A valid
UK visa is required for anyone wanting to visit the United Kingdom. Choosing when to apply and when to book your vacation can be influenced by how long it takes for your application to be processed. The UK visa processing time may vary depending on the type you have applied for and the nation or embassy where the application is made.
As updated by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), this guide provides a brief overview of standard and expedited processing timelines for various
UK visa types.
When Will Your Application Process Time Begin
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) begins processing your application after you use the UK Immigration ID Check app to authenticate your identification and submit your papers and application online. If you cannot access this, you can make an appointment to submit your fingerprints and a photo (biometric information) at a visa application centre (VAC).
When Will Your Application Process Time End
A letter or email informing you of the decision of your application will be sent to you. You should not go to a visa application centre again if you visited one until you’ve been contacted to do so.
Current Processing Wait Times
The following processing timeframes are based on the number of visa applications received as of the present time.
All processing times in the UK are evaluated compared to established customer service benchmarks.
Visit visas
- Standard Visitor Visa – 3 weeks
- Marriage Visitor Visa – 3 weeks
- Transit Visa – 3 weeks
- Chinese Tour Group – 3 weeks
Study visas
- Student Visa – 3 weeks
- Child Student Visa – 3 weeks
- Study English in the UK – Short-term Student Visa (6 to 11 months English Language Course) – 3 weeks
Family visas
- Spouse or Parent Visa – 24 weeks
- Child Visa – 24 weeks
- Parent Visa – 24 weeks
Work visas
- Popular work visas
- Skilled Worker Visa – 3 weeks
- Health and Care Worker – 3 weeks
Temporary work visas
- Government Authorised Exchange – 3 weeks
- Charity Worker – 3 weeks
- Creative Worker – 3 weeks
- International Agreement – 3 weeks
- Seasonal Worker – 3 weeks
- Religious Worker – 3 weeks
Work visas you can apply for without a job offer
- Global Talent – 3 weeks
- Youth Mobility Scheme – 3 weeks
- India Young Professionals Scheme Visa – 3 weeks
- UK Ancestry – 3 weeks
- High Potential Individual (HPI) – 3 weeks
Work visas to start a business
- Innovator Founder – 3 weeks
- Start-up – 3 weeks
Work visas for an overseas employer
- Overseas Domestic Worker – 3 weeks
- Graduate Trainee – 3 weeks
- Secondment Worker – 3 weeks
- Senior or Specialist Worker – 3 weeks
- Representative of an Overseas Business – 3 weeks
- Service Supplier – 3 weeks
- UK Expansion Worker – 3 weeks
Other visas and permits
- British National (Overseas) – 12 weeks
- International Sportsperson – 3 weeks
- Minister of Religion – 3 weeks
- Scale-up Worker – 3 weeks
- Turkish Businessperson – 6 months
- Turkish Worker – 6 months
Different Types of Applications for UK Visas
The type of UK visa you select will depend on why you are visiting the country and how long you plan to stay.
1) Employment in the United Kingdom
This category of visas will each have different requirements for eligibility, conditions, and applications. For instance, non-UK citizens who have received a job offer for skilled employment in the UK from a licensed sponsor are eligible to apply for the Skilled worker visa.
2) Travelling for work, pleasure, or family
The Standard Visitor visa is for travel, vacations, sightseeing, and receiving emergency medical care. The earliest possible date to apply for a Standard Visitor visa is three months prior to your intended arrival date in the United Kingdom.
3) Studying in the United Kingdom
There are three types of visas available for studying in the UK, depending on your specific circumstances. Three months before your travel to the UK, you must apply for the necessary student visa.
4) Investors and Entrepreneurs
The innovator founder visa is the main path for individuals travelling to the UK to establish or manage a business. Although there are no initial expenses associated with this route, the applicant and the firm must meet the qualifying requirements.
5) Reuniting with relatives in the United Kingdom
If you have a family visa and want to stay in the UK for longer than six months, you can join your spouse or other family members who are already there. Another option for you would be to get a dependent visa.
The processing period for visa applications submitted from outside the United Kingdom may extend up to 24 weeks.
6) Getting Married in the United Kingdom
You should apply for a Marriage Visitor visa if you plan to visit the UK to get married. In the UK, civil partnership ceremonies may also be conducted using this visa. After your marriage or civil partnership ceremony, you are not permitted to stay or settle in the UK with this visa.
7) While travelling Through the United Kingdom
A transit visa comes in two varieties. You should apply for a Visitor in Transit visa if you plan to transit through UK border control and stay in the country for no longer than 48 hours. You should apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa if you will not be travelling through the UK border control.
Fast Track and Priority Services
Super priority and priority services are available if you are applying for business, work, and family visas from outside the UK.
Applications for specific employment and settlement routes, like the skilled worker visa, may be eligible for priority processing, which entails paying an extra cost for expedited processing. The decision on priority processing is delivered in five working days, whereas the decision on super-priority processing is received by the end of the next working day.
Only a select few applicants are eligible for priority processing. These applicants include those who use the UK Immigration ID Check app or visit a UKVCAS centre to verify their identification. When submitting your application, you will be informed if you can pay for expedited processing.
The fees for priority and super-priority processing are as follows.
- Priority settlement visa service – outside the country – £500
- Priority non-settlement visa service – outside the country – £500
- Super priority visa service – outside the country – £1000
- Expedited processing – Priority service – within the country – £500
- Super priority service – within the country – £1000
Factors Influencing the Processing Times for UK Visas
The processing of your visa application could take longer if,
- UKVCAS is the only platform through which you may submit your application.
- If there are errors in your application it has to be reviewed again. if the supporting documentation that you have submitted is not adequate.
- You need to provide further proof, such as financial evidence to support it.
- If your supporting documents need to be verified.
- You need to attend a UK visa interview.
- You need more details about your situation, like whether you have ever had a criminal record.
- Applications for visas are increasing, due to season, etc.
- The country from which you apply for your UK visa may have an impact on the processing time for reasons, including the relationship and arrangements between the UK and your country, the administrative systems in each country, the current state of affairs in either country, whether that country is a member of the EEA, and so forth.
Tracking the Status of Visa Applications
You can stay updated on the status of your UK visa application and get ready for the next stages when a decision is reached by keeping track of its development. Here is how to keep track of the progress of your visa application using the official UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) portal. When seeking to check the status of your visa, it is crucial to have your application number and personal information on hand because you will probably need these to access any information.
Important Things to Know About Travel Plans for Visa Applicants
- Travel arrangements are not necessary before submitting your application or hearing back about it. You need to provide sufficient processing time for UK visit visa.
- If your application has not yet begun to be processed, you will only be eligible for a refund of your application cost. It is important to note that in case of UK visa rejection, you will not get a refund.
- Visa application processing times can be quickly accelerated by choosing one of the payment options that enable quicker decision-making.
Note
Candidates should make appropriate plans and consider using expedited services to fulfil deadlines. Always visit the official UK Government website or contact UKVI directly for the most recent and accurate information. If you have previously applied for a visa and it is still within the current processing times, you do not need to contact UKVI to follow your application.
