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Reviewed January 2024
The United Kingdom is a popular country that draws visitors looking to settle down in the country. The UK also issues several visas, and you can easily choose what’s right for you based on your circumstances.
Keep reading to know how to check the visa application status of your UK visa online.
Table of Contents
UK visa status check online
Application status check online through TLSContact
If you have applied at a TLS Contact centre, use the TLS online application tracking tool to check your visa status by entering your email address and password.
Application status check online through VFS Global
If you’ve applied at a VFS Global visa centre, you can use the VFS online application tracking tool to check your visa status by entering your reference number and last name.
For instance, visitors from the UAE who have applied for their UK visa from the VFS Global visa centre, can track their UK visa through the VFS Global website for UAE applicants.
Inquiries via email
You can also use the UK Visas and Immigration online tool (UKVI) to obtain information regarding your visa application. The tool will ask you certain questions, and once you have answered the questions on the website, you will be directed to contact information for different departments at UKVI.
You can also use the paid email option for checking your UK visa application status, as the email inquiry is more likely to be directed to the caseworker dealing with your specific visa application.
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UK visa status check fee
You can check your visa status on TLSContact or VFS Global free of cost.
According to some sources, email inquiries usually cost GBP 5.48 (USD 6) each. You will need a credit or debit card to use this service, and you will be asked to enter your payment details before sending the email, but you will not be charged until your message has been sent. The UKVI usually replies within 2 days, except on Saturdays, Sundays and on UK public holidays.
UK visa application processing time
The processing time or the time taken to make a decision regarding your UK visa depends on the type of UK visa you are applying for.
Once you’ve submitted your UK visa application online, the waiting time starts when you either:
- attend your appointment and provide your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a visa application centre
- verify your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app. This will depend on the visa you apply for, and you’ll be advised if you can use this
The UK standard visitor visa
Usually, once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks. However, it is currently taking 4 weeks on average to get a decision on Standard Visitor visas.
Once the processing is complete, you’ll get an email containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
Please note that you can apply for the UKVI priority and super-priority visa services to get a decision on your visa faster. However, priority and super-priority visa services have been temporarily suspended for new study, work, and family visa applications.
You can check with your visa application center to see if the priority and super-priority visa service is available in the country you’re applying from, or you can find more details regarding the process here.
The UK electronic visa waiver
You will get an email within 24 hours with a link to download your UK electronic visa waiver. Make sure to show your EVW when you travel to the UK. You can print it or show it on an electronic device, such as a phone or tablet.
ETA Scheme for GCC Countries
The UK government has started a new ETA scheme for nationals of GCC countries, which allows the nationals to apply for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) instead of having to obtain a prior entry visa to travel to the United Kingdom. Those who wish to travel post-22 February 2024 will be eligible to apply for this scheme now.
People from GCC Countries who are eligible for the ETA include:
- those who do not already have UK immigration status prior to travel
- people coming to the UK for upto 6 months for the purpose of tourism, visiting family, friends or short-term study.
- visitors coming to the UK for upto 3 months on the Creative Worker Visa Concession.
- visitors transiting through the UK.
To apply for the ETA scheme, please visit the official website of the UK Government.
Transit visa
Transit visa applications usually take 3 weeks to process.
In case of a large number of applications, you should get a decision within 6 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre if you are applying for a visa to travel through the UK on your way to another country.
However, you may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on what country you’re in.
Student visa
Student visa applications currently take on an average of 3 weeks to process.
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application centre or use the UK Immigration: ID Check app if you are applying for a:
If you verify your identity at a visa application centre you may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on your nationality.
Skilled worker visa
Skilled worker visa applications made from outside the UK take on an average of 3 weeks to process, whereas those made from inside the UK require about 8 weeks,
As of now, you should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application center or use the UK Immigration: ID Check app if you are applying for a visa to work or invest in the UK.
Applicants applying for a Turkish Business Person visa can get a decision within 12 weeks once they attend their appointment at the visa application center.
You may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on your nationality.
Family visa
Applications for family visas may take up to 24 weeks to process.
Applicants applying to settle in the UK as the spouse, partner or family member of someone who has British citizenship or is settled in the UK can get a decision regarding their visa application within 24 weeks once they attend their appointment at the visa application centre
If you are applying as the dependent of another applicant, you will get your decision at the same time.
However, if you are applying for an EUSS family permit, you will receive a decision as soon as possible after proving your identity and providing your documents.
Family reunion
Applicants applying for a family reunion with a refugee or person with humanitarian protection will receive a decision regarding their visa application within 12 weeks of attending their appointment at the visa application centre.
Hong Kong British national (overseas) visa
Applicants from this category can get a decision regarding their visa application within 12 weeks once they either attend their appointment at the visa application center or when they submit their online documents after completing the ID Check app.
Commonwealth citizens
Applicants applying for an ancestry visa can get a decision regarding their visa application within 3 weeks once they attend their appointment at the visa application center.
You may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on your nationality.
Returning resident visa
Applicants applying for a returning resident visa should get a decision regarding their visa application within 3 weeks of attending their appointment at the visa application center.
You may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on your nationality.
Replacing biometric residence permits
Applicants applying for a visa to travel to the UK to replace their biometric residence permit (BRP) can get a decision regarding their visa application within 3 weeks once they attend their appointment at the visa application center.
Replacing residence cards
Applicants applying for an EU Settlement Scheme travel permit to travel to the UK to replace a lost or stolen residence card can get a decision regarding their visa application within 3 weeks once they attend their appointment at the visa application center.
Transfer visa
Applicants applying to transfer their visa from their passport should receive a decision regarding their visa application within 3 weeks of attending their appointment at the visa application centre.
Certificate of entitlement
Applicants applying for a certificate of entitlement to prove they have the right of abode in the UK should get a decision regarding their visa application within 3 weeks of attending their appointment at the visa application center.
Please refer to the GOV.UK website for more details.
