§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's policy on the issue of visitor visas to Iraqi citizens who are relatives of United Kingdom citizens where such visas are sponsored by the United Kingdom citizen; what humanitarian considerations are taken into account in the processing of such applications; and if he will make a statement. [10270]
§ Mr. FatchettIraqi citizens seeking to visit relatives in the UK are considered under the terms of the UK immigration rules in the same way as any other visa national. However, all applications from Iraqi nationals between the ages of 18 and 65 and employees of certain Iraqi organisations are referred to London for clearance.
800WWhen considering any visa application, the entry clearance officer, no matter what the nationality of the applicant, will take into any relevant compassionate circumstances into consideration.