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
Visit visas, including standard visitor visa applications, are currently taking on average 6 weeks to process, however some applications might take longer. 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
- to study for 6 months or less
You may be able to get your visa faster or access 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 access 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:
You may be able to get your visa faster or access other services depending on what country youre in - check with your visa application centre.
Short-term study in the UK
Short-term study visas 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 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 are studying for 6 months or less and have applied for a Standard Visitor visa, please refer to the visit the UK decision times.
You may be able to get your visa faster or access other services depending on what country youre in - check with your visa application centre.
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.
You may be able to get your visa faster or access other services depending on what country youre in - check with your visa application centre.
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.
You may be able to get your visa faster or access 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 Windrush Scheme 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 once 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 access 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 once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a