uk tourist visa getting delayed

If your visa application is delayed

This advice applies to England. See advice for See advice for Northern Ireland , See advice for Scotland , See advice for Wales

You might be able to find out why your immigration application is delayed by contacting the Home Office, or your local MP. You might want to make sure your passport will be returned in time for a holiday, or simply be worried about how long the decision is taking.

You can do this yourself rather than paying an expensive lawyer or immigration expert to do it for you.

Your immigration status

Your immigration status will stay the same while you wait for your new visa if you make the application in the 28 days before your visa ends.

If you already have the right to work, access education and receive benefits, you'll still have these rights while you wait for a new visa. You won’t keep these rights if you applied after your original visa ends - find out more about overstaying your visa .

If your original visa had ended when you applied

You’ll usually lose the right to work, access education and receive benefits while you wait for a new visa.

The rules are complicated so you should get specialist immigration advice as soon as possible.

You can phone the UK Visas and Immigration contact centre (part of the Home Office) to find out how long your visa will take:

UK Visas and Immigration contact centre

Telephone: 0300 790 6268

Textphone: 0800 389 8289

Monday to Thursday, 9am to 4.45pm. Friday, 9am to 4.30pm.

Calls cost 12p per minute from a landline, 3p to 40p from a mobile.

If you’re outside the UK you need to use different contact details. Check how to contact UK Visas and Immigration from outside the UK on GOV.UK .

The service can be busy, so you may be waiting for some time.

You’ll be asked for a Home Office reference number - this is sometimes called a 'unique application number' (UAN). You’ll have received this number when you first applied.

Before you can get any information about your application, you’ll be asked questions to confirm your identity.

Contact your MP

It might be worth contacting your local MP if you've been waiting a long time to hear back from the Home Office. They can find out more about the delay and might be able to help speed up your visa application.

Prepare as much information as possible - it'll help your MP track down your application. For example, you might need:

important dates - like the date you submitted your application

any reference numbers you've received in letters or over the phone

Contact your nearest Citizens Advice if you need help.

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Page last reviewed on 02 September 2019

UK Visa Processing & Decision Waiting Times

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has published service standards for waiting times for decisions on visa and immigration applications. UKVI also publishes up-to-date information on current processing times for visa and immigration applications submitted both within the UK and outside the UK.

In this post we take an in-depth look at UK visa processing times, including the Home Office service standards for waiting times, current Home Office visa processing times, options for securing a faster decision on a visa or immigration application and how to challenge a delay in the processing of a UK visa or immigration application. We also answer some frequently asked questions relating to UKVI visa processing times and look at some of the factors to consider when timing an immigration application.

UKVI Visa Processing Standard Processing Times

If a UK visa application includes all relevant information and supporting documents (and the Home Office does not need to request further evidence or explanation) then the following waiting time customer service standards should apply:

Non-settlement visa applications submitted outside the UK: 90% to be decided within 3 weeks; 98% within 6 weeks and 100% within 12 weeks of the application date (where 1 week is 5 working days);
Settlement visa applications submitted outside the UK: 98.5% of settlement applications to be decided within 12 weeks of the application date and 100% within 24 weeks of the application date (where 1 week is 5 working days);
Applications for leave to remain submitted within the UK, including as spouses, workers and students: 8 weeks to be decided;
Applications for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) submitted within the UK: 6 months to be decided;
Applications for no time limit (NTL) submitted within the UK: 6 months to be decided;
Organisations seeking to sponsor a worker: 8 weeks ;
Organisations updating their sponsor licence details: 18 weeks.

The processing time standard for applications submitted via the priority service and super-priority service is 5 workings days and the next working day respectively, where these services are available (see further below). Applications for a sponsor licence submitted via the pre-licence priority sponsor licence service should be decided within 10 working days.

These service standards are the visa processing times that UKVI aims to deliver on for the processing of straightforward, complete applications, based on its customer charter . Actual UK visa processing times can vary considerably.

What Factors Affect UK Visa Processing Times?

There are a number of factors which can delay UK visa processing times including:

The complexity of the case, for example if it involves an assessment of Article 8 ECHR rights or derivative rights of EEA extended family members;
Concerns regarding suitability requirements such as criminality;
Consideration of any adverse immigration history;
Any concerns regarding the authenticity of documents;
The volume of documents provided;
Whether further investigations are required or an interview scheduled;
The capacity of caseworkers; and
The time of the year.

There is no published service standard for waiting times for more complex applications and UKVI has a wide margin of appreciation with regard to the timing of their decisions.

Home Office decision-making is sometimes delayed. In the last couple of years , many UK visa applicants have experienced extended waiting times during the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, as we outline below, decisions on some UK visa applications are being delayed again as the Home Office seeks to prioritise Ukraine Visa Scheme applications in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the invasion of Ukraine.

To discuss your UK visa or immigration application with one of our immigration barristers, call us on 0203 617 9173 or complete the enquiry form below.

What Are the Current Home Office UK Visa Processing Times?

The Home Office publishes visa decision waiting times for applications submitted outside and inside the UK. From this information it is possible to ascertain approximately how long it should take for a pending visa application to be decided.

The information provided below assumes that the application has, or will be, submitted via the standard service and that a priority service or super-priority service, where available (see further below), has not been used.

Work in the UK

The UK offers a range of sponsored and non-sponsored work and business immigration routes, including:

Long Term Work Visas (including Skilled Worker , Scale-up , International Sportsperson and Minister of Religion )
Short Term Work Visas (including High Potential Individual and Creative Worker )
Business Visas (including Innovator )
Global Business Mobility Visas (including Senior or Specialist Worker and UK Expansion Worker )
Talent Visas

You can apply for a UK work visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK.

According to Home Office service standards, applicants applying for a work visa from overseas in any of the above-mentioned categories should normally receive a decision on their application within 3 weeks. This service standard is currently being met in practice.

The standard processing time for an application to switch into or extend a stay in the UK on a work visa route is 8 weeks. This service standard is generally being met in practice currently. However, due to the war in Ukraine and high global demand for visas, a pplications to switch into or extend a Skilled Worker visa are currently taking, on average, 9 weeks to be decided.

Applications to switch into or extend a Health and Care Worker visa are generally being processed within 3 weeks currently.

If you are applying for settlement on a work or business route you should usually receive a decision within 6 months.

Join or Stay With Family in the UK

You can apply for a family visa to live in the UK with your British or settled family member as a:

Civil Partner
Unmarried Partner
Proposed civil partner
Adult dependent relative

Applications for partner and family visas can be submitted up to 3 months before the intended date of travel.

The published service standard for deciding an application from outside the UK to settle in the UK as the spouse, partner or family member of a British citizen or settled person is 12 weeks. Following a reduction in the backlog of Ukraine Visa Scheme applications, the Home Office has recently announced that standard family visa applications are now being processed within 60 working days.

Can I Visit the UK While My Partner Visa Is Being Processed?

An application from within the UK to switch into or extend as a spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, child or adult dependent relative should still be processed within 8 weeks.

If you are applying for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit , the Home Office is currently advising that you will receive a decision as soon as possible after proving your identity and providing your documents.

There are no standard processing times for applications submitted as a partner, parent or on the basis of private life (10-year routes or 5-year parent route to settlement). The average wait time for a decision on a private life application is currently 9 months.

If you are applying for settlement you should usually receive a decision within 6 months.

Visit the UK

The UK offers a range of Short Stay Visit Visas , for purposes such as:

Visiting friends, family and/or for a short holiday ;
Short-term unpaid business activity ;
Unpaid creative activities ;
Short courses of study or research ;
Unpaid sporting activities ;
Receiving private medical treatment ;
Marriage or civil partnership in the UK ;

Applications for a UK visit visa can be submitted up to 3 months before the intended date of travel.

Visitor visa applications submitted from outside the UK are currently taking an average of 3 weeks to process. This is in line with the 3-week service standard.

Most visitors cannot extend their stay from within the UK, but if you are a patient receiving medical treatment, an academic who still meets the eligibility requirements or a graduate doing a clinical attachment or retaking the PLAB test and you wish to extend as a visitor then you should usually receive a decision within 8 weeks.

Visitors are not eligible to apply for settlement.

Study in the UK

The Student visa is for individuals who are aged 16 or over and who wish to study on a further or higher education course in the UK. The Child Student visa route is for children aged between 4 and 17 who wish to study at an independent school in the UK, which is a Home Office approved student sponsor. The Short-term Student visa is a route for persons aged 16 and over who want to study an English language course in the UK for between 6 and 11 months without a student sponsor but at an accredited institution.

If applying from outside the UK, applications for UK Student visas can be submitted up to 6 months before the start date of the course. The customer service standard for receiving a decision is 3 weeks.

The Home Office is currently advising that Student visa applications are taking on average 3 weeks to process. This is in line with the service standard. Short-term study visas are also currently taking on average 3 weeks to process.

If applying from inside the UK to switch into or extend a Student or Child Student visa, an application for permission to stay can be submitted up to 3 months before the start date of the course. The customer service standard for receiving a decision on such an application is 8 weeks and decisions are currently being made within this timeframe.

Students are not eligible to apply for settlement.

Hong Kong British National (Overseas)

The Hong Kong BN(O) Status Holder Visa is an immigration route for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) citizens to live, work and study in the UK. The Hong Kong BN(O) Household Member Visa is an immigration route for adult children (aged 18 or over) of a BN(O) Status Holder or a BN(O) Status Holder’s partner, born on or after 1 July 1997, to live, work and study in the UK.

If you apply for a Hong Kong BN(O) Status Holder visa or Hong Kong BN(O) Household Member visa from overseas then you should receive a decision within 12 weeks. The same processing time currently applies to applications to extend a Hong Kong BN(O) visa from within the UK.

If you are applying for settlement on the Hong Kong BN(O) route you should usually receive a decision within 6 months.

UK Ancestry

If you are a Commonwealth citizen and have a grandparent who was born in the UK, you may be able to live and work in the UK on the basis of your UK Ancestry. A UK Ancestry visa can only be obtained from outside the UK.

If you are applying for a UK Ancestry visa you should receive a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre. If you apply to extend an Ancestry visa from within the UK then you should usually receive a decision within 8 weeks.

Returning Residents

If you are a non-UK citizen and are not currently in the UK, but have previously been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK, you may be eligible to return to the UK for settlement on the basis of a returning resident visa. When you apply for a Returning Resident visa from overseas you should normally receive a decision within 3 weeks currently.

