This guidance relates to UK spouse visa processing time after biometrics 2019 and 2020 for partner/family settlement, leave to remain and indefinite leave to remain (ILR) applications – with Coronavirus (Covid-19) Update. Moreover, also provides the details of UK spouse/partner visa priority and super-priority processing time for family settlement from overseas, extension and indefinite leave tor remain applications (aka ILR premium service timelines).
Service Standards FAQs Entry Clearance Extension Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settlement) Country Specific Details Contact Immigration Specialists
1. UK Spouse Visa Processing Timelines
The details from different UKVACs indicates that the UK spouse visa processing time after biometrics may greatly vary on a case to case basis – perhaps, depending on the nature of the application and the administrative workload/consideration of the UKVI. Indeed, for a straightforward spouse visa application with priority service, it is quite possible to receive a decision within 3, 5, 10, 15 or 30 working days. However, the UK spouse visa processing time for normal applications is usually within 12 weeks or 60 working days. Nevertheless, 10-15% spouse visa applications (mostly non-straightforward) may remain outstanding even after 120 working days or 24 weeks.
Priority Timelines
The service standard for UK spouse visa processing time is usually 12 weeks or 60 working days. However, the service standard of UK spouse priority visa processing time is normally 6 weeks or 30 working days. Please note, approximately 20-25% of the settlement applications are not straightforward, therefore, in such instance there are more than 99% chance that a spouse settlement application may not be processed within the respective service standards.
UK Spouse Visa Processing Time Covid-19 after Biometrics 2021
In fact, due to the ongoing global impact of Coronavirus (Covid-19), disruptions to local travel and courier routes have increased the processing time in some regions and countries. These delays mean that it may take longer than usual for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to assess entry clearance applications. Accordingly, the UK spouse, partner, fiancé or family settlement visa processing time after biometrics from outside the UK may take more than 60 working days (12 weeks).
For further details please refer to UK Visa Coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidance
2. Service Standards
In a nutshell, the service standard for a straightforward UK spouse visa processing time after biometrics 2020 for entry clearance, extension and indefinite leave to remain (ILR) settlement applications are to:
- fast track straightforward entry clearance priority spouse settlement visa applications from overseas within 6 weeks or 30 working days
- decide 98.5% and 100% of standard (normal) spouse settlement visa applications from overseas within 12 weeks and 24 weeks, respectively
- fast track straightforward priority spouse extension visa applications within 5 working days
- decide standard (normal) spouse extension visa applications within 8 weeks (40 working days)
- fast track straightforward super-priority spouse extension and ILR visa applications by next working day
- decide standard (normal) spouse ILR settlement applications within 6 months
Please note, the service standard is only maintainable in case of a straightforward family/partner settlement application. Therefore, if an application is categorized as non-straightforward then it is bound to experience delays.
| Application/Service Type | UKVI Service Standards |
|---|---|
| Non-straightforward Entry Clearance (EC), Leave to Remain (LTR) and Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Settlement Applications | No Obligation to meet any Service Standard |
| Entry Clearance Applications from Overseas with Standard (Normal) Service | Usually 12 weeks, but may be up-to 24 weeks – only for a straightforward application |
| Priority Entry Clearance Application (Additional Cost £573) | 30 Working Days (6 Weeks) |
| Leave to Remain (LTR) – Extension or Switching Applications with Standard (Normal) Service | 40 Working Days (8 Weeks) |
| Leave to Remain (LTR) – Extension or Switching Application with Priority Service (Additional Cost £500) | 5 Working Days (1 Week) |
| ILR Processing Time with Standard (Normal) Service | 6 Months |
| LTR (Extension or Switching) and Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Applications with Super Priority Service (Additional Cost £800) | Next Working Day (24-hours) |
The time starts when you attend your appointment at the visa application centre and submit your biometrics (if applicable). The processing time will end when your passport is ready for collection.
3. FAQs
How to expedite Processing Time?
