Everything You Need to Know About Visa Processing Times

Waiting for your visa application to be processed can be a stressful time. After all, the decision you receive could drastically alter the course of your life, so it’s understandable that you’ll want to know sooner rather than later whether your application has been a success or not.

There a numerous factors that can affect the time it takes to process your application, not least of which is the type of visa you’re applying for. While short-term visas may only take a matter of weeks, if you’re applying for a type of settlement visa then it can take a lot more time to process the paperwork so you should expect to wait significantly longer.

The Home Office usually gives generic information on how long you can expect to wait before your application is processed, although with COVID-19 putting a strain on services don’t be surprised if your decision takes a little longer than predicted.

Different types of visas and wait times

For those applying for standard travel visas from outside the UK, there’s an expected wait time of around 8 weeks. If you’re applying for either the Start-up or Health and Care visa, then there’s a faster processing time of around 3 weeks.

If you’re unwilling to wait that long, or you need your application to be processed quicker then you can opt for the priority service. For this you’ll need to pay significantly more (£500 to receive within 5 working days, or £800 to receive the following working day).

As stated already, if it’s a settlement visa you’re applying for then you’ll probably have quite a wait on your hands. When applying for these types of visas, you’ll need to submit a portfolio of supporting evidence, so naturally this takes a lot longer for the Home Office to process.

While all standard visas can usually be fast-tracked, this option is only available for a limited number of settlement visas. For more information, check the government’s website.

Regardless of which type of visa you’re applying for, you might need to show some patience – particularly in the current climate. Over the past 12 months or so, with lockdowns causing delays to services, even some of the standard visas have been taking months to process, so the wait time for settlement visas is likely to be lengthy.

Delays and how to prevent them

Although it’s not possible to decrease the wait time of your visa application unless you pay for the priority service, there are most certainly ways you can increase it. The most common reasons for delays to applications are missing evidence and incorrectly filled out application forms.

To avoid this, make sure you have a list of everything you need and cross it off as you go – that way you can be sure you aren’t missing any of the supporting evidence, which could delay your application significantly.

Mistakes on the application form are another common reason for delays, which is why it’s essential all paperwork is completed thoroughly and without any errors. Take your time and make sure it’s done properly, or you might delay or even jeopardize your application all-together if your form contains errors.

How can your Manchester immigration lawyers help?

When you’re applying for a visa, it can often be a complex and frustrating experience. That’s why our Manchester immigration lawyers are always available to help. Our team of experts have years of experience in helping people just like you complete their application for a visa, and with expertise in all aspects of immigration law we’re best placed to get you the decision you deserve.

We’ll make sure your application form is filled out to the highest possible standard and all your supporting evidence is included, avoiding any delays in getting your decision and giving you the best chance of success. For more information, call us today on 0161 532 7794