Our immigration barristers assist individuals and businesses across the globe to prepare and submit successful UK visa and immigration applications. Call us on 0203 617 9173 or complete our enquiry form below to find out more.

UK Visa Decision Waiting Times: Frequently Asked Questions

When does the uk visa application processing time start and end.

For UK visa applications submitted outside the UK, visa processing time will start from either the date you provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) at a visa application centre or, if eligible, the date you verify your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app. The waiting time will end on the date when you receive an email with a decision on your application.

For a UK immigration application submitted from within the UK, the waiting time will generally start from the date when you submit your application online. An exception is made for Graduate Immigration Route applications, where the waiting time starts from the date when the applicant attends an appointment at a visa service centre or submits their documents using the UK Immigration ID Check app. In all in-country cases the waiting time will end on the date when you receive either a letter or email with a decision.

The service standard does not include the time taken to issue you with your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). You will usually receive your BRP within 7 working days after a decision has been made on your application. If you do not receive a BRP you can report it .

Will My Dependents’ Visas Be Processed Within the Same Time Frame?

Dependent visas should be processed within the same time frame as the main applicant’s visa and dependents should receive their decision at the same time. Dependent visas will not be issued before the main applicant has received their decision. Where a dependent applies after the main applicant has received a positive decision, this may shorten the time to receive an outcome.

Can I Get a Faster Decision on My UK Visa Application?

UK Visas & Immigration offers a ‘priority service’ and a ‘super priority service’ for applicants who, for an additional fee, wish to receive a faster decision on their UK visa application. Selecting one of these premium services will ensure that an application is placed at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process.

Eligible applicants who apply via the priority service should receive a decision within 5 working days of their appointment at the visa application centre (for overseas applicants) or within 5 working days of either the day of their appointment at a UKVCAS appointment centre or the working day after having finished uploading documents if using the UK Immigration: ID Check app (for in-country applicants).

Eligible applicants who apply via the super priority service should receive a decision by the end of the next working day after their appointment at the visa application centre (for overseas applicants) or their appointment at a UKVCAS appointment centre (for in-country applicants) or within 2 working days if the appointment is at the weekend. In-country applicants cannot use the super-priority service if applying using the UK Immigration: ID Check App to confirm their identity.

The Super Priority Visa is currently temporarily suspended for new Family Visa applications submitted outside the UK. However, the Priority Visa Service has, since 20 February 2023, now resumed for new Marriage and Family Visa applications submitted outside the UK. Applicants can expect to receive a decision within 30 working days.

Additionally, from 9 January 2023, existing applicants with a pending Family Visa application have started to be offered the option of upgrading to a 15 full working days/3 weeks Priority Service.

For work (except Innovator Founder and High Potential Individual), study and visitor visa applications, priority and super priority services are available in the majority of overseas locations on an appointment basis. However, there is a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service for visit visa application s.

The priority and super priority services are currently both still available to applicants who are applying for leave to remain and settlement in eligible routes from within the UK.

Overseas applicants should check with their visa application centre to see if the priority visa service or super priority visa service is available in the country they are applying from for their application type.

Applicants applying from within the UK can check the eligible visa and settlement application tables to confirm whether the type of application they are making is eligible for either the priority 5 working day or super priority next working day service (note that there are separate tables for switching/extending applications and settlement applications).

Priority and super-priority services may not be appropriate for complex applications which cannot be processed expeditiously. In these cases, your application will be put at the front of the queue at each decision-making stage, but a decision may exceed the priority and super-priority timescales.

These premium services should also be considered carefully when making extension applications or switching categories where there is a risk of refusal. Specialist advice should be sought to ensure that complex applications are timed strategically and sensibly.

A Guide to UK Visa Premium and Priority Services

Can I Stay in the UK While Waiting for a Decision on My Immigration Application?

If you applied from within the UK before your last leave expired then you will be able to stay in the UK until you receive a decision from the Home Office, even if a decision is delayed.

Can I Travel Outside the UK While My In-Country Application Is Being Processed?

If you have submitted a visa application from within the UK, the general rule is that you must not travel outside the UK while waiting for an immigration decision. If you leave the UK, your immigration application will be treated as withdrawn and you will not be able to request a refund of your application fee.

You may travel outside of the UK if you have submitted a naturalisation application or have applied for the EU Settlement Scheme.

Travel outside the UK while waiting for an immigration decision

What Can I Do if a Decision Is Not Made in Time or I Need an Urgent Decision?

If UKVI is not able to process your visa application in time, due to its complexity for example, you should receive a letter explaining the reasons and what will happen next. This letter should be received within the standard processing time.

If you do not receive an update from the Home Office, you can contact them directly (by phone, in writing or both) to request an update on your application status.

You may wish to consider providing evidence of how the delay is impacting you, for example if you do not have a right to work or study. If there is an urgency or the standard processing time has passed it is possible to ask for the matter to be escalated as a priority.

If you paid for a priority or super-priority service and a decision has not been made within the standard processing time then you may also be able to request a refund of the priority or super-priority service fee.

When making enquiries, always take care to make clear that you are not intending to withdraw your application.

Additionally you may also consider making a formal written complaint to UKVI. The complaint process can take up to 20 working days.

You may also consider contacting your local MP .

Please note that UKVI has a discretion to treat incomplete applications, for example those that do not include all mandatory documents, outside of the standard service processing times.

How to Chase a Delayed UK Visa Application

How Can I Challenge Home Office Delay in Deciding My Application?

If there is still no response then you may consider a further legal avenue of challenge. There is no right of appeal when there is no decision, but you may consider judicial review proceedings as a way to ask a judge to review the failure of the Home Office to act and make a decision.

If this is a route you wish to consider then you will need to ensure that you have evidence of all stages of your attempts to obtain a decision. Keeping a written record and details of any Home Office ‘ticket’ numbers you are provided is highly recommended. The steps you have taken to obtain a decision and the reasons why one is required will be relevant considerations.

Before commencing proceedings you will need to follow a pre-action protocol process. This will give UKVI the opportunity to consider the position before you commence proceedings.

Judicial review proceedings can be legally complex, costly and time consuming. You may wish to consider seeking legal advice before commencing any proceedings.

UK Visa Application Granted – What Next?

Contact our Immigration Barristers

For expert advice and assistance regarding a UK visa application, contact our immigration barristers on 0203 617 9173 or complete our enquiry form below.

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UK Visa Processing Times (Latest from UKVI)

Anne Morris
26 February 2024

IN THIS SECTION

The length of time it takes for your application to be processed can be an important factor in deciding when to apply and when to make travel arrangements. But UK visa processing times vary considerably, depending on factors such as the type of visa being applied for, the country or Embassy where the application is made and the applicant’s own individual circumstances and eligibility.

Visa applicants are advised to take guidance on the current processing timescales for their specific type of application.

UK visa processing times

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is the Home Office department responsible for the UK’s visa system.

The processing date is typically counted from when the applicant has attended their visa appointment and submitted their biometric information, or as soon as ID checks have been completed and the application is submitted using UKVI’s visa processing app.

Processing times for in-country applications are as follows (correct as at the date of publishing):

Priority & fast-track services

Priority service and super priority services for applications being made from outside the UK are available for work, business and family visa routes.

Where available, priority processing allows applicants for certain work and settlement routes such as the Skilled Worker visa to pay an additional fee for fast-tracked processing. Priority processing provides a decision within 5 working days, while super-priority is for a decision by the end of the next working day

Priority processing is only available to certain applicants, notably those proving their identity by attending an appointment at a UKVCAS centre or those using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app . If available to you, you will be notified when making your application and given the option to purchase faster processing.

The fees for priority and super-priority processing are as follows:

Priority processing times for Certificate of Sponsorship requests & Changes of Circumstances

Priority processing remains available to A’ rated sponsors for fast-tracked CoS allocation and other Change of Circumstances requests, for a fee of £200 per application. The priority requests are generally processed within 5 working days.

What is the difference between UKVCAS and Home Office processing?

One factor that may affect the UK visa processing time is whether the application has to be made through UKVCAS .

UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service) was introduced in November 2018 to handle certain UK visa, settlement and citizenship applications made be applicants already in the UK.

You will be advised when making your application if you must go through UKVCAS in order for your application to be processed.

How might the time of year and other factors affect your UK visa processing time?

There are other factors that may affect the processing time of your UK visa application. These include:

Caseload Summer is generally the busiest time for UKVI, and other factors such as Home Office priorities may impact processing.

Where you apply from The country that you apply for your UK visa from may affect the processing time for several reasons, including the relationship and arrangements between the UK and your country, the administrative systems within each country, current conditions within either country, endorsing documents from your country or finding their equivalent in the UK, whether that country is part of the EEA and so on.

It is always advised to check with the UK embassy or consulate in your country for any such issues that could lead to visa processing delays.

Insufficient or incorrect information If your application includes incorrect information or the documentation you supply is insufficient, the processing time may be longer than expected if UKVI suspend processing to request further information from you in order to make a decision.

The best way to avoid this is to check your application thoroughly and ensure that you have all the necessary documentation to hand before you apply.

What are the different types of UK visa applications?

The type of UK visa that you apply for will be the main deciding factor in how long it takes to process your UK visa application. The UK visa that you choose will depend on your reason for visiting the UK and how long you wish to stay.

Work in the UK

There are many types of short-term and long-term work visas including:

Skilled worker visa
Temporary worker visas
Global Business Mobility visas
Domestic workers in a private household visas
Sportsperson visa
Graduate route
High Potential Individual visa
Global Talent visa
Scale up visa
Innovator Founder visa

Each type of visa will carry its own eligibility, conditions and application requirements.

The Skilled Worker visa , for instance, is open to non-UK residents with a job offer from a licensed sponsor for skilled employment in the UK.

The processing time for the Skilled Worker visa is generally no longer than 3 weeks once the applicant has attended their appointment.

Holiday, family visit or business trip

The Standard Visitor visa is generally suitable for tourism, holidays, visiting and to receive short-term medical treatment. It replaces:

Business visitor and prospective entrepreneur visas
Family visitor visa
Child visitor visa
Sports and entertainer visitor visas
Private medical treatment visitor visa
Approved destination status visa
General visitor visa

Under the standard visitor visa, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

Your application for a Standard Visitor visa should be made no earlier than 3 months before you intend to enter the UK, and it will generally take no more than 3 weeks for the visa application to be processed and a decision made after your appointment.

