The Home Office takes the threat of fraud within the visa application system very seriously. All visa applications are subject to rigorous checks to assure the identity of the applicant and the information that is provided in support of applications. Where there is evidence of fraud, applications will be refused. Our systems and our responses to these threats are constantly in review to ensure we keep pace and are alert to emerging risks and can make necessary adjustments or improvements to prevent further fraudulent activity.

As the hon. Gentleman will know, we totally support our fishing sector, and I am interested to hear more about that proposal. If the Immigration Minister is speaking with the hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough and Whitby, I will, of course, try to be part of those meetings to hear whatever I can hear.

We are aware of concerns around labour shortages in the fishing industry and seafood processing sectors. The generally more remote location of the jobs, as well as pay and the challenging working conditions, all present challenges for UK and devolved governments, and the industry, to address. It is important that the industry looks to the domestic workforce to fill vacancies.

Following publication of our Immigration White Paper, the threshold for Skilled Worker visas was raised to graduate professions, but fishing occupations remain on the Immigration Salary List, as a transitional measure until the end of 2026. The industry will need to adapt away from relying on the visa system in that time.

Northern Ireland has the unique advantage of dual market access. On the wider issues of application of EU law that the hon. Gentleman is talking about, he can be assured that as co-chair of the joint committee I work carefully and closely on these matters with the Northern Ireland Executive.

Data on appeals receipts and open caseload is published by HM Courts and Tribunals Service on a quarterly basis. The latest publication can be found at Tribunals statistics quarterly: July to September 2024 - GOV.UK. Table FIA_1 and FIA_4 of the Main Tables section shows First-tier Tribunal appeal receipts and caseload volumes to 30 September 2024.

Entry requirements for British nationals travelling to the EU are set out in the FCDO's travel advice pages on gov.uk. The guidance is based on information provided by the EU and its Member States. FCDO travel advice is regularly updated to reflect our latest understanding of these requirements, with links for further information provided within the travelling abroad pages on gov.uk. The new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) scheme is not a visa, and we continue to discuss its implementation with the European Commission and European Union Member States.

To strengthen the security of the UK border, the Government is introducing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme for those passengers visiting the UK or transiting through the UK who do not currently need a visa for short stays and do not have any other immigration status prior to travelling. This is similar in nature to the US ‘ESTA’ and the EU’s ETIAS which will also be shortly introduced.

As is currently the case, individuals arriving in the UK, including those crossing the land border into Northern Ireland, will need to continue to enter in line with the UK’s immigration framework, including the requirement to obtain an ETA when it is introduced. However, currently, the UK will not operate routine immigration controls on journeys from within the Common Travel Area, with no immigration controls whatsoever on the land border.

The Government remains committed to working with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the ETA requirement is communicated effectively to help mitigate against any risk of it being seen as a barrier to cross-border tourism on the island of Ireland.

An individual must, in most circumstances, provide their biometrics, in the form of a facial image and fingerprints, when applying for a visa or a biometric immigration document before they come to the UK. This is to ensure we can confirm their identity and fix them to it, and to conduct background security checks to establish whether they pose a threat to public safety.

The Home Office contracts two commercial partners, VFS and TLS Contact, to operate its global network of Visa Application Centres (VACs) who provide application centres in over 230 locations across 138 countries. It is not economically viable for UKVI to have VACs in every city or country across the world and it may not be sustainable to open new locations where volumes are lower.

Individuals who are unable to travel to a VAC should not normally make an application until they are able to do so. We have a robust escalation process in place for very exceptional cases where a customer has a compelling reason why they are unable to travel to a VAC.

The average time it takes to decide or the impact of processing this information is not routinely published and could only be obtained at disproportionate costs. The Home Office are unable to report how many applications for Refugee Family Reunion are awaiting a decision.

We are currently working outside the 60 day service standard for refugee family reunion visa applications and processing times are approximately double the expected service standard timeframe. We are working hard to recover our decision-making timescales and are looking to streamline our processes and secure additional resource to support this work. We will prioritise applications where there is a particularly urgent or compelling reason to do so.

