Visa processing times: applications inside the UK

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. 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.

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

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
FamilyPartner visasor spouse	8 weeks
Parent	8 weeks
Child	8 weeks
Adult coming to be cared for by a relative	8 weeks
Private life	9 months
Homes for Ukraine	As quickly as possible
Ukraine Family Scheme	As quickly as possible
Ukraine Extension Scheme	As quickly as possible

Popular work visas

Category	processing time
Skilled Worker	8 weeks
Health and Care Worker	8 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 Trainee	8 weeks
Overseas Domestic Worker	8 weeks
High Potential Individual (HPI)	8 weeks
India Young Professionals Scheme	3 weeks
UK Ancestry	8 weeks

Work visas to start a business

Category	processing time
Innovator Founder	8 weeks
Start-up	8 weeks

Work visas for an overseas employer

Category	processing time
Overseas Domestic Worker	8 weeks
Graduate Trainee	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

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 by a letter or email if we need more information on your visa application.