Written question asked by Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour) on Thursday, 6 July 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 July 2023 (named day). It was answered by Andrew Mitchell (Conservative) on Tuesday, 11 July 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Sudan: Chevening Scholarships Programme

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help support Sudanese nationals (a) who were invited to become Chevening scholars and did not receive their travel documentation before 15 April 2023 and (b) whose Chevening scholarships will end in the next 12 months.

Answer: Sudanese nationals who have been offered a Chevening award for the 2023-24 academic year and are unable to take up the scholarship due to the conflict and travel restrictions are able to defer their award to the 2024-25 academic year. Current Sudanese Chevening scholars, whose scholarships will end this year, have been informed that the FCDO will consider applications to return to another country for the two-year period, and will also consider requests to stay in the UK by applying to switch to another visa. The FCDO does not advise on visa routes and recommends scholars seek relevant guidance.

Secondary information