- UK Settlement Visa Processing Time 2018
- UK Settlement Visa Processing Time | UKVI Service Standards
- Spouse Settlement Priority Visa Timelines | UKVI Service Standards
- Priority Service is Recommended for Straightforward Cases
- Priority Service is Not Available at All UKVAC
- UK Settlement Visa Fee from April 6, 2017
- Appealing Against a Spouse Visa Refusal
- UK Spouse Visa Processing Time from 15 UKVACs
- UK Spouse Visa Processing Time- Individual Experiences
UK Settlement Visa Processing Time 2018
The details for UK Settlement Visa Processing Time from a random sample of fifteen (15) UKVACs during the month of January 2018 indicates that 10% of the applications submitted in nearly all the UKVACs are concluded within 30 days; however, in quite a few instances 25-50% settlement applications are decided within 30 days. Therefore, the applicant has purchased priority service then there is a good likelihood that the application will be processed within 6 weeks (30 working days). Otherwise, most of the applications are processed within 60-90 days; however, a fraction of the applications are not concluded even within 120 days (24 weeks).
Moreover, a few of the settlement applications get processed even within 2, 3, 5, 10 and 15 working days- these may not be predominately relating to spouse settlement but may relate to other types of settlement applications. Nevertheless, if a spouse settlement application is from an individual, who and his/her British Spouse has clear and immaculate bonafide that are easily ascertained then there is good chance that such spouse settlement application may be processed within 10-15 days or even less duration. especially if it is well and clearly documented and the applicant has purchased the priority service. From April 6, 2018, the cost of priority visa service for settlement visa is GBP 573 for applications from outside the UK.
UK Settlement Visa Processing Time | UKVI Service Standards
The service standard of UKVI for Settlement Visa Processing Time from outside of the UK is to process:
- 95% of the applications within 12 weeks i.e. 60 working days or approx 3 months;
- 100% of the applications within 24 weeks i.e. 120 working days or approx 5-6 months.
Customers Applying for Settlement from Outside the UK.
95% of settlement applications within 12 weeks of the application date and 100% within 24 weeks of the application date (where 1 week is 5 working days)
Spouse Settlement Priority Visa Timelines | UKVI Service Standards
For priority service, the service standard of UKVI for settlement visa applications from outside the UK is 30 working days or 6 weeks for a straightforward application. The cost of priority settlement service is GBP 573 or equivalent in the local currency per application.
UK Visa Fast Track Fees 2018/19
Optional Premium Services Charges outside the UK from April 6, 2018
Priority visa service – settlement GBP 573
User-pay visa application centre GBP 55
International Contact Centre – Email Service (per query) GBP 5.48
International Contact Centre – Telephone Helpline (per minute) GBP 1.37 per minute
Priority Service is Recommended for Straightforward Cases
However, if an application is not straightforward due to past refusals, removals, deportation, detentions, criminal records etc. then it is not recommended to avail the priority service because there is no guarantee that UKVI will be able to process such a settlement application within the stated priority service standard of 30 days.
Priority Service is Not Available at All UKVAC
Priority service is not available at the all the UKVAC. For instance, in India, priority settlement is not available at UKVAC Jaipur, Lucknow and Goa. For updates please refer: UK Visa Information – India – PREMIUM SERVICES.
How long does a Priority Visa (family migration / settlement) application take?
UKVI aims to make a decision on your Priority Visa (family migration / settlement) application, and contact you to let you know that your passport is ready to be collected within 30 working days from when you submit your biometric information.
However, every application is unique, and if your application is not straightforward, it may not be possible to meet this timescale. If this is the case, your application will still be put at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process, and UKVI will aim to process your application within global customer service standards. Your application may not be straightforward if you have:
- been refused a visa for the UK, and/or;
- been refused leave to enter the UK, and/or
- been deported, removed, or otherwise required to leave the UK, and/or;
overstayed a period of leave in the UK, and/or;- had leave to remain in the UK curtailed by the Home Office, and/or;
- been refused leave to remain in the UK by the Home Office, and/or;
- been refused a visa for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States of America, or the Schengen countries, and/or;
- you have been interviewed, detained, or prosecuted by the police for any offence in the UK or elsewhere, and/or;
- you have an unspent criminal conviction in any country, and/or;
- you have committed a criminal offence in any country.
If you fall into one of these categories, you may not want to use the Priority Visa service, as UKVI may be unable to process your application within the faster timescale.
UK Settlement Visa Fee from April 6, 2018
According to Home Office Fees 2018/19, the cost of spouse visa application from outside of the UK is £1,523 from April 6, 2018. The fee is expected to be revised during March 2018, applicable from April 2018.
Home Office Fees 2018/19 from OUTSIDE the UK
UK Settlement Visa Fee from April 6, 2018
Settlement £1,523
Settlement – other dependant relative £3,250
Settlement – refugee dependant relative £388
Indefinite leave to enter the UK as the dependant of a member of the armed forces under Appendix Armed Forces to the Immigration Rules £2,389
Appealing Against a Spouse Visa Refusal
If a settlement/spouse visa is refused then it is recommended to consult a professional lawyer to challenge the refusal decision. For further details please refer: Challenge a UK Visa Refusal Decision- Immigration Solicitors
UK Spouse Visa Processing Time from 15 UKVACs
Information relating to UK Settlement/Spouse Visa Visa Application Processing Times from outside the UK has been collated from 15 UK Visa Application Centres (UKVACs) during the month of January 2018 for better understanding and clarification on the subject matter, the details of which are as under:
- India (Mumbai)- 1%, 3%, 5%, 27%, 83%, 89% and 90% of the applications submitted at UKVAC Mumbai were decided in 2, 10, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days, respectively.
