Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 10 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 January 2005. It was answered by Chris Mullin (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 January 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make it his policy to make publicly available to (a) potential students and (b) UK educational institutions the guidelines on granting of student visas issued to entry clearance officers overseas. - Inc ref to Diplomatic Service Procedures Volume 1 Chapter 12 "Entry for Studies".

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to make publicly available to (a) potential students and (b) UK educational institutions the guidelines on granting of student visas issued to Entry Clearance Officers overseas. [208335] Mr. Mullin: The Diplomatic Service Procedures Volume 1 Chapter 12 gives full details for "Entry for Studies" to the United Kingdom. This Chapter gives complete information on the Government's policy on issuing visas to overseas students as well as information for applicants who want to come to the United Kingdom as students. Entry Clearance Officers at Post use the guidance in this Chapter to help assess student visa applications. This Chapter is available on the UKvisas website at www.ukvisas.gov.uk.

Secondary information