Indeed, an applicant may expedite UK spouse visa timelines by:
- submitting an accurate, clear and well-documented application at the time of appointment at an application centre
- including any required photographs
- providing clear supporting documents for maintenance funds
- making a leave to remain – extension, switching or ILR – application before the expiry of the current permission to stay in the UK
- hiring a specialist immigration solicitor for documentation – only if necessary and affordable
- purchasing the settlement priority service – only if necessary and affordable. Please note application fees and that for the priority service are non-refundable after biometrics. Moreover, purchasing priority or premium service does not guarantee any additional benefit
- enrolling for biometric information in case of leave to remain application
- promptly responding to any requests for further information made by UKVI/Home Office
- using the correct application form – only in case of a paper application. And signing and dating the paper form properly and furnishing the required supporting documents. Moreover, including the payment and any cheque for the full fee.
Reasons for quick processing
In fact, contrary to UK spouse visa timelines from Pakistan and India, where approx 20% of the spouse visa applications processed within 30 days, more than 40% of the applications from the USA are processed within 30 working days or 6 weeks. Perhaps, this is due to greater usage of priority service, better documentation, country risk perception, the higher credibility of the applicants and their respective sponsors. Quite noteworthy: the priority service charges are on a higher side, therefore, applicants with a higher disposable income are more likely to use it. Accordingly, people applying from countries with higher per capita income are more inclined to purchase priority service to expedite UK spouse visa timelines.
Reasons for Variation in Processing Timelines
Perhaps, UKVI is keen to meet its service standard. And likes to dispose of applications as soon as possible. However, at the same time, the UKVI does not wish to compromise the quality of decision making. For instance, in April 2019, 57% and 91% of the applications from the USA decided within 30 and 60 days, respectively. However, 7% of spouse visa applications from USA remain outstanding even after the stipulated 120 days. This indicates a variation in the UK spouse visa processing time due to documents verification, interview, overall credibility of the applicant etc.
Non-straightforward Applications
A straightforward spouse visa application means that an applicant has not only met the requirements but has an immaculate overall credibility- applicant’s background, relations with the sponsor, income verification, intentions and future plans in the UK etc.
Therefore, if a spouse/partner visa application is categorized as non-straightforward then the processing time usually exceeds the respective service standards as UKVI does not maintain any service standard for non-straightforward applications. For instance, UK spouse visa processing time for a non-straightforward (complex) overseas family settlement application may exceeds 60-90 working days- or even 120 working days. Nevertheless, in such instances, UKVI usually intimates that the application is non-straightforward within 6-8 weeks from the date of the receipt of documents by Sheffield UKVI.
With the Super Priority Service the implication is you’d receive a visa straight away – it took 38 days
Is the Processing System Perfect?
No. Certainly, there are some individual grievances against UKVI for unnecessarily delaying the decisions. And also making the wrong decisions. Perhaps, it quite human to make mistakes. And due to the high quantum of applications, wrong decisions could be made. However, it is not in the interest of UKVI to either delay processing or to make a wrong decision. Therefore, a margin of error should be given to both the caseworker and UKVI administrative arrangements.
Does the UK Spouse Settlement Visa Timelines really matter?
Perhaps, irrespective of the duration of the processing time, an applicant is satisfied if the final decision is favourable. In fact, during the application process, it is the anxiety, which takes its toll on the applicant. However, once the result is successful then the applicant forgets: how long it took to get the final decision! Contrarily, if the end result is a refusal then applicant start finding faults in the UK visa assessment procedure. Although the decision-making process is not perfect; however, usually it is quite objective and well functioning. Quite noteworthy: do your homework before submitting the UK spouse visa application.
UK Fiancé Visa Processing Timelines
In fact, the service standard for UK fiance visa is the same as that for spouse/partner applications i.e. 98.5% and 100% applications are processed within 60 and 120 working days, respectively. Moreover, applicants can purchased the £573 settlement priority service for fast tracking the UK fiance visa processing time within 30 working days.
