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UKvisas do not keep statistics on average waiting times for visa applications. Since 2005, UKvisas performance has been measured against the following Public Service Agreement (PSA) standards:
PS A 1: 90 per cent. of straightforward non-settlement applications to be processed within 24 hours.
PS A 2: 90 per cent. of non-settlement applications requiring further enquiries or interview to be processed within 15 days.
PS A 3: 90 per cent. of settlement applications to be processed within 12 weeks.
UKvisas exceeded these standards in the 2004-05 and 2005-06 financial years. In 2004-05, 91 per cent. of PSA 1 applications were processed within 24 hours, 90 per cent. of PSA 2 applications were processed within 15 days and 99 per cent. of PSA 3 applications processed within 12 weeks. In 2005-06, 93 per cent. of PSA 1 applications were processed within 24 hours, 94 per cent. of PSA 2 applications were processed within 15 days and 97 per cent. of PSA 3 applications processed within 12 weeks.
Prior to 2004, service delivery was measured against target times for length of interviews which entry clearance officers were required to meet rather than the total time taken to process visa applications. Figures for the 2006-07 financial year are not yet available.
The Border and Immigration Agency do not keep statistics on average waiting times for leave to remain applications. Performance is measured against the published service standards which can be found on the immigration website at:
http://www.ind.homeoftice.gov.uk/6353/11464/servicestandardsapr07.xls.