uk visit visa decision time

UK Visa Decision Waiting Times: Frequently Asked Questions

Nov 23, 2022 | Blogs - Immigration

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has published service standards for waiting times for decisions on visa and immigration applications. UKVI also publishes up-to-date information on current processing times for visa and immigration applications submitted both within the UK and outside the UK.

In this post we take an in-depth look at UK visa processing times, including the Home Office service standards for waiting times, current Home Office visa processing times, options for securing a faster decision on a visa or immigration application and how to challenge a delay in the processing of a UK visa or immigration application. We also answer some frequently asked questions relating to UKVI visa processing times and look at some of the factors to consider when timing an immigration application.

When Does the UK Visa Application Processing Time Start and End?

For UK visa applications submitted outside the UK, visa processing time will start from either the date you provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) at a visa application centre or, if eligible, the date you verify your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app. The waiting time will end on the date when you receive an email with a decision on your application.

For a UK immigration application submitted from within the UK, the waiting time will generally start from the date when you submit your application online. An exception is made for Graduate Immigration Route applications, where the waiting time starts from the date when the applicant attends an appointment at a visa service centre or submits their documents using the UK Immigration ID Check app. In all in-country cases the waiting time will end on the date when you receive either a letter or email with a decision.

The service standard does not include the time taken to issue you with your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). You will usually receive your BRP within 7 working days after a decision has been made on your application. If you do not receive a BRP you can report it.

Will My Dependents’ Visas Be Processed Within the Same Time Frame?

Dependent visas should be processed within the same time frame as the main applicant’s visa and dependents should receive their decision at the same time. Dependent visas will not be issued before the main applicant has received their decision. Where a dependent applies after the main applicant has received a positive decision, this may shorten the time to receive an outcome.

Can I Get a Faster Decision on My UK Visa Application?

UK Visas & Immigration offers a ‘priority service’ and a ‘super priority service’ for applicants who, for an additional fee, wish to receive a faster decision on their UK visa application. Selecting one of these premium services will ensure that an application is placed at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process.

Eligible applicants who apply via the priority service should receive a decision within 5 working days of their appointment at the visa application centre (for overseas applicants) or within 5 working days of either the day of their appointment at a UKVCAS appointment centre or the working day after having finished uploading documents if using the UK Immigration: ID Check app (for in-country applicants).

Eligible applicants who apply via the super priority service should receive a decision by the end of the next working day after their appointment at the visa application centre (for overseas applicants) or their appointment at a UKVCAS appointment centre (for in-country applicants) or within 2 working days if the appointment is at the weekend. In-country applicants cannot use the super-priority service if applying using the UK Immigration: ID Check App to confirm their identity.

However, the Home Office has announced that both priority and super priority visa services are currently temporarily suspended for new family visa applications submitted outside the UK whilst it prioritises Ukraine Visa Scheme applications. This suspension has been in place since 14 March 2022. For work (except Innovator, Start-up and High Potential Individual), study and visitor visa applications, priority and super priority services are available in the majority of overseas locations on an appointment basis. However, there is a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service for visit visa applications.

The priority and super priority services are currently both still available to applicants who are applying for leave to remain and settlement in eligible routes from within the UK.

Overseas applicants should check with their visa application centre to see if the priority visa service or super priority visa service is available in the country they are applying from for their application type.

Applicants applying from within the UK can check the eligible visa and settlement application tables to confirm whether the type of application they are making is eligible for either the priority 5 working day or super priority next working day service (note that there are separate tables for switching/extending applications and settlement applications).

Priority and super-priority services may not be appropriate for complex applications which cannot be processed expeditiously. In these cases, your application will be put at the front of the queue at each decision-making stage, but a decision may exceed the priority and super-priority timescales.

These premium services should also be considered carefully when making extension applications or switching categories where there is a risk of refusal. Specialist advice should be sought to ensure that complex applications are timed strategically and sensibly.

Can I Stay in the UK While Waiting for a Decision on My Immigration Application?

If you applied from within the UK before your last leave expired then you will be able to stay in the UK until you receive a decision from the Home Office, even if a decision is delayed.

Can I Travel Outside the UK While My In-Country Application Is Being Processed?

If you have submitted a visa application from within the UK, the general rule is that you must not travel outside the UK while waiting for an immigration decision. If you leave the UK, your immigration application will be treated as withdrawn and you will not be able to request a refund of your application fee.

You may travel outside of the UK if you have submitted a naturalisation application or have applied for the EU Settlement Scheme.

What Can I Do if a Decision Is Not Made in Time or I Need an Urgent Decision?

If UKVI is not able to process your visa application in time, due to its complexity for example, you should receive a letter explaining the reasons and what will happen next. This letter should be received within the standard processing time.

If you do not receive an update from the Home Office, you can contact them directly (by phone, in writing or both) to request an update on your application status .

You may wish to consider providing evidence of how the delay is impacting you, for example if you do not have a right to work or study. If there is an urgency or the standard processing time has passed it is possible to ask for the matter to be escalated as a priority.

If you paid for a priority or super-priority service and a decision has not been made within the standard processing time, then you may also be able to request a refund of the priority or super-priority service fee.

When making enquiries, always take care to make clear that you are not intending to withdraw your application.

Additionally, you may also consider making a formal written complaint to UKVI. The complaint process can take up to 20 working days.

You may also consider contacting your local MP.

Please note that UKVI has a discretion to treat incomplete applications, for example those that do not include all mandatory documents, outside of the standard service processing time.

How Can I Challenge Home Office Delay in Deciding My Application?

If there is still no response, then you may consider a further legal avenue of challenge. There is no right of appeal when there is no decision, but you may consider judicial review proceedings as a way to ask a judge to review the failure of the Home Office to act and make a decision.

If this is a route you wish to consider then you will need to ensure that you have evidence of all stages of your attempts to obtain a decision. Keeping a written record and details of any Home Office ‘ticket’ numbers you are provided is highly recommended. The steps you have taken to obtain a decision and the reasons why one is required will be relevant considerations.

Before commencing proceedings you will need to follow a pre-action protocol process. This will give UKVI the opportunity to consider the position before you commence proceedings.

Judicial review proceedings can be legally complex, costly and time consuming. You may wish to consider seeking legal advice before commencing any proceedings.

Contact our Immigration Solicitors

For expert advice and assistance regarding a UK visa application, contact our immigration solicitors on 020 8240 9018 or via the enquiry form on our website.

New visa decision waiting times for applications outside the UK

You are not required to book any travel before you apply or before a decision is made on your application. You’ll only be refunded if we have not started processing your application.

When your application’s waiting time starts and ends

Once you’ve submitted your application online, the waiting time starts when you either:

attend your appointment and provide your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a visa application centre
verify your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app – this will depend on the visa you apply for and you’ll be advised if you can use this

The waiting time will end when you get an email containing the decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next.

Visit the UK

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a visa to visit the UK :

for a holiday or to see family or friends
for a business trip or meeting
to get married
to study for 6 months or less

You may be able to get your visa faster or access other services depending on what country you’re in – check with your visa application centre.

Travelling through the UK

You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a visa to travel through the UK on your way to another country.

Study in the UK

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application centre or use the ID Check app, if you are applying for a:

Student visa
Child Student visa

Short-term study in the UK

Short-term study visa

If you are studying for 6 months or less and have applied for a Standard Visitor visa, please refer to the visit the UK decision times.

Work or invest in the UK

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application centre or use the ID Check app, if you are applying for a visa to work or invest in the UK .

You should get a decision within 12 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a Turkish Businessperson visa.

Join family in the UK

You should get a decision within 24 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying to settle in the UK as the spouse, partner or family member of someone who has British citizenship or is settled in the UK .

If you are applying as the dependent of another applicant, you will get your decision at the same time.

If you are applying for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit you will get a decision as soon as possible after proving your identity and providing your documents.

Family reunion

You should get a decision 12 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for family reunion with a refugee or person with humanitarian protection .

Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa

You should get a decision within 12 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application centre or when you submit your online documents after completing the ID Check app.

Commonwealth citizens

You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for an Ancestry visa .

Returning residents

You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a returning resident visa .

Replacing biometric residence permits

You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a visa to travel to the UK to replace your biometric residence permit (BRP) .

Replacing residence cards

You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme and are applying for an EU Settlement Scheme travel permit to travel to the UK to replace a lost or stolen residence card.

Transfer your visa from your passport

You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying to transfer your visa from your passport .

Certificate of entitlement

You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a certificate of entitlement to prove you have right of abode in the UK.

