HC Deb 18 January 2002 vol 378 cc546-7W
Mr. Gummer

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information is given to applicants for a new student visa about the length of time that they may be without their passport. [23635]

Angela Eagle

Information about the likely time scale for considering applications for leave to remain is quoted in the relevant application form and on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate website. The website is updated regularly. Since 1 January 2002, all new applications for leave to remain are being acknowledged. The acknowledgement letter indicates the likely time scale for the application to be considered. If, on initial consideration, the application cannot be decided for whatever reason, another letter giving a further indication of the likely time scale is sent to the applicant.

Mr. Gummer

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what standards of service he sets for processing individual applications for visa renewals; [23633]

(2) for what reasons the visa office estimate that the renewal of a one year student visa will take at least five weeks. [23636]

Angela Eagle

We aim to decide 70 per cent. of all new general and settlement applications within three weeks but at present it is taking up to eight weeks to consider new straightforward applications. The reasons for this are (i) the exceptionally high number of new applications received this year, and especially, in recent months; and (ii) process changes that are being introduced. We are working to reduce this to three weeks or less as soon as possible.

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