On Thursday 26 May, there was an urgent question to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on evacuations from Afghanistan. Stephen raised the issue of the lack of biometric services in the country.
The requirement for submission of biometrics has been exceptionally lifted for Ukrainian refugees, who are instead invited to submit their biometrics from a visa centre once they reach the UK. This is not the case for those seeking to flee Afghanistan, who are still required to submit their biometrics. However, there is currently no biometric service operating in Afghanistan, so many are left with no option but to stay.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Stephen asked the Minister to suspend the requirement for biometrics for those coming from Afghanistan, as the Government has done for those coming from Ukraine.
You can watch Stephen’s question, and the Minister’s response, below.