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UK Visa Processing & Decision Waiting Times


Want to know about UK work visa processing time? This blog will guide you all about UK visa processing & decision waiting times. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has issued service standards for visa and immigration application decision times. UKVI also discloses current processing timeframes for visa and immigration applications submitted both within and outside the United Kingdom.


We go over the Home Office service standards for waiting periods, current Home Office visa processing timeframes, methods for achieving a speedier decision on a visa or immigration application, and how to contest a delay in the processing of a UK visa or immigration application in this post. We also look at some of the aspects to consider when timing an immigration application and answer some frequently asked questions about UKVI visa processing dates.

UKVI Visa Processing Standard Processing Times

The following waiting time customer service standards should apply if a UK visa application contains all required information and supporting documentation (and the Home Office does not need to request more evidence or explanation):

  • Non-settlement visa applications received outside the UK are expected to be decided within three weeks, 98 percent within six weeks, and 100 percent within twelve weeks of the application date (where one week equals five working days).

  • Settlement visa applications submitted outside the United Kingdom: 98.5 percent of settlement visa applications will be resolved within 12 weeks of the application date, and 100 percent will be decided within 24 weeks of the application date (where one week equals 5 working days);

  • Applications for leave to remain in the UK, including as spouses, workers, and students: 8 weeks to decide; applications for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK: 6 months to decide; applications for no time limit (NTL) in the UK: 6 months to decide; applications for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK: 6 months to decide; applications for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK: 6 months to decide; applications for indefinite leave to remain (ILR)

  • 8 weeks for employers seeking to sponsor a worker; 18 weeks for employers amending their sponsor licence information.

Where these services are available, the processing time standard for applications filed via the priority service and super-priority service is 5 working days and the next working day, respectively (see further below). Within 10 working days, applications for a sponsor licence submitted through the pre-licensing priority sponsor licence service should be decided.

What Factors Affect UK Visa Processing Times?

There are several circumstances that can cause delays in the processing of UK visas, including:


  • The case's complexity, such as if it requires an evaluation of Article 8 ECHR rights or derived rights of EEA extended family members;

  • Concerns about conditions for suitability, such as criminality;

  • Any negative immigration history will be taken into account.

  • Any reservations about the documents' validity;

  • The number of papers that were given;

  • Whether more inquiry is needed or if an interview is planned;

  • The capacity of caseworkers; and

  • The time of the year.


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