You may be able to pay for a faster decision on a visa application. This usually involves paying a priority service fee of £250 for most visas or for Family visas (Spouse or Fioncee visa) £573. For Visitors you can opt for the super priority service at an additional costs of £956. These options are presented when you book your fingerprints appoitment with VFS Global orTLS Contact.
For applications from within the UK there are additional options and the fee is paid with the application fee. i.e you would pay the £1,250 (Application fee from Autumn 2023) plus £800 so you will be presented with two or three options.
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)
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
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.
You do not need to contact UKVI to track your application if you’ve already made a visa application and it is still within the current processing times.
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
| Category | processing time |
|---|---|
| Standard Visitor | 3 weeks |
| Permitted Paid Engagement | 3 weeks |
| Marriage Visitor | 3 weeks |
| Chinese tour group | 3 weeks |
| Transit | 3 weeks |
Study visas
| Category | processing time |
|---|---|
| Student | 3 weeks |
| Child Student | 3 weeks |
| Study English in the UK | 3 weeks |
Family visas
| Category | processing time | |
|---|---|---|
| Partner or spouse | 24 weeks | |
| Parent | 24 weeks | |
| Child | 24 weeks | |
| Adult coming to be cared for by a relative | 24 weeks | |
| Homes for Ukraine | As quickly as possible | |
| Ukraine Family Scheme | As quickly as possible |
Popular work visas
| Category | processing time | |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | 3 weeks | |
| Health and Care Worker | 3 weeks |
Temporary work visas
| Category | processing time | |
|---|---|---|
| Government Authorised Exchange | 3 weeks | |
| Charity Worker | 3 weeks | |
| Creative Worker | 3 weeks | |
| International Agreement | 3 weeks | |
| Seasonal Worker | 3 weeks | |
| Religious Worker | 3 weeks |
Work visas you can apply for without a job offer
| Category | processing time | |
|---|---|---|
| Global Talent | 3 weeks | |
| Youth Mobility Scheme | 3 weeks | |
| India Young Professionals Scheme visa | 3 weeks | |
| UK Ancestry | 3 weeks | |
| High Potential Individual (HPI) | 3 weeks |
Work visas to start a business
| Category | processing time | |
|---|---|---|
| Innovator Founder | 3 weeks | |
| Start-up | 3 weeks |
Work visas for an overseas employer
| Category | processing time | |
|---|---|---|
| Overseas Domestic Worker | 3 weeks | |
| Graduate Trainee | 3 weeks | |
| Secondment Worker | 3 weeks | |
| Senior or Specialist Worker | 3 weeks | |
| Representative of an Overseas Business | 3 weeks | |
| Service Supplier | 3 weeks | |
| UK Expansion Worker | 3 weeks |
Other visas and permits
| Category | processing time | |
|---|---|---|
| British National (Overseas) | 12 weeks | |
| International Sportsperson | 3 weeks | |
| Minister of Religion | 3 weeks | |
| Scale-up Worker | 3 weeks |
When you might wait longer
Your visa application may take longer to process, 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.
