Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP Angus MacNeil has expressed extreme frustration at Home Office delays in processing Visa applications which leads to stress and uncertainty for applicants. 

Mr MacNeil has been contacted by an island resident, who is employed by the NHS, and who applied for a Visa more than 5 months ago. Despite numerous attempts to move it forward, the case remains in limbo due to ongoing ‘technical issues’ in the system. 

Mr MacNeil said: “The ongoing delays are completely unacceptable and are causing immense stress to people. The Home Office are giving no clear indication of when things will progress.  It is especially bad that the legion of Home Office debacles is now affecting the NHS in Scotland.  

 “One of the excuses floating around from the Home Office is that they spent so much manpower on Ukrainian Visas that they are behind in other work.  However, if the Secretary of State, Priti Patel, had not been obstinate on the needless work forUkrainian Visas, the knock-on situations might not be as bad.  Remember the rest of Europe was sensible about Ukrainian refugees and visas, it was only the UK who demanded paperwork.   

“The Home Office apologised for the delay in this case and stated that they hoped to resolve this matter as soon as possible. I have remained in contact with the Home Office pressing the urgency of this application and it is unbelievable that they have again today stated that the technical issue has still not been resolved and are unable to give any indication of when it will be resolved. 

“I will continue to press the Home Office. It is bad enough that people’s holidays are being affected by their leadership but when it spreads to possibly affecting our health services, urgent changes are needed.”