§ Lord Norrieasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made in improving the service provided to visa applicants by the British Embassy in Warsaw.
The Earl of CaithnessThe visa section in Warsaw has now succeeded in clearing the backlog that arose from the surge in applications this summer (about 30 per cent. higher than last year). Applicants are normally seen on their day of arrival and, provided they meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules, receive their visas that day.
Procedures have been streamlined. Greater authority has been delegated to issue visas without reference to London. The period within which single entry visas may be used has been extended from three to six months. Multiple entry visas have been extended in validity from six months to two years, and are now available to businessmen and other travellers with a genuine need to visit the UK frequently.
The Polish authorities have been asked to help in an urgent search for more adequate premises. Meanwhile plans are under way to install a temporary waiting room and expand interview facilities to improve comfort and speed processing of applicants. This will also enable us to reinforce the visa section further.