Immigration: Applications
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure applicants under the European Communities Association Agreement businessperson route receive (a) timely and (b) informative updates on the progress of their Indefinite Leave to Remain applications.
Answered by Mike Tapp
Information relating to the average processing time for applications submitted under the ECAA businessperson route is not available within published statistics. The information could only be collected and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
The volume of applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain under the ECAA route has increased significantly over the last twelve months; with applications received currently 65% above forecasted intake.
In addition, applications are routinely accompanied by exceptionally large volumes of supporting evidence which must be reviewed and considered to ensure lawful and robust outcomes are reached.
There is a 6-month service standard for the processing of applications to the ECAA route and customers are informed if their application will not be concluded in that timeframe.
To address the delays currently being experienced additional resource has been assigned to this area and the Home Office expect to see increasing output and quicker turnarounds throughout the second half of 2026 as that takes effect.
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