Uk Visas Immigration
You are not required to book any travel before you apply or before a decision is made on your application. Youll only be refunded if we have not started processing your application.
When your applications waiting time starts and ends
Once youve 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 youll 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
Standard visitor visa applications are currently taking on average 6 weeks to process, however some applications might take longer. Its currently taking an average of 6 weeks to process all visit visas. We are working hard to process applications to get back to the 3-week service standard.
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
You may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on what country youre in - check with your visa application centre.
Travelling through the UK
Transit visa applications are currently taking on average 6 weeks to process. We are working hard to process applications to get back to the 3-week service standard.
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.
You may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on what country youre in - check with your visa application centre.
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:
If you verify your identity at a visa application centre you may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on what country youre in - check with your visa application centre.
Work or invest in the UK
Skilled worker visa applications are currently taking on average 6 weeks to process. Its currently taking on average 6 weeks to process most of the work and invest routes. We are working hard to process applications to get back to the 3 week service standard.
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 Business Person visa.
You may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on what country youre in - check with your visa application centre.
Join family in the UK
UKVI is prioritising Ukraine Visa Scheme applications. Applications for family visas may take up to 24 weeks to process.
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 EUSS 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.
You may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on what country youre in - check with your visa application centre.
Windrush Scheme
If you are applying under the Windrush Scheme read the guidance and the latest correspondence on the work of the Home Office in relation to Windrush.
Returning residents
You should get a decision within 3 weeks you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a returning resident visa.
You may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on what country youre in - check with your visa application centre.
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 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 study, work and family visa applications.
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 youre 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 p