§ Mr. BrazierTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visas without restriction were granted in each of the last six months for which figures are available. [116058]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 3 June 2003]All visas have certain restrictions. Statistics on entry clearance applications granted worldwide in 2000, the latest available, are given in the table. Monthly information for this period is not available as monthly statistics for many posts were not collated centrally at the time. A requirement to produce statistics on a monthly basis for all posts was introduced in April 2002. Data for 2001 and 2002 will be published later this year.
Entry clearance applications granted1 worldwide, United Kingdom, 2000 Number of persons Granted for temporary purposes2 1,424,880 Granted for settlement3 54,505 1 Granted initially or on appeal. 2 Nationals of certain countries currently need a visa to enter the United Kingdom regardless of the purpose of their journey. 3 Includes applications for a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode.