New figures released by the government have revealed that the number of companies granted a sole representative visa of UK business by UK Visa and Immigration has decreased by 11 per cent since Britain voted to leave the European Union in 2016.
According to data released in the year 2015 to 2016, 140 international firms seeking UK visas were granted a sole representative visa. In comparison, data from the year 2016 to 2017 revealed that the number of UK visas issues has declined by 15 to 125.
In an article by The Global Recruiter, UK immigration experts have suggested this fall could be an indication that Britain’s exit from the EU is having a negative impact on the country’s reputation in terms of international business.
Despite the fall in the number of sole representative visas being granted by the Home Office, the number of applications for UK visas for businesses has increased significantly. In fact, figures show 505 applications were made in he past 12 months, up from 380 the previous year and 33 per cent higher.
Commenting on the statistics, Sanwar Ali of WorkPermit.com suggested that the discrepancy between the increase in applications and decrease in the number of granted UK visas was most likely a result of unfair decision processes within the Home Office.
“It would not be surprising if many if not most UK visa applications were unfairly refused,” he said. “In our experience the UK judicial system and hearings relating to UK visa related matters are badly in need of reform.”
Mr Ali added: “In most cases there is no proper right to appeal in UK visa cases that have been refused.”