Under current processing times, visitor visa applications from outside the UK are taking six weeks instead of the usual three.

Studying in the UK

Should you wish to study in the UK, there are 3 visas available for this purpose, depending on your individual situation:

A short-term study visa is suitable for a 6 month stay in the UK to attend a course. For students over 16 who wish to attend an English language course, it may be possible to use a Short-term study visa for a stay of up to 11 months.
A general study visa is suitable for a longer course of study in the UK as long as the student has a confirmed place on a course and is sponsored by a licensed university or college.
4 to 17 years old wishing to study at an independent school should apply for a child student visa .

Apply for the appropriate student visa no earlier than 3 months before you intend to enter the UK. Once you have attended your appointment, it will generally take no more than 3 weeks to receive a decision.

Entrepreneurs & investors

The primary route for people coming to the UK to set up or run a business is the Innovator Founder visa. While no up-front investment is required under this route, there are many eligibility criteria that will need to be satisfied by both the applicant and the business. Endorsement will also be required before the visa application can be made.

Processing for business visas can take longer than other categories due to the complexity of the application documentation and evidence. Again, the earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

Joining family in the UK

The Family visa will generally allow you to join certain family members who already live in the UK if you wish to remain in the country for more than 6 months, such as spouses. You may also consider a dependant visa .

If the visa application is made from outside the UK, the processing time will generally take up to 24 weeks.

To get married in the UK

If you intend to visit the UK to get married, you should generally apply for a Marriage Visitor visa . This visa is also suitable for civil partnership ceremonies in the UK.

This visa doesn’t allow you to remain or settle in the UK after the marriage or civil partnership ceremony.

Processing, once an appointment has been attended, should ordinarily take no more than 3 weeks.

Travelling through the UK

There are two types of Transit visa . If you will be passing through UK border control and staying in the UK no more than 48 hours, then you should apply for a Visitor in Transit visa. If you will not pass through UK border control, then you should apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa.

If you will be staying in the UK for longer than 48 hours, it will be necessary to apply for a Standard Visitor visa.

Need assistance?

At DavidsonMorris we have the experience to advise you on the most appropriate UK visa for your circumstances and have the insight to make the process as smooth as possible.

As a team of immigration lawyers and former Home Office employees, we have an established reputation for effective and efficient management and processing of visa applications, and for providing expert visa-related advice to suit your needs. Contact us for advice.

Last updated: 26 February 2024

About DavidsonMorris

As employer solutions lawyers, DavidsonMorris offers a complete and cost-effective capability to meet employers’ needs across UK immigration and employment law, HR and global mobility .

Led by Anne Morris, one of the UK’s preeminent immigration lawyers, and with rankings in The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners , we’re a multi-disciplinary team helping organisations to meet their people objectives, while reducing legal risk and nurturing workforce relations.

Contact DavidsonMorris

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Why UK visa applications are delayed & how to chase

Delayed visa or naturalisation application decision – should you worry?

Delayed visa application decisions are quite common. Many UK visa applicants, as well as those who are applying for British citizenship ( naturalisation ), experience delays in receiving decision from the Home Office. Such delays may occur for various reasons, and are likely to cause stress and anxiety due to uncertainty as to whether the application will be approved. It may also interfere with personal & business plans and separate families for longer than they expected.

The reasons for late decisions may be due to the Home Office heavy workload at the time and staff shortages OR it may be due to external events such as the war in Ukraine and COVID19 pandemic. However, quite often the delays are due to shortcomings in the submitted applications. Incomplete applications are frequent reason for the Home Office longer processing time and refusal of applications . For example, when applicants fail to submit specified document(s) or information or fail to disclose their past immigration or criminal history in their visa application.

Your application has not been straightforward

If the application is incomplete or an applicatnt has deliberately or not omitted an important information Home Office can contact the applicant. In such cases they usually include the phrase “your application has not been straightforward” in their message. It is a a standard message indicating that there is a problem with the application. Reasons for problems may vary but it usually means that the application will be delayed.

Irrespective of the reason for the delayed decision, waiting beyond the standard visa processing time given on the Gov UK Home Office website can be stressful. This is why applicants are eager to chase the Home Office for decision but they may not know how to do this. In our article we provide information on the visa processing times as well as some tips on what to do when facing delayed visa decsion from the Home Office.

What are the UK visas processing times from inside the UK & out of country entry clearance

Home office visa processing times vary depending on factors such as the type of application and whether it is submitted from inside or outside the UK (i.e. leave to remain versus entry clearance).

As the first step, you should therefore check the Home Office current guidance on the processing times to find out whether your application is still within the given standard timeframe. There are different processing timelines for applications submitted within the UK and outside of the UK .

In general, standard processing time for most out of country entry clearance applications is 3 weeks, counting from when the Home Office receives your biometrics and documents. There are some visa categories that are more complex by its nature, such as spouse/family visas, and such applications have a longer processing time of up to 12 weeks. Some visa categories, such as Innovator visa , have a standard processing time indicated by Home Office as 3 weeks. However, in practice Home Office tends to take much longer, even a few months, to process some Innovator applications.

What are the UK visa processing times for in country leave to remain

For in country leave to remain applications, standard processing time for the vast majority of visa categories is up to 8 weeks. Some applications, such as British National Overseas (BNO) have 12 weeks process time.

Both in country, and out of country applications have expedited processing options offered by Home Office for extra fees. There is 5 working days (for extra £500 fee) OR 1 working day (for extra £800 fee) processing option. The Home Office guidance on expedited processing for in country applications is here .

UK Visas expedited processing delays

The expedited processing for entry clearance applications requires payment of extra fees. The 5 working days expedited processing for Skilled Worker visa costs approximately £250-300 on top of the standard application fee. Expedited processing fee for spouse visa application is approximately £563 and the processing time is about 6 weeks.

It is important to note that the Home Office processing times are not guaranteed by them, and if they need more time to assess the application, they will do so even if you pay the expedited fee. In some circumstances you may seek to claim back the expedited fees that you paid. You may read our other article on who can claim a refund of application fee from Home Office.

Why are UK visa applications delayed – most common reasons for delays

We already mentioned this in our first paragraph in this article, that there can be many reasons your UK visa application may be delayed. Sometimes it may be the fault of Home Office. However, in our experience, in most cases the problem is related to the applicant and the quality of their application. Usually, there was a mistake made in the application or crucial evidence was lacking.

Several times we have come across situations when applicant submitted their own application, and Home Office subsequently requested additional evidence. Such requests delay the processing time for the visa. What is more, often applicants do not monitor their emails and fail to respond to Home Office communications. Sometimes they also email the requested documents to a wrong email address. All that can result in visa application being refused or the least delayed.

It is crucial to monitor your email inbox which was used to submit application to the Home Office. In some cases we have seen situations when people have changed their phone number and did not update Home Office about the change. As a result they missed important communications form the Home Office.

Summary of the common reasons for the visa delays

wrong form or application submitted
omitted information in the application
lack of evidence or compulsory documents
no response to Home Office communication
changing contact details without informing Home Office

What to do when your UK visa application is delayed

Home Office procedures can be confusing and a delayed visa application is not an exception. There are steps you can take when decision on your visa application or British citizenship application is delayed.

First you should be checking for the communication from the Home Office. It never hurts to sift through all the emails from Home Office and making sure nothing has been overlooked.
Next you should check the Home Office processing time guidance to see if your application is exceeding it.
Contact the Home Office for clarifications or updates on the application. When contacting Home Office you should have your case reference number at hand. Contact details for Home Office are available here . You can either email or call them or both. You may need to pay small fee.
Contact local Member of Parliament (MP) , so they can escalate the delay to the Home Office.
Finally, if the above has not worked and the decision is still not made by Home Office, you may decide to raise a formal complaint about the UK Visas and Immigration.
Complain to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman . The PHSO deals with complaints from members of the public who claim they have suffered injustice due to maladministration by a government department or agency.
The absolute last resort is the Judicial Review , which is a court procedure to make Home Office to act and issue the decision. This is a costly process and you need to consider it carefully and seek legal advice before you decide to take it. Before starting the Judicial Review process a Letter before Claim must be first sent.
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June 2023 update on uk visa processing times.

1 June 2023

When you apply for a UK visa, the length of time you can expect to wait for a decision will vary depending on the type of visa you have applied for, whether you applied from overseas or from within the UK, and whether you have utilised any of the Home Office’s paid for priority services.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has standard processing times in place to give customers an indication of an estimated lead time for most straightforward applications. However, there are occasions when visa processing times may extend beyond this target, for example during peak times when UKVI is experiencing a higher volume of applications, or in cases where an application is complex or requires further evidence to be submitted.

The Home Office has recently published an updated list of standard processing times for UK visa applications made outside and inside the UK. Most applications for work, study and visit visas are currently being processed within 3 weeks for overseas applications, or 8 weeks for in-country applications.

Processing times start after you have submitted your application and verified your identity either using the UK Immigration: ID Check app or by attending an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC), and end once you have received a letter or email from the Home Office containing a decision on your application.

The below processing times are based on the current volume of visa applications and are subject to change.

Applications made outside the UK

If you are applying for your UK visa from overseas, you are advised not to book any travel until a decision on your application has been made.

The current standard processing times per category are as follows.

Skilled Worker – 3 weeks
Health and Care Worker – 3 weeks
Global Business Mobility visas (all categories) – 3 weeks
Temporary Work visas (all categories) – 3 weeks
Innovator Founder – 3 weeks
Global Talent – 3 weeks
High Potential Individual (HPI) – 3 weeks
Scale-up Worker – 3 weeks
Visit visas (all categories) – 3 weeks
Study visas (all categories) – 3 weeks
Family visas – 24 weeks
British National (Overseas) visas – 12 weeks
Homes for Ukraine & Ukraine Family Scheme visas – As quickly as possible.

The list can be viewed in full here .

Applications made inside the UK

If you are applying to extend your visa or switch to another visa category from within the UK, processing times are usually longer than for overseas applications. You can stay in the UK until you’ve been given a decision, as long as you applied before your last visa expired.

Below is an overview of current waiting times for in-country applications per category.

