How long do family visas take to be processed?

If you are planning on coming to the UK on a family visa (like the commonly called spousal visa), or you are planning on extending this type of visa in the UK, you need to be aware of visa processing times. Being aware of how long these types of visa take to be approved will allow you to plan travel around your application.

If you are applying for a spousal visa from outside of the UK, the processing time currently stands at 6 months from the date you provide your biometrics at a visa application centre (VAC). Depending on where you are applying there may be options to speed up the consideration process. These options generally come at an increased price – priority processing can cost around £600 more than standard processing, super priority – around £1,000. However, even the purchase of priority or super priority processing (if available) does not guarantee a faster outcome. It is important to remember that you should not visit the UK once your application has been submitted. You should wait until you have received your passport and vignette back from the VAC.

An extension of a spousal visa from inside the UK takes significantly less time to be processed. Currently, a decision should be made within 8 weeks of submitting your biometrics. There is an option to purchase super priority processing service, which means you should receive a decision within 2 working days of attending your biometrics appointment. Again, the Home Office does not guarantee any of its processing times, and depending on the complexity of your application, they may take longer. This service costs an additional £800. You should not leave the UK once your application has been submitted until you have received your new Biometric Residence Permit.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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