Visa Processing Times

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The Home Office has updated the Visa processing times for the applications from outside the UK on its official website. You can find updated information in our article.

If you are applying for a visa from outside the UK, you can now know how long it will take for a decision to be made on your application.

As it is known, you do not need to make any travel reservations for UK visa applications before you apply or before a decision is made on your application. Depending on your visa type, it is possible to get a faster decision on your application if you make an extra payment for a FastTrack service. Moreover, if you withdraw your application, you may be entitled to get a refund of your application fee if your application has not been started t be processed. The United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is the body that manages your visa process. Your application processing time starts when you do one of the following.

  • Verify your identity using the Identity Check app and submit your documents and application online.
  • Attend your appointment at the visa application centre to provide your fingerprints and your photo.
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If You Are Applying From The USA

To submit your fingerprints and photo, you must make an appointment at the USCIS Application Support Centre and send your passport and documents to the VFS processing centre in New York.

If you make an appointment at the VFS premium Application Centre to submit your fingerprints and photo, you can send your passport and supporting documents to this location.

In both cases, the processing time will start when VFS receives your application.

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When a Decision Is Made On Your Visa Application

If you have already applied for a visa and your application is still within the current processing period, you do not need to contact UKVI to follow up on your application.

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When Your Application Processing Period Expires

You will receive a letter or email informing you that a decision has been made on your application.

If you have visited a visa application centre, you do not need to visit it again until you are contacted.

Visit visas

Category Processing time
Standard Visitor 3 weeks
Permitted Paid Engagement 3 weeks
Marriage Visitor 3 weeks
Chinese tour group 3 weeks
Transit 3 weeks

 

Study visas

Category Processing time
Student 3 weeks
Child Student 3 weeks
Study English in the UK: Short-term student (6 to 11 month English language courses) 3 weeks

 

Family visas

Category Processing time
Partner or spouse 24 weeks
Parent 24 weeks
Child 24 weeks
Adult coming to be cared for by a relative 24 weeks
Homes for Ukraine As quickly as possible
Ukraine Family Scheme As quickly as possible

 

Popular work visas

Category Processing time
Skilled Worker 3 weeks
Health and Care Worker 3 weeks

 

Temporary work visas

Category Processing time
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

Category Processing time
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 for an overseas employer

Category Processing time
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

Category Processing time
British National (Overseas) 12 weeks
International Sportsperson 3 weeks
Minister of Religion 3 weeks
Scale-up Worker 3 weeks

 

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Situations Where The Processing Time Might Be Extended.

Situations where the processing time might be extended.

It may take longer to process your visa application;

  • If the information in your application is not correct or requires further evaluation
  • If you need to provide more evidence
  • If verification of your supporting documents is required
  • If you need to attend an interview
  • If more information is required about your personal situation (e.g. if you have a criminal conviction)
  • If the UKVI experiences a surge in visa demand, visa processing times may be extended due to overcrowding.

If Home Office requires further information about your visa application, the Home Office will contact you by letter or email.

For more information about visa types and the application process, please contact us.


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