Skilled Worker – 8 weeks
Health and Care Worker – 8 weeks
Global Business Mobility visas – 8 weeks
Temporary Work visas (selected categories) – 8 weeks
Innovator Founder – 8 weeks
Global Talent – 8 weeks
High Potential Individual (HPI) – 8 weeks
Scale-up Worker – 8 weeks
Study visas – 8 weeks
Graduate visas – 8 weeks
Family visas – 8 weeks
Standard Visitor visas – 8 weeks
Homes for Ukraine & Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Extension Scheme visas – As quickly as possible.

Getting a faster decision

If your application is urgent, you may be able to get a faster decision by using the Home Office’s priority services, which are available for an additional cost.

You may be able to get a decision:

Within 5 working days using the Priority service.
By the end of the next working day using the Super Priority service.

You’ll find out if you can use these services when you apply for your visa. More information can be found here .

Updates on your application

In some cases, your application may not be decided within the standard processing times outlined above. The Home Office will contact you to let you know if you are required to provide further evidence or attend an interview.

For updates on your submitted visa application, you should contact UKVI directly. You should not contact UKVI to track your application if you’ve already made a visa application and it is still within the current processing times.

To keep up to date with the latest immigration news and view, please sign up to our free news service .

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Update on UK immigration processing delays

13 May 2022

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, the Home Office has been increasing its published visa decision waiting times as it prioritises the processing of applications under the Ukraine schemes.

Entry clearance applications.

The service standards for entry clearance applications have increased significantly in recent months.

All priority services for entry clearance applications under the work, study and family routes have been temporarily suspended since mid-March 2022.

In addition, in some locations there have been delays with decisions on applications being notified to applicants, and with passports being returned or made available for collection with the relevant visa vignette endorsed.

Family visa applications

The most recent increase in waiting times, announced on 11 May 2022, has doubled the processing standard for family route applications from 12 to 24 weeks.

Work visa applications

Although the published processing standard for work visas remains at 3 weeks, work visa applicants are advised on GOV.UK that applications may currently take longer to process. At some Visa Application Centres, applicants have been advised of a processing timeframe of 6 weeks. Processing times in practice, particularly for those who are not eligible to use the UK Immigration: ID check app , may be in excess of this.

Visitor and transit visa applications

Average processing times for visitor and transit visa applications have increased from 3 to 6 weeks, however priority processing is still available in some locations.

Applications for Russian citizens

It currently remains possible for UK entry clearance applications to be made by Russian citizens. However, in practice these applications appear to be more delayed than for other nationalities, for reasons that are not currently clear but may include additional security checks.

It should however be noted that sections 70, 71 and 73 of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 were brought into force on 28 April 2022. These provisions allow the Home Office to make Immigration Rules that impose visa penalties on any country the Home Secretary specifies as having taken action that:

Gives, or is likely to give, rise to a threat to international peace and security;
Results, or is likely to result, in armed conflict; or
Gives, or is likely to give, rise to a breach of international humanitarian law.

The visa penalties that may be imposed under the Immigration Rules are:

Requiring entry clearance not to be granted to nationals of a specified country before the end of a specified period;
Suspending the Home Office’s power to grant entry clearance in respect of such an application;
Requiring such an application to be treated as invalid; and/or
Requiring such an applicant to pay an additional fee of £190 (or other amount if approved under regulations).

It is necessary for the Home Secretary to give the country reasonable notice of the intention to impose visa penalties, and such penalties cannot be applied to any application that has been made before the day the relevant Immigration Rules are made effective.

Immigration Rules may come into effect on the date they are laid, so Russian citizens who intend to make a UK visa application may wish to do so as soon as possible.

Applications for permission to stay

Although in-country application processing is not as severely affected as for entry clearance, there are still certain points to be aware of.

General processing situation

In-country 10-year partner route and parent route average processing times have been increased to 11 months. Other application processing times for in-country applications are relatively unaffected, and priority services remain in place. This could however change if the overall demand for Ukraine Scheme visas remains high or existing backlogs need to be reduced.

UKVCAS IDV app

Since mid-March 2022, applicants for a replacement Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or Biometric Residence Card (BRC), some nationality applicants and some applicants for settlement as a partner or parent will be invited to use the UKVCAS Identity Verification (IDV) app rather than attending a UKVCAS service point. the IDV app process can, but will not always, result in a quicker decision. This is because the Home Office assesses who is eligible for their biometrics to be reused, and this can take up to 14 days.

Biometric enrolment at a UKVCAS service point

Appointments to attend a UKVCAS premium lounge to enrol biometrics are currently available within 1 to 2 weeks on average, and other paid appointments are available with 2 to 3 weeks on average.

Ukrainian citizens with a valid international passport

One positive development is that since 11 May 2022, Ukraine Family Scheme applicants with a valid Ukrainian international passport may use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to provide their biometric details before arriving in the UK. This will reduce the need for some Ukrainian citizens to attend a UKVCAS service point to enrol their biometrics after arrival.

Russian citizens applying in-country

Applications by Russian citizens are currently unaffected, and visa penalties will not be imposed in-country. However, processing delays may occur if additional security checks are carried out.

Considerations for employers

In view of the current operational situation, we would suggest that employers consider the following:

Commencing the entry clearance process as early as possible ahead of an employee’s intended start date;
Communicating to internal teams that target start dates may be affected by visa processing delays;
Commencing the visitor visa application process as early as possible ahead of a planned business visit from a visa national client or overseas employee (a long-term visitor visa may be an option for some applicants), and using priority services where available;
Considering the feasibility of initially sponsoring a person under a work route where the person is eligible to applying under a family route;
Making UK entry clearance applications for Russian citizens without delay; and/or
In view of ongoing delays with outstanding entry clearance applications for Russian citizens, relocating Russian employees to interim or permanent destination countries other than the UK where swift departure from Russia is a priority.

If you have queries about any of the issues raised in this article, please contact a member of our Immigration Team .

Why is My UK Visa Getting Delayed in 2024 [&How To Speed Things Up]?

Delays can happen for numerous reasons, and while it’s natural to feel concerned, it’s essential to understand the possible causes and ways to address them.

This article sheds light on the potential reasons for UK visa delays in 2024 and offers insights into the evolving visa processing landscape.

Why is my UK visa taking so long?

1. unprecedented volume of applications.

Due to global events in recent years, including Brexit, the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and geopolitical tensions, there’s been a noticeable surge in visa applications. This influx, coupled with operational constraints due to the pandemic, has led to significant delays in processing.

2. Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation

One of the primary reasons for visa delays, irrespective of the year, is the submission of incomplete or incorrect documentation. It’s crucial to ensure that all documents are accurate, up-to-date, and align with the requirements outlined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

If UKVI needs to get back to you to clarify certain elements of your application or request additional documents, it can substantially extend the processing time.

3. Extensive Security and Background Checks

Given the current global climate, security checks have become even more stringent. Every applicant undergoes thorough background and security checks to ensure they pose no threat to national security.

If your name or any details happen to match or are similar to entries in international security databases, it might trigger a more detailed review, hence the delay.

4. Personal Interview Requests

In some cases, the UKVI might require an additional personal interview to clarify specific aspects of your application. Organizing and conducting these interviews can add extra weeks to the processing time.

5. Technical Glitches and System Upgrades

The UKVI, like any other sizable institution, periodically updates its systems and databases. Technical glitches, software updates, or system migrations might cause temporary delays in processing applications.

6. Influx of Special Visa Schemes

In 2024, with the introduction of new visa schemes and modifications to existing ones, UKVI has seen an increased number of applications under special categories. For instance, with the evolving geopolitical scenarios, visa schemes such as ‘Homes for Ukraine’ have been rapidly launched, and the influx of applications under such categories can put additional strain on the system.

7. Seasonal Delays

Certain times of the year, especially around holidays or peak travel seasons, see a spike in visa applications. This seasonal surge can lead to extended processing times, even if your application is straightforward and complete.

8. Postal Delays

Once your application has been processed, the decision letter and any relevant documentation will be returned to you by post. Postal services, especially international ones, can face their own set of delays due to various reasons, including weather conditions, strikes, or increased mail volume.

How Can I Speed Up My UK Visa Application?

Securing a UK visa can sometimes be a lengthy process.

However, there are measures you can take to ensure that your application is processed as swiftly as possible.

While some factors are beyond your control, being proactive and well-prepared can significantly aid in reducing potential delays.

Here’s a guide on how to expedite your UK visa application:

1. Use the Priority Service (if available)

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) offers a Priority Service for certain visa categories, allowing you to have your application processed faster than standard times. While this service comes at an additional fee, it’s invaluable if you’re in a hurry. Do note that using the Priority Service does not influence the decision itself; it merely hastens the processing time.

2. Submit a Complete Application

An incomplete application is one of the primary reasons for visa delays. Ensure that all required documentation is present, correctly filled out, and meets the specified criteria. Use the official checklist provided by UKVI to confirm that you haven’t missed anything.

3. Clearly Organise Your Documents

Presenting your documents in a clear and logical order can assist visa officers in quickly and efficiently processing your application. Consider using dividers or labelled sections to make navigation easier.

4. Book an Early Appointment

If your visa category requires you to attend an appointment, book it as early as possible. Last-minute bookings might result in dates far into the future, thereby extending the overall processing time.

5. Consider Using a Credible Immigration Lawyer or Adviser

While not mandatory, seeking the assistance of an experienced immigration lawyer or adviser can be beneficial. They can guide you through the intricacies of the application process, ensuring that all requirements are met and potentially identifying areas that could lead to delays.

6. Ensure Accurate and Consistent Information

Discrepancies in your application, no matter how minor, can raise red flags, prompting further inquiries and causing delays. Double-check all details for accuracy and consistency.

7. Respond Promptly to any UKVI Queries

If the UKVI requires additional information or clarification, responding quickly can help keep your application moving. Delays in your response can lead to extended processing times.

8. Keep Track of Special Circumstances

If there are pressing reasons for your travel, such as a medical emergency or a significant life event, informing the UKVI via a cover letter might lead them to expedite your application. However, always ensure your claims are genuine and verifiable.

9. Stay Updated on Processing Times

Regularly check the UKVI’s official website for updates on average processing times. This information will give you an idea of what to expect and whether your application is within the usual time frame.

10. Consider Off-Peak Application

If possible, apply during off-peak times, avoiding busy periods like holidays or major events. The volume of applications tends to be lower during such times, possibly resulting in quicker processing.

How to Deal with UK Visa Delay?

A delay in receiving a decision for your UK visa application can be anxiety-inducing, especially if you’ve made significant plans around the expected decision date.

However, delays are not uncommon and can occur for various reasons.

