SIA shortest and longest licence processing time
Published 29 August 2023
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1. Request
Regarding the length of time it takes to process and approve an application, please provide:
- the quickest time it has been approved
- the longest time it has taken to approve an application / issue a licence
2. Response
I can confirm that the SIA does hold this information. It is provided below:
- The shortest time for an application to move from ‘checks in progress’ to decision made = 0 working days (application approved within 1 working day of moving to the checks in progress stage)
- The longest time for an SIA licence application to move from ‘checks in progress’ to decision made = 465 working days
Please note that, we process the vast majority of licence applications in line with the performance targets set in our licensing KPIs - see page 16 of Security Industry Authority Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23.
However, some applications may take longer to process, for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons for applications taking longer are where the applicant is unable to provide an overseas criminality certificate and therefore needs to provide a character reference and sworn oath, or where there is an ongoing criminal or public body investigation or trial. Other causes for longer processing times include waiting for a medical report to be provided for an applicant, or where an overseas criminality certificate is required. Applications can often involve a combination of more than one of these factors.
Longer processing times for applications typically occur where the applicant or a third party is required to provide further evidence to the SIA before we can make a decision. We balance the need to maintain efficient processing by withdrawing applications when and where appropriate to do so due to failure to provide the information we need, and keeping applications open while supporting those individuals who make efforts to progress them but are dependent on third party input.
[Reference: FOI 0434]