Visa decision waiting times: applications outside the UK (2023)

FAQs

How can I check the status of my UK visa application from outside the UK? ›

You can also use the UKVI online tool at: www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk. Using email is often the best option for how to check your UK visa application status, as your email enquiry is more likely to be directed to the caseworker dealing with your particular application.

You should usually get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks once you've applied online and either attended your appointment at a visa service centre or submitted your documents using the ID Check app to switch to a Graduate visa.

If you travel abroad (outside the Common Travel Area (CTA) – which includes the UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man) before a decision is made on your application for leave to remain or settlement, the Home Office will treat your application as withdrawn.

Processing times have recently been affected by COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine. For example, partner visa applications from outside the UK, which usually take 12 weeks to process, are currently taking up to 24 weeks to process from the date of biometric enrolment at a visa application centre.

The UKVI are working towards their three-week service standard. June 2022 Update: Skilled Worker Visa applications are currently on average taking 6 weeks to process although the Home Office are working hard to process applications in order to get back to the three-week service standard.

You should get a decision within 12 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application centre or when you submit your online documents after completing the ID Check app.

Getting a decision on your application. You'll get a letter or an email with the result of your application. It will explain what you need to do next.

How will you know if your visa is approved? You will receive a communication from UK Visas and Immigration regarding whether your visa has been approved or denied, typically in the form of a letter, a text message, and/or email.

Whether your visa is approved or denied, you will receive feedback from UKVI. Depending on the visa route, this will more than likely come as a letter (though you may receive a text message or email). If you are outside of the UK, you will receive a vignette that allows you to travel to the UK.

You can travel outside the UK if you've applied for British citizenship. You should make sure you can get emails and letters about your application while you're away.

What is my immigration status while my application is being decided? ›

Your immigration status will stay the same while you wait for your new visa if you make the application in the 28 days before your visa ends. If you already have the right to work, access education and receive benefits, you'll still have these rights while you wait for a new visa.

Visa nationals cannot travel to the UK as visitors while their out-of-country applications are being decided; Non-visa nationals may travel to the UK as visitors while their out-of-country applications are decided; however, doing so involves some risk.

Eligible applicants who apply via the priority service should receive a decision within 5 working days of their appointment at the visa application centre (for overseas applicants) or within 5 working days of either the day of their appointment at a UKVCAS appointment centre or the working day after having finished ...

You can also track your visa application status online. Use the Reference Number present on the invoice/receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre along with your last name to access this service.

How to track the visa status with a GWF number. You need to share your GWF number to check the status of your visa application with the UK visa service centre via SMS or email. The UK visa and Immigration department won't be able to give you an update on your visa status without a GWF given at the time of submission.

You can track your application using the reference number on your receipt, which is issued to you on the day of your appointment. If you have opted for the SMS service you will be notified via SMS and email regarding the status of your application.

The UK Visas and Immigration global service standard for processing non-settlement visas is 15 working days and 60 working days for settlement visas. Alternatively, some VFS packages include SMS tracking, should you wish to purchase one of these.

We aim to process non settlement applications within 15 working days (unless you have opted for the Priority Visa service), and settlement applications within 120 working days.

They can take longer due to factors such as an applicant's background, location of residence, location of their primary visa office, criminality and whether they've been refused before. "It's very circumstantial," explained Boghossian.

You will receive a decision letter when the visa is granted which contains details of how to collect the BRP card, and you will receive a visa vignette (sticker) in the passport which is valid for 30 days. This may now be 90 days due to the current travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How long does it take for the visa to be approved? ›

Upon receipt of the Visa Application through Indian Visa Application Center or directly, the Indian Mission/ Post requires a minimum of three working days to process the case and issue a visa depending upon the nationality and excluding special cases.

Yes. When your eTA is approved, you will receive an email confirmation.

their previous immigration history, including visits to the UK and other countries. the duration of previous visits and whether this was significantly longer than they originally stated on their visa application or on arrival. their financial circumstances as well as their family, social and economic background.

Assuming your immigration appeal is successful, the judge will advise UKVI of the decision. It may take up to 12 weeks until after the appeal decision for this to be processed by UKVI.

If the passport is not collected within 14 calendar days from the selected location, the passport will be sent back to the respective Embassy or Consulate and you can pick it from there.

Upon visa refusal, you will get a letter from the consulate stating the reason for refusal. This will help you reapply after a specific period of time by rectifying the mistake. Also, some of the consulate websites provide the visa status with the reason for rejection, if any.

A decision has been made on your application and your documents are being returned to the Visa Application Centre (VAC). You will be contacted again by the VAC once these documents have been received and they are ready for you to collect.

Web chat: Chat Now Email: Send an email to info.canauh@vfshelpline.com. Helpline Number: +971 4 2055881. Visit the Visa Application Centre to track your application.