Instead of stressing over the wait, consider these proactive steps to address and manage the delay:

1. Understand the Typical Processing Time

Before you assume your visa application is delayed, be aware of the standard processing times for your visa category. These timelines can vary based on the type of visa and the time of year. Visit the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) official website to get an idea of current processing times.

2. Check Your Email and Postal Mail Regularly

Ensure you haven’t missed any communication from UKVI. They might have requested additional documentation or clarification. Responding swiftly to such queries can prevent further delays.

3. Use the UKVI’s Status Check Services

For some visa categories, UKVI offers online services where you can check the status of your application. While it might not provide detailed information, it can give you a general idea of where your application stands.

4. Contact the UKVI Helpdesk

If the processing time has significantly exceeded the standard timeline, you can contact the UKVI’s helpdesk or customer contact centre. While they might not always provide a detailed update, they can confirm if your application is still being processed.

5. Stay Updated on External Factors

Be aware of current events, policy changes, or geopolitical situations that might impact visa processing times. Factors such as a large influx of applications, strikes, or changes in immigration rules can cause delays.

6. Seek Assistance from Your Local MP

If you’ve faced a significant delay with no feedback from the UKVI, consider contacting your local Member of Parliament (MP) in the UK, especially if there’s a pressing reason for your visa approval. They can make enquiries on your behalf, although it’s not a guarantee for a faster resolution.

7. Reassess Your Travel Plans

While waiting, it’s pragmatic to reconsider and be flexible about your travel plans. If you’ve booked flights, contact the airline to understand their policy on rescheduling due to visa delays. This preparation can save you from potential financial losses.

8. Stay Calm and Patient

While it’s easier said than done, panicking won’t accelerate the process. It’s essential to understand that the UKVI deals with thousands of applications, and each is processed thoroughly to ensure the UK’s security and compliance with immigration rules.

9. Consider Professional Advice

If you’re concerned about the delay, especially if your situation is complex, seek guidance from an immigration solicitor or adviser. They might provide insights into the potential reasons for the delay and suggest further actions.

10. Prepare for Possible Reapplication

In rare cases, if your application is lost or experiences severe delays, you might have to consider reapplying. While this is not ideal, preparing for such a scenario can save you time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is there an express or priority service i can opt for when applying for my uk visa to ensure a quicker decision.

Some visa categories offer a priority or express service at an additional fee. You can check the UKVI website or with your visa application centre to see if this option is available for your visa type.

Will hiring an immigration lawyer ensure a faster visa processing time?

While an immigration lawyer can provide expert guidance and ensure your application is correctly filled out, they can’t expedite the processing time determined by the UKVI. However, they can help avoid delays by ensuring you provide all necessary documents and meet all requirements.

I've received my visa, but the details are incorrect. What should I do?

Immediately report any discrepancies to the UKVI or the application centre where you submitted your documents. It’s crucial to ensure all details are correct before travelling to avoid complications upon arrival in the UK.

What if I've undergone a significant life change (like marriage or having a child) during the visa waiting period?

You should inform the UKVI of any significant life changes during the visa processing period. Depending on the change, it may affect your visa application, and you might need to provide additional documentation.

Are there any forums or communities online where I can check others' experiences with UK visa delays?

Yes, many online forums and platforms discuss UK visa applications and experiences. These can provide anecdotal insights, though always refer to official sources for the most accurate information.

Can I apply for another country's visa while waiting for the UK visa decision?

Technically, you can apply for another country’s visa if your passport is not with the UKVI. However, if both countries require you to submit your physical passport, you’ll need to wait for one process to complete before starting another.

Will a visa delay affect my chances for future applications or extensions?

A delay in visa processing does not inherently affect future applications. However, the reason behind the delay, if it’s related to missing documents or discrepancies in your application, should be addressed in subsequent applications to prevent repeated issues.

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Nov 09, 2017 By visaandmigration.com

Reasons for Delays in UK Visa Processing Time

When you make a UK visa application , you want this to be processed quickly. There are standard time limits within which visa applications are processed by the Home Office if everything is right with the application and the applicant. But many times you may have to face delays. There have, for example, been a number of reports of visa delays in 2019 . What are some of the reasons behind delays in the processing time for UK visas?

Reasons for delays in visa processing times

UK visa processing is a complex task so there can be many reasons for delays. The most common reason for a delay is when there is a problem with your visa application or it is a very complex situation. In such situations, your visa application will not be processed within the normal, standard timeframe. However, there are other delay reasons which can be anticipated - and resolved - in advance.

1. Delay because of improper paperwork

Proper paperwork and related documents are a must for your visa application. If you fail to provide proper paperwork – such as if your application contains errors or omissions – then you are asking for delays, as the Home Office representative will be forced to request that you fix these mistakes before the process continues and they make a final decision.

2. Non-payment of fees

For most government processes, you are required to pay a fee and applying for a visa is no exception. For each category of UK visa, such as if you are applying for a visa for work or travel, you need to pay a prescribed figure. So, if you fail to pay the fee or you pay an inappropriate amount, then it can lead to your visa application stalling.

3. Time taken for verification of your documents and data

Many times, when you apply for a category of visa, you submit information as part of your visa application. Now, it may happen that the home officer has to contact various departments to verify that documents and data provided by you are legitimate. This is especially the case for PBS visas, like Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 4 Student and Tier 5 visa applications. This may take some time, causing a delay in visa application processing.

4. Delay due to additional information

You may be asked by the UKVI immigration officer to furnish additional information sometimes – for example, if the documents that you submitted are not enough for the immigration officer to make a firm opinion on whether to grant you a visa or reject your application. This can, of course, lead to delays.

5. Unforeseen seasonal factors

Seasonal factors can also play a part in visa application delays. For example, if there is a sudden increase in the number of visa applications from tourists during a particular season, there will be delays in visa application processing time.

6. Delay because of adverse immigration history

If you were previously refused a UK visa or refused leave to enter the UK, deported, removed or were required to leave the UK in the past or faced conviction for any criminal offence, then there is a slim probability of you being granted a UK visa this time around. However, you will definitely face delays in such a situation if you are ultimately granted a visa.

What to do if your UK visa is delayed

As highlighted above, there are a number of factors that can lead to delays in visa processing times. In many cases, these delays can be avoided if your application contains the necessary documentation, you have a good immigration history, and there is a clear reason for your application. But, if you have been subject to a lengthy delay, what should you do next? If you already have a visa, your immigration status will stay the same - assuming you made the application for your new visa in the 28 days before your existing visa expires. If it is a condition of your visa, you’ll still be able to work, access education and receive certain benefits while your new visa is processing. However, if you apply for your new visa after your existing visa ends, you’ll lose these rights. This is considered as overstaying your visa as per UK visa expiry rules . If you experience a lengthy delay to visa processing times, you could contact your local MP. They may be able to give you more information about the delay. In order to do this, you’ll need to give your MP as much information as possible so that they can find your application from UKVI or the Home Office. This would include information such as the date you made your application and any reference numbers you’ve received. Alternatively, if you made your visa application with us, we can help you with any delays. If you have experienced delays with your UK visa being processed, contact us to ask any questions you might have.

Visa and Migration is a private OISC regulated company (F201500999) and is not an official Government body. If you would like to prepare and submit your UK immigration application yourself you can do so by visiting the UKVI website.

Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

11 Reasons for UK visa refusal (and how to overcome them)

Updated: September 8, 2023

UK visa application is the most strict and highly scrutinized visa process. The UK Visas and Immigration receives thousands of visa applications every year that do not meet visa requirements.

Once you have a UK visa refusal, it remains permanently in the records of the UK Home Office. Each time you re-apply, your previous UK visa refusal comes up. It becomes an unavoidable hindrance to all of your future UK visa applications. Therefore, you must get approval in the first attempt at all costs.

According to national statistics published by the Home Office, the UK visitor visa refusal rate for 2019 was 13%. The countries with the highest refusal rates were Algeria, Ghana and Bangladesh with refusal rates over 40%.

This article walks you through the top UK visa refusal reasons. This list should also help if you are reapplying after your UK visa refusal.

The top reasons for UK visa rejection are as below –

Long itinerary
Unclear itinerary
Lack of leave approval letter
Lack of salary deposits in your bank account
Large undocumented deposits in your bank account
Exhausting all your savings or spending several times your monthly income
Lack of travel history
Lack of detailed cover letter
Lack of proper documentation from the sponsor
Not disclosing any previous visa refusals
No change in circumstances since your previous visa refusal

Now, let’s take a deep look into each of these reasons and understand how to overcome these in your own UK visa application.

Go through and understand each of these reasons. Analyze your own visa application to figure what’s lacking and what needs to be done. It should help you build a strong case and get approval in your first attempt.

So, without further delay, let’s get started.

NOTE The visa refusal reasons in this article are actual reasons given by the UK visa officers in the visa refusal letters. After going through several visa refusal letters from my readers, I put this article together to help you all analyze your own applications and avoid future rejections.

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TOP 11 REASONS FOR UK VISA REFUSAL

UK visitor visa approval rejection rates 2019

01. Long itinerary

REASON “You have stated that you wish to visit the UK for 1 month”

Be realistic. The UK is small and you only need a few days to explore. A long itinerary looks suspicious. It looks as if you will be living or working in the UK rather than site seeing.

The UK is also expensive. You must have enough funds to justify your itinerary.

A 7-10 day itinerary works the best for the UK tourist visa . If you are only visiting London, probably less than 7 days is better.

Also Read: 11 mistakes that can get your visa denied. And how to avoid them.

02. Unclear itinerary

REASON “You did not indicate what you intend to do or where you intend to stay. The plans for this trip are unclear and lacking in detail.”

Specify a detailed itinerary in your cover letter. The itinerary should include the dates, cities and your day-to-day activities in each city.

If your itinerary is too long, attach an additional page to your cover letter.

03. Lack of leave approval letter

REASON “It is unclear if your employer has agreed for you to be away from work for the period of this trip, and therefore that you will return to this employment following this trip.”

Include a leave approval letter from your employer. A leave approval letter is the single most document that can strengthen your case. It indicates two things –

You have strong ties with your country
You have the obligation to return back to your country after your UK trip

Your leave approval letter should clearly mention that you have been granted leave to travel to the UK and you will return to your current job after your vacation.

This letter must be on the company letterhead with original HR or manager’s signature. You must have your HR or manager write this letter specifically for your UK travel.