- Ghana (Accra)– 1%, 4%, 5%, 11% and 100% of the applications, from UKVAC Accra, were determined in 2, 3, 15, 30 and 60 days, respectively.
- Jordan (Amman)– 15%, 71% and 100% of the applications submitted at UKVAC Amman were determined in 30, 60 and 90 days, respectively.
- Turkey (Ankara)- 4%, 7%, 21%, 80% and 92% of the applications submitted at UKVAC Ankara were processed in 10, 15, 30, 60 and 120 days, respectively. Therefore, 8% of the settlement/spouse visa applications were outstanding even after 120 days i.e. 24 weeks or 5-6 months.
- Thailand (Bangkok)– 1%, 2%, 10%, 86% and 100% of the applications submitted at UKVAC Bangkok were processed in 2, 5, 30, 60 and 90 days, respectively.
- Lebanon (Beirut)- 12%, 95%, 97% and 98% of the applications submitted at UKVAC Beirut were decided in 30, 60, 90 and 120 days, respectively.
- Egypt (Cairo)– 9%, 22%, 97% and 100% of the applications submitted at UKVAC Cairo were determined in 15, 30, 60 and 90 days, respectively.
- UAE (Dubai)– 5%, 14%, 29%, 32%, 58% and 82% of the applications submitted from Dubai were determined in 3, 5, 10, 15, 30 and 60 days, respectively.
- Bangladesh (Dhaka)- 2%, 5%, 20%, 94% and 100% of the applications submitted at UKVAC Dhaka were processed in 10, 15, 30, 60 and 90 days, respectively.
- China (Hong Kong)– 3%, 46% and 100% of the applications submitted at UKVAC Hong Kong were determined in 2, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 30 days, respectively.
- Pakistan (Islamabad)– 25%, 95%, 97% and 100% of the applications submitted at UKVAC Islamabad were concluded in 30, 60, 90 and 120 days, respectively.
- India (Jalandhar)– 24%, 95%, and 97% of the applications submitted at UKVAC Jalandhar were decided in 30, 60 and 120 days, respectively.
- Pakistan (Lahore)– 1%, 2%, 23%, 92% and 97% of the applications submitted at UKVAC Lahore were processed in 5, 10, 30, 60 and 60 days, respectively.
- USA- 3%, 15%, 31%, 45%, 74%, 94% and 98% of the applications from the USA were processed in 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 and 120 days, respectively.
- Pakistan (Karachi)- 27% and 100% of the applications submitted at UKVAC Karachi were decided within in 30 and 60 days, respectively.
UK Spouse Visa Processing Time- Individual Experiences
For further knowledge on the subject, a few experiences of real applicants are appended below:
Experience # 1
Finally we got our VISA, listed down are the details.
Type: Settlement VISA (Husband Holds ILR) with Non-Priority Service
Biometric Submission @VFS Bangalore: 28th Mar 2017
online application received @Sheffiled : 29th Mar 2017
Documents submitted @Sheffiled : 7th April 2017
VISA received :29th June 2017We had applied under category B, with the below details.
PART I: He was holding a job offer of more than or equal to £18500/Annum.
PART II: income from the immediate past 12 months employment must be more than or equal to £18500) we ”Added Both overseas (7 months) & UK Employment Income”.He had just got transfer to UK from INDIA for the same employer.
Dark waiting time of 3 months!!! there were no updates from UKVI in between waiting time, and yes we got it finally
All the best for those are in the anticipation of VISA.
Thanks a lot to everyone out here for giving suggestion during those dark days.
– via UK Settlement VISA Processing Time
Experience # 2
Application submitted & biometrics enrolled at : Application completed on 5 October 2015, Biometrics at Lahore on 8 October 2015
Supporting documents sent to Sheffield on : 16 October 2015
Supporting documents received back from Sheffield on : 11 January 2016Contacted with ‘decision made’ : 4 January 2016
Contacted for Collection : 13 January 2016
Collection made : 13 January 2016
Decision of Application : Visa grantedExperience # 3
Online application submitted on : 02/10/15
Biometrics enrolled at & enrolled on: 22/10/15Supporting documents sent to Sheffield on : 26/10/15
Supporting documents received back from Sheffield on :
Status Checked : 15/01/2016 Processed
IHS Refunded : 19/01/2016
Contacted for Collection : 22/01/16
Collection made : 25/01/16
Decision : Refused (It was refused with silly reason that eco thinks “couple have not met in person” even though wedding photographs were provided with application. Certified copies of passport showing spouse was in pakistan. I don’t know what else i can provide or how eco thinks that they have not met in peron. This was the only reason.)Experience # 4
Application submitted & biometrics enrolled at : 05/10/2015
Application forwarded to British High Commission on : 12/10/2015
Application under process at British High Commission on : 13/10/2015Supporting documents sent to Sheffield on : 12/10/2015
Supporting documents received back from Sheffield on :Not yet received
Sponsor contacted by UKVI (if applicable) – NAContacted with ‘decision made’ : 25/01/2016
Contacted for Collection : 26/01/2016
Collection made : 27/01/2016
Decision of Application : Visa GrantedAlso I need to mention for people who want to change jobs – I changed my previous job on 1st December and sent the new employment contract to Sheffield, wasn’t asked but I just sent it anyway.
PS. Mrs was refused twice on a Family Visitor Visa – Reason for refusal was that ECO wasn’t satisfied that she will leave the country at the end of Visit Visa.
Back to Top | UK Spouse Visa Timelines
Related: Apply for UK Spouse Settlement Visa, Leave to Enter as a Fiance(e) or Proposed Civil Partner, Leave to Enter as the Unmarried or Same-Sex Partner, UK Settlement Visa Refused During 2006-17 | Family, Asylum, Work, Indefinite Leave to Enter or Remain as Child of a Settled Parent
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