Priority services – get a faster decision

Priority and super priority visa services have been temporarily suspended for new family visa applications.

For visitor visa applications, there is a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service.

Collection within 5 working days (priority service)

If you verify your identity at a visa application centre and the service is available in the country you’re applying from, you can choose the ‘priority service’ when you apply. There will be an additional cost for this service.

A decision will be made within 5 working days of your appointment at the visa application centre.

Check with your visa application centre to see if the priority visa service is available in the country you’re applying from. The priority visa service is available in most countries.

Next day collection (super priority service)

If you verify your identity at a visa application centre and the service is available in the country you’re applying from you can choose the ‘super priority service’ when you apply. There will be an additional cost for this service.

UK Visas and Immigration aims to make a decision on your super priority visa application and contact you to let you know that your passport is ready to be collected by the end of the next working day from when you provide your biometric information.

Check with your visa application centre to see if the super priority visa service is available in the country you’re applying from.

What happens next

If you verified your identity at a visa application centre you will be contacted when your documents are ready for collection.

If you verified your identity through the UK Immigration: ID Check app, and your application was successful, then you do not need a biometric residence permit (BRP). Your immigration status will be completely online .

Check your email spam / junk folder

Sometimes emails from us can end up in spam or junk folders, so check these folders.

When you’ll get your biometric residence permit

If you’re coming to the UK for more than 6 months and you verified your identity at a visa application centre you will need to collect your biometric residence permit (BRP) . Collect your BRP once you’re in the UK.

You must do this before the vignette sticker in your travel document expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is later.

If there’s a problem with your BRP

Report any problems with your BRP within 10 days of collecting it.

When you might wait longer

You might wait longer for a decision if your application is not straightforward and more information is required before a decision is made, for example:

if your supporting documents need to be verified
if you need to attend an interview
because of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

If you applied for a priority or super priority visa and your application is not straightforward, you may have to wait longer, but your application will still be put at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process. UK Visas and Immigration will try to process your application within our standard timescales.

UK imposes further coordinated sanctions on Iranian regime officials

Arrested krobea asante students arraigned amidst heavy police escort, related posts.

epa02609319 British Prime Minister David Cameron (R) and Afghan President Hamid Karzai (L) attend a joint press conference at 10 Downing Street in central London, Britain, on 01 March 2011. Afghan President Hamid Karzai was to hold talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron on 01 March before opening a major London exhibition of artefacts from his country. Karzai, who arrived in London late 28 February for a two-day visit, is expected to discuss issues including the planned transition of security responsibility from international troops to their Afghan counterparts in 2014. EPA/BEN STANSALL / POOL

Israeli strike: UK working to find answers, says Foreign Secretary

No record of £15m seized from Ghana – UK Authorities

If you’re fortunate to leave this country, don’t come back- Captain Planet urges

Flagship Rwanda bill back in Lords for scrutiny

Prince Harry loses High Court challenge over UK security protection

Alexei Navalny: UK sanctions Russian prison chiefs after activist’s death

Download App

Privacy Overview

02074940118
[email protected]

How to Check your UK Visa Application Status

Anne Morris
20 September 2023

IN THIS SECTION

If you are awaiting a decision on an application for a UK visa, tracking the progress of your application can be crucial to planning ahead, especially where you are time-pressured for a decision.

The following guide looks at how UK visa applicants can check the status of their applications, whether you have applied to extend an existing visa or switch to a new category of visa from within the UK, or you are applying for entry clearance or leave to enter the UK from another country.

We also share general guidance on the standard and premium visa processing times.

Checking your UK visa application status – in-country applications

Most applications to extend leave to remain in the UK, including applications to switch to another visa category, as well as applications for settlement and citizenship , are now made through the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ).

UKVCAS was launched by the UK Home Office to speed up the processing of in-country further leave to remain applications. Applicants are required to attend a single appointment to have their identity confirmed, enrol any biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) that may be required and submit their documentation in support.

However, applicants will not be given a decision at their UKVCAS appointment. The visa application and supporting documents will be sent to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to be processed. UKVI is a division of the Home Office responsible for the UK’s visa system, who will allocate to a specific case worker for a decision to be made.

UKVCAS cannot answer queries about the status of an application. You would instead need to contact UKVI.

If you have already submitted a UK visa application and are now waiting to hear the outcome, visit the GOV.UK website to find information and updates from UKVI on visa processing in general.

You cannot currently track your individual visa application online – either through UKVCAS or UKVI – but you can use an online tool to obtain information on which department to contact for your particular application.

You will need to answer a couple of questions about your application when using this tool, such as the case reference number assigned when you submitted the application, and you should be provided contact information for different departments at UKVI.

You can call the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) contact centre by telephone on 0300 790 6268 – select option 2 – Monday to Thursday (excluding bank holidays), 9am to 4:45pm and Friday (excluding bank holidays), 9am to 4:30pm.

If you have any questions about British citizenship applications, you will need to contact the Citizenship and Nationality Enquiries team by email [email protected], or by phone: 0300 790 6268 – select option 2 – Monday to Thursday, 9am to 4:45pm and Friday, 9am to 4:30pm.

How to check UK visa application status – out of country applications

When applying for a visa from outside the UK, you will need to attend a visa application centre in the country from which you are applying to provide your biometric information, together with all necessary documents in support of your application.

As with in-country visa applications, you will not receive a decision on your application at your appointment to enrol your biometric information and provide your supporting documentation. You will instead be required to wait for a decision from UKVI.

UKVI website

You can check the status of your out-of-country application using the UKVI website. This ‘General Enquiry’ service incurs a charge of £2.74 per application, which covers the initial email enquiry as well as follow-up emails relating to the same enquiry.

You will need a credit or debit card to use this service, where you will be asked to enter your payment details before sending your email, but you will not be charged until your message has been sent. UKVI will usually reply within 2 days, except on Saturdays, Sundays and UK public holidays.

TLScontact website

On the TLScontact website, click ‘Provide Documents and Biometrics’ and then ‘Continue’ to be redirected to your account. Choose the option to ‘Track’ which will display the real-time status of your application.

VFS website

On the VFS Global website, choose the location of the visa application centre where you provided your biometrics, then select ‘Track your application’. IF you do not ave the option to track your application, you should try the UKVI website.

By telephone

You can call UKVI with a question about your application on +44 (0)300 790 6268 – select option 1, or +44 (0)203 875 4669. This service is open Monday to Friday, 24 hours, at a cost of 69p per minute on top of your standard network charges.

Please note, if your message is urgent, you can phone the contact centre instead, although the contact centre staff will not have any involvement in the outcome of your case.

What are the standard processing times for UK visa applications?

The time in which it will take to process your UK visa application will primarily depend on whether you have applied to either come to or remain in the UK. The category of visa that you are applying for may also affect your application wait times.

Generally speaking, the wait times for visa applications made from outside the UK are typically shorter than for in-country applications.

If you are applying to remain in the UK, you should still be allowed to stay in the UK pending any decision from UKVI, so long as you have submitted your application to extend your leave to remain or switch to another category before your existing visa expires.

UKVI publishes standard processing times for applications on its website in accordance with their customer charter.

It is important to remember that the guide times provided are not a guarantee.

Applications made in the UK

Based on the current processing times, for those applying to remain in the UK on a temporary basis, including as workers and students, the standard processing time is 8 weeks. Applications for indefinite leave to remain made from inside the UK will usually be dealt with within 6 months.

Applications made outside the UK

For those applying for a visa from outside the UK, the target is for 90% of non-settlement applications to be processed within 3 weeks, 98% within 6 weeks and 100% within 12 weeks of the application date, where 1 week is 5 working days.

Currently, student and Skilled Worker applications are taking 3 weeks to process out of country, while family visas are taking 24 weeks.

For those applying for settlement from outside the UK, it is estimated that 98.5% of settlement applications will be dealt with within 12 weeks of the application date, and 100% within 24 weeks of the application date, where again 1 week is 5 working days.

How does premium processing work?

If you are looking to obtain a faster decision on your visa application, in many cases it is possible to pay for premium processing, or what’s known as a priority service, when you submit your application. You will need to check your application type for available priority services. If you are applying outside the UK, you will also need to check with the visa application centre where you intend to make your application.

There may be two premium processing options available to you: the ‘5 working day priority service’ and the ‘next working day super priority service’. The timescales for priority services will run from when you complete your appointment to provide your biometric information and supporting evidence, although these times do not include the time taken to issue you with your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). You will usually receive your BRP within 7 working days after a decision has been made on your application.

