Average processing times for visa applications received in August 2008 are shown in the following table:
Length of stay Visa applications received in August 2008 Number resolved Percentage resolved Average processing time(days) Short-term 117,703 116,248 98.8 2.9 Long-term (more than six months) 104,559 103,943 99.4 4.7 Note: There data are unpublished and should therefore be treated as provisional. Source: Central Reference System, 8 December 2008
The UK Border Agency operates a robust visa system that protects the UK border while taking fast and fair decisions.
The range of procedures in place, including taking of fingerprints and checking of watch lists, help ensure that only those who should be able to come to this country are granted visas.
Already the UK Border Agency have fingerprinted more than 3.5 million visa applicants and identified 4,900 cases of identity fraud. So far this year they have refused visas to nearly 20 per cent. of applicants.