Updated June 2025
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has updated online information on visa processing times and how long it can take for a decision to be made.
This all depends on the type of visa you’re applying for, where you’re applying from and if you’re willing to pay a fee for a faster decision.
When the above steps are complete, the below standard processing times for visa applications can be applied, measured against the UKVI’s agreed customer service standards.
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Visit visa | |
| Standard Visitor | 3 weeks |
| Marriage Visitor | 3 weeks |
| Chinese tour group | 3 weeks |
| Transit | 3 weeks |
| Study visas | |
| Student | 3 weeks |
| Child student | 3 weeks |
| Study English in the UK: Short-term student (6 to 11 month English language courses) | 3 weeks |
| Family visas | |
| Partner or spouse | 12 weeks |
| Parent | 12 weeks |
| Child | 12 weeks |
| Adult coming to be cared for by a relative | 12 weeks |
| Ukraine visits | |
| Home for Ukraine | 3 weeks |
| Popular work visas | |
| Skilled Worker | 3 weeks |
| Health and Care Worker | 3 weeks |
| Temporary work visas | |
| Government Authorised Exchange | 3 weeks |
| Charity Worker | 3 weeks |
| Creative Worker | 3 weeks |
| International Agreement | 3 weeks |
| Seasonal Worker | 3 weeks |
| Religious Worker | 3 weeks |
| Work visas you can apply for without a job offer | |
| Global Talent | 3 weeks |
| Youth Mobility Scheme | 3 weeks |
| India Young Professionals Scheme visa | 3 weeks |
| UK Ancestry | 3 weeks |
| High Potential Individual (HPI) | 3 weeks |
| Work visas to start a business | |
| Innovator Founder | 3 weeks |
| Start-up | 3 weeks |
| Work visas for an overseas employer | 3 weeks |
| Overseas Domestic Worker | 3 weeks |
| Graduate Trainee | 3 weeks |
| Secondment Worker | 3 weeks |
| Senior or Specialist Worker | 3 weeks |
| Representative of an Overseas Business | 3 weeks |
| Service Supplier | 3 weeks |
| UK Expansion Worker | 3 weeks |
| Other visas and permits | |
| British National (Overseas) | 12 weeks |
| International Sportsperson | 3 weeks |
| Minister of Religion | 3 weeks |
| Scale-up Worker | 3 weeks |
See the gov.uk website for more information and a full breakdown
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Visit visa | |
| Standard Visitor | 8 weeks |
| Study visas | |
| Student | 8 weeks |
| Child student | 8 weeks |
| Family visas | |
| Partner or spouse (meeting minimum income and English language requirements) | 8 weeks |
| Partner or spouse - private life (minimum income and English language not required) | 12 months - there is currently no service standard for these applications |
| Parent | 12 months - there is currently no service standard for these applications |
| Child | 8 weeks |
| Adult coming to be cared for by a relative | 8 weeks |
| Ukraine visits | |
| Home for Ukraine | As quickly as possible |
| Popular work visas | |
| Skilled Worker | 8 weeks |
| Health and Care Worker | 3 weeks |
| Temporary work visas | |
| Government Authorised Exchange | 8 weeks |
| Charity Worker | 8 weeks |
| Creative Worker | 8 weeks |
| International Agreement | 8 weeks |
| Religious Worker | 8 weeks |
| Work visas you can apply for without a job offer | |
| Global Talent | 8 weeks |
| Graduate | 8 weeks |
| Overseas Domestic Worker | 8 weeks |
| High Potential Individual (HPI) | 8 weeks |
| UK Ancestry | 8 weeks |
| Work visas to start a business | |
| Innovator Founder | 8 weeks |
| Start-up | 3 weeks |
| Work visas for an overseas employer | |
| Overseas Domestic Worker | 8 weeks |
| Secondment Worker | 8 weeks |
| Senior or Specialist Worker | 8 weeks |
| Representative of an Overseas Business | 8 weeks |
| Service Supplier | 8 weeks |
| UK Expansion Worker | 8 weeks |
| Other visas and permits | |
| British National (Overseas) | 12 weeks |
| Entrepreneur | 8 weeks |
| International Sportsperson | 8 weeks |
| Investor | 8 weeks |
| Minister of Religion | 8 weeks |
| Scale-up Worker | 8 weeks |
| Turkish Businessperson | 6 months |
| Turkish Worker | 6 months |
See the gov.uk website for more information and a full breakdown
Your UK visa application begins the processing phase when you have:
The processing time will be classed as finished when you’ve received an email or letter to let you know that the UKVI has reached a decision.
UK visa processing can be delayed for multiple reasons, including but not limited to:
UKVI offers priority and super priority services for some indefinite leave to remain (ILR) applications.
The priority service costs an additional £500 in addition to your application and should provide a decision with five working days, or 30 working days for family visa applications outside the UK.
The super priority service costs an additional £1,000 in addition to your application and should provide a decision by the end of the next working day.
Find out more about priority services
Whether your application has been granted or declined, Five Star can help you through any next steps.
Speak to the Five Star team today and we can help.
Don’t navigate the complexities of immigration alone. Let our specialists guide you towards a successful outcome.