Hello,
I’m from Israel and have applied to join my fiancee in the UK.
Online application date: 3rd January 2019
Biometrics: 8th of January 2019
Application received by UKVI (being prepared for ECO): 16th of January 2019
Documents returned: 27th March 2019
Escalated by emailing UKVI: 2nd of April 2019I’m still waiting, it’s been 69 Business days since biometrics. Is this normal? Could someone explain why it could be taking that long?
Thank you.
What is the Processing Time for Reapplication?
Perhaps, depending on the nature of the spouse visa refusal reasons, an applicant can either reapply or appeal. Therefore, if one opts for a reapplication then the UK spouse visa processing time may usually be within 60 working days. Moreover, it is not recommended to opt for the priority service.
3RD APPLICATION- REFUSED TWICE PREVIOUSLY
Type Of Visa Applied: Spouse Settlement wife
Priority/Non-Priority: Priority
Application Centre: Mumbai North
Online Application Submitted: 15/10/2019
Bio-metrics: 24/10/2019
SMS Application Forwarded To UKVI: 24/10/19
Documents scanned at VFS Manchester: 5/11/2019
Email stating “Your Application is currently being prepared for consideration by an ECO”: 25/10/2019 and 14/11/19 (got two)
Sponsor contacted by UKVI: No
Case not straightforward email: No
Decision made email from UKVI after contacting through email: No
VFS Text And Email For Passport Collection: 21/11/2019
Passport Collected: 23/09/2019
Status: Granted
Vignette: 25/11/19-25/12/19
4. Entry Clearance Applications
The normal service standard for UK spouse visa processing time is 12-24 weeks or 60-120 working days. However, applicants can still fast track their spouse applications by purchasing the £573 priority settlement service to enable processing within 30 working day or 6 weeks.
Please note, if an application is not straightforward due to past refusals, removals, deportation, detentions, criminal records etc. then it is not advisable to opt for the priority service. Perhaps, an applicant should use the priority settlement service for the processing of a straightforward spouse visa application. And also if one can afford the additional cost without any problem. Quite noteworthy: the payment of priority service fee does not guarantee anything. Therefore, an applicant should neither expect a favourable outcome nor an expeditious decision after purchasing the priority service. Moreover, the priority visa fee is not refundable.
5. Leave to Remain (Extension or Switching)
The normal service standard for UK spouse/partner visa extension processing time is 8 weeks or 40 working days. However, applicants can still fast track their spouse visa extension applications by purchasing the £800 super-priority service (aka same-day and ILR Premium Service) to enable processing within 24 hours.
Please note: the 5 day priority service (£500) is available for other types of leave to remain applications. However, so far it is not available for spouse visa extension applications.
6. Indefinite Leave to Remain – ILR (Settlement)
Indeed, the UK spouse visa processing time for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) applications is usually 6 months. Moreover, the 24-hours super-priority service (aka same-day and ILR Premium Service) is also available for processing UK spouse settlement visa applications. However, in addition to the regular ILR fees of £2,389, an applicant needs to pay an additional amount of £800/- for the 24-hour ILR super priority service.
Migrants forced to wait months for UK visa despite paying £800 for priority
7. Country Specific Details
In fact, UK spouse visa processing time from a random sample of more than 40 UKVAC indicates that usually 75% of the settlement applications are processed within 60 working days or 12 weeks. As a matter of fact, most of the spouse/partner visa applications in 2019 processed within 60-90 days. However, 10-15% of the applications did not conclude even after 120 working days i.e. 24 weeks or 5-6 months. Perhaps, this delay in UK spouse visa processing time is mainly due to verifications, interviews, past immigration history, administrative workload etc.
Priority Service
Apparently, the random sample of 40 UKVACs indicates that nearly 10% of all settlement applications are concluded within 30 working days. However, in quite a few instances 25-40% of settlement applications are decided within 30 working days. Therefore, if an applicant has purchased the priority service then there is a likelihood that the application may process within 6 weeks or 30 working days.
