Why UK Visa Getting Late? Reasons for Delays in Processing 2023
This explains: Why UK visa is getting delayed and What are the possible reasons for delays in processing? If UK visa application is straightforward, then UKVI usually processes the application within respective service standards and there are no delays. There is no service standard for non-straightforward applications. If there are delays in UK visa processing, then UKVI (Home Office) will send the email notification. In 2023, there are no reported delays in UK visa processing time. However, UKVI has suspended the priority services for new family visa applications.
Why UK Visa Getting Delayed 2023?
The most common reasons of delay in processing of complex (non-straightforward) UK visa application are adverse immigration history and doubtful intentions of the applicant.
In some instances, delay in UK visa processing may be due to documents verification and interview.
Quite a few complex (not-straightforward) UK visa applications require further assessment, which can take longer than the published customer service standards of UKVI (Home Office).
Nevertheless, if an application is going to take longer than expected then UKVI will inform the applicant accordingly.
Please note, there are no obvious reasons for delay in processing of a straightforward UK visa application. However, at times, due to administrative bottlenecks such as additional or seasonal workload, or coronavirus restrictions, processing of straightforward applications may get delayed.
How to Get UK Visa Quickly?
An application with a clear purpose and proper documentation enhances the credibility of an applicant.
This in tandem with a positive immigration history enables UKVI (Home Office) to decide a UK visa application within the respective service standards.
Poorly documented applications with adverse travel history are also decided quickly as such applications do not necessitate assessment.
UKVI Delay in UK Visa Processing Email
If UK visa application is not straightforward, then applicant may get Email Notification from UKVI (Home Office) stating:
unfortunately, we will not be able to make a decision on your visa application within these service standards because we require further information to fully assess your application. we will contact you should we require any additional information from you.
How many days after not straightforward email received from UK visa?
For non-settlement UK visa applications, applicants may receive the not straightforward email within 15 working days.
In case of settlement applications, applicants may usually receive the not straightforward email within 30 working days.
What to do if UK Visa Processing is Delayed?
If the processing of UK visa is delayed, then applicants can contact UKVI (Home Office) via email or telephone to know the status of application:
Telephone: +44 (0) 300 790 6268. If you cannot contact UK 0300 numbers, use +44 (0) 203 875 4669.
Monday to Friday, 24 hours
Calls cost 69 pence per minute on top of your standard network charges. Email’s enquiries cost £2.74. You will not be charged for any follow-up emails about the same enquiry.
It is better to contact UKVI via email to know the reasons for delays in UK visa processing as there are no additional charges for the follow-up emails.
Enquiry Form
*What happens next?
Multilingual qualified London based immigration specialists will get back to you, usually within 2-3 working days. If you have not attached any documents, then the UK based Law firm may ask for the relevant Case-Specific Document(s) such as Refusal Letters, Deportation Orders, Application Forms etc. Moreover, after reviewing the papers and information, the legal advisor may advise a course of action and quote the fees for processing the application.
Have a wonderful day!
Service Standards and Delays in UK Visa Processing
UKVI service standard is to process 90% of the non-settlement straightforward applications within 15-working day (3 weeks).
15-20% of the non-settlement visit, work, and study applications are usually non-straightforward. And UKVI is usually not able to decide 5-10% of straightforward applications within 15 working days.
Therefore, 20-30% of visitor, tourist, work, and student visa applications usually experience delays in processing.
In 2021Q3, 113,754 (32.89% of the total 345,843) applicants experienced delays in non-settlement visa processing time UK.
Delay in UK Visa Processing of Settlement Applications
UKVI service standard is to process 98.5% of settlement (spouse, join-family, partner) visa application within 12-weeks.
If spouse visa application is not straightforward, then UKVI may inform the applicant within 6-12 weeks.
18-20% settlement applications are usually not straightforward. And UKVI is usually not able to decide 5-10% of straightforward settlement applications within 12-weeks.
Therefore, normally 25-30% settlement (spouse, partner, and join family) visa applications experience delays in processing.
