Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to reduce the average time taken to reach a decision on priority visa applications.

UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) are currently processing Priority Visa (PV) applications within published customer service standards for straightforward applications. Information on applicable routes and processing times is available at: Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application: Applying for a faster decision - GOV.UK

It may however take longer to process an application if:

• the information in the application is not accurate or needs more consideration
• further evidence needs to be provided, for example evidence of funds
• supporting documents need to be verified
• an interview is required
• we need more information on personal circumstances (for example if there is a criminal conviction)

The UKVI Customer Service Standard performance can be found on the GOV.UK website, including PV applications: Migration transparency data - GOV.UK