If you cannot obtain a leave approval letter, have your employer at least mention your leave details in the employment letter.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I had my employer include my leave approval details in the employment letter for my UK visa. I haven’t seen a single UK visitor visa refusal from those who submitted a leave/vacation approval letter. In my opinion, it really is a strong document.

Also Read: UK Visa Guide – All about UK visa requirements, application process, documentation, etc.

04. Lack of salary deposits in your bank account

REASON “Your stated monthly income is not reflected in the history of the account”

It is not uncommon to have a UK visa rejected due to bank statements. Apart from your employment documentation, you must be able to show your monthly salary in your bank statements for UK visa .

Make sure your employer deposit your salary directly into your bank account. Your regular salary deposits indicate two things –

You are genuinely employed and have a steady source of income
You have genuinely saved up to travel to the UK and not borrowing money from someone

Have your employer deposit your salary directly into your bank account. It’s fine if you have to withdraw cash for expenses, family, etc. But, it is important to have your salary deposited directly into your bank account.

If you receive a physical paycheck, deposit the check yourself in the bank regularly every month.

05. Large undocumented deposits in your bank account

REASON “Large credits have been made which are in excess of your stated monthly income”

REASON “I am not satisfied with the origin of these funds or that they are genuinely available to you”

REASON “The sources of these deposits are not demonstrated by the documents provided”

As I mentioned in the above reason, it’s not uncommon to have UK visa rejected due to bank statements.

Large deposits in your bank account indicate that you have borrowed money to inflate the numbers in your bank account. Visa officers will not be convinced that the funds in your account are your own and are available for you to use.

Make sure there are no large deposits in your bank account. If you already have large deposits in your account, provide proof of the source of those deposits. Example –

If you have received money from selling a property, attach the sales deed to the bank statement
If you have received money from rents, attach the rental agreements from your tenants

Also Read: How to travel 40 countries VISA-FREE with UK visa in 2023

06. Exhausting all your savings or spending several times your monthly income

REASON “I don’t find it credible that you would exhaust nearly all the funds available to you”

REASON “This amount represents over half your declared savings or over x months of your monthly expenditure”

If the total expenditure of your UK trip is more than half of your savings or several times your monthly salary, your visa will be refused. It’s not realistic to exhaust all your savings on one trip to the UK. You would need to preserve at least half of your savings for emergencies.

If your savings are low, your UK visa may be rejected due to insufficient funds. Taking chances and applying for your UK visa will lead to refusal and also affect all your future visa results. So, take a few months to build your savings first.

It is not wise to spend more than 2 times your monthly income on your UK trip. If your monthly salary is low, wait until your monthly salary improves. Ask for a raise or take up a second job. But taking chances will only lead to refusal.

If you have received a gift or bonus from your employer or your sponsor is taking care of your expenses, you are still REQUIRED to show a saving that is more than twice your UK trip expenditure. This is to make sure you can support yourself during your trip in case your sponsor or employer decides not to support you.

07. Lack of travel history

REASON “I am not satisfied that you are a genuinely seeking entry as a visitor and that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit”

REASON “I note that you have never traveled to the UK or anywhere else before”

Travel history indicates that you do not have illegal immigration intent. If you were to stay illegally anywhere, you could have done it so already in any of those countries you have been to so far.

If you do not have travel history, build your travel history first.

Travel to some visa-required countries. The more countries you travel to, the better it is for your UK visa.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I have traveled to over 30 countries so far. I have been to some countries multiple times. I have plenty of visas and stamps in my passport. My travel history helps in my visa approvals.

08. Lack of detailed cover letter

REASON “I am not satisfied that you have sufficient ties and would, in fact, leave the UK on completion of your proposed visit”

UK visa application forms may not ask for all the details that you want to convey. Therefore, a cover letter is a way for you to convey that additional information and convince the visa officer that you are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor.

Write a detailed cover letter mentioning your proposed itinerary, your financial situation, your travel history, your intention to return, etc.

Your cover letter should not exceed one page. Use bullets instead of paragraphs. The simpler, cleaner the better.

Keep in mind that the UK visa officers may not be familiar with terminology from your country. Do not use words, designations, addresses, etc. that are not familiar to them.

Visa officers may have lots of work on their plates. So, your cover letter should convey what you want to convey clearly and quickly.

09. Lack of proper documentation from your sponsor

REASON “I am not satisfied that your sponsor will be able to provide maintenance and accommodation during your sponsor trip”

If you are using a sponsor for your UK visa, you must have the following documentation from your sponsor. If you don’t have all of this documentation from your sponsor, you will be risking your visa.

A letter from your sponsor undertaking that he/she would arrange your accommodation, transportation and other expenses while you are in the UK
Your sponsor’s bank statements for the last 3 months (must indicate employer pay deposits and have no large undocumented deposits)
Your sponsor’s British passport’s main page
Your sponsor’s British postal poll card
Your sponsor’s utility bill

Just having an invitation letter is not sufficient. An invitation letter is not legally enforceable and such letters will not help unless you provide additional documentation from your sponsor such as those mentioned above.

10. Not disclosing any previous visa refusals

REASON “I am aware that you have been refused a US visa and you do not declare this on your visa application form”

UK Home Office may have information sharing with other countries. You must enter only true information and must disclose any previous visa refusals from any country, not just the UK.

Pretty much all the information you provide is verifiable these days. Therefore, not disclosing your previous visa rejections can lead to your UK tourist visa refusal.

Also Read: How to turn your weak passport into a strong passport (with examples)

11. No change in circumstances since your previous visa refusal

REASON “I note that your were previously refused entry clearance”

REASON “You are likely to be refused unless the circumstances of your application change”

If your circumstances haven’t changed since your previous UK visa refusal, your visa may be refused again. Multiple visa refusals can lead to blacklisting and permanent ban. It’s wise to not apply at all than dealing with a visa refusal again.

Reapply for your UK visa only if there is a considerable change in your circumstances.

The UK visitor visa refusal rate is very high these days. The UK Home Office has been refusing visas more frequently than ever before.

It’s your responsibility to make sure that you are eligible and meet the visa requirements. A UK visa refusal can be an unavoidable hindrance down the line.

The above 11 UK visitor visa refusal reasons should help you analyze youn visa application and overcome any hindrances that can lead to your visa refusal.

Have you had a UK visa refusal? If you did, what was the reason and how did you overcome in your re-application?

IMPORTANT This article is meant for UK visa applicants with “tourism” intent. My knowledge and experience are only in tourist visas. I will only respond to comments from those seeking advice on UK visas with “tourism” intent. I will not respond to comments from those seeking advice for purposes such as study, work, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, immigration, etc. I don’t have expertise in those matters. You would need to seek advice from immigration lawyers.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

06. Get your zero-fee ATM card

You can manage money internationally in over 70 currencies using Wise . With a Wise card, you can store and withdraw cash in 40 currencies with zero ATM fees.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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UK: UK Visa Processing & Decision Waiting Times

UKVI Visa Processing Standard Processing Times

Non-settlement visa applications submitted outside the UK: 90% to be decided within 3 weeks; 98% within 6 weeks and 100% within 12 weeks of the application date (where 1 week is 5 working days);
Settlement visa applications submitted outside the UK: 98.5% of settlement applications to be decided within 12 weeks of the application date and 100% within 24 weeks of the application date (where 1 week is 5 working days);
Applications for leave to remain submitted within the UK, including as spouses, workers and students: 8 weeks to be decided;
Applications for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) submitted within the UK: 6 months to be decided;
Applications for no time limit (NTL) submitted within the UK: 6 months to be decided;
Organisations seeking to sponsor a worker: 8 weeks;
Organisations updating their sponsor licence details: 18 weeks.

What Factors Affect UK Visa Processing Times?

There are a number of factors which can delay UK visa processing times including:

The complexity of the case, for example if it involves an assessment of Article 8 ECHR rights or derivative rights of EEA extended family members;
Concerns regarding suitability requirements such as criminality;
Consideration of any adverse immigration history;
Any concerns regarding the authenticity of documents;
The volume of documents provided;
Whether further investigations are required or an interview scheduled;
The capacity of caseworkers; and
The time of the year.

There is no published service standard for waiting times for more complex applications and UKVI has a wide margin of appreciation with regard to the timing of their decisions.

Home Office decision-making is sometimes delayed. In the last couple of years, many UK visa applicants have experienced extended waiting times during the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, as we outline below, decisions on some UK visa applications are being delayed again as the Home Office seeks to prioritise Ukraine Visa Scheme applications in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the invasion of Ukraine.

To discuss your UK visa or immigration application with one of our immigration barristers, call us on 0203 617 9173 or complete the enquiry form below.

What Are the Current Home Office UK Visa Processing Times?

Work in the UK

The UK offers a range of sponsored and non-sponsored work and business immigration routes, including:

Long Term Work Visas (including Skilled Worker , International Sportsperson and Minister of Religion )
Short Term Work Visas (including Creative Worker )
Business Visas (including Innovator )
Global Business Mobility Visas (including Senior or Specialist Worker )
Talent Visas

You can apply for a UK work visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK.

However, the Home Office is currently advising that applications for work visas in the above routes submitted from outside the UK may take longer to be processed than the published standard processing time. The Home Office has not published an up-to-date average processing time for work visa applications, but is advising that it is prioritising Ukraine Visa Scheme applications.

The standard processing time for an application to switch into or extend a stay in the UK on a work visa route is 8 weeks. This service standard is currently being met in practice. Applications to switch into a Start-up visa and to switch into or extend a Health and Care Worker visa are generally being processed within 3 weeks currently.

If you are applying for settlement on a work or business route you should usually receive a decision within 6 months.

Join or Stay With Family in the UK

You can apply for a family visa to live in the UK with your British or settled family member as a:

Civil Partner
Unmarried Partner
Proposed civil partner
Adult dependent relative

Applications for partner and family visas can be submitted up to 3 months before the intended date of travel.

The published service standard for deciding an application from outside the UK to settle in the UK as the spouse, partner or family member of a British citizen or settled person is 12 weeks. However, the Home Office is currently advising that applications for family visas submitted from outside the UK may take up to 24 weeks to process whilst it prioritises Ukraine Visa Scheme applications.

If you are applying for settlement you should usually receive a decision within 6 months.

