Visa processing times: applications inside the UK

When to apply for a visa
You should allow enough time before you make a visa application. Processing times are different depending on the route you are applying for.
You should not book your travel until you get a decision on your visa application.
You will only be eligible for 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
. We’ll 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
You’ll get a letter or email to let you know that a decision has been made on your application. It will tell you what to do next.
You can stay in the UK until you’ve 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 you’ve 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.
Watch our video on understanding processing times
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
there is an unexpected technical outage affecting visa systems
You will be contacted within the current processing times if your application will take longer.
UKVI will not reimburse any travel costs or other expenses if your application is refused or takes longer than expected.
If your application has taken longer than the current processing times and you haven’t 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. The processing times are different if you paid for a
faster decision
.
Processing times are based on the UK working week (Monday to Friday) and include public holidays in the UK. They do not include public holidays in other countries.
All UK processing times are measured against agreed
customer service standards
.
If you applied to visit, study or work in the UK, use the online service to
check your visa processing time
. This will tell you when you can expect a decision.
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
*There is no service standard for applications in the UK
on the basis of your private life - Partner or spouse - private life (minimum income and English language not required)
or applications
as a parent
. The processing times listed are based on the current volume of visa applications.
Ukraine visas
Category
Processing time
Ukraine Permission Extension scheme
8 weeks
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
Work visas for an overseas employer
Category
Processing time
Overseas Domestic Worker
8 weeks
Secondment Worker
8 weeks
Senior or Specialist Worker
8 weeks
Representative of an Overseas Business
8 weeks
Service Supplier
8 weeks
UK Expansion Worker
8 weeks
Other visas and permits
Category
Processing time
British National (Overseas)
12 weeks
Entrepreneur
8 weeks
International Sportsperson
8 weeks
Investor
8 weeks
Minister of Religion
8 weeks
Scale-up Worker
8 weeks
Turkish Businessperson
6 months
Turkish Worker
6 months