Ukba Staff 'Unfairly Rejecting' African Visas, Report Finds

[Basil B]

Interesting read.

Is this problem only limited to Africa? or are they working alphabetically, how long before they get to "T"???

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18448733

[theoldgit]

I think you will find that John Vine's team had inspected the Bangkok post a number of times, though I don't think that recently.

I don't there is a planned inspection scheduled, maybe they will carry out an unannounced one.

[VisasPlus]

I think you will find that John Vine's team had inspected the Bangkok post a number of times, though I don't think that recently.

I don't there is a planned inspection scheduled, maybe they will carry out an unannounced one.

Actually, I understand that John Vine did an inspection of Bangkok just last month. It will be a few months before his report is complete, and released. It will be very interesting to see what ( not if) problems he identifies. We have, on many occasions recently, identified our concerns to the UKBA at the Embassy here, that ECOs are ignoring many the ICI's recommendations that were included in the last report on Global Decision Making. On most occasions, the Embassy doesn't respond to the points made. Hopefully, the ICI is aware of the stance that UKBA Bangkok has taken on his recommendations, and will respond to it in his report when published.

By the way, the "Africa" report identifies many of the same problems that we see now in Bangkok. ECOs are aware of the findings in the ICI's last global report, but choose, it seems to ignore them ( mostly in applications where there is no right of appeal as applicants tend to accept the adverse decision and address it by making a new application. The applicant often deosn't realise that the ECO has acted against recommendations made by the ICI ).

Edited June 15, 2012 by VisasPlus

[Basil B]

I did see a resemblance in some parts of the report that the BBC highlighted and what has been posted here in the last year or so.

What I also note is that some centers are better than others and there is no consistency in service, I would have expected Croydon to shine yet it seems to be providing a very poor service.

It is even worse that there is acknowledgment of previous reports but little action to improve things, obviously a indication of poor management at the top, do not suppose cut backs in resources, staff and funding helps either.

Finally if you (your spouse/partner) got the wrong stamp ILE instead of Leave to Enter:

“And in a review of 135 visa applications from Nigeria, his report found the UKBA had made a "serious error" after 14 cases had accidentally received "indefinite leave to enter the UK" - rather than the usual 27-month limit.” would you or they go back to get it changed? What would happen if/when the mistake is picked up by UKBA?

If you are “Home Alone”, not interested in the footy and suffering from insomnia here is the full 148 pages of the report http://icinspector.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/EMBARGOED-A-comparative-inspection-of-the-UK-Border-Agency-visa-sections-in-Africa.pdf

As for the report on BKK, if they have only just completed the inspection the as this report took nearly a year to surface do not expect to see it before 2013.

[bobrussell]

I suspect the further 10% reduction in UKBA staff expected in the next couple of years will do nothing to improve the efficiency of the UKBA at home or abroad!

[theoldgit]

I didn't know that Tony, a friend of mine is on his team, she only does UK inspections at the moment, more the pity, she used to head up DEPMU, she got her AD and joined the team.

Will be very interesting to see the results, I believe it's the first inspection for the current management team.

[theoldgit]

I suspect the further 10% reduction in UKBA staff expected in the next couple of years will do nothing to improve the efficiency of the UKBA at home or abroad!

I know they are all looking over their shoulders at the moment.

[23962323]

The UK is overrun ,good to see major restrictions brought in The £ 20 000 should have been in place long ago ,no benefits to anyone not paid into the pot either