For super priority service appointments attended on a Saturday or Sunday, the appointment will be deemed as attended on the next working day. Where there is a bank holiday the next working day will be classed as a Tuesday, but in most cases this will be a Monday. This means, for example, a Saturday appointment will usually be deemed as attended on the Monday after the weekend, and the decision on your visa application completed and dispatched by the end of the next working day.

What can delay a UK visa application?

If your visa application is straightforward, for example, where a decision can be made on it without you being asked for more information, it will usually be decided within the standard processing times or, where you have paid for a faster decision, the premium processing times.

If, however, your application is more complex, the usual times may not necessarily apply and you may need to wait longer for a decision. If your application is delayed, you will be informed by letter as to what will happen next within the relevant timescales for your visa.

If you applied for a priority or super priority visa and it is not possible to meet the applicable timescale, your application will still be put at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process. UKVI will also still aim to process your application within standard global timescales. In these circumstances, you may be able to request a refund of the additional fee paid for premium processing.

Your application could be delayed for a number of reasons. This could be due to backlogs in processing applications by UKVI, both generally and, more recently, because of the coronavirus pandemic. This could also be because your supporting documents need to be verified and/or you are required to attend an interview, or because of your personal circumstances, such as any adverse immigration history or criminal convictions.

Your visa application will be assessed both in accordance with the general requirements under the UK immigration rules, as well as the specific eligibility criteria required for your visa category. If there is insufficient evidence in support of your application, or a question mark over whether you qualify for a particular visa or satisfy the general requirements to come to or remain in the UK, further investigations may be warranted.

If you have been asked to provide additional documentation in support of your UK visa application, or have concerns about attending an interview, expert advice should be sought from an immigration specialist to guide you through this process.

Checking your UK visa application status FAQs

How can i check the status of my uk visa application.

There are different ways of checking different types of applications. For example, if you have made a visa extension application from within the UK, there is no online checking service available so you would instead need to call UKVI.

How do I check my VFS application status?

If you have applied overseas for a UK visa and attended an appointment at a visa application centre, you can go to the GOV.UK online tool to track your VFS application status. VFS are the commercial partners used by UKVI to help deliver their overseas visa services. You will be given the option of contacting UKVI by either telephone or email, although email enquiries are more likely to be directed to the caseworker dealing with your application.

How can I check my UK visa status with passport number?

When you first submitted your application for a UK visa, you will have been asked to provide your passport. Once your application has been successfully submitted, you should then have been given a case reference number. You will need to have this number to hand when you phone or email UKVI to check your UK visa status and the progress of your application.

Last updated: 20 September 2023

About DavidsonMorris

As employer solutions lawyers, DavidsonMorris offers a complete and cost-effective capability to meet employers’ needs across UK immigration and employment law, HR and global mobility .

Led by Anne Morris, one of the UK’s preeminent immigration lawyers, and with rankings in The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners , we’re a multi-disciplinary team helping organisations to meet their people objectives, while reducing legal risk and nurturing workforce relations.

Contact DavidsonMorris

DavidsonMorris Ltd t/a DavidsonMorris Solicitors is a company Registered in England & Wales No. 6183275

Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority No. 542691

Registered Office: Level 30, The Leadenhall Building, 122 Leadenhall Street, London, EC3V 4AB

Website design by Prof Services Limited .

UK Visa Processing Times

Many factors impact visa processing times, this article is a summary of the current (average) processing times. For accurate information refer to UKVI.

Paragon Law

UK visa processing times vary quite significantly depending on what visa is being applied for, where the application has been made, and what an individual’s circumstances are .

It is worth mentioning that the provided information is just a guide, and so, processing times experience may be longer or shorter depending on factors such as the complexity of your case, the capacity at the UKVI.

UK visa processing times

In order to assess whether your visa or immigration application has been delayed, it is important to understand what the current visa decision waiting times are.

Your UK visa processing time begins when you submit your application online and ends when you have received a letter or email which outlines the decision. Some applicants will only need to submit an application form, however, others may be required to either:

Attend an appointment to provide both fingerprints and pictures at a biometric centre either within the UK or at an approved partner centre outside of the UK.

Verify identity and submit documents using the UK Immigration ID Check app (ID check app) .

If applicable, your UK visa processing time begins once you have either attended a biometrics appointment or have submitted the relevant documents to the UK ID Check app.

It is worth noting that a priority visa service is available for in-country and out-of-country applications. The priority visa service means that decisions on visa applications can be received within 1 and 5 working days (depending on the service purchased). Unfortunately, the priority visa service is not available for every visa route - where it is available you will be able to purchase it either upon submission of an application or during the process of booking the biometric appointment.

UK visa processing time: Applications made inside the UK

Below is a summary of how long the UKVI expects decisions to be made on the various types of UK immigration and visa applications. The UK visa processing time starts after you have submitted your biometric details, either through the ID Check App or by attending an in-person appointment.

According to UKVI, applicants who have made a visa application (and haven’t paid to receive a priority service) can expect to receive a decision within 8 weeks when switching to, or extending any of the following visas :

Applicants who have applied to either switch to, or extend either a Health and Care Worker visa or a Start-up visa, can expect to receive a decision within 3 weeks .

Applicants who have submitted a settlement application, can expect to receive a decision within 6 months .

Please be aware that the standard visa processing times outlined above have been impacted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. As a result of this, decisions on visa applications are taking more than 11 weeks to be made. However, UKVI is continuously working and aiming to return their decision timelines back within their standard service times.

UK visa processing time: Applications made outside of the UK

Below is a summary of how long the UKVI expects decisions to be made on the various types of UK immigration and visa applications. The processing time refers to the period after an individual has attended a biometric appointment or has verified their identity through another means.

According to UKVI, applicants who have made a visa application can expect to receive a decision within 3 weeks when making an application for one of the following:

Visit visas (this includes Standard Visit visas)

Transit visas

Student visas

Short term study visa

Commonwealth citizen visas (including Ancestry visas)

Returning resident visa

Work and investment visas, including:

Entrepreneur visa

Global talent visa

Skilled worker visa

International sportsperson visa

High potential individual (HPI) visa

Innovator visa

Intra-company transfer visa

Domestic Workers in a Private Household visa

Investor visa

Representative of an Overseas Business

Minister of religion visa

Temporary Worker Visa

Scale-up worker visa

If you have made a visa application to join family in the UK (i.e. partner visa, spouse visa, parent visa, child visa, adult dependent relative visa, private life applications) then visa decisions take around 24 weeks . However, if you are applying for family reunion to join a refugee or an individual with humanitarian protection, then decisions will take around 12 weeks (but there are currently delays in visa processing times).

The decision waiting time for the Hong Kong BNO visa and Turkish Businessperson visa is around 12 weeks .

If you are applying for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit, you will get a decision soon after you have proved your identity and provided the required documents .

What is the waiting time after biometrics?

The waiting time after biometrics depends on a range of factors including:

What visa you applied for.

Whether you applied from inside or outside the UK.

Whether you paid to receive a priority service.

The complexity of the case.

The evidence presented.

For a general overview of the waiting times after biometrics head over to these links ( applying from outside the UK or applying from inside the UK ).

What are some of the factors which affect immigration and visa application processing times?

The delays to the visa and immigration processing times are currently largely caused by Covid and the Ukraine crisis. However, other factors which can affect processing times include:

Concerns about an individual meeting the eligibility requirements (e.g. having a criminal record or an adverse immigration history).

Concerns about the documents presented with the application (e.g. issues with authenticity or not many have been provided).

If the applicant is required to attend an interview .

The capacity of the caseworkers at UKVI .

Can I speed up the processing time of my visa?

Yes certain UK visa applications enable you to pay to receive either a priority service or a super priority service .

If you are eligible to benefit from the priority service then a decision on your visa application will be made within 5 working days of attending your appointment at the visa application centre or uploading your documents on the UK Immigration: ID Check app.

If you are eligible to benefit from the super priority service then a decision on your visa application will be made within 1 to 2 working days of attending your appointment at the visa application centre or uploading your documents on the UK Immigration: ID Check app .

Please note that priority and super priority services have been suspended for new family visa applications and there is a reduced availability for these services amongst visitor visa applications.

Want to know more about applying for a UK visa?

Perhaps you have a question about UK visa processing times, or perhaps you have a question about applying for a UK visa. Whatever, the need, why not get in touch with us today and claim your free consultation with an expert immigration lawyer?

