§ Clive EffordTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria are used by entry clearance officers overseas to assess the personal guarantee of an hon. Member that an applicant will abide by the terms of their visa and return to the country of origin. [183490]
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§ Mr. MullinIt is not our policy to ask hon. Members for personal guarantees as such personal guarantees are not enforceable in UK law. However, assurances given by an hon. Member reflecting close personal knowledge of a sponsor or applicant would be taken into account by the Entry Clearance Officer considering an application in conjunction with other available evidence.
§ Clive EffordTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what authority entry clearance officers offer to overturn a decision to refuse a visa in return for a personal guarantee from an hon. Member that the applicant will abide by the terms of the visa. [183491]
§ Mr. MullinEntry Clearance Officers have no authority to overturn a decision to refuse a visa in return for a personal guarantee from an hon. Member that the applicant will abide by the terms of the visa.
However, an Entry Clearance Officer or Entry Clearance Manager reviewing a decision to refuse a visa would take into account subsequent representations made by an hon. Member. These might, in a borderline case, help to satisfy him or her that the relevant requirements of the Immigration Rules were met and he might therefore be prepared to overturn the refusal.