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Reviewed November 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.
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Keep reading to learn more about the processing time for the UK visa.
Table of Contents
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 is as follows:
Visit visas
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Standard Visitor | 3 weeks (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| 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 (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| Child Student | 3 weeks (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| 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 (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| Health and Care Worker | 3 weeks (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
Temporary work visas
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Government Authorised Exchange | 3 weeks (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| Charity Worker | 3 weeks (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| Creative Worker | 3 weeks (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| International Agreement | 3 weeks (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| Seasonal Worker | 3 weeks |
| Religious Worker | 3 weeks (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
Work visas you can apply for without a job offer
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Global Talent | 3 weeks (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| Youth Mobility Scheme | 3 weeks (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| India Young Professionals Scheme visa | 3 weeks (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| UK Ancestry | 3 weeks (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| High Potential Individual (HPI) | 3 weeks (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
Work visas to start a business
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Innovator Founder | 3 weeks (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| Start-up | 3 weeks |
Work visas for an overseas employer
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Overseas Domestic Worker | 3 weeks (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| Graduate Trainee | 3 weeks |
| Secondment Worker | 3 weeks (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| Senior or Specialist Worker | 3 weeks (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| Representative of an Overseas Business | 3 weeks (outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| Service Supplier | 3 weeks(outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| UK Expansion Worker | 3 weeks(outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
Other visas and permits
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| British National (Overseas) | 12 weeks |
| International Sportsperson | 3 weeks(outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| Minister of Religion | 3 weeks(outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| Scale-up Worker | 3 weeks(outside UK) 8 weeks (inside the UK) |
| Entrepreneur | 8 weeks |
| Investor | 8 weeks |
| Turkish businessperson or Worker | 6 months |
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 the UK government’s official website 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 the country) £573
- priority visa service – (non-settlement made out of the country) £250
- super priority visa service – (out of the country) £956
- super priority service – (in-country) £800
- expedited processing – (Priority service – in-country) £500
