Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the most common reasons are for priority and super priority visa applications exceeding their published processing times; and what steps her Department is taking to reduce the frequency of such delays.

Priority and super priority applications may take longer than the published processing times where further information or evidence is required, the information provided needs clarification, or checks need to be completed with other government departments. Some cases may also require additional consideration because of their individual complexity.

Where it will not be possible to decide an application within the published processing time, UK Visas and Immigration will notify the customer. Priority and super priority applications are prioritised ahead of standard applications, and the Department keeps visa processing service standards under regular review.

Further information on visa processing times can be found: Visa processing times - applications inside the UK and Visa processing times - applications outside the UK