HC Deb 26 February 1996 vol 272 cc324-5W
Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the current waiting times for interviews for visa application in respect of(a) spouses. (b) fiances, (c) visitors, (d) dependants, (e) business visitors and (f) quota vouchers, at (i) Bombay, (ii) New Delhi, (iii) Dacca, (iv) Karachi, (v) Islamabad, (vi) Nairobi, (vii) Dar-es-Salaam and (viii) Kampala. [17055]

Mr. Hanley

In December 1995, the waiting times for interview for visa applicants at the posts listed were:

  1. (i) Bombay
    1. (a) spouses: 3 months
    2. (b) fiance(e)s: 6 months
    3. (c) visitors: same day
    4. (d) dependants: 3 months
    5. (e) business visitors: same day
  2. (ii) New Delhi
    1. (a) spouses: 3 months
    2. (b) fiance(e)s: 7 months
    3. (c) visitors: same day
    4. (d) dependants: 3 months
    5. (e) business visitors: same day
  3. (iii) Dhaka
    1. (a) spouses: 6 months
    2. (b) fiance(e)s: 5 months
    3. (c) visitors: same day
    4. (d) dependants: 6 months
    5. (e) business visitors: same day
  4. (iv) Karachi
    1. (a) spouses: 3 to 7 weeks
    2. (b) fiance(e)s: 3 to 7 weeks
    3. (c) visitors: same day
    4. (d) dependants: 3 to 7 weeks
    5. (e) business visitors: same day
  5. (v) Islamabad
    1. (a) spouses: 4 months
    2. (b) fiance(e)s: 6 months
    3. (c) visitors: same day
    4. (d) dependants: 4 months
    5. (e) business visitors: same day

The waiting times for interview for visa applicants in Nairobi, Dar-es-Salaam and Kampala are not yet available.

For waiting times for persons applying for a special voucher, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by Under-Secretary of State for the Home Office, my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Leeds, North (Mr. Kirkhope) to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, North (Mr. Henderson) on 9 January, Official Report, column 198.