Requesting information under the Freedom of Information and Data Protection Acts

This section explains how you can make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act or the Data Protection Act.

You should not make a request under these Acts if you want information about the progress of an application that you have made. You can find out the standard waiting time for application decisions by looking at the section of this website covering your type of application. Our staff cannot provide any information about your application if you applied less than 6 months ago. We will contact you as soon as a decision has been made or if we require further information.

Under the Freedom of Information Act and the Data Protection Act, the Home Office and its agencies are committed to:

• promoting informed policymaking and debate;
• providing timely and accessible information to explain the department's policies, actions and decisions; and
• responding to requests for information.

All requests to the Home Office and its agencies for information are handled in accordance with the provisions of the two Acts.

To make a request under the Freedom of Information Act, go to the Freedom of information page.

To make a request under the Data Protection Act to see the personal information that we hold about you, visit the Personal data requests page.