• UK Visa Processing Times

UK Visa Processing Times

The table below provides an overview of approximate waiting times for UK visa applications.

The processing times shown are not fixed and can be impacted by a range of factors, including the current workload and staffing levels of UK Visas and Immigration and the unique circumstances of each particular applicant. Applications may therefore be accepted or rejected quicker or slower than the indicated timeframe.

Some applications for visas or settlement—including Family Visas and Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)—may be eligible for a priority or super priority service, which guarantees a decision within days rather than weeks or months in exchange for payment of an additional fee. For more details or to check if you might be eligible to get a quicker decision, please book an appointment with our qualified immigration solicitors.

Visa CategoryVisa TypeDecision usually within
Work VisasGlobal Talent Visa3 weeks (if applying from outside the UK)

8 weeks (if applying from inside the UK)
Charity Worker Visa3 weeks (if applying from outside the UK)

8 weeks (if applying from inside the UK)
Creative Worker Visa3 weeks (if applying from outside the UK)

8 weeks (if applying from inside the UK)
Graduate Visa8 weeks
Graduate Trainee Visa3 weeks
Health & Care Worker Visa3 weeks
High Potential Individual Visa3 weeks (if applying from outside the UK)

8 weeks (if applying from inside the UK)
Overseas Domestic Worker Visa3 weeks
Representative of an Overseas Business Visa3 weeks (if applying from outside the UK)

8 weeks (if applying from inside the UK)
Scale-up Visa3 weeks (if applying from outside the UK)

8 weeks (if applying from inside the UK)
Seasonal Worker Visa3 weeks
Secondment Worker Visa3 weeks (if applying from outside the UK)

8 weeks (if applying from inside the UK)
Senior or Specialist Worker Visa3 weeks (if applying from outside the UK)

8 weeks (if applying from inside the UK)
Service Supplier Visa3 weeks (if applying from outside the UK)

8 weeks (if applying from inside the UK)
Skilled Worker Visa3 weeks (if applying from outside the UK)

8 weeks (if applying from inside the UK)
UK Expansion Worker Visa3 weeks (if applying from outside the UK)

8 weeks (if applying from inside the UK)
Business VisasInnovator Founder Visa3 weeks (if applying from outside the UK)

8 weeks (if applying from inside the UK)
Permitted Paid Engagements3 weeks
Start-up Visa3 weeks (if applying from outside the UK)

8 weeks (if applying from inside the UK)
Study VisasShort-term Study Visa3 weeks
Child Student Visa3 weeks (if applying from outside the UK)

8 weeks (if applying from inside the UK)
Student Visa3 weeks (if applying from outside the UK)

8 weeks (if applying from inside the UK)
Visitor VisasStandard Visitor Visa3 weeks
Long-term Standard Visitor Visa3 weeks
Other VisasAncestry Visa3 weeks
British National (Overseas) Visa12 weeks
Family Visas8 weeks (if applying from outside the UK)

24 weeks (if applying from inside the UK)
India Young Professionals Scheme VisaBallot results issued within 2 weeks of it closing.

Visa decisions issued within 3 weeks of application.
Marriage Visa3 weeks
Transit Visa3 weeks
Youth Mobility Scheme3 weeks
Long-term settlementIndefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)1-6 months
UK Citizenship1-6 months

VisaEnvoy is a truly international migration firm providing relocation solutions to the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US.

We recognise that there are a range of visa options and a variety of immigration solicitors to choose from. We take pride in understanding our clients and their needs so that we can help them apply for the right visa for their unique circumstances.

VisaEnvoy’s main offices are located in Melbourne, Australia, but we work with colleagues around the world to provide reputable, trustworthy and professional service to our clients wherever they are and wherever they wish to go. We hold ourselves to the highest professional standards and abide by the relevant migration agents’ code of conduct in the jurisdictions in which we operate.

If you would like to know more about VisaEnvoy, our agents and the services we offer, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

For individual or corporate visa enquiries, we recommend booking an appointment.

Book a visa consultation or check your eligibility

Demetris Demetriou

Demetris is a dual-qualified lawyer in the UK (Solicitor) and Cyprus (Advocate) with 10+ years of experience in UK immigration. He completed his legal studies at University College London and City University London. Over the course of his career, he held key roles as Head of Immigration at Legal 500 firms and within the Big4, overseeing teams of 15+ fee earners handling 2000+ applications annually.

Demetris went on to co-establish his firm in London and continues to offer innovative solutions and strategic immigration planning to multinationals, SMEs, and private clients.

He personally represented 1500+ clients in 30+ visa routes including investors, entrepreneurs, innovators, sole representatives, students, family visas, global talent, UK ancestry, administrative reviews and appeals. Demetris has managed corporate relocations, conducted immigration law training and implemented post-Brexit immigration policies for corporate clients.

Demetris has been featured in various events and publications focusing on UK immigration, notably at the Cambridge Network, the Westminster Policy Forum and most recently at DGEMS, a global mobility summit hosted by Forbes India.

If you would like to discuss your UK immigration matter or have any questions about your options for immigrating to the UK, you can book a consultation here.

Tatiani Preifelt

Tatiani has a wealth of expertise in global mobility and corporate immigration. Her ample skills were acquired within leading immigration practices including three out of the Big4 firms in both the UK and Sweden. Tatiani went on to co-establish her firm in London where she continues to advise clients predominantly in corporate, business and skilled work migration.

Having personally relocated to 10 different countries, Tatiani understands the importance of an expedient and successful immigration process and takes pride in delivering a seamless experience to her clients as well.

Over the course of her career, she has assisted over 500 individuals and businesses to obtain the appropriate visa permits in the UK.

Her awarded academic work at The University of Oxford, The London School of Economics, and at The Geneva University is in the fields of Political Science, International Human Rights Law, and Global Migration Governance.

She regularly provides immigration training and has recently participated as a speaker and panellist at DGEMS 2023, a global mobility summit hosted by Forbes India.

If you would like to discuss your UK immigration matter or have any questions about your options for immigrating to the UK, you can book a consultation here.