Gaza Evacuees Facing 72-Hour Deadline to Leave Egypt, Visa Delays Leave Families in Limbo

Visa processing delays raise concerns for families including Palestinians who have married British nationals, as they risk fines for overstaying given Egypt's strict three-day rule.

• Hundreds of foreign nationals, including British and other foreign nationals, have been evacuated from Gaza to Egypt due to ongoing conflicts. The evacuees must leave Egypt within 72 hours, or else face fines due to Egypt's strict three-day rule.
• Many families are distressed, including those where only one member of the family holds a British passport, as visas for non-British family members have to be processed for them to travel to the UK. This process typically takes up to six months, raising concerns of overstaying due to the 72-hour limit.
• British officials are reportedly working on a sped-up process to approve visas for non-British family members, although it's uncertain how long this expedited process will take. The impact of uncertainties and the wartime situation in Gaza has resulted in visible distress and health conditions among the evacuees.
• One such case is of Yusra Alshanti, a British citizen pregnant and raised in UK who married a non-British national in Gaza. They, along with their children, are stuck in Egypt unable to move forward due to the visa issues.
• In addition to visa troubles, the financial situation of many evacuees is critical, as the UK-funded emergency accommodation in Egypt is available only for 72 hours. Evacuees are reportedly out of money and resources with limited options for survival.

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