Guide to visa processing times and new customer service standards (11/02/2009)
Customers can use the guide for information on how long their visa application may take to be processed, based on latest processing time performance for each visa application centre and main visa type. The information is updated each month and the British Embassy is pleased to release details of its processing time performance for December 2008. As part of the British Embassy’s commitment to improving its standards of customer service, it is looking closely into how the Embassy can improve its service to Azerbaijani student applicants. You can look at more detailed data on the UK Border Agency visa website at www.ukvisas.gov.uk
| Visits Visas | 5 days | 10days | 15 days | 30 days | 60 days | Applications per month |
| Business visits (6 months or less) | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 53 |
| Family visit (6 months or less) | 87% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 39 |
| Other Visit (6 months or less) | 94% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 53 |
| Premium visit (more than 6 months) | 99% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 74 |
| Visits (6 months or less) | 93% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100 |
| Point Based System Visas | 5 days | 10 days | 15 days | 30 days | 60 days | Applications per Month |
| PBS Tier 1 | 83% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 6 |
| Other Non settlement visas | 5 days | 10 days | 15 days | 30 days | 60 days | Apallications per Month |
| Other Non-settlement | 91% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 11 |
| Student | 58% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 26 |
| Settlement Visas | 15 days | 30 days | 60 days | 90 days | 120 days | Apallications per Month |
| Settlement | 75% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 4 |
At the same time, the UK Border Agency is publishing new standards for visa customer service processing times. These new standards show the time we aim to take to process each application starting from when the application was submitted until it is completed. Information on these new standards can be found on the UK Border Agency visa website at www.ukvisas.gov.uk
UK Border Agency and our Commercial Partners, VFS Global and WorldBridge are committed to delivering a high standard of service to all our customers. We regularly review our performance against our standards and aim to keep our customers informed of any changes.
For more information, please contact Lionel Khoo at the British Embassy in Baku.
Tel: +994 124 497 5188
E-mail: lionel.khoo@fco.gov.uk
Notes for Editors
1. From 1 April 2008, the visa operation became a central part of the new UK Border Agency. This marks a new era for the visa operation and brings the opportunity to become even more central to delivering Britain's security and prosperity. This is genuinely a new agency and will build success by integrating the best of the three organisations' processes, information, experience and culture. Its remit is to improve the UK's border security through strong controls at home and overseas, while encouraging legitimate travel and trade
2. The UK visa operation has offices in 146 locations throughout the world. The largest handled over 170,000 applications in 2006/7; the smallest less than 10. We issued visas to 81% of those who applied. We processed 66% of visa applications within 24 hours. This is a record of which we are proud, but we aim to do even better