In 2021Q3, 8,251 (36.98% of the total 13,093) applicants experienced delays in settlement visa processing.
Switching or Extension Applications
The service standard for switching or extension visa application processing is 8-weeks.
7-10% of switching or extension visa applications are usually not straightforward. And Home Office is not able to decide 3-5% of straightforward switching or extension applications within 8-weeks service standards.
Therefore, usually 10-15% of applicants may experience delay in extension or switching visa application.
ILR Applications
The service standard of UKVI for processing ILR (settlement) applications is 6-months.
Usually 7-10% of ILR applications are not straightforward. And 3-5% of straightforward ILR applications may experience delays in processing
Therefore, 10-15% of ILR applicants may experience delays in processing.
Why UK Priority Visa Getting Delayed 2023?
The purpose of UK visa and ILR priority and super priority service is to fast track processing time by putting applications at the front of the queue.
If the priority or super priority visa and settlement (ILR) application is not straightforward, then it may take longer. However, UKVI (Home Office or UKVCAS) will still put the application at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process.
Priority Non Settlement Visa UK
UKVI service standard is to decide priority visit, work, and study visa applications within 5 working days.
3-5% of the priority tourist, work, and student visa applications are not straightforward. And UKVI is not able to decide 5-7% of straightforward priority applications within 5 working days.
Therefore, 7-10% of the priority visit, work, and study visa applicants may experience delays in processing.
In 2021Q3, 14,298 (9.35% of total 152,902) applicants experienced delays in processing of priority non-settlement visit, work, and student visa UK.
Priority Settlement Visa UK
The service standard is to process priority settlement (spouse, partner, join family) visa application within 6-weeks.
5-10% of priority settlement visa applications are not straightforward. And UKVI is not able to decide 10-12% of straightforward priority settlement applications within 30 working days.
Therefore, normally, 15-20% of the applicants may experience delay in processing of priority spouse visa UK.
During 2021Q3, 1,999 (14.43% of the total 2,336) applicants experienced delays in priority family settlement visa processing time.
Please note, in 2023, UKVI has suspended priority (settlement) services for new family applications.
Super Priority Visa UK
UKVI’s service standard is to decide straightforward super-priority UK visa application by next working day (24-hours).
5-7% of the super-priority UK visa applications are not straightforward. And UKVI is usually not able to decide 3-5% of straightforward super-priority applications by next working day (24-hours).
Therefore, 8-12% of the super-priority applicants may experience delay in UK visa processing.
In 2021Q3, 596 (5.9% of total 10,101) applicants experienced delays in processing of super priority non-settlement visit, work, and student visa applications. And 358 (99.44% of the total 360) applicants experienced delays in super priority settlement (spouse, partner, join family) visa processing time.
Reasons for Delays in UK Visa Processing
Processing of UK visa may experience delays due to the following reasons:
- Past Refusals
- Removal or Deportation Order
- Rejection of a Leave to Remain Application
- Adverse Immigration History
- Criminal Conviction
- Documents Verification
- Additional Information and Interview
- Sponsor Verification
- Administrative Workload
Additional Reasons for Delays in UK Spouse Visa Processing
Home Office decides few spouse settlement applications quickly. And some of the spouse visa applications remain pending after 120 working days.
The disparity in deciding the spouse visa applications is due to establishing the bona fide of applicant’s relationship with the UK sponsor.
For spouse settlement visa application, this means assessing the genuineness and subsisting nature of the marriage or civil partnership relationship.
To establish the bona fide of the relationship, Home Office may interview the applicant.
During the interview, the decision maker may ask questions relating to:
- the date of birth
- house address
- spouse’s date of birth
- where the British spouse lives in the UK or elsewhere
- date of marriage or starting of the civil partnership
- employment
- sources of income
- future plans
In the light of the interview, Home Office may ask for additional documents, which may cause further delay in UK visa processing.
Please note, the decision making of family and spouse visa is centralized. Therefore, at times, administrative workload may cause delays in UK spouse visa processing.
