Written question asked by Tobias Ellwood (Conservative) on Wednesday, 18 March 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 March 2009. It was answered by Phil Woolas (Labour) on Thursday, 26 March 2009 on behalf of the Home Office.

Entry Clearances: Iraq

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mechanisms are in place for processing visa applications from Iraqi nationals seeking to visit the UK.

Answer: [holding answer 23 March 2009]: Currently Iraqi nationals can lodge all categories of visa application at several designated posts. These are currently Amman (Jordan), Beirut (Lebanon), and Damascus (Syria). A limited visa application service is available in Baghdad for certain designated categories of applicant. This limited service was extended to Erbil on a trial basis commencing 9 March.The UK Border Agency, working closely with the FCO, continues to keep provision of visa services to Iraqi nationals under review taking into account ongoing security, logistical and financial considerations.

Secondary information