GovWire

You are advised not 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

The waiting time starts once youve submitted your application online and ends when you get a letter or an email with a decision.

As part of the application process, youll need to either:

• book and attend your appointment to submit your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre or a Service and Support Centre (SSC)
• verify your identity and submit your documents using the UK Immigration: ID Check app. Well tell you if you can use this

The waiting time for Graduate visa applications starts when youve applied online and either attended your appointment at a visa service centre or submitted your documents using the ID Check app.

The waiting time ends for all applications when you get a letter or an email with a decision.

You can stay in the UK until youve been given a decision, as long as you applied before your last visa expired.

Switch to or extend a Student visa

You should usually get a decision within 8 weeks once youve applied online to switch to or extend a Student or Child Student visa.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision - youll be told if you can when you apply.

Switch to or extend a family visa

You should usually get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks once youve applied online to switch to or extend as a:

• spouse or partner (if youre on a 5-year route to settlement)
• fianc, fiance or proposed civil partner

When you apply, youll be told if you can pay to get a faster decision.

Apply for leave to remain as a partner, parent or on the basis of your private life (10-year routes or 5-year parent route to settlement)

If youre currently applying under a 10-year route to settlement (or 5-year parent route to settlement), there are no standard processing times for applications submitted as a partner, parent or on the basis of your private life. The average wait time for a decision is currently 11 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. Please contact UKVI.

Apply as a child

You should usually get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks once youve applied online to switch to or extend as a child.

When you apply, youll be told if you can pay to get a faster decision.

Extend a relative wholl provide long-term care visa

You should usually get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks once youve applied online to extend as a relative wholl provide long-term care.

Extend a Parent of a Child Student visa

You should usually get a decision within 8 weeks once youve applied online and youre applying to extend a Parent of a Child Student visa.

When you apply, youll be told if you can pay to get a faster decision.

Switch to or extend a work visa

You usually should get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks once youve applied online to extend or switch to any of the following work visas:

• Entrepreneur
• Global Talent
• Innovator
• Intra-company
• Investor
• Minister of Religion
• Scale-up worker
• Skilled worker
• Sportsperson

When you apply, youll be told if you can pay to get a faster decision.

Switch to a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa

You should get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks once youve applied online to switch to aHigh Potential Individual (HPI) visa.

Switch to a Graduate visa

You should usually get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks once youve applied online and either attended your appointment at a visa service centre or submitted your documents using the ID Check app to switch to a Graduate visa.

Switch to a Start-up visa

You should usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once youve applied online to switch to a Start-up visa.

When you apply, youll be told if you can pay to get a faster decision.

Extend a Domestic Workers in a Private Household visa

You should get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks once youve applied online to extend a Domestic Workers in a Private Household visa.

When you apply, youll be told if you can pay to get a faster decision.

Extend a Representative of an Overseas Business visa

You should usually get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks once youve applied online to extend a Representative of an Overseas Business visa.

Switch to or extend a Health and Care Worker visa

You should usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once youve applied online to switch to or extend a Health and Care Worker visa.

When you apply, youll be told if you can pay to get a faster decision.

Switch to or extend a Temporary Worker visa

You should usually get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks once youve applied online to switch to or extend in any of the following temporary work visas:

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