UK visa processing times
Applying from outside the UK
As of 2026-09-09 (GOV.UK)
Updated content to clarify that you should not book travel to the UK until you have received a decision on your visa and that UKVI will not be responsible for any expenses or travel costs incurred if your visa processing time takes longer than expected.
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.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.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.check your visa processing time
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 |
Work visas
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
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
Work visas to start a business
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Innovator Founder | 3 weeks |
| Start-up | 3 weeks |
Work visas
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 |
| Returning Resident visa | 3 weeks |
| Scale-up Worker | 3 weeks |
Applying from inside the UK
As of 2026-09-09 (GOV.UK)
Updated content to clarify that you should not book travel to the UK until you have received a decision on your visa and that UKVI will not reimburse any travel costs or other expenses if your application is refused or takes longer than expected.
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.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.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.check your visa processing time
Visit visa
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Standard Visitor | 8 weeks |
Study visas
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Student | 8 weeks |
| Child Student | 8 weeks |
Family visas
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| 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* |
| Parent | 12 months* |
| Child | 8 weeks |
| Adult coming to be cared for by a relative | 8 weeks |
*There is no service standard for applications in the UK on the basis of your private life - Partner or spouse - private life (minimum income and English language not required) or applications as a parent. The processing times listed are based on the current volume of visa applications.on the basis of your private life - Partner or spouse - private life (minimum income and English language not required)as a parent
Ukraine visas
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Ukraine Permission Extension scheme | 8 weeks |
Work visas
Popular work visas
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | 8 weeks |
| Health and Care Worker | 3 weeks |
Work visas
Temporary work visas
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Government Authorised Exchange | 8 weeks |
| Charity Worker | 8 weeks |
| Creative Worker | 8 weeks |
| International Agreement | 8 weeks |
| Religious Worker | 8 weeks |
Work visas
Work visas you can apply for without a job offer
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Global Talent | 8 weeks |
| Graduate | 8 weeks |
| Overseas Domestic Worker | 8 weeks |
| High Potential Individual (HPI) | 8 weeks |
| UK Ancestry | 8 weeks |
Work visas
Work visas to start a business
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Innovator Founder | 8 weeks |
| Start-up | 3 weeks |
Work visas
Work visas for an overseas employer
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| 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
| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Sources & last verified
Open Government Licence v3.0 — visa processing times are published by UK Visas and Immigration (GOV.UK) and are Crown copyright, reused under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0.