Visas (Hansard, 13 February 2004)

§ Mr. David
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to(a) re-examine and (b) change visa arrangements for US nationals entering the United Kingdom. [153299]

§ Beverley Hughes
The Government have no plans to re-examine or change the entry clearance requirements for US nationals entering the United Kingdom, although all such requirements are kept under review.

§ Mr. David
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what(a) the arrangements for the issuing of visas and (b) eligibility for visas are for (i) US citizens and (ii) other non-EU and non-Commonwealth citizens entering the United Kingdom. [153300]
253W

§ Beverley Hughes
Arrangements for the issuing of visas are specific to the individual visa issuing Post and are influenced by factors such as the level of demand, and local security situation. Applicants may lodge applications online, in person or by courier service or post. Visa sections may return successful applicants' passports by courier service, or return their endorsed passport to them in person. In the US the visa issuing Posts in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York accept applications made on-line, by post or in person. Visa sections in non-EU or non-Commonwealth countries may operate any one or more of these methods.
US Nationals are not visa nationals and are therefore only obliged to apply for entry clearance to the UK in specific categories, as set out in the Immigration Rules or if coming to the UK for longer than six months. Visa nationals, which include certain non-EU and non-Commonwealth citizens, are required to obtain entry clearance to enter the UK for any period or purpose. Whether applying for entry clearance or not, the same conditions, as set out in the Immigration Rules, apply to all non-EU or non-Commonwealth nationals.

§ Mr. Best
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the time taken by his Department to respond to requests for information made by the Visa Section of the British High Commission in Harare about visa applicants. [149486]

§ Beverley Hughes
Immigration and Nationality Department officials are working closely with UK visas to ensure that all requests for information are handled promptly, effectively and securely by those involved. On 10 January this year a new system was introduced making greater use of electronic transmissions. This will also provide an audit trail for each request for information. UK visas and the relevant Home Office Departments are constantly reviewing the system. Work is currently under way to identify further improvements.