You will not get a refund of the application fee if: your visa application is unsuccessful. you are granted leave, for example you get a visa or indefinite leave to remain. you have a visa and do not use it to travel to the UK.

How does immigration know when I leave UK? ›

The coalition government committed in 2010 to reintroducing exit checks. From 8 April 2015, we will collect information on passengers leaving the UK as we do for those entering. Exit checks will provide us with vital information that confirms a person's exit from the UK.

If you're eligible you can choose the 'priority service' when you apply. It costs £500 in addition to the application fee. You'll get a decision within 5 working days.

You may travel to another country, including your home country, provided no other legal impediment precludes you from doing so. However, if a trip lasts longer than 180 days, USCIS may determine that you have not continuously resided in the United States and therefore are ineligible for naturalization.

Can I Work While Waiting For A Visa Application? In layman's terms, the immigration rules simply state that as long as the switching or extension visa application is made before the current visa expires, the Applicant's current leave is extended until a decision is made.

You will only be required to re-submit your passport when a decision is reached. What's more; you can opt for this service even if your application has already been submitted.

You should usually get a decision on your visa within 6 months once you apply online. When you apply, you'll be told if you can pay to get a faster decision. Check if you're eligible for settlement in the UK.

Our service standard processing times for standard applications (6 months or 8 weeks depending on application type) will start when we receive your application.

The UKVI are working towards their three-week service standard. June 2022 Update: Skilled Worker Visa applications are currently on average taking 6 weeks to process although the Home Office are working hard to process applications in order to get back to the three-week service standard.

Once you have submitted your application at your nearest VAC, it will be assessed by Home Office caseworkers at a decision making centre. Years ago, UK visa applications filed overseas would be considered at a local British Embassy.

Why is VFS Global So Slow? ›

The sudden rise in visa applications is the main reason for a longer wait period. Apart from that shortage of staff at embassies, and stricter rules for issuing visas are also leading to the delay.

You should get a decision within 12 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application centre or when you submit your online documents after completing the ID Check app.

Following a resumption of international travel after almost two years of a pause due to the COVID-19 situation, Embassies and visa application centres worldwide are finding it difficult to deal with a high volume of visa applications.

Getting a decision on your application. You'll get a letter or an email with the result of your application. It will explain what you need to do next.

You cannot currently track your individual visa application online, but you can use an online tool to obtain information on which department to contact for your particular in-country or overseas application, where you will be directed to contact information for different UKVI departments.

GWF number is a unique serial number or reference number that is issued when you first apply for any UK visa. You can get it from your online visa application form, or it can be found on the documents checklist once you submit the application.

As many, many, many people have asked and answered - passport request means they have approved your application. There is no other reason, at all, to request a passport.

You can track your application using the reference number on your receipt, which is issued to you on the day of your appointment.

You can also track your visa application status online. Use the Reference Number present on the invoice/receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre along with your last name to access this service.

How to track the visa status with a GWF number. You need to share your GWF number to check the status of your visa application with the UK visa service centre via SMS or email. The UK visa and Immigration department won't be able to give you an update on your visa status without a GWF given at the time of submission.

How can I track my VFS Global UK visa application? ›

Web chat: Chat Now Email: Send an email to info.canauh@vfshelpline.com. Helpline Number: +971 4 2055881. Visit the Visa Application Centre to track your application.

GWF number is a unique application number issued to the applicant at the time of application submission. While checking the status of your UK visa status via email or telephone, you need to give your GWF number. The UK Visa and Immigration department can't give you an update on your visa status without a GWF number.

Getting a decision on your application. You'll get a letter or an email with the result of your application. It will explain what you need to do next.

How will you know if your visa is approved? You will receive a communication from UK Visas and Immigration regarding whether your visa has been approved or denied, typically in the form of a letter, a text message, and/or email.

You can check the status of your visa application on ceac.state.gov. If your visa has been denied, you may find useful information on Ineligibilities and Waivers on usvisas.state.gov.

Upon visa refusal, you will get a letter from the consulate stating the reason for refusal. This will help you reapply after a specific period of time by rectifying the mistake. Also, some of the consulate websites provide the visa status with the reason for rejection, if any.

If the passport is not collected within 14 calendar days from the selected location, the passport will be sent back to the respective Embassy or Consulate and you can pick it from there.

GWF number is a unique serial number or reference number that is issued when you first apply for any UK visa. You can get it from your online visa application form, or it can be found on the documents checklist once you submit the application.

As many, many, many people have asked and answered - passport request means they have approved your application. There is no other reason, at all, to request a passport.

Helpline Number: 18002668858, 022-67866002, 912262018404. Visit the Visa Application Centre to track your application.

What does a decision has been made on your visa application mean? ›

A decision has been made on your application and your documents are being returned to the Visa Application Centre (VAC). You will be contacted again by the VAC once these documents have been received and they are ready for you to collect.

“No, It means that a decision has been made on your application. Also, this does not confirm that a visa has been granted.