What to do when there is a Home Office delay

If your application to any of the routes outlined previously has been delayed, then you can do one of the following.

Contact UKVI to escalate application delays

UKVI offers several routes to contact them and enquire about applications.

For applications made outside of the UK, you can contact UKVI online . Queries cost £2.74. Upon completion of this application form and payment a response will be received from UKVI by way of email within 5 working days. You will not be charged for any follow-up emails about the same enquiry.

For both applications made within the UK and from outside of the UK a complaint can be lodged through this link . This route is free however upon submission of the complaint it takes 28 working days for a response to be received in respect of the application.

Contact your local MP

If you have made an immigration application within the UK and it has been delayed, then an alternative route to escalate this delay would be to contact your local Member of Parliament (MP).

To find out who your local MP is, please head over to this link . Upon selecting your MP based on your location you will be brought to their page on the government where you can find the correct email address to contact them.

If you choose to contact them to express your concern or frustration at the delay in your immigration application, then it is important that you write in a formal manner. Your email or other form of correspondence should include the following:

The reason why you are requesting your MP’s assistance .

What you would like them to do after reading your request.

Facts and evidence which supports your case and shows that you have experienced a Home Office delay .

The above information will assist your local MP to determine the strength of your case and how they can best assist you.

Your MP has the power to raise your case with UKVI which is invaluable because UKVI is obligated to respond. However, UKVI might only tell your MP what stage your case is at or reaffirm that your appeal rights have been exhausted. Therefore, it is important to be very specific with what you request your MP to do i.e. pushing for a decision to be made in the instance of a prolonged delay on your application. It is only through a specific and measured approach that you can increase your chances of getting positive intervention.

Parliamentary Ombudsman

The Parliamentary Ombudsman is a body which makes the final decisions on complaints that are yet to be resolved by a government department within the UK. They aim to do this fairly, without biases and freely. However, you can only complain about UK government departments (such as UKVI) if an MP refers the complaint to the Parliamentary Ombudsman . In summary, a complaint form (found here ) must be completed and signed by an MP before being submitted.

You can only make a complaint to the Parliamentary Ombudsman about one of the following:

The government department’s (e.g. UKVI) conduct was unfair .

The service you received was poor .

The negative impact of either the above has not been resolved .

It is then for the Parliamentary Ombudsman to investigate this and determine whether the government department is at fault and have failed to resolve these issues. Ideally, a complaint to the Parliamentary Ombudsman is submitted as soon as all of the other routes (mentioned previously) have been exhausted. However, as long as a complaint is lodged within the time-limits it will still be valid: this means that a complaint about a UK government department must be made within a year of becoming aware of the problem.

If the Parliamentary Ombudsman agrees with your complaint, they can do one of the following:

Request the government department take action to rectify its error , which could be in the form of either a refund or apology or acknowledging its mistake.

Instruct the government department to revisit the incorrect decision made.

Ask the government department to change their processes in order to prevent them from repeating the same mistake. This step would require the government department to review any policies, guidance, and standards which are in place.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman will also consider legal action where appropriate as they might be of the view that the best solution to your complaint is within the courts. However, this decision will be made considering all factors, such as the likely cost of legal action, the likelihood of a positive outcome and the likely length of court proceedings.

C onclusion

In summary, when dealing with Home Office delays it is first important to assess whether you have in fact experienced a delay. With this information you can then:

Contact UKVI to get an update.

If that fails you can escalate your issue to your local MP.

As a last resort you can lodge a complaint with the Parliamentary Ombudsman providing that your local MP has referred your complaint to the Parliamentary Ombudsman first.

How can Paragon Law help?

Subscribe for updates

Got a question about visa processing times?

If you would like to know more about UK visa processing times, or if you would like to know what you can do to try and speed up the decision process, then get in touch with us today to speak to an expert immigration lawyer.

Immigration Health Surcharge

Not ready to talk our free immigration resources may have the answer to your questions.

Immigration Rules Change For Skilled Workers and Sponsors - April 2024

UK Graduate Route Review - March 2024

India Young Professionals Scheme - Ballot System Opening Feb 2024

Spouse, Fiancé and Partner Visas - A Valentine's Update

Unmarried Partner Definition Change - Immigration Rules Appendix FM

The 2024 Key Home Office Dates Have Been Announced

Immigration Announcement - 2024 Additional Information

A Decade At Paragon Law

What Next For The Graduate Visa Route?

UK: UK Visa Processing & Decision Waiting Times

UKVI Visa Processing Standard Processing Times

If a UK visa application includes all relevant information and supporting documents (and the Home Office does not need to request further evidence or explanation) then the following waiting time customer service standards should apply:

Non-settlement visa applications submitted outside the UK: 90% to be decided within 3 weeks; 98% within 6 weeks and 100% within 12 weeks of the application date (where 1 week is 5 working days);
Settlement visa applications submitted outside the UK: 98.5% of settlement applications to be decided within 12 weeks of the application date and 100% within 24 weeks of the application date (where 1 week is 5 working days);
Applications for leave to remain submitted within the UK, including as spouses, workers and students: 8 weeks to be decided;
Applications for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) submitted within the UK: 6 months to be decided;
Applications for no time limit (NTL) submitted within the UK: 6 months to be decided;
Organisations seeking to sponsor a worker: 8 weeks;
Organisations updating their sponsor licence details: 18 weeks.

The processing time standard for applications submitted via the priority service and super-priority service is 5 workings days and the next working day respectively, where these services are available (see further below). Applications for a sponsor licence submitted via the pre-licence priority sponsor licence service should be decided within 10 working days.

These service standards are the visa processing times that UKVI aims to deliver on for the processing of straightforward, complete applications, based on its customer charter . Actual UK visa processing times can vary considerably.

What Factors Affect UK Visa Processing Times?

There are a number of factors which can delay UK visa processing times including:

The complexity of the case, for example if it involves an assessment of Article 8 ECHR rights or derivative rights of EEA extended family members;
Concerns regarding suitability requirements such as criminality;
Consideration of any adverse immigration history;
Any concerns regarding the authenticity of documents;
The volume of documents provided;
Whether further investigations are required or an interview scheduled;
The capacity of caseworkers; and
The time of the year.

There is no published service standard for waiting times for more complex applications and UKVI has a wide margin of appreciation with regard to the timing of their decisions.

Home Office decision-making is sometimes delayed. In the last couple of years, many UK visa applicants have experienced extended waiting times during the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, as we outline below, decisions on some UK visa applications are being delayed again as the Home Office seeks to prioritise Ukraine Visa Scheme applications in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the invasion of Ukraine.

To discuss your UK visa or immigration application with one of our immigration barristers, call us on 0203 617 9173 or complete the enquiry form below.

What Are the Current Home Office UK Visa Processing Times?

The Home Office publishes visa decision waiting times for applications submitted outside and inside the UK. From this information it is possible to ascertain approximately how long it should take for a pending visa application to be decided.

The information provided below assumes that the application has, or will be, submitted via the standard service and that a priority service or super-priority service, where available (see further below), has not been used.

Work in the UK

The UK offers a range of sponsored and non-sponsored work and business immigration routes, including:

Long Term Work Visas (including Skilled Worker , International Sportsperson and Minister of Religion )
Short Term Work Visas (including Creative Worker )
Business Visas (including Innovator )
Global Business Mobility Visas (including Senior or Specialist Worker )
Talent Visas

You can apply for a UK work visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK.

According to Home Office service standards, applicants applying for a work visa from overseas in any of the above-mentioned categories should normally receive a decision on their application within 3 weeks.

However, the Home Office is currently advising that applications for work visas in the above routes submitted from outside the UK may take longer to be processed than the published standard processing time. The Home Office has not published an up-to-date average processing time for work visa applications, but is advising that it is prioritising Ukraine Visa Scheme applications.

The standard processing time for an application to switch into or extend a stay in the UK on a work visa route is 8 weeks. This service standard is currently being met in practice. Applications to switch into a Start-up visa and to switch into or extend a Health and Care Worker visa are generally being processed within 3 weeks currently.

If you are applying for settlement on a work or business route you should usually receive a decision within 6 months.

Join or Stay With Family in the UK

You can apply for a family visa to live in the UK with your British or settled family member as a:

Civil Partner
Unmarried Partner
Proposed civil partner
Adult dependent relative

Applications for partner and family visas can be submitted up to 3 months before the intended date of travel.

The published service standard for deciding an application from outside the UK to settle in the UK as the spouse, partner or family member of a British citizen or settled person is 12 weeks. However, the Home Office is currently advising that applications for family visas submitted from outside the UK may take up to 24 weeks to process whilst it prioritises Ukraine Visa Scheme applications.

