If you are applying to live, work, study, or visit the UK, one of the first questions you probably ask is: How long will it take for my immigration application to be decided? It is natural to feel anxious while waiting for a decision. You want to plan your life, book flights, or start your new job or course, but you don’t know how long the Home Office will take to process your application.
This article will help you understand the typical waiting times for different UK immigration applications, what affects these times, and how you can speed up the process. We will also explain what to do if your application takes longer than expected.
When Does the Waiting Time Start?
First, it is important to know when the Home Office starts counting the time for your application.
- If you apply from outside the UK, the countdown begins when you provide your biometric information. This means you must either attend a visa appointment where your fingerprints and photograph are taken or verify your identity using the UK Immigration ID Check app if you are eligible.
- If you apply from inside the UK, the waiting time usually starts when you submit your online application. There are some exceptions, such as for the Graduate Immigration Route, where it starts from your biometric appointment or app ID check.
Your application will not start processing until your biometrics are submitted or your ID is verified.
Standard Processing Times for Different Visa Applications
The Home Office publishes standard processing times, which give you an idea of how long you can expect to wait for a decision. These times apply if you provide all the necessary documents and information with your application and there are no complicating factors.
Here are some common visa categories and their typical processing times:
Applications Made Outside the UK
| Visa Type | Standard Processing Time |
| Non-settlement visas (work, study, visit) | 90% decided within 3 weeks; up to 12 weeks |
| Settlement visas (family reunion, spouse, etc.) | 98.5% decided within 12 weeks; up to 24 weeks |
| Visitor visas | Around 3 weeks |
| Work visas | Around 3 weeks |
| Student visas | Around 3 weeks |
| Hong Kong BN(O) visas | Around 12 weeks |
| UK Ancestry visas | Around 3 weeks |
| Returning resident visas | Around 3 weeks |
Applications Made Inside the UK
| Visa Type | Standard Processing Time |
| Leave to remain (work, study, family) | Around 8 weeks |
| Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) | Up to 6 months |
| No time limit applications | Up to 6 months |
Why Do Processing Times Vary?
Processing times are not set in stone and can change based on many factors, including:
- Completeness of your application: If you submit all the required documents correctly, your application will be processed faster. Missing or incorrect documents cause delays.
- Complexity of your case: Applications involving human rights claims, criminal record checks, or complicated family situations take longer.
- Verification checks: The Home Office may need to verify your documents or conduct background checks, which takes time.
- Volume of applications: At busy times of the year, or during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic or the Ukraine situation, applications take longer due to the higher number of applicants.
- Availability of staff and resources: Sometimes the Home Office has limited staff capacity which can slow down processing.
Can I Speed Up the Process?
Yes, in some cases you can choose faster processing services called Priority and Super Priority services. These services allow you to pay an extra fee to get your application decided faster.
- Priority service: You usually get a decision within 5 working days after your biometric appointment or ID verification.
- Super Priority service: You usually get a decision by the end of the next working day (for weekday appointments) or within 2 working days (if your appointment is on a weekend).
However, these services are not available for all types of visa applications. For example, the Super Priority service is currently suspended for new Partner and Family visas submitted outside the UK. Also, these services do not increase the chance of success. They only speed up the decision time.
What Happens If My Application Takes Longer Than Expected?
Sometimes your application may take longer than the standard processing time. This can be worrying, but here are some steps you can take:
- Check your application status: The Home Office may provide updates on your application online or by email.
- Contact the Home Office: You can phone or write to ask for an update, especially if the delay is affecting your ability to work, study, or care for family members.
- Provide additional information: If the Home Office requests more documents or information, respond as quickly as possible.
- Request escalation: If your application is urgent (for example, for work or medical reasons), you can ask for your case to be prioritised.
- Make a formal complaint: If you feel your application is unreasonably delayed, you may file a complaint. This process can take several weeks.
- Seek legal advice: In rare cases where there is a very long delay, you may be able to challenge the delay legally through judicial review. This is a court process asking the Home Office to make a decision.
Can I Stay in the UK While Waiting for a Decision?
If you applied from inside the UK before your current visa expired, you usually have the right to stay in the UK while waiting for the Home Office decision, even if it is delayed.
This is important because you do not want to lose your legal status while your application is pending.
Can I Travel While My Application Is Being Processed?
If you applied from inside the UK, you are generally not allowed to leave the UK until you receive a decision. If you leave the UK, your application may be treated as withdrawn, and you may lose the fees paid.
There are exceptions for some application types, such as naturalisation or the EU Settlement Scheme.
If you applied from outside the UK, you can usually travel freely once you receive your visa.
What About Dependent Applications?
If you are applying with dependents (such as a spouse or children), their applications are usually processed at the same time as yours, and their decisions come together.
If a dependent applies after you receive a decision, their process may be faster.
Summary: What You Need to Remember
- The waiting time for your immigration application starts when you provide your biometric information or verify your identity, not when you submit your form.
- Most standard applications made outside the UK are processed within 3 to 12 weeks depending on the visa type.
- Applications made inside the UK usually take 8 weeks to 6 months depending on the type (extensions, settlement).
- Processing times can vary due to case complexity, checks, volume, and staff availability.
- You can choose Priority or Super Priority services to get faster decisions for some visa types, but this does not affect the chance of success.
- If your application is delayed, contact the Home Office for updates and consider seeking legal advice if the delay is excessive.
- You can usually stay in the UK while waiting for your decision if you applied in-country before your visa expired.
- Do not travel outside the UK while your application is being processed unless you are sure it will not affect your application.
Final Tips for Your Application
- Prepare your application carefully: Make sure you include all required documents and fill out forms correctly.
- Respond promptly: If the Home Office asks for more information, respond quickly.
- Check the Home Office website regularly: For updated processing times and service availability.
- Consider Priority services if you need a quick decision (and if available for your visa type).
- Keep records: Save all emails, receipts, and appointment confirmations.
- Seek professional advice: If your case is complex, or you are unsure, consult an immigration lawyer or adviser.
Applying for a UK visa or immigration status can feel stressful, but knowing what to expect about processing times can help you plan better and reduce anxiety. Remember, every application is unique, and sometimes delays happen beyond your control. Stay informed, be patient, and prepare well to improve your chances of a smooth process.
If you want personalised advice about your specific visa application or need help navigating delays, consider contacting a qualified immigration adviser or solicitor.
