To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what account is taken of past convictions for violent crimes when considering whether to issue visas to foreign nationals. (141362)

In accordance with paragraph 320(18) of the Immigration Rules, an Entry Clearance Officer will normally refuse an entry clearance application if the applicant has been convicted of an offence in any country, which, if committed in the UK, would be punishable by imprisonment of 12 months or more.