Visa processing times: applications outside the UK
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-22)

Check how quickly you’ll receive a decision on your UK visa application if you are applying from outside the UK.

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 (https://www.gov.uk/cancel-visa) if we have not started to process your application.

You may be able to pay for a faster decision (https://www.gov.uk/faster-decision-visa-settlement) 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 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/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) (https://www.gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre) 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 (https://www.gov.uk/apply-to-come-to-the-uk/getting-a-decision-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 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-processing-times/processing-times-video)

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 (https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk).

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 (https://www.gov.uk/faster-decision-visa-settlement).

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 (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/customer-service-standards).

If you applied to visit, study or work in the UK, use the online service to check your visa processing time (https://www.gov.uk/check-visa-processing-time). This will tell you when you can expect a decision.

Visit visas

Study visas

Family visas

Ukraine visas

Work visas

Popular work visas

Temporary work visas

Work visas you can apply for without a job offer

Work visas to start a business

Work visas for an overseas employer

Other visas and permits