Visit the UK

The UK offers a range of Short Stay Visit Visas , for purposes such as:

Visiting friends, family and/or for a short holiday ;
Short-term unpaid business activity ;
Unpaid creative activities ;
Short courses of study or research ;
Unpaid sporting activities ;
Receiving private medical treatment ;
Marriage or civil partnership in the UK ;

Applications for a UK visit visa can be submitted up to 3 months before the intended date of travel.

Visitor visa applications submitted from outside the UK are currently taking an average of 6 weeks to process. This is longer than the 3-week service standard.

Visitors are not eligible to apply for settlement.

Study in the UK

The Home Office is advising that applications for study visas in all of the above routes submitted from outside the UK may currently take longer to be processed than the published standard 3 week processing time. The Home Office has not published an average processing time, but has advised that it is prioritising Ukraine Visa Scheme applications.

Students are not eligible to apply for settlement.

Hong Kong British National (Overseas)

The Hong Kong BN(O) Status Holder Visa is an immigration route for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) citizens to live, work and study in the UK. The Hong Kong BN(O) Household Member Visa is an immigration route for adult children (aged 18 or over) of a BN(O) Status Holder or a BN(O) Status Holder's partner, born on or after 1 July 1997, to live, work and study in the UK.

If you are applying for settlement on the Hong Kong BN(O) route you should usually receive a decision within 6 months.

UK Ancestry

Returning Residents

UK Visa Decision Waiting Times: Frequently Asked Questions

When does the uk visa application processing time start and end.

Will My Dependents' Visas Be Processed Within the Same Time Frame?

Dependent visas should be processed within the same time frame as the main applicant's visa and dependents should receive their decision at the same time. Dependent visas will not be issued before the main applicant has received their decision. Where a dependent applies after the main applicant has received a positive decision, this may shorten the time to receive an outcome.

Can I Get a Faster Decision on My UK Visa Application?

UK Visas & Immigration offers a 'priority service' and a 'super priority service' for applicants who, for an additional fee, wish to receive a faster decision on their UK visa application. Selecting one of these premium services will ensure that an application is placed at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process.

However, the Home Office has announced that both priority and super priority visa services are currently temporarily suspended for new study, work and family visa applications submitted outside the UK whilst it prioritises Ukraine Visa Scheme applications. This suspension has been in place since 14 March 2022.

The priority and super priority services are currently both still available to applicants who are applying for leave to remain and settlement in eligible routes from within the UK.

Can I Stay in the UK While Waiting for a Decision on My Immigration Application?

If you applied from within the UK before your last leave expired then you will be able to stay in the UK until you receive a decision from the Home Office, even if a decision is delayed.

Can I Travel Outside the UK While My In-Country Application Is Being Processed?

You may travel outside of the UK if you have submitted a naturalisation application or have applied for the EU Settlement Scheme.

Travel outside the UK while waiting for an immigration decision

What Can I Do if a Decision Is Not Made in Time or I Need an Urgent Decision?

If you do not receive an update from the Home Office, you can contact them directly (by phone, in writing or both) to request an update on your application status.

When making enquiries, always take care to make clear that you are not intending to withdraw your application.

Additionally you may also consider making a formal written complaint to UKVI. The complaint process can take up to 20 working days.

You may also consider contacting your local MP .

Please note that UKVI has a discretion to treat incomplete applications, for example those that do not include all mandatory documents, outside of the standard service processing times.

How Can I Challenge Home Office Delay in Deciding My Application?

If this is a route you wish to consider then you will need to ensure that you have evidence of all stages of your attempts to obtain a decision. Keeping a written record and details of any Home Office 'ticket' numbers you are provided is highly recommended. The steps you have taken to obtain a decision and the reasons why one is required will be relevant considerations.

Before commencing proceedings you will need to follow a pre-action protocol process. This will give UKVI the opportunity to consider the position before you commence proceedings.

Judicial review proceedings can be legally complex, costly and time consuming. You may wish to consider seeking legal advice before commencing any proceedings.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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Exclusive: Delay in UK visa? British High Commission has a solution

Learn about the options in hand if you too are waiting for your UK visa to arrive, as the country is currently prioritising Ukraine Visa Scheme applications in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the war There is a special provision for Indians travelling to the UK which they can avail

Are you one of the many who have been having harrowing times waiting for your UK visa to arrive? Don't fret, you are not alone, there are thousands across the world who have had to cancel their plans or spend sleepless nights waiting for their visa to be stamped. Two years after Covid halted travel plans, in-person attendance at family functions, seminars, graduation ceremonies and tourism, visa approvals is playing a spoilsport.

In an exclusive conversation with Live Mint, British High Commission spokesperson apologised for the delays applicants are experiencing and confirmed, “We are working urgently to reduce the current processing time as quickly as possible."

In normal circumstances for non-settlement visa applications submitted outside the UK 90% are decided within 3 weeks; 98% within 6 weeks and 100% within 12 weeks of the application date. But this time the wait time has extended.

In May, Ishita Jain had applied for a UK travel visa to attend her graduation ceremony scheduled in July, an event she has been awaiting for last two years. Now she doesn't know whether she would make it. “Due to covid restrictions my graduation ceremony was cancelled in 2020, I am really looking forward to attend it this year. But not sure if I will be able to make it, considering my visa application is still awaiting a confirmation," she states.

He further added, “Indian students make up one of the UK’s largest groups of international students and Indian professionals are the top nationality in the skilled work category. This is why UK has its largest network of visa application centres globally right here in India and why we are continuing to offer the priority and super priority visit visa service here – despite it being paused elsewhere."

What are the priority and a super priority services that only Indians can avail?

According to the UK visa and immigration website, apart from the normal route travellers can apply for a priority service and a super priority service.

At the time of the visa application, if an applicant can verify his/her identity at a visa application centre, they can choose the ‘ priority service ’ and a decision will be made within 5 working days of appointment.

For super priority service , after identity verification at a visa application centre, UK Visas and Immigration aims to make a decision within a day and the passport is ready to be collected by the end of the next working day.

Humanitarian crisis emerging after the Ukraine war clubbed with high demand in international travel after covid restrictions were lifted from many countries have led to a substantial increase in number of applications. “The UK is prioritising Ukraine Visa Scheme applications in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the invasion of Ukraine. This is in addition to unpredictable levels of demand across all visa routes globally, following the easing of travel restrictions into the UK. As a result, applications for study, work and family visas are taking longer to process, with Standard Visitor visas currently taking an average of 6 weeks to process." A British High Commission spokesperson confirmed.

“We are experiencing high volumes of visa applications coupled with limited appointment availability and stretched visa processing timelines from India," VFS Global spokesperson told Live Mint.

Under the given circumstances what is the ideal time frame to apply for the visa?

The High Commission stopped short of giving a time frame relating to their individual applications, “We are unable to give customers a specific timeframe relating to their individual application, therefore applicants should refer to the visa decision waiting time page on gov.uk and bear in mind increased processing times when booking travel." spokesperson stated.

Soon the student visa application process will peak for those taking admissions to UK universities and expecting to attend the sessions beginning in September.

“There is always a significant number of student visa applications in July and August, therefore we encourage student visa applicants to apply for the visa as early as possible to avoid any delays. We are working with the education sector and our commercial partners to get this important message to students."

So for those who are planning to make a trip to England, it is advised to start the visa process at the earliest and not book a ticket until visa is confirmed. Several have lost money due to this unprecedented delay and can only be avoided with better planning.

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UK home care workers cannot work as visa regime tightened, says employer

Grosvenor says it is prevented from making 3,000 visits a week as it pays migrant workers to sit at home because permits not renewed

One of the UK’s biggest home care providers says it is paying dozens of migrant workers to sit at home and do nothing because the Home Office has not renewed key immigration permits.

Thousands of workers, mostly from Africa, were welcomed into the UK to help fill the one in 10 care worker jobs vacant after the Covid crisis. But after scammers abused the system, leading to allegations of modern slavery, the government appears to have tightened the application of the rules.

“It has gone from one extreme to the other,” said Darren Stapelberg, the chief executive of Grosvenor Healthcare, the UK’s third largest domiciliary care provider, who is paying reduced wages to 30 Zimbabwean workers and faces having to do the same to 90 more in the coming months. “It was very, very easy to sponsor people to come over, but the system has been abused, so now they are making it almost impossible to get new people in and staff who are already here can’t get renewals.”

Eleven of his workers have left the country, despite a care worker shortage of 152,000 across England. “We are losing workers who have made a great contribution to this society, at a time when you could quadruple our workforce and still not have enough staff,” he said.

The newly hostile environment comes after the government issued 106,000 care worker visas in 2023. But hundreds of companies that have never been inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulator were granted licences and the chief inspector of borders found that 275 visas were issued to a care home that did not exist.

As part of a crackdown, ministers announced in December that care workers would no longer be able to bring in dependent partners and children. The CQC warned MPs that modern slavery was becoming a feature of the care system.

The Homecare Association has written to the care minister, Helen Whately, warning the Home Office about the problem.

Jane Townson, the chief executive of the industry body, wrote: “The Home Office appears to have lurched from one extreme to the other.

“Even established, high-quality, regulated homecare providers who have sent in evidence of block contracts with councils cannot get certificates of sponsorship extended or issued. Homecare providers are now close to handing back thousands of hours of homecare to councils.”

Already the visa problems were preventing Grosvenor, which serves almost 100 councils in England, Scotland and Wales, from making about 3,000 care visits a week, Stapelberg said.

1st Homecare, which operates in Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, said the Home Office had demanded more than 230 documents, including contracts, care plans and rotas, to prove it had enough work to recruit just one foreign worker who was already in the country on a working visa.

“It was just ridiculous,” said John Rennison, its owner. “It is not helping our national shortage of care workers and it’s an impediment to what we are trying to do, which is look after vulnerable people.”

The worker he was seeking to recruit had only been paid about £60 a week by their previous employer. There have been widespread reports of unscrupulous operators charging foreign workers excessive visa fees and promising working hours that do not materialise.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Our guidance clearly stipulates for those who have submitted an application for further leave in the UK before their existing leave expired have the same entitlements as their original leave. We require sponsors to show evidence that a genuine vacancy exists at the time the application is submitted. Where there is no evidence to suggest the declared work will be available, applications are not approved.”

Cathie Williams, the joint chief executive of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, said: “International recruitment is not a long-term solution to the recruitment crisis in social care. The only way any government is going to address this is to … fund it well enough to provide the pay and working conditions that will attract more people in the UK to do these vital and rewarding jobs.”

