Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her policy is on the timing of the return of original documents to people applying for (a) citizenship, (b) further leave to remain and (c) indefinite leave to remain.

The majority of Citizenship applications are submitted through the Nationality Checking Service and original documents are returned to the customer immediately. For other applications where there is a requirement to submit an original document, documents are returned when the application is decided.

Where a request for return of documents is received we aim to return them within 10 working days.

On European applications for Permanent Residence, applicants can apply online and have their passport checked and returned immediately through participating local authorities.