Lord Massey of Hampstead

The Government has outlined plans to support the departure from Gaza of a group of Chevening Scholars and students with full scholarships so they can take up university places in the UK in Autumn for the 2025/26 academic year.

We are now in the process of supporting these departures, whilst working across government to identify any students who might not yet have been included

The Home Office will conduct robust security checks to uphold national security and protect the UK border from those who may pose a threat to the UK. Biometrics will be collected as part of the visa application process prior to travelling to the UK.

The Home Office uses various tools to detect and disrupt travel by terrorists, by criminals and by individuals excluded from the UK; previously deported from the UK; or using lost, stolen or revoked documents and visas. This includes the use of domestic and international watchlists.

The Home Office works with both law enforcement and wider government partners to ensure appropriate action is taken before travel or at the border when individuals of concern are identified.

As of 30 June 2025, 577 foreign national offenders were held in Category A prisons. The immigration status of individual foreign nationals is a matter for the Home Office, and the Ministry of Justice does not hold information in relation to it.

All foreign nationals given a custodial sentence are referred to the Home Office to consider whether they should be removed from the UK on account of their criminality or immigration status.