This relates to UK Immigration Appeal Waiting Time 2018 First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber). Moreover, the appeal waiting times are for Asylum/Protection (including Asylum, Protection and Revocation of Protection), Managed Migration, Entry Clearance Officer (such as spouse visa appeal timeline 2018), Family Visit Visa, Human Rights, EEA Free Movement, Deportation and Deprivation of Citizenship appeals.
If your past application has been refused then please note that processing time for an Administrative Review is usually 28 working days, whereas the waiting time for Appeals and Judicial Reviews is around 6 to 12 months.
First Tier Tribunal Immigration Appeal Time 2018
During January to March 2018, the UK Immigration Appeal Waiting Time 2018 from the receipt of an appeal to the hearing in the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) has been 37 weeks i.e. approx 9-10 months.
The immigration appeal processing time UK has improved in the first quarter of 2018. The average waiting time has reduced from 45 weeks in 2017 to 37 weeks. This is due to the reduction in the caseload, which has nearly halved from 64,800 to 36,300 during June 2016 and March 2018. Further improvement is expected in the coming months.
| Age of Case | 25% point | 50% point (median) | 75 % point | Average (mean) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016/17 | 27 weeks or less | 48 weeks or less | Over 52 weeks | 46 weeks |
| 2017/18 | 21 weeks or less | Over 52 weeks | Over 52 weeks | 50 weeks |
| Difference | 6 weeks decrease | Over 4 weeks increase | - | 4 weeks increase |
| Oct-Dec 2017 | 22 weeks or less | 50 weeks or less | Over 52 weeks | 50 weeks |
| Oct-Dec 2018 | 18 weeks or less | 33 weeks or less | 49 weeks or less | 39 weeks |
| Difference | 4 weeks decrease | 17 weeks decrease | 3 weeks decrease | 11 weeks decrease |
| All | 18 weeks or less | 33 weeks or less | 49 weeks or less | 39 weeks |
| Asylum/Protection (1) | 8 weeks or less | 17 weeks or less | 36 weeks or less | 27 weeks |
| Managed Migration | 52 weeks or more | 52 weeks or more | 52 weeks or more | 127 weeks |
| Entry Clearance Officer | 52 weeks or more | 52 weeks or more | 52 weeks or more | 276 weeks |
| Family Visit Visa | - | - | - | - |
| Human Rights | 27 weeks or less | 36 weeks or less | 51 weeks or less | 41 weeks |
| EEA Free Movement | 25 weeks or less | 36 weeks or less | 52 weeks or more | 46 weeks |
| Other (2) | 13 weeks or less | 24 weeks or less | 41 weeks or less | 33 weeks |
1) Includes Asylum, Protection and Revocation of Protection. 2) Includes Deportation and Deprivation of Citizenship appeals
First Tier Tribunal Appeal Processing Time 2016 and 2017
According to the official statistics, the average visa appeal waiting time during 2015/16 and 2016/17 has been 34 and 46 weeks, respectively. Therefore, there have been 12 weeks increase in the average appeal waiting time in 2016/17.
During 2016/17, the waiting time for 25%, 50% and 75% of the appeals had increased by 7, 16 and 7 weeks, respectively. Nevertheless, it is important to note that despite an unprecedented escalation in waiting time during 2016/17, quite a few appeals were disposed of by First Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) within the normal 6-9 months time frame.
25 Per cent Appeals Cleared within 20-27 weeks or less
Disposal of 25 per cent of the appeals instituted within 20 and 27 weeks or less during 2015/16 and 2016/17, respectively. Moreover, during the second quarter 2017/18, 25% of the appeals cleared within 22 weeks or less.
50 Per Cent Appeals (Median) Cleared within 32-48 weeks or less
Disposal of 50 per cent of the appeals was instituted within 32 and 48 weeks or less during 2015/16 and 2016/17, respectively.
75 Per Cent Appeals Cleared within 45-52 weeks
In 2015/16, 75 per cent of the appeals disposed within 45 weeks or less. However, in 2016/17, 75% of the appeals decided within 52 weeks or less week.
News Reports and UK Visa Appeal Processing Time 2016-17
However, according to news reports, during 2016-17 the average duration of an immigration appeal in the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) increased to 51 weeks i.e. one year, from 35 weeks i.e. 8 months, during 2015-2016 due to the focus of the Tribunal to reduce outstanding caseload and to clear older cases during June 2016 and Dec 2017. Accordingly, the outstanding caseload reduced significantly during the aforesaid period from 64,800 to 35,100 immigration appeals. Therefore, once the backlog of pending immigration appeals is reduced then it is expected that the appeal processing time may be reduced.
Fresh Appeals
Since nearly half of the appeal cases are successful, therefore, the increase in the gestation time from 35 to 51 weeks means that many applicants are forced to wait and “put their life on hold” even though they have a right to be in the UK. The increase in immigration appeal waiting times comes in spite of a reduction in the number of fresh appeals lodged, which has plummeted from 25,000 in 2014 to 7,000 in 2017.
Written questions and answers – UK Parliament
The average time taken to clear an immigration appeal in the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) in 2016-2017 was 51 weeks. The average time taken to clear a case in 2015-2016 was 35 weeks.
The average clearance time, which is measured from receipt of an appeal to its conclusion, went up between 2015-16 and 2016-17 because of the Tribunal significantly reducing its outstanding caseload and clearing older cases during that period. Outstanding caseload has now reduced from 64,800 in June 2016 to 35,100 at the end of December 2017.
Immigration includes Managed Migration, Entry Clearance Officer, Human Rights, EEA Free Movement Family Visit Visa, Deportation and Deprivation of Citizenship Appeals.
UK Visa Appeal Process Time 2010-17 | UKBA Appeal Processing Time
According to Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice Lucy Frazer since 2010 till March 2018, the average yearly waiting time for an immigration tribunal appeal (in the recent past aka UKBA appeal processing time) hearing has oscillated between 14 to 45 weeks with the following yearly break-up:
- 2010 – 16 weeks
- 2011 – 14 weeks
- 2012 – 14 weeks
- 2013 – 20 weeks
- 2014 – 25 weeks
- 2015 – 24 weeks
- 2016 – 43 weeks
- 2017 – 45 weeks
Here it is important to note that in Feb 2010, the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) (FTTIAC) & Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) (UTIAC), Asylum and Immigration Tribunal, replaced the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT).
Read Blog Posts UK Visa & Appeal Services
UK Visa Enquiry Procedure Contact Immigration Solicitors
Related: UK Visa Reapply or Appeal, Appeal Against Entry Clearance Refusal, File Immigration Appeal Against an In-Country Decision and UK Visa Appeal Solicitors | Immigration Appeal Success Rate and UK Visa Appeal Solicitors
Perhaps, to know more about UK Visa and Immigration: UK Visitor Visa 2018, ILR Fees, UK Visa Fees, Tourist Visa Timelines After Biometrics, Spouse Settlement Visa UK Processing Time, Priority Visa Service to Fast Track and UK Visa Delay Reasons: Why UK Visa Getting Delayed 2018?