An application from within the UK to switch into or extend as a spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, child or adult dependent relative should still be processed within 8 weeks.

If you are applying for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit , the Home Office is currently advising that you will receive a decision as soon as possible after proving your identity and providing your documents.

There are no standard processing times for applications submitted as a partner, parent or on the basis of private life (10-year routes or 5-year parent route to settlement). The average wait time for a decision on a private life application is currently 11 months.

If you are applying for settlement you should usually receive a decision within 6 months.

Visit the UK

The UK offers a range of Short Stay Visit Visas , for purposes such as:

Visiting friends, family and/or for a short holiday ;
Short-term unpaid business activity ;
Unpaid creative activities ;
Short courses of study or research ;
Unpaid sporting activities ;
Receiving private medical treatment ;
Marriage or civil partnership in the UK ;

Applications for a UK visit visa can be submitted up to 3 months before the intended date of travel.

Visitor visa applications submitted from outside the UK are currently taking an average of 6 weeks to process. This is longer than the 3-week service standard.

Most visitors cannot extend their stay from within the UK, but if you are a patient receiving medical treatment, an academic who still meets the eligibility requirements or a graduate doing a clinical attachment or retaking the PLAB test and you wish to extend as a visitor then you should usually receive a decision within 8 weeks.

Visitors are not eligible to apply for settlement.

Study in the UK

The Student visa is for individuals who are aged 16 or over and who wish to study on a further or higher education course in the UK. The Child Student visa route is for children aged between 4 and 17 who wish to study at an independent school in the UK, which is a Home Office approved student sponsor. The Short-term Student visa is a route for persons aged 16 and over who want to study an English language course in the UK for between 6 and 11 months without a student sponsor but at an accredited institution.

If applying from outside the UK, applications for UK Student visas can be submitted up to 6 months before the start date of the course. The customer service standard for receiving a decision is 3 weeks.

The Home Office is advising that applications for study visas in all of the above routes submitted from outside the UK may currently take longer to be processed than the published standard 3 week processing time. The Home Office has not published an average processing time, but has advised that it is prioritising Ukraine Visa Scheme applications.

If applying from inside the UK to switch into or extend a Student or Child Student visa, an application for permission to stay can be submitted up to 3 months before the start date of the course. The customer service standard for receiving a decision on such an application is 8 weeks and decisions are currently being made within this timeframe.

Students are not eligible to apply for settlement.

Hong Kong British National (Overseas)

The Hong Kong BN(O) Status Holder Visa is an immigration route for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) citizens to live, work and study in the UK. The Hong Kong BN(O) Household Member Visa is an immigration route for adult children (aged 18 or over) of a BN(O) Status Holder or a BN(O) Status Holder's partner, born on or after 1 July 1997, to live, work and study in the UK.

If you apply for a Hong Kong BN(O) Status Holder visa or Hong Kong BN(O) Household Member visa from overseas then you should receive a decision within 12 weeks. The same processing time currently applies to applications to extend a Hong Kong BN(O) visa from within the UK.

If you are applying for settlement on the Hong Kong BN(O) route you should usually receive a decision within 6 months.

UK Ancestry

If you are a Commonwealth citizen and have a grandparent who was born in the UK, you may be able to live and work in the UK on the basis of your UK Ancestry. A UK Ancestry visa can only be obtained from outside the UK.

If you are applying for a UK Ancestry visa you should receive a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre. If you apply to extend an Ancestry visa from within the UK then you should usually receive a decision within 8 weeks.

Returning Residents

If you are a non-UK citizen and are not currently in the UK, but have previously been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK, you may be eligible to return to the UK for settlement on the basis of a returning resident visa. When you apply for a Returning Resident visa from overseas you should normally receive a decision within 3 weeks currently.

Our immigration barristers assist individuals and businesses across the globe to prepare and submit successful UK visa and immigration applications. Call us on 0203 617 9173 or complete our enquiry form below to find out more.

UK Visa Decision Waiting Times: Frequently Asked Questions

When does the uk visa application processing time start and end.

Will My Dependents' Visas Be Processed Within the Same Time Frame?

Dependent visas should be processed within the same time frame as the main applicant's visa and dependents should receive their decision at the same time. Dependent visas will not be issued before the main applicant has received their decision. Where a dependent applies after the main applicant has received a positive decision, this may shorten the time to receive an outcome.

Can I Get a Faster Decision on My UK Visa Application?

UK Visas & Immigration offers a 'priority service' and a 'super priority service' for applicants who, for an additional fee, wish to receive a faster decision on their UK visa application. Selecting one of these premium services will ensure that an application is placed at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process.

However, the Home Office has announced that both priority and super priority visa services are currently temporarily suspended for new study, work and family visa applications submitted outside the UK whilst it prioritises Ukraine Visa Scheme applications. This suspension has been in place since 14 March 2022.

The priority and super priority services are currently both still available to applicants who are applying for leave to remain and settlement in eligible routes from within the UK.

Can I Stay in the UK While Waiting for a Decision on My Immigration Application?

If you applied from within the UK before your last leave expired then you will be able to stay in the UK until you receive a decision from the Home Office, even if a decision is delayed.

Can I Travel Outside the UK While My In-Country Application Is Being Processed?

You may travel outside of the UK if you have submitted a naturalisation application or have applied for the EU Settlement Scheme.

Travel outside the UK while waiting for an immigration decision

What Can I Do if a Decision Is Not Made in Time or I Need an Urgent Decision?

If you do not receive an update from the Home Office, you can contact them directly (by phone, in writing or both) to request an update on your application status.

If you paid for a priority or super-priority service and a decision has not been made within the standard processing time then you may also be able to request a refund of the priority or super-priority service fee.

When making enquiries, always take care to make clear that you are not intending to withdraw your application.

Additionally you may also consider making a formal written complaint to UKVI. The complaint process can take up to 20 working days.

You may also consider contacting your local MP .

Please note that UKVI has a discretion to treat incomplete applications, for example those that do not include all mandatory documents, outside of the standard service processing times.

How Can I Challenge Home Office Delay in Deciding My Application?

If there is still no response then you may consider a further legal avenue of challenge. There is no right of appeal when there is no decision, but you may consider judicial review proceedings as a way to ask a judge to review the failure of the Home Office to act and make a decision.

If this is a route you wish to consider then you will need to ensure that you have evidence of all stages of your attempts to obtain a decision. Keeping a written record and details of any Home Office 'ticket' numbers you are provided is highly recommended. The steps you have taken to obtain a decision and the reasons why one is required will be relevant considerations.

Before commencing proceedings you will need to follow a pre-action protocol process. This will give UKVI the opportunity to consider the position before you commence proceedings.

Judicial review proceedings can be legally complex, costly and time consuming. You may wish to consider seeking legal advice before commencing any proceedings.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

Login to Mondaq.com

Password Passwords are Case Sensitive

Forgot your password?

Why Register with Mondaq

Free, unlimited access to more than half a million articles (one-article limit removed) from the diverse perspectives of 5,000 leading law, accountancy and advisory firms

Articles tailored to your interests and optional alerts about important changes

Receive priority invitations to relevant webinars and events

You’ll only need to do it once, and readership information is just for authors and is never sold to third parties.

Your Organisation

We need this to enable us to match you with other users from the same organisation. It is also part of the information that we share to our content providers ("Contributors") who contribute Content for free for your use.

How to Chase a Delayed UK Visa Application

We regularly receive telephone calls and emails from people experiencing delays by the Home Office processing their visa and immigration applications.

It is deeply frustrating when the Home Office takes longer than stated on its website to process a visa or immigration application, especially when there are already significant delays in processing times due to the war in Ukraine.

Delays in Home Office processing times for UK visa and immigration applications can ruin travel plans, prolong uncertainty, and cause hardship by preventing applicants from working in the UK or spending time with loved ones.

This article sets out some of the common causes of delays and the ways in which you can chase the Home Office for a fast-track decision if you are experiencing delays in the processing of your UK visa or immigration application.

Is My UK Visa Application Definitely Delayed?

The Home Office publishes estimated waiting times for decisions on applications submitted inside and outside the UK on its website. It also publishes its Service Standards online. For an up-to-date summary of current UK visa processing and decision-waiting times please visit our post: UK Visa Processing & Decision Waiting Times .

Processing times have recently been affected by COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine. For example, partner visa applications from outside the UK, which usually take 12 weeks to process, are currently taking up to 24 weeks to process from the date of biometric enrolment at a visa application centre.

