Updated May 2023
Over the past few years, the United Kingdom has emerged as a beloved destination for holiday tours and getaways, and with good reason. With its abundance of tourist attractions and notably streamlined visa processing, the UK has become an ideal choice for tourists from numerous countries.
UK visa processing time
The processing time required for the UK visa depends on where you’re applying from and what kind of visa you are applying for. The processing time for different types of visas issued by the UK are as follows:
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
Family visas 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
Average processing time
According to the gov.uk website, the average processing time for UK visas is 3 weeks.
While applying outside the UK
It takes approximately 3 weeks to get the UK visa processed from outside the UK.
While applying inside the UK
It takes approximately 8 weeks to get the UK visa processed from inside the UK.
UK visa processing time after biometrics
Typically, when you submit an online application for a visa to obtain a biometric residence permit (BRP) as a replacement for the conditions or wet ink stamp in your passport or UK travel document, you can expect a decision within 8 weeks.
What causes the delay in the processing time of a UK visa?
If your visa application takes longer to process, there may be some causes for that to happen:
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)
UK visa priority processing time fee
The cost of a UK visa varies based on the country from which you are applying. To determine the applicable visa fee, kindly consult this link for calculation.
In order to issue your visa application faster, you have the option to apply for expedited service by paying an additional fast-track fee for the specific visa you are applying for. The fees for priority and super-priority processing are as follows:
priority visa service – (settlement made out of country) £573
priority visa service – (non-settlement made out of country) £250
super priority visa service – (out of country) £956
super priority service – (in-country) £800
expedited processing – (Priority service – in-country) £500
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