Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criteria UK Visas and Immigration applies when deciding whether an application contains compelling or compassionate factors that warrant expedition, whether those criteria take account of (a) disruption to a child’s education and (b) family separation, and if she will publish that guidance.

Visa applications are assessed on their individual merits and caseworkers will consider any compassionate grounds raised as part of the application assessment. Published policy guidance for each visa route will factor this where relevant. Caseworker guidance for each visa type can be found here: Visas and immigration operational guidance - GOV.UK.