Our recent post sets out the processing times of standard service applications for different kinds of applications.

The Home Office website indicates that, for applications made from inside the UK, the “ waiting time starts once you’ve submitted your application online and ends when you get a letter or an email with a decision .” The exception is Graduate Immigration Route applications, where the waiting time starts when you attend your appointment at a service centre or you submit your documents using the ID Check app.

For applications made from outside the UK, the waiting time starts when you “ attend your appointment and provide your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a visa application centre ” or you “ verify your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app. This will depend on the visa you apply for and you’ll be advised if you can use this .” The waiting time ends “ when you get an email containing the decision on your application. ”

Before submitting an immigration application, you should factor in additional time for the Home Office to issue and send you a BRP if this applies to your application. This is usually within 10 working days of the decision.

Why Has There Been a Delay in Processing My UK Visa or Immigration Application?

If you have not heard back from the Home Office and the published waiting time has elapsed, you should investigate the possible causes for the delay.

The Home Office website indicates that in order for applications to be processed within the service standards, applicants should ensure:

your application is made before your current visa expires
your application is completed accurately
you include any required photographs
you provide evidence of funds to maintain yourself if required on the application form and guidance
you enrol your biometric information and respond to any requests for further information by the dates we ask you
when you attend your appointment at our commercial partner or Service and Support Centre, you submit the required documents with your application
if your application is made on a paper form
it is signed and dated and made on the correct form, submitting the required documents
you have included the payment and any cheque is signed and dated for the full fee

The Home Office’s guidance indicates that straightforward applications that meet these requirements should be handled within the standard processing time.

In the event of a problem with your application or the application being particularly complex, the Home Office “ will write to explain why it will not be decided within the normal standard. We will write within the normal processing time for the 8 week standard and within 12 weeks for the 6 month standard. The letter will explain what will happen next.”

Possible reasons why your case might take longer than the standard processing time to decide are that:

The Home Office wishes to interview you about your application;
The Home Office needs further information from you;
The Home Office is conducting external checks relating to your application (for example, with other government departments);
The Home Office is processing a higher than usual volume of applications (e.g., just before seasonal holidays or sporting fixtures);

The Home Office’s Service Standards only apply to ‘complete’ applications: “ If your application is incomplete at the time you complete your appointment the caseworker will consider whether the case should be excluded from the service standard. ”

How to Chase a Delayed UK Visa or Immigration Decision in 6 Steps

Step 1: contact uk visas and immigration for assistance.

If you are experiencing delays in processing your application and have not been contacted by the Home Office, the next step is to contact UK Visas and Immigration and ask for an update on the progress of your application. You will find the relevant contact details for the Home Office here .

UK Visas and Immigration should be able to advise you on why there has been a delay in processing your application and if there are any steps you should take to expedite the application.

It is advisable to keep a record of all calls and emails you have made to the Home Office regarding your application, including who you spoke to, when the call was made, and what information was given. The Home Office may provide you with ‘ticket’ numbers in email correspondence, which you should hold onto. You will need a record of these steps being taken in order to take further action to chase your immigration decision.

In calls and correspondence with the Home Office, you should refer to your Home Office reference number(s) and/or visa application number(s). These numbers can be found in correspondence with the Home Office and your downloaded application form(s). You should also mention when your application was submitted, when your biometrics were enrolled, and the published processing time on the Home Office website at the date of submission. You should also explain how the delay is impacting you and your family, for example, if it is affecting an employment offer or is separating you from loved ones.

It is advisable to ask for the matter to be escalated or fast-tracked as a matter of priority, and for the Home Office to refund you for the priority or super-priority service fee if you paid for this.

Step 2: Complain About UK Visas and Immigration

If contacting the Home Office does not avail you, the next step is to submit a complaint to UK Visas and Immigration using their online form . It is alternatively possible to write a letter to the complaints allocation hub or to email [email protected] .

When using UKVI’s internal complaint procedure, you will need to provide the following information:

your contact details – it is important you include your address and phone number as we may contact you to resolve your complaint by phone or to request further information
the names of the applicant/original complainant if you’re completing this on behalf of someone else – we must have written authority to disclose information about another person’s case
full details of the matter you’re complaining about, including times, dates and locations
the names or identifying numbers of any staff you’ve dealt with
details of any witnesses to the incident, if appropriate
details of any reimbursement issues including papers and receipts to support your claim
your Home Office reference details, and any other references that will help us to investigate your complaint, for example refund reference, appeal reference, UAN (unique application number), IHS reference and any payment references.
if your complaint is in relation to our contact centre we will need to know the date you called, the number you dialled and the number you called us from

The Home Office website warns that it can take up to 20 days to receive a response to a complaint about waiting for a decision on an immigration application. Where a complaint suggests serious professional misconduct, it can take up to 12 weeks – UKVI should write to you to explain this.

You should include all details of previous communications with the Home Office, your reference numbers, your full name, your date of birth and all other relevant information in your complaint.

The complaints procedure for UK Visas and Immigration is set out on the government website . It indicates that complaints should be made “ no later than 3 months after the date of the incident unless there are exceptional circumstances .”

The UKVI website states that it will “ only respond to enquiries that are considered as complaints. ” UKVI will “ not respond to progress enquiries if you used our online complaints form. ”

Step 3: Contact Your Local MP

If you have still not heard from the Home Office from the above steps, many of our clients have successfully asked their MPs to intervene on their behalf . The Parliament website indicates that you should contact your MP “ [i]f you feel you have been treated unfairly by a Government office or agency ”.

Writing a letter to your MP at the House of Commons, London SW1A OAA or emailing them using the Directory of MPs is the easiest way as you can ensure that you provide them with all of the information to your complaint, including details of the steps you have taken above.

Step 4: Complain to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

If your MP’s letter to the Home Office is unsuccessful, you may wish to ask your MP to refer your complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman . This service is free, but it can only be done if you have already utilised UKVI’s complaints procedure as set out above: “ As we are the final stage for unresolved complaints, we usually expect you to complain to the organisation you are unhappy with first. This is so that it has the chance to look into your concerns and, where needed, put things right for you. ” You must have made a formal complaint to the Home Office and waited 20 days before your MP can contact the Ombudsman for you.

As a matter of law, the Ombudsman may only investigate complaints about UK government departments if an MP refers the complaint to them. You may complete the complaint form on their behalf and ask your MP to sign and send it.

Step 5: Pre-Action Protocol Letter

If you have completed all of the above steps, you may consider seeking advice about taking legal action against the Home Office. As a matter of law, you are only able to take legal action against the Home Office as a last resort.

The first legal step is filing a pre-action protocol letter (PAP) on the Home Office.

Our immigration barristers will be able to advise you on whether there are merits in following the PAP process. You would need to show that the Home Office has unreasonably failed to act in relation to the exercise of its public function resulting in disadvantage such as losing a job or harm to your health. This is only likely to be appropriate where there have been delays resulting in significant harm to you, for example, loss of a job offer or being unable to spend time with sick family members. It would be important to have evidence of the steps you have already taken to obtain a decision, including evidence of prior communications with the Home Office.

If the Home Office does not respond within 14 days of receiving the PAP, you will be able to lodge a judicial review with the High Court.

Step 6: Judicial Review

Judicial review is a matter of last resort. It is a costly, complex and time-consuming process that involves challenging the Home Office’s delay before a judge. Before commencing JR proceedings, it is advisable to obtain legal advice on the merits of doing so.

Will the Home Office Compensate Me for the Delay in Deciding My Application?

Please note, pursuing the Home Office for compensation is not something we are able to assist with. The following information is provided for information only.

Following a complaint that seeks financial redress, the Home Office sometimes makes ex-gratia payments where “ the customer has suffered actual financial loss or non-financial loss that is sufficiently compelling to warrant financial redress.” UKVI only makes ex-gratia payments to customers “ as a redress for maladministration. ”

Maladministration is “ lack of care, judgement or honesty in the management of something ”. Examples include the Home Office losing/defacing/invalidating documents or taking incorrect action such as endorsing a passport with the wrong conditions.

