Visa processing times: applications outside the UK - GOV.UK Cookies on GOV.UK We use some essential cookies to make this website work. We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. View cookies Guidance Visa processing times: applications outside the UK Check how quickly you’ll receive a decision on your UK visa application if you are applying from outside the UK. From: UK Visas and Immigration Published 22 May 2023 22 October 2025 See all updates When to apply for a visa You should allow enough time before you make a visa application. You are not required to book any travel before you apply or before a decision is made on your application. You will only receive a refund of your application fee if we have not started to process your application. You may be able to pay for a faster decision on a visa application. When your application processing time starts UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) starts processing your application once you either: verify your identity and submit your documents and application online using the UK Immigration: ID Check app . We’ll tell you if you can use this attend your appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) to provide your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) When your application processing time ends You’ll get a letter or email to let you know that a decision has been made on your application If you attended a VAC and left your passport, you should not return to the VAC until you have been contacted. You do not need to contact UKVI to track your application if you’ve already made a visa application and it is still within the current processing times. We will not be able to provide information on the status of your application. Watch our video on understanding processing times When you might wait longer Your visa application may take longer to process if, for example: 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) UKVI is experiencing increased visa demand there is an unexpected technical outage affecting visa systems You will be contacted within the current processing times if your application will take longer. If your application has taken longer than the current processing times and you haven’t been contacted by UKVI about your visa application, you should contact UKVI Current processing times The processing times listed below are based on the current volume of visa applications. The processing times are different if you paid for a faster decision Processing times are based on the UK working week (Monday to Friday) and include public holidays in the UK. They do not include public holidays in other countries. All UK processing times are measured against agreed customer service standards If you applied to visit, study or work in the UK, use the online service to check your visa processing time . This will tell you when you can expect a decision. Visit visas Category Processing time Standard Visitor 3 weeks Marriage Visitor 3 weeks Chinese tour group 3 weeks Transit 3 weeks Study visas Category Processing time 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 Category Processing time Partner or spouse 12 weeks Parent 12 weeks Child 12 weeks Adult coming to be cared for by a relative 12 weeks Ukraine visas Category Processing time Homes for Ukraine 3 weeks Work visas Popular work visas Category Processing time Skilled Worker 3 weeks Health and Care Worker 3 weeks Temporary work visas Category Processing time 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 Category Processing time 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 Category Processing time Innovator Founder 3 weeks Start-up 3 weeks Work visas for an overseas employer Category Processing time 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 Category Processing time British National (Overseas) 12 weeks International Sportsperson 3 weeks Minister of Religion 3 weeks Scale-up Worker 3 weeks Updates to this page Published 22 May 2023 show all updates 22 October 2025 'When your application processing time ends' section has been updated to clarify that you should only return to a visa application centre when you are contacted, if you left your passport there. 21 July 2025 Added a link to the online service which tells you when you can expect a decision on your application. 15 July 2025 Removed the section on applications made in the USA, because they now follow the same process as applications made in other countries. 20 May 2025 Added information about processing times if you pay for a faster decision. 8 April 2025 Added clarification that processing times do not include bank holidays. 12 February 2025 Added information on when your visa application may take longer to process. 26 November 2024 Link to processing times explanatory video added. 2 September 2024 Updated family visa processing times. 9 July 2024 Updated to clarify contact process in the following sections: 'When your application processing time ends' and 'When you might wait longer'. 9 May 2024 Processing time and service standard for Permitted Paid Engagement removed, as it's now included as part of the Standard Visitor visa application. 19 February 2024 Amended processing time on the Ukraine visas. 8 September 2023 Clarified the information about short term study visas. 26 June 2023 Updated family visa processing times structure. 22 May 2023 First published. 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