Global update on UK visa
processing times overseas

24 February 2022

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has issued an update on their website this week warning UK visa applicants overseas to expect longer visa processing times due to unpredictable demand across all visa routes. The delays are due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and global travel restrictions.

UKVI are working hard to process all applications as soon as possible. Customers will be contacted by the Visa Application Centre (VAC) when their passport is ready for collection, and you should not attend the VAC until you have been invited to do so.

Smith Stone Walters has reached out to our immigration caseworkers based in our global offices in the UK, Hong Kong, India and the USA to find out the current visa processing timelines in each region and how long overseas applicants can expect to wait for a decision under standard, Priority and Super Priority services.

EMEA region

If you are filing an application for a UK visa from the EMEA region, you can currently expect to experience the following waiting times to receive a decision on your application:

  • Standard VAC processing – 15 working days (faster in some locations such as South Africa, Turkey or Russia, but not guaranteed).
  • Priority VAC processing – 5 working days
  • Standard processing for online applications using the IDV app – 5 – 12 working days
  • Priority processing for online applications using the IDV app – 1 – 6 working days.

APAC region

UK visa applicants in the Asia Pacific region including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam can expect the following processing timelines:

  • Standard VAC processing – 15 – 20 working days
  • Priority VAC processing – 5 – 7 working days
  • Super Priority VAC processing – 24 hours (available in China (Beijing, Shanghai Guangzhou), Philippines (Manila) and Thailand (Bangkok) only).

Settlement applications in the region are currently taking 10 – 12 weeks to process under the standard route, or 4 – 6 weeks under the Priority route.

India

In India, applications for UK Standard Visitor visas are currently taking on average six weeks to process. However, Skilled Worker visa applications are subject to shorter processing times as follows:

  • Standard VAC processing – 15 – 20 working days
  • Priority VAC processing – 5 – 7 working days
  • Super Priority VAC processing – 24 hours

For Settlement applications, the standard processing time is currently 10 – 12 weeks, or 5 – 6 weeks when using the Priority service.

The above timelines are applicable in India as well Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, UAE and all Middle East countries.

The Americas and Caribbean

Visa applications submitted at UK VACs in the Americas and Caribbean are currently subject to the following processing times:

  • Standard VAC processing – 15 – 20 working days
  • Priority VAC processing – 5 – 7 working days
  • Super Priority VAC processing – 24 hours

For Settlement applications, the standard processing time is currently 10 – 12 weeks, or 5 – 6 weeks when using the Priority service.

Advice for UK visa applicants overseas

Before applying for your UK visa, all applicants are advised to check the latest information on travel to England from another country during COVID-19.

For the latest information on UK visa processing times or for any support with your immigration application, please reach out to one of our qualified immigration advisors here.

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