Table Of Contents:
- What is the UK Visa Processing Time
- When Does Your UK Visa Processing Time Start
- When Does Your Application Processing Time End
- Current UK Visa Processing Time
- How to get faster Decisions
- When you might wait longer
- Summary
Typically, you apply for a UK visa from outside the UK or within the UK. A UK visa process involves several stages before reaching the final application to the UKVI, which then starts evaluating your application and delivers its decision usually within a certain time limit. The UK visa processing time varies depending on whether you have applied from outside the UK or from within the UK. If you pay for a faster decision, the processing time will be different.
There are certain visas which can only be applied for from outside the UK, such as a UK visitor visa, and also certain visas which can only be applied for from within the UK, such as UK Graduate visa.
What is the UK Visa Processing Time?
The time taken by UKVI from the start date of processing your visa and the end date of it is known as the UK visa processing time. The processing time is usually fixed for different visas, but the UKVI may take longer in certain circumstances as well. You should be prepared for it unless you have chosen ‘Priority’ service or ‘Super Priority’ service. Check whether these options are available before choosing either of them.
UK visa processing times are counted based on the UK working week (Monday to Friday). A working week does not include public holidays in the UK or other countries.
When Does Your UK Visa Processing Time Start?
UKVI starts processing your application once you:
- Verify your identity and submit your documents and application online using the UK Immigration: ID Check app; or
- Attend your appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) – when applying from outside the UK, or UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service (UKVCAS) centre or Service and Support Centre (SSC) – when applying from within the UK to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a facial photograph).
When Does Your Application Processing Time End?
You’ll get a letter or email from the UKVI to let you know that it has made a decision on your application. Your visa application may have been approved, refused, or approved but with a varied length and/or conditions of your stay in the UK.
If you applied from inside the UK, you can stay here until the UKVI has delivered its decision, as long as you applied before your last visa expired.
Current UK Visa Processing Time
UK visa processing time varies depending on whether you have applied from outside the UK or within the UK. Processing times are based on the UK working week (Monday to Friday), excluding public holidays in the UK or other countries.
The UK visa processing times listed below for applications made from outside the UK and within the UK are based on the current volume of visa applications.
All UK visa processing times are measured against agreed customer service standards.
Please note that, in the table below ‘NA’ means the visa option is not available.
a. Visit Visas
| Visa Category | Processing Time for outside UK Applications | Processing Time for inside UK Applications |
| Standard Visitor | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Marriage Visitor | 3 weeks | NA |
| Transit | 3 weeks | NA |
b. Family Visas
| Visa Category | Processing Time for outside UK Applications | Processing Time for inside UK Applications |
| Spouse or Partner | 12 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Spouse or Partner- private Life | NA | 12 months* |
| Child | 12 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Parent | 12 weeks | 12 months* |
| Adult Dependent Relative | 12 weeks | 8 weeks |
*There is no customer service standard for family visa applications made inside the UK as spouse or partner –private life or applications as a parent. The processing times listed are based on the current volume of visa applications.
c. Work Visas
| Visa Category | Processing Time for outside UK Applications | Processing Time for inside UK Applications |
| Skilled Worker | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Health and Care Worker | 3 weeks | 3 weeks |
d. Temporary Work Visas
| Visa Category | Processing Time for outside UK Applications | Processing Time for inside UK Applications |
| Government Authorised Exchange | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Charity Worker | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Creative Worker | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| International Agreement | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Seasonal Worker | 3 weeks | NA |
| Religious Worker | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
e. Work Visas without Job Offer
| Visa Category | Processing Time for outside UK Applications | Processing Time for inside UK Applications |
| Global Talent | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Youth Mobility Scheme | 3 weeks | NA |
| India Young Professional Scheme | 3 weeks | NA |
| UK Ancestry | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| High Potential Individual | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Graduate | NA | 8 weeks |
| Overseas Domestic Worker | NA | 8 weeks |
f. Work Visas to Start a Business
| Visa Category | Processing Time for outside UK Applications | Processing Time for inside UK Applications |
| Innovator Founder | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Start-up | 3 weeks | 3 weeks |
g. Work Visas for an Overseas Employer
| Visa Category | Processing Time for outside UK Applications | Processing Time for inside UK Applications |
| Overseas Domestic Worker | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Graduate Trainee | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Secondment Worker | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Senior or Specialist Worker | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Representative of an Overseas Business | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Service Supplier | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| UK Expansion Worker | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
h. Study Visas
| Visa Category | Processing Time for outside UK Applications | Processing Time for inside UK Applications |
| Student | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Child Student | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Study English in the UK: Shorrt term Student (6-to-11-month English Language Course | 3 weeks | NA |
i. Other Visas and Permits
| Visa Category | Processing Time for outside UK Applications | Processing Time for inside UK Applications |
| British National (Overseas) | 12 weeks | 12 weeks |
| International Sportsperson | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Minister of Religion | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Scale-up Worker | 3 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Entrepreneur | NA | 8 weeks |
| Investor | NA | 8 weeks |
| Turkish Businessperson | NA | 6 months |
| Turkish Worker | NA | 6 months |
Please note that, if you applied for visitor visas, study visas or work visas from outside or inside the UK, you can use the online service to check your visa processing time. This page will tell you when you can expect a decision.
How to get faster Decisions?
You may use ‘priority’ service or ‘super priority’ service to get a faster decision. ‘Priority’ service means you will usually get a decision within 5 working days, or 30 working days for Family visa applications from outside the UK. For a priority service, you will need to pay £500 per applicant in addition to the visa application fee.
Super priority service means if you are eligible, you will usually get a decision at the end of the next working day. For a Super Priority service, you will need to pay £1,000 per applicant in addition to the visa application fee.
When you might wait longer?
Your UK visa processing time may be longer if, for example:
• The information you have provided in your application is inaccurate or requires further consideration.
• You need to submit more evidence, for example, evidence of funds.
• The supporting documents you have submitted need to be verified.
• You need to attend an interview.
• There is an unexpected technical glitch affecting visa systems.
The UKVI will contact you within the current processing times if your application will take longer.
Summary
UK visa processing times vary by type. For example, study visas and work visas typically take between 3 to 8 weeks of processing time. Settlement visas, on the other hand, such as those for UK family visa as spouses, children, parents, or adult dependent relatives, can take up to 12 weeks.
Several factors, some of which are mentioned below, can affect your UK visa application processing time.
• The type of visa you have applied for
• The completeness of your application
• The accuracy of the information you have provided
• The time of year you have applied. For example, if you apply during the peak times such as holiday seasons it may potentially cause, and
• Whether UKVI requires additional documentation or verification.
For the most accurate information, check the UKVI website for current UK visa processing times based on your visa category.
Read Similar Blogs:
UK Student Visa Requirements for International Students in 2025