Independent Chief
Inspector of the UK Border Agency publishes report on UK visa section
A report published
today by the Independent Chief Inspector of the UK Border Agency
represents the poorest performance seen in a UK Border Agency
business area to date.
The report "An inspection of the UK Visa Section:
Pakistan settlement applications" is the first of three
inspection reports which will form a comprehensive assessment of
the entry clearance operation in the United Arab Emirates and the
United Kingdom. The inspection of the UK Visa Section examined the
UK Border Agency’s handling of Pakistan settlement applications
including cases both granted and refused entry clearance.
Independent Chief Inspector, John Vine CBE QPM found that the
service provided to customers at the UK Visa Section was extremely
poor, with a significant number of cases sampled not being decided
correctly. In some cases it was almost impossible to determine why
visas had been issued, when others had been refused on identical
or very similar evidence. In the worst cases, the Independent
Chief Inspector found that visas that should have been refused
were granted and visas that should have been granted were refused.
The Independent Chief Inspector also noted that significant
weaknesses were found around processes to deter, prevent and
detect fraudulent applications for settlement, with entry
clearance staff receiving insufficient training to meet the
demands of countering fraud, risk profiles not being used to
support the decision making process which meant that fraud was not
being targeted and very limited verification activity to support
the decision making process.
Mr Vine said, "I believe the poor level of customer
service provided to Pakistan settlement customers has damaged the
reputation of the UK Border Agency. It will need to work hard to
restore faith in the services it provides to customers in Pakistan
and their sponsors in the UK, while at the same time,
demonstrating the seriousness it attaches to protecting the UK
border. In my view, the UK Border Agency has, in this area, failed
to fully meet its key strategic objectives of protecting the UK
border and making fast and fair decisions."
The Independent Chief Inspector’s full report "An
inspection of the UK Visa Section: Pakistan Settlement
Applications" can be viewed at www.independent.gov.uk/icinspector/news
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Notes to Editors
1. The Office
of the Independent Chief Inspector was created by the UK Borders
Act 2007. The appointment of John Vine CBE, QPM was announced in
Parliament by the Home Secretary in April 2008. He took up his
post in July 2008.
2. The Chief Inspector is independent of the UK Border Agency and
is required to report annually to the Secretary of State.
3. The purpose of inspection of the UK Border Agency is to
provide assurance to Ministers, Parliament and the public about
the safe, proper and effective delivery of immigration and
nationality services.
4. Applications for settlement in the UK initially allow
individuals to stay and work in the UK for two years. Towards the
end of this period, individuals can apply to stay permanently in
the UK, if they continue to meet the requirements of the
immigration rules.
For further information please contact:
Trish Macready on 020
7802 0448 or patricia.macready@icinspector.gsi.gov.uk
Contacts:
NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the above department
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Patricia Macready
Phone: 0207 802 0448
patricia.macready@icinspector.gsi.gov.uk