Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to work with Cabinet colleagues on visas for representatives of international NGOs to take part in (a) advocacy meetings and (b) other UK-hosted events.

UKVI routinely works with colleagues across Government, including the Cabinet Office, to ensure attendees to UK supported events are able to proceed legally and securely.

Employees of certain international organisations based in, or with offices in, the UK who have been recruited overseas, as well as representatives and officials of the international organisations listed when travelling to the UK in their official capacity on the official business of that organisation, are exempt from immigration control. Employees of the international organisations listed on the following site would qualify for exempt entry clearances: List of International organisations whose employees qualify for exempt entry clearances (accessible version) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

When a visa is required, UKVI works towards a 15 working day customer service standard, which includes options for priority (5 working days) and super priority (24 hours) decisions where available.