Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the time taken to issue work permits for foreign workers.

The published service standard for resolving non-settlement visa applications is within 15 working days.

For applications submitted within the UK applicants applying under Tier 2 of the Points Based System can choose between a same-day, ten-day or eight week service.

Where an application is complex and likely to take longer than the advertised processing times, UK Visas and Immigration will contact the applicant to inform them of this. Customer service is a key priority for UK Visas and Immigration, and the efficiency and effectiveness of the application process is kept under regular review. Customers now apply and pay online in addition to being able to make appointments to submit their documents and biometrics at visa application centres in over 200 locations around the world.