Immigration

Waiting for a UK visa decision? How long it usually takes and when to chase

UK Visas and Immigration publishes standard processing times for each visa route, with different figures for applications made inside and outside the UK. This guide explains when the clock actually starts, what the current published standards look like, how the paid faster services work, and when it is reasonable to contact UKVI.

Reviewed 07/11/2026 · Applies to: UK-wide

Who this helps

People waiting for a UK visa decision, whether they applied from inside the UK or from abroad, and family members or employers helping them plan.

What to do

Find the right page for where you are applying from: there is one set of processing times for applications made inside the UK and another for applications made outside the UK. Then find your exact visa route on that page.
Work out when your clock started. UKVI starts processing once you have either proved your identity and submitted your application through the UK Immigration: ID Check app, or attended your biometrics appointment (a visa application centre abroad, or a UKVCAS or Service and Support Centre appointment in the UK). Times are counted in UK working days (Monday to Friday) and include UK public holidays.
Compare against the published standard for your route. As of the 9 September 2026 update, most visit, study and work applications from outside the UK show 3 weeks, and family visas from outside the UK show 12 weeks. From inside the UK, most routes show 8 weeks, but some are much longer: for example, partner or parent applications on private life grounds show 12 months, and the page says there is no service standard for these. Always check the live page, as figures change.
If you need a quicker decision, check whether a faster service is offered for your application. GOV.UK says priority usually means a decision within 5 working days for most visa applications (30 working days for settlement, citizenship and family visas from outside the UK), and super priority usually means a decision by the end of the next working day. The page lists these at £500 and £1,000 on top of the application fee, per person, and says you will not usually get your money back if the decision takes longer.
Do not book travel until you have a decision. Both processing-time pages say UKVI will not reimburse travel costs or other expenses if your application is refused or takes longer than expected.
If your application has gone past the published time and UKVI has not contacted you, contact UKVI using the official contact tool on GOV.UK. The inside-UK page says you will be contacted within the processing time if your application is going to take longer. Remember that UKVI staff cannot advise on your personal circumstances or tell you whether you will be successful.

Before you act

Processing times and fees change. Figures here reflect GOV.UK pages updated on 9 September 2026; always check the live page for your route before making plans.
Published times are standards, not guarantees. Applications can take longer, for example if more evidence or an interview is needed, and paying for a faster service does not guarantee the target is met.
This is general information, not immigration advice. UKVI staff cannot advise on your personal circumstances.

Take the next step

Continue to the provider’s website to check the latest details and use the service.

GOV.UK visa processing times for applications made inside the UK ↗

Destination: www.gov.uk

Sources

MyAgumba explains the sources above. Eligibility and availability depend on your circumstances and the provider’s current rules.