The average time it takes to decide or the impact of processing this information is not routinely published and could only be obtained at disproportionate costs. The Home Office are unable to report how many applications for Refugee Family Reunion are awaiting a decision.

We are currently working outside the 60 day service standard for refugee family reunion visa applications and processing times are approximately double the expected service standard timeframe. We are working hard to recover our decision-making timescales and are looking to streamline our processes and secure additional resource to support this work. We will prioritise applications where there is a particularly urgent or compelling reason to do so.

The average time it takes to decide or the impact of processing this information is not routinely published and could only be obtained at disproportionate costs. The Home Office are unable to report how many applications for Refugee Family Reunion are awaiting a decision.

We are currently working outside the 60 day service standard for refugee family reunion visa applications and processing times are approximately double the expected service standard timeframe. We are working hard to recover our decision-making timescales and are looking to streamline our processes and secure additional resource to support this work. We will prioritise applications where there is a particularly urgent or compelling reason to do so.

The BN(O) route is an unprecedented and generous offer reflecting the UK’s historic and moral commitment to the people of Hong Kong who chose to retain their ties to the UK by taking up BN(O) status. We are sympathetic to the circumstances of this cohort and are looking at whether more can be done to support them.

Overseas musicians and performers make an important contribution to the UK's creative sector and are very welcome in the United Kingdom. We therefore offer a range of immigration routes for creative workers.

Visiting artists, entertainers and musicians can come to the UK and perform at events, take part in competitions and auditions, make personal appearances and take part in promotional activities for up to six months without the need for formal sponsorship or a work visa if they are not receiving payment beyond expenses or prize money.

Those from non-visa national countries can come to perform in the UK and be paid without the need to obtain a visa in advance for up to one month under the Permitted Paid Engagement route, up to three months if they have been assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship by a licenced sponsor or for up to six months if performing at a Permit Free Festival. With no requirement to obtain a visa prior to travel, these options provide a flexible system which enables performance slots to be filled at short notice and reduces the administrative burden for performers.

For longer-term work, the Temporary Work – Creative Worker visa allows creative workers to come to the UK to undertake paid engagements for up to twelve months, which can be extended for a further twelve months in certain cases. We also offer priority and super priority services for those who wish to receive a quicker decision on their visa application (https://www.gov.uk/faster-decision-visa-settlement).

Fees are kept under review and are set taking account of the charging powers provided by Section 68(9) of the Immigration Act 2014, which include the ability to set fees based on: the cost of processing the application, the benefits and entitlements provided by a successful application and the wider cost of the Migration and Borders system. Full details of which can be reviewed via the following link: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/22/section/68

Income from fees charged for immigration and nationality applications plays a vital role in our ability to run a sustainable immigration and nationality system. Application fees have increased in recent years to reduce the funding that comes from general taxation.

On 9 April, the Government announced a further renewal of the free extension for eligible people working in Health and Social Care whose visa expires between 1 April and 30 September. This extension applies to all four nations of our United Kingdom.

A broad range of people across several different work routes will be covered by the free extension including those with general work rights. Therefore, it is not possible to estimate the number of workers in Northern Ireland who will benefit.

Since starting the free extensions, we have extended the visas of over 10,000 eligible individuals, across the whole of the United Kingdom.

BN(O) status holders and their dependants must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Applicants pay the appropriate amount of IHS depending upon the length of leave they apply for (either 30 months or 5 years). Like other nationals coming to the UK, it is only right they contribute to our healthcare system. IHS Income goes directly into our brilliant NHS.

I am in regular contact with representatives from the fisheries sector in Scotland on a range of issues, including the challenges they face with recruitment.

The Hon. Member will be aware that the Government is currently designing a new immigration system, and it’s important that the new system takes account of the needs of all regions and sectors of the economy, including those of our fishing industry and coastal communities.

EEA and Swiss nationals will be able to continue to travel to the UK for holidays or short-term trips as they do now, without needing a visa.

The EU has also announced that UK nationals would be able to enter the EU visa-free for short periods after the country’s exit, provided EU nationals enjoy the same conditions when travelling to the UK.

Both these arrangements apply whether we leave the EU with or without a deal.