Uk Visas Immigration
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You are not required to book any travel before you apply or before a decision is made on your application.
You should allow enough time before you make a visa application. You will only receive a refund of your application fee if we have not started to process your application.
You may be able to pay for a faster decision on a visa application.
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 using the UK Immigration: ID Check app. Well tell you if you can use this
-
attend your appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service (UKVCAS) centre or a Service and Support Centre (SSC) to provide your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information)
When your application processing time ends
Youll get a letter or email to let you know that a decision has been made on your application.
You can stay in the UK until youve been given a decision, as long as you applied before your last visa expired.
You do not need to contact UKVI to track your application if youve already made a visa application and it is still within the current processing times. We will not be able to provide information on the status of your application.
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 within the current processing times if your application will take longer.
If your application has taken longer than the current processing times and you havent been contacted by UKVI about your visa application, you should contact UKVI.
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 visa
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Standard Visitor | 8 weeks |
Study visas
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Student | 8 weeks |
| Child Student | 8 weeks |
Family visas
| Category | Processing time | |
|---|---|---|
| Partner or spouse (meeting minimum income and English language requirements) | 8 weeks | |
| Partner or spouse - private life (minimum income and English language not required) | 12 months | |
| Parent | 12 months | |
| Child | 8 weeks | |
| Adult coming to be cared for by a relative | 8 weeks |
Ukraine visas
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Homes for Ukraine | As quickly as possible |
Work visas
Popular work visas
| Category | Processing time | |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | 8 weeks | |
| Health and Care Worker | 3 weeks |
Temporary work visas
| Category | Processing time | |
|---|---|---|
| Government Authorised Exchange | 8 weeks | |
| Charity Worker | 8 weeks | |
| Creative Worker | 8 weeks | |
| International Agreement | 8 weeks | |
| Religious Worker | 8 weeks |
Work visas you can apply for without a job offer
| Category | Processing time | |
|---|---|---|
| Global Talent | 8 weeks | |
| Graduate | 8 weeks | |
| Overseas Domestic Worker | 8 weeks | |
| High Potential Individual (HPI) | 8 weeks | |
| UK Ancestry | 8 weeks |
Work visas to start a business
| Category | Processing time | |
|---|---|---|
| Innovator Founder | 8 weeks | |
| Start-up | 3 weeks |