How long does a UK visa take to process?

For people applying for a UK visa who want to know how long a decision takes.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Most UK visa applications from outside the UK are decided within 3 weeks.

Visit, study and most work visas from outside the UK: 3 weeks.
Family visas from outside the UK: 12 weeks.
Most applications from inside the UK: 8 weeks.
The clock starts once you have proved your identity and sent your documents.
You may be able to pay £500 for priority or £1,000 for super priority.

Key facts

Outside UK: usually 3 weeks
Family visa (outside UK): 12 weeks
Inside UK: usually 8 weeks
Priority £500, super priority £1,000

Processing times if you apply from outside the UK

These are the usual service standards published by UK Visas and Immigration, last updated on 9 September 2026.

Visa	Usual decision time
Standard Visitor, Marriage Visitor, Transit	3 weeks
Student, Child Student, Short-term English language course	3 weeks
Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Global Talent, Youth Mobility Scheme and other work visas	3 weeks
Scale-up Worker, Minister of Religion, International Sportsperson	3 weeks
Family visas (partner or spouse, parent, child, adult dependent relative)	12 weeks
British National (Overseas)	12 weeks

Processing times if you apply from inside the UK

Application	Usual decision time
Student or Child Student	8 weeks
Skilled Worker and most other work visas	8 weeks
Health and Care Worker, Start-up	3 weeks
Partner or spouse (meeting the requirements)	8 weeks
Partner or spouse (private life route), Parent	12 months (no set service standard)
British National (Overseas)	12 weeks
Registering a UK-born child as British	Usually within 6 months

When the clock starts

The time does not start when you pay. It starts when you have either:

proved your identity and sent your documents using the UK Immigration: ID Check app, or
gone to your appointment at a visa application centre to give your fingerprints and photo

Example: you apply for a Standard Visitor visa online on 1 March and attend your appointment on 10 March. The 3 weeks count from 10 March, so you would usually expect a decision by about 31 March.

Some applications take longer, for example if more checks are needed.

Paying for a faster decision

Service	Extra cost	Usual decision time
Priority	£500	5 working days for most visas. 30 working days for family visas from outside the UK and citizenship
Super priority	£1,000	By the end of the next working day after a weekday appointment, or 2 working days after a weekend or bank holiday appointment

These fees are on top of the visa fee. They are not available for every visa or every country. Super priority cannot be used for citizenship. If you apply from inside the UK, you must have permission to be here to use them.

Tips to avoid delays

Apply as early as the rules allow. For example, visitors can apply up to 3 months before travel.
Check your documents before your appointment.
Do not book travel until you get a decision on your visa application.

The same times apply whether you live in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Visa processing times: applications outside the UK on GOV.UK
Visa processing times: applications inside the UK on GOV.UK
Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application on GOV.UK
Apply for citizenship if you were born in the UK: after you've applied on GOV.UK
Standard Visitor visa on GOV.UK

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Check processing times

Common questions

When does the processing time start?

It starts once you verify your identity with the UK Immigration: ID Check app and submit your documents, or attend your biometrics appointment.

Can I pay for a faster citizenship decision?

Priority (30 working days) is available for citizenship, but super priority cannot be used for citizenship applications.

Official sources

1.Visa processing times: applications outside the UKwww.gov.uk/guidance/visa-processing-times-applications-outside-the-uk
2.Visa processing times: applications inside the UKwww.gov.uk/guidance/visa-processing-times-applications-inside-the-uk
3.Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement applicationwww.gov.uk/faster-decision-visa-settlement

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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