The Home Office guidance is clear that delays are not generally classed as maladministration: “ Delays that have occurred due to operational constraints and limited resources, i.e. where a backlog of cases have occurred, are not classed as maladministration by Immigration Enforcement, Border Force or UK Visas & Immigration directorates. ”

The guidance states that only in “ exceptional circumstances ” will financial redress be appropriate:

“ Forms of redress such as an apology or remedial action may be called for when the complaint is about delay. Financial redress would only be appropriate in exceptional circumstances where the delay has also had a financial impact. Examples can include failure to take action on repeated requests from applicants regarding the return of a passport which then leads to financial loss, or a decision being made on an application and failing to serve that decision which then leads to financial losses, such as loss of access to benefits or being unable to take up a proven offer of employment or employment being terminated. Whether a delay should be considered as “reasonable” will be dependent on the circumstances and decision makers will take a case by case approach.”

Home Office maladministration cases should be pursued through the Ombudsman (see steps above).

Following certain judicial review proceedings, it is possible for courts to award damages in cases where the Home Office has been negligent in performing its common law duty of care causing the appellant loss for which they should be compensated in damages. This has been found to be the case where an applicant experienced a delay of several years in receiving his BRP. However, any financial remedy will be compensatory in nature and there is no guarantee that the cost of legal representation will be covered.

Contact our Immigration Barristers

For expert advice and assistance in relation to a UK visa application or immigration appeal, contact our immigration barristers on 0203 617 9173 or complete our enquiry form below.

SEE HOW OUR IMMIGRATION BARRISTERS CAN HELP YOU

To arrange an initial consultation meeting, call our immigration barristers on 0203 617 9173 or fill out the form below.

Want to keep up to date with the latest immigration news, events and legal developments?

Sign up and receive our latest expert briefings, case-law alerts and immigration guides. We’ve got our finger on the pulse, making sure you’re up-to-date.

DOWNLOAD OUR BROCHURE

Expert advice & representation from immigration barristers that you can rely on..

Read the 600+ five out of five star Google reviews of our immigration barristers.

UK Visa Processing & Decision Waiting Times 2024

This blog contains information on visa decision waiting times for applications outside and inside the UK in 2023.

The UK visa processing and decision waiting time depends on individual’s circumstances. Visa applicants are advised to read Home Office guidance on the current processing timescales for their specific type of application.

UK visa processing times

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is the Home Office department responsible for the UK’s visa system.

The UK visa processing times starts from the appointment of your biometrics.

Priority & fast-track Premium services

Priority service and super priority services for applications being made from outside and inside the UK are available for work, business and family visa routes.

UK Visa Processing Times For ILR Applications

Applicants who have submitted a settlement application, can expect to receive a decision within 6 months after biometrics.

UK Visa Processing Times For Spouse Visas

The standard spouse visa UK processing time in 2023 is currently 3 months (on average). However, the decision making time may vary depending on individual’s case.

When your application processing time starts

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) starts processing your application once you either:

verify your identity and submit your documents and application online using the UK Immigration: ID Check app . We’ll tell you if you can use this
attend your appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) to provide your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information)

When your application processing time ends

You’ll get a letter or email to let you know that a decision has been made on your application .

If you attended a visa application centre, you should not visit one until you have been contacted to do so.

Visa decision waiting times: applications outside the UK
Visa decision waiting times: applications inside the UK

Current UK Visa processing times from outside the uK in 2023

The processing times listed below are based on the current volume of visa applications.

All UK processing times are measured against agreed customer service standards .

Visit visas

Study visas, family visas, popular work visas, temporary work visas, work visas you can apply for without a job offer, work visas to start a business, work visas for an overseas employer, other visas and permits, when you might wait longer.

Your visa application may take longer to process if, for example:

the information in your application is not accurate or requires further consideration
you need to provide further evidence, for example evidence of funds
your supporting documents need to be verified
you need to attend an interview
further information is required on your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)
UKVI is experiencing increased visa demand

You will be contacted by a letter or email if we need more information on your visa application.

Current processing times In 2023 from inside the UK

Your visa application may take longer to process, for example:

Visa decision waiting times outside the UK 2024

This blog will explain current Visa decision waiting times outside the UK 2023. We can challenge UK visa delay. You are advised not to book any travel before you apply or before a decision is made on your application. When your application’s waiting time starts and ends Once you’ve submitted your application online, the waiting…

Skilled worker visa changes from 4 April 2024

Skilled Worker Visa Changes From 4 April 2024 As announced by the Home Secretary on 4 December 2023, changes are being made to reduce net migration by encouraging businesses to invest in the resident workforce rather than over-relying on migration, while bringing salaries in line with the average full-time salary for eligible jobs. Salary changes…

New Salary Threshold Raises To £38,700 For Skilled And Spouse Visas

New Salary Threshold Raises To £38,700 From £26,200 On 4 December 2023, the UK Government announced a new salary threshold raise to £38,700 from £26,200. The Home Secretary Cleverly made a statement about the UK Government’s plan to reduce net migration through the following five-point plan which is due to come into force in Spring…

The Citizenship Ban Under Illegal Migration Act 2023

The Citizenship Ban Under Illegal Migration Act 2023 On 21 July 2023, the UK Home Office published guidance on the Citizenship ban under illegal Migration act 2023. The UK government has succeeded in putting a ban for Citizenship under illegal migrant act 2023. What does Citizenship ban under illegal migration act 2023 means for you?…

Top Tips for successful UK Visit visa

In this blog, we will cover Top Tips For Successful UK Visit Visa application. This blog will cover UK visit visa requirements, cost, and documents. If you are a foreign national and you wish to spend some time in the UK as a tourist or to visit your family and your friends, you can apply…

Last updated: 14 April 2024 12:22

Government News Today
News Yesterday
News This Week
What the Papers Say
Departments
Prime Minister's Questions
Televised Debates
Public Bodies
Offline Access
Environment
Immigration
ALL ❯

Guidance: Visa processing times: applications outside the UK

Uk visas immigration.

You are not required to book any travel before you apply or before a decision is made on your application.

You should allow enough time before you plan travel to make a visa application. You will only receive a refund of your application fee if we have not started to process your application.

You may be able to pay for a faster decision on a visa application.

When your application processing time starts

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) starts processing your application once you either:

verify your identity and submit your documents and application online using the UK Immigration: ID Check app . Well tell you if you can use this

attend your appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) to provide your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information)

Applications made in the USA

If you make an appointment at a USCIS Application Support Center to provide your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) , you must then send your passport and documents to the VFS processing hub in New York.

If you make an appointment at a VFS premium Application Centre to provide your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information), you can submit your passport and supporting documents at that location.

In both cases, the processing time starts when VFS receive your application.

When your application processing time ends

Youll get a letter or email to let you know that a decision has been made on your application .

If you attended a visa application centre, you should not visit one until you have been contacted to do so.

You do not need to contact UKVI to track your application if youve already made a visa application and it is still within the current processing times.

When you might wait longer

Your visa application may take longer to process if, for example:

the information in your application is not accurate or requires further consideration
you need to provide further evidence, for example evidence of funds
your supporting documents need to be verified
you need to attend an interview
further information is required on your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)
UKVI is experiencing increased visa demand

You will be contacted by a letter or email if we need more information on your visa application.

Current processing times

The processing times listed below are based on the current volume of visa applications.

All UK processing times are measured against agreed customer service standards .

Visit visas

Study visas, family visas, ukraine visas, popular work visas, temporary work visas, work visas you can apply for without a job offer, work visas to start a business.

Ministerial Departmental News

PM's Office, 10 Downing Street
Cabinet Office
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Department for Communities and Local Government
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Department for Education
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Department for International Development
Department for Transport
Department for Work and Pensions
Department of Energy and Climate Change
Department of Health
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
HM Treasury
Home Office
Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Justice
Northern Ireland Office
Scotland Office
Wales Office
See all departments

News Calendar

Follow Us on Twitter

Guidance: River Thames: current river conditions
Press release: £1.5 Million investment to improve in-work health services as part of government drive to tackle inactivity
Transparency data: Migrants detected crossing the English Channel in small boats
Guidance: River Thames: restrictions and closures
Government response: UK Military Activity in the Middle East
Press release: AI to help keep people in work through £1.5 million investment in occupational health
PM statement on Iranian regimes reckless attack against Israel
Press release: £33 Million of drugs seized by Royal Navy in the Middle East
UK and U.S. to clamp down harder on the trade of Russian metals

Enjoyed this? Why not share it with others if you've found it useful by using one of the tools below:

IMAGES

UK Visa Decision Waiting Time 2022
UK Visa delays 2019: What to do next?
UK Time Decision 2022 || UK Decision in 21 Days || UK Visit Visa
UK Decision Time|UK Visa|UK Processing Time|UK Visa Chances|UK Visit
UK visa
How Long To Get A Schengen Visa

