APPENDIX 18
Memorandum submitted
by Manchester Pakistani Welfare Centre
Thank you for your letter dated 3rd February and
we welcome the opportunity to comment. We base the following on
our experience at the above Centre, and our work at the "drop
ins" which we hold for South Asian clients when we have,
first hand, been able to note the difficulties encountered by
our client group with entry clearance procedures.
1. Even with quite straightforward cases, when
the evidence is clearly presented, there is often an unacceptable
delay in processing the Inquiries, causing hardship and unhappiness.
2. In our experience, permission to visitors
for weddings etc or visits to see sick and dying relatives are
sometimes delayed or refused due to the status of the applicant.
3. Well-established South Asians appear to be
granted visiting visa much more quickly and easily than those
from less educated or less affluent families.
4. Because of the bureaucratic nature of the
applications, refusal may be because a confused or over anxious
applicant has made a small mistake in their evidence.
5. There is no appeal procedure, which encourages
people who are desperate to visit to make a second application
from another office or to consider other ways of getting around
the regulations.
February 1998
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