§ 30. Fiona MactaggartTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements are being made to inform applicants for settlement in the Asian sub-continent of changes in the rules affecting their cases; and how long they may have to wait. [5759]
§ Mr. FatchettThe abolition of the Primary Purpose criterion of the Immigration Rules has been widely publicised in South Asia. All visa applicants are provided with detailed guidance notes on how to make an application; these naturally include details of the current regulations. Posts in South Asia are now also offering specific advice to those whose applications are affected by the abolition of the Primary Purpose criterion.
Maximum interview waiting times for first time settlement applicants range from three months for spouses of those settled in the UK to six months for other categories. The equivalent period for those who have been refused and re-apply is nine months.