§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the time taken to determine whether an individual has the right to remain in the UK, having first entered on a visitor's visa. [99690]
§ Mrs. RocheVisa nationals who obtain a visit visa from a British Diplomatic Post and are given leave to enter the United Kingdom for up to six months as a visitor are, under the Immigration Rules, expected to leave the country at the end of that period.
Non-visa nationals who are given leave to enter the United Kingdom for up to six months as a visitor are also expected to leave the country at the end of that period. They may, however, apply for further leave to remain under a different category in accordance with the Immigration Rules. Straightforward applications which can be dealt with under a fast track system can usually be processed within about six weeks. Other applications which require lengthy examination or further inquiries will take longer to decide. We cannot give an average length of time for processing such applications as each is considered on its individual merits.