Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to make it easier for tourists and investors from China to obtain visas for entry to the UK. [141776]

Mr Harper, Minister of State (Immigration) [holding answer 5 February 2013]: The Government supports economic growth by delivering an effective visa service which processed over 280,000 applications for visas in 2011 for China.

China is one of the UK's priority markets and our visa service is working well—97% of visas are processed within 15 day, and last year till September 2012 the number of visas issued to Chinese nationals was up by 7%.

In December 2012 the UK Border Agency announced a package of further enhancements to the UK visa service for Chinese tourists and business. These changes which will be implemented over the next six months include:

The introduction of shortened online application forms and streamlined requirements for Approved Destination Scheme customers (ADS).

The establishment of a business network with dedicated embassy staff to assist businesses and investors with their UK visa requirements.

A service for business travellers and ADS tourists which allows customers to keep their passport while their visa is being processed. This means that they can travel or apply for another visa if they need to thus reducing the time it takes to obtain two visas.

A mobile biometric service which will be available for applicants who wish to have their biometric information taken at a location more convenient to them, rather than visiting a visa application centre.

Priority visa eligibility which has been expanded to include Tier 4 students and those who have previously travelled within Schengen.

Improved application processes which are improvements to the online application process including the introduction of translated application forms.

An enhanced select business scheme which removes the onerous reporting requirements that made it cumbersome and bureaucratic for many companies.

| Hansard