VIDEO

UK VISIT VISA FROM PAKISTAN 2023
UK latest immigration, skilled workers visa decision time, fee waivers application
NEW UK VISIT VISA UPDATE
UK VISA processing time update 2023
Uk Visit Visa Requirements & Expense Complete Guide 2024
UK Tourist Visa From Pakistan 2023

COMMENTS

Visa processing times: applications outside the UK
You may be able to pay for a faster decision on a visa application. When your application processing time starts. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) starts processing your application once you either
Visa processing times: applications inside the UK
You may be able to pay for a faster decision on a visa application. When your application processing time starts. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) starts processing your application once you either
UK Visa Processing Times (Latest from UKVI)
Under the standard visitor visa, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months. Your application for a Standard Visitor visa should be made no earlier than 3 months before you intend to enter the UK, and it will generally take no more than 3 weeks for the visa application to be processed and a decision made after your appointment. Under ...
UK Visa Processing & Decision Waiting Times
10 Mar 2024. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has published service standards for waiting times for decisions on visa and immigration applications. UKVI also publishes up-to-date information on current processing times for visa and immigration applications submitted both within the UK and outside the UK. In this post we take an in-depth look at ...
Visa decision waiting times: applications outside the UK
The delay in visit visa processing times reduced from 6 weeks to 5 weeks on Monday 28 November 2022. 2022-11-11 14:47 Added guidance about checking spam folders if you are waiting for a decision letter. 2022-11-11 12:07 The visit visa delay processing times have been changed from 7 weeks to 6 weeks. 2022-10-07 15:00
UK Visa Decision Waiting Times: Frequently Asked Questions
UK Visas & Immigration offers a 'priority service' and a 'super priority service' for applicants who, for an additional fee, wish to receive a faster decision on their UK visa application. Selecting one of these premium services will ensure that an application is placed at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making ...
UK visa processing & decision waiting times
The average wait time for a decision on a private life application is currently 11 months. If you are applying for settlement you should usually receive a decision within 6 months. Visit the UK ...
Guidance: Visa processing times: applications inside the UK
You may be able to pay for a faster decision on a visa application. When your application processing time starts. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) starts processing your application once you either: verify your identity and submit your documents and application using the UK Immigration: ID Check app. Well tell you if you can use this
Guidance: Visa decision waiting times: applications inside the UK
The average wait time for a decision is currently 10 months. We are working hard to reduce this. Please note that there may be circumstances which result in your application taking slightly longer. If you need to make urgent travel overseas (for example, due to a family bereavement), we may be able to provide a faster decision.
New visa decision waiting times for applications outside the UK
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a visa to visit the UK: for a holiday or to see family or friends. for a business trip or meeting. to get married. to study for 6 months or less.
Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor: Apply for a Standard Visitor visa
You can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa if you visit the UK regularly. This visa lasts 2, 5 or 10 years. You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit. If you're ...
How to Check your UK Visa Application Status
On the VFS Global website, choose the location of the visa application centre where you provided your biometrics, then select 'Track your application'. IF you do not ave the option to track your application, you should try the UKVI website. By telephone. You can call UKVI with a question about your application on +44 (0)300 790 6268 ...
PDF Visit
Quick guide: visit visa This section is a quick reference guide to the process for making a decision on visit visa applications lodged outside the UK. This does not apply in respect of applications for Transit visit visas (see: Transit guidance) but note that Standard and Marriage / Civil Partnership visitors can transit the UK.
UK Visa Processing Times
UK visa processing time: Applications made inside the UK. Below is a summary of how long the UKVI expects decisions to be made on the various types of UK immigration and visa applications. The UK visa processing time starts after you have submitted your biometric details, either through the ID Check App or by attending an in-person appointment.
Guidance: Visa decision waiting times: applications outside the UK
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application centre or use the ID Check app, if you are applying for a visa to work or invest in the UK. You should get a decision within 12 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a ...
How to apply for a visa to come to the UK
If you want to visit the UK. Apply for a Standard Visitor visa to visit the UK for up to 6 months. For example: for a holiday or to see family and friends. for a business trip or meeting. to do a ...
UK Visa Processing & Decision Waiting Times
The Home Office has not published an up-to-date average processing time for work visa applications, but is advising that it is prioritising Ukraine Visa Scheme applications. The standard processing time for an application to switch into or extend a stay in the UK on a work visa route is 8 weeks. This service standard is currently being met in ...
How to Chase a Delayed UK Visa Application
Step 1: Contact UK Visas and Immigration for Assistance. If you are experiencing delays in processing your application and have not been contacted by the Home Office, the next step is to contact UK Visas and Immigration and ask for an update on the progress of your application. You will find the relevant contact details for the Home Office here ...
UK Visa Processing & Decision Waiting Times 2024
UK Visa Processing Times For ILR Applications. Applicants who have submitted a settlement application, can expect to receive a decision within 6 months after biometrics. UK Visa Processing Times For Spouse Visas. The standard spouse visa UK processing time in 2023 is currently 3 months (on average). However, the decision making time may vary ...
UK Visas and Immigration
UK Visas and Immigration is responsible for making millions of decisions every year about who has the right to visit or stay in the country, with a firm emphasis on national security and a culture ...
Guidance: Visa processing times: applications inside the UK
You may be able to pay for a faster decision on a visa application. When your application processing time starts. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) starts processing your application once you either: verify your identity and submit your documents and application using the UK Immigration: ID Check app. Well tell you if you can use this
Guidance: Visa processing times: applications outside the UK
When your application processing time starts. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) starts processing your application once you either: verify your identity and submit your documents and application online using the UK Immigration: ID Check app. Well tell you if you can use this. attend your appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) to provide ...

UK Visa Decision Waiting Times: Frequently Asked Questions

Recent Posts

New visa decision waiting times for applications outside the UK

When your application’s waiting time starts and ends

Visit the UK

Travelling through the UK

Study in the UK

Short-term study in the UK

Work or invest in the UK

Join family in the UK

Family reunion

Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa

Commonwealth citizens

Returning residents

Replacing biometric residence permits

Replacing residence cards

Transfer your visa from your passport

Certificate of entitlement

Priority services – get a faster decision

Collection within 5 working days (priority service)

Next day collection (super priority service)

What happens next

Check your email spam / junk folder

When you’ll get your biometric residence permit

If there’s a problem with your BRP

When you might wait longer

UK imposes further coordinated sanctions on Iranian regime officials

Israeli strike: UK working to find answers, says Foreign Secretary

No record of £15m seized from Ghana – UK Authorities

If you’re fortunate to leave this country, don’t come back- Captain Planet urges

Flagship Rwanda bill back in Lords for scrutiny

Prince Harry loses High Court challenge over UK security protection

Alexei Navalny: UK sanctions Russian prison chiefs after activist’s death

TOP STORIES

Download App

Privacy Overview

How to Check your UK Visa Application Status

IN THIS SECTION

Checking your UK visa application status – in-country applications

How to check UK visa application status – out of country applications

What are the standard processing times for UK visa applications?

Applications made in the UK

Applications made outside the UK

How does premium processing work?

What can delay a UK visa application?

Checking your UK visa application status FAQs

How do I check my VFS application status?

How can I check my UK visa status with passport number?

About DavidsonMorris

Contact DavidsonMorris

UK Visa Processing Times

UK visa processing times

UK visa processing time: Applications made inside the UK

UK visa processing time: Applications made outside of the UK

What is the waiting time after biometrics?

What are some of the factors which affect immigration and visa application processing times?

Can I speed up the processing time of my visa?

Want to know more about applying for a UK visa?

What to do when there is a Home Office delay

Contact UKVI to escalate application delays

Contact your local MP

Parliamentary Ombudsman

C onclusion

How can Paragon Law help?

Subscribe for updates

Got a question about visa processing times?

Immigration Health Surcharge

Immigration Rules Change For Skilled Workers and Sponsors - April 2024

UK Graduate Route Review - March 2024

India Young Professionals Scheme - Ballot System Opening Feb 2024

Spouse, Fiancé and Partner Visas - A Valentine's Update

Unmarried Partner Definition Change - Immigration Rules Appendix FM

The 2024 Key Home Office Dates Have Been Announced

Immigration Announcement - 2024 Additional Information

A Decade At Paragon Law

What Next For The Graduate Visa Route?

UK: UK Visa Processing & Decision Waiting Times

UKVI Visa Processing Standard Processing Times

What Factors Affect UK Visa Processing Times?

What Are the Current Home Office UK Visa Processing Times?