joining family in UK

Palestinian children walk past the rubble of buildings
Palestinian children walk past the rubble of buildings in Gaza, where visa application centres have been forced to close by the conflict. Photograph: Mohammed Salem/Reuters

The UK government’s family reunification policy has been criticised by charities and MPs after data revealed how Home Office bureaucracy was making it impossible for people stranded in war zones, such as Gaza and Sudan, to reunite with family members in the UK.

Existing policy is supposed to allow those in need of resettlement the opportunity to join relatives in the UK. In order to apply for family reunion visas, applicants must submit biometrics – usually a fingerprint and a photograph – at appointments at a visa application centre (VAC) in their country of residence.

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