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

The UK’s worst train station revealed where 76% of services are delayed

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City Thameslink was the most delayed station

There’s nothing that strikes fear into the heart of a commuter like the word ‘delayed’ . And if you’re constantly dealing with disrupted journeys, there’s one UK train station that you’re going to want avoid.

No, it’s not London ’s St Pancras or Waterloo – the station with the most delays is City Thameslink.

Connected to popular commuter towns like St Albans , Horley , Redhill, Bedford , and Stevenage, this London station has seen 76% of all its services in the last six months delayed or cancelled, meaning less than a quarter are on time.

Sandwiched between Farringdon and London Blackfriars, the station sees about 17,648 passengers passing through every day.

Of the 69,120 services that ran through City Thameslink in the past six months, more than three quarters were running behind schedule.

The data, which looked at the top 100 stations based on passenger volume (the busiest stations) and calculated the number of disrupted services for each stop, also revealed other stations which experienced significant delays.

Top 20 stations with the highest service delays:

City Thameslink – 76% delayed
Leicester – 68% delayed
East Croydon – 67% delayed
Earlsfield – 67% delayed
Manchester Oxford Road – 66% delayed
Surrey Quays – 64% delayed
Coventry – 63% delayed
St Albans – 63% delayed
Birmingham New Street – 62% delayed
Denmark Hill – 62% delayed
Gatwick Airport – 58% delayed
Canada Water – 58% delayed
Bath Spa – 57% delayed
Sheffield – 65% delayed
Shoreditch High Street – 56% delayed
Bromley South – 55% delayed
Peterborough – 55% delayed
Vauxhall – 54% delayed
Woking – 54% delayed
Manchester Piccadilly – 53% delayed

Those who travel from Leicester station, in Leicestershire, are likely to be delayed on their commute too.

Of the 38,604 services from the station, 68% of them were delayed in the past six months.

Leicester isn’t a bad choice for someone looking to escape London prices though, with semi-detached properties selling for an average price of £269,329.

Terraced properties sold for an average of £220,452 last year, making the city much more affordable than the capital.

Map showing locations of UK's worst train stations for delays

Third on the list, it’s bad news if you live in and commute from Croydon .

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East Croydon train station saw 67% of its 135,988 services disrupted in the past six months. The study, conducted by ePowerTrucks and Online Marketing Survey, found the station was the 19th busiest in Britain, making it a bit of a nightmare if trains are delayed.

With 61,500 passengers passing through, you may want to think about using two of the other stations in the London borough, to avoid work journey dramas.

But, delays aside, Croydon is one of London’s most up-and-coming areas thanks to a £5.25billion regeneration programme and excellent connections to Central London – just 14 minutes to London Bridge – as well as a diverse selection of excellent food and drink options.

A ThamesLink train with passengers on board

London Square Croydon is a new development with 108 luxury private apartments and penthouse duplexes, within walking distance of shops and restaurants, with prices starting at £358,000.

House prices in Croydon dropped by 3.1%, leaving the average cost of a property at £475,950.

Croydon was also the London Borough of Culture in 2023, with South Croydon and Park Hill proving to be great for families – this may just make the late train services worth it.

In joint third place for the most delayed train station is Earlsfield, which also saw 67% of its 72,021 services disrupted in the past six months.

That means 48,254 weren’t running on time, so it’s bad news if you’re commuting from the London Borough of Wandsworth.

Wandsworth may be one to give a miss if you’re thinking about moving there too, since it saw the biggest house price increase last year at 4.4%.

This means the average house price sits at about £860,483, although it’s no surprise since the borough is home to the ever-popular Clapham and Balham.

An honourable mention is St Albans station in Hertfordshire – a popular, but expensive, commuter town.

About 63% of its 55,449 services were delayed over the past six months. If you’re willing to overlook the unreliable trains then it’s a very pleasant place to live.

You’ll need some deep pockets though, with an average house price of £628,899, but the stunning St Albans Abbey and Verulamium park, which is rich with Roman history, makes it a wonderful place for families.

Other London stations which saw common delays were Surrey Quays with 64% of services disrupted, Denmark Hill with 62%, Canada Water with 58% and Vauxhall with 54%.

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Israel-Hamas war latest: Three countries reject US-sponsored Gaza ceasefire resolution in Security Council vote

A US-sponsored resolution calling for "the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire" in Gaza has failed to pass in the UN Security Council.

Friday 22 March 2024 17:21, UK

Israel-Hamas war

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US-sponsored draft resolution on Gaza ceasefire fails to pass
China and Russia accused of having 'deeply cynical reasons' for vetoing vote US ceasefire call
Blinken arrives in Israel for difficult talks
'Eight people killed' in airstrike east of Rafah
James Matthews: Resolution never looked like passing, but it's not a day without significance
Live reporting by Niamh Lynch

That's all for today, but we'll be back soon with regular updates and analysis.

Scroll down to read what happened during the day.

Israel’s military has said it has opened an investigation into an airstrike that appears to have killed five Palestinians in the southern Gaza Strip.

Aerial footage of the episode circulating on social media shows four men walking along a dirt road before they are hit in the strike.

A fifth man is then hit as he tries to run away.

The origin of the footage remains unclear.

But in a statement Friday, the army said the airstrike had occurred in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis - a focus of army operations against Hamas - in early February.

It said the video was being investigated by its "fact finding" body tasked with investigating potential crimes by its forces.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken's visit to Israel – following the vetoes on the US's ceasefire resolution - was awkward timing.

America made its point but ultimately its language – albeit strengthened in the last few weeks – wasn't strong enough for others.

The Biden administration has been losing its patience with Benjamin Netanyahu of late, most notably because of concerns Israel is not allowing enough humanitarian aid into Gaza and plans to launch a ground offensive in Rafah – Mr Blinken made it clear the White House doesn't think that is the right course of action.

Mr Netanyahu though has posted on social media today saying they will go it alone if they have to.

I'm not convinced they will – I suspect a compromise will be found that keeps the US on side.

Diplomatic work has been going on behind the scenes between the US and Israel for a plan to enter Rafah that would be palatable, crucially without the potential for a further significant loss of life there.

An Israeli delegation is heading to the US next week to discuss that very matter.

It is Israel's strong belief that if they don't go into Rafah, they won't have finished the job of eliminating Hamas. In military terms, that is logical.

However the concern is the fate of more than a million people who are in the city, so the US wants a plan that would safeguard them, and if what the vice president said today "there is nowhere safe for them to go" then the US administration isn't convinced there is any viable solution.

Meanwhile, talks are ongoing in Qatar between Israel and Hamas over a ceasefire deal. Some gaps remain between the two sides, but things seem to be heading in the right direction.

Here's the moment Russia and China, two permanent members of the UN Security Council, voted against the proposal - defeating the US-sponsored resolution which called for the "imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire". Algeria also voted against the resolution.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken has been speaking in Tel Aviv after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He said they discussed the "imperative" of sustaining humanitarian aid to Gaza but focused on hostage negotiations during this trip.

Speaking before he departed Israel, Mr Blinken warned that a proposed Rafah offensive "risks killing more civilians".

He added: "It risks wreaking greater havoc with the humanitarian assistance. It risks further isolating Israel around the world and jeopardising its long-term security and standing,"

He said the US was "intensely engaged" in ceasefire talks in Doha which were also ongoing today.

The secretary of state also added that the UN resolution was "cynically vetoed" by Russia and China.

Mr Blinken greeted demonstrators in Tel Aviv who are demanding Israel focus on the release of hostages held by Hamas, promising the protesters that he was working to bring them home.

Several dozen people, including some family members of hostages, gathered outside a Tel Aviv hotel where Mr Blinken's delegation was based.

More on the talks in Israel this afternoon.

The country's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, told Antony Blinken that Israel is prepared to continue its war against Hamas alone, amid tense relations between the two allies over the six-month-old conflict.

In a one-on-one meeting, Mr Netanyahu said he told Mr Blinken he appreciated US support in its fight against Hamas and that Israel recognises it needs to protect civilians.

However, he reiterated plans to push into Rafah, against the territory's southern border fence, where more than one million people have taken refuge in makeshift shelters.

"I also said that we have no way to defeat Hamas without going into Rafah and eliminating the rest of the battalions there.

"I told him that I hope we will do it with the support of the US, but if we have to - we will do it alone," he said in a video statement to reporters.

Israel claims Rafah is the last bastion for Hamas militants and has a plan to evacuate civilians.

But Washington says a ground assault would be a "mistake" and cause too much harm to those displaced there.

The US vice president Kamala Harris has said there is no safe exit from Rafah for civilians - where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to send troops as Washington presses for more humanitarian aid.

"There is nowhere for these people to go and be safe,” Ms Harris told reporters as she departed for a trip to Puerto Rico and Florida.

It comes after the UN Security Council did not pass a US-sponsored resolution that called for "the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire" in Gaza.

There is no world crisis grave enough to forge unity at the UN, one that reaches beyond the political dynamic of vested interest.

It was never looking like the resolution would pass, not since the Russians had taunted the Americans over their loose language - the "imperative" around an immediate ceasefire.

As the Russians put it, an imperative to put our $100 in our pocket doesn't mean there's $100 in our pocket.

There are solid arguments behind the Russia/China/Algeria veto. To state that Joe Biden has domestic political difficulties created by the US stance is to state a fact.

The US ambassador had other words for it - audacity and hypocrisy on the part of Russia.

Not for the first time in the UN building in mid-town Manhattan, the interests of the people of Gaza and a growing catastrophe suddenly felt a long way away.

So no resolution, but it's not a day without significance.

America has shifted its position on a ceasefire and, incrementally, increased pressure on Israel.

As important as discussions were around the Security Council table, the more immediate impact, practically, is always going to come from talks in Qatar on an actual ceasefire and actual hostage release.

It's a form of words presented to players at the UN that will resonate with the key players in Qatar.

All 27 European Union leaders released a statement overnight calling “for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance".

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, whose country currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency, said the EU position is largely in line with that of the United States.

EU countries have long been divided over their support for Israel and the Palestinians - in December, two EU members voted against calling for "an immediate humanitarian ceasefire" while four countries abstained.

The British ambassador to the UN said she was "deeply disappointed that Russia and China were unable to support this council".

"Through this resolution, the Security Council would have, rightly and for the first time, unequivocally condemned armed Hamas terrorist attacks," Dame Barbara Woodward said.

"We are disappointed that the council was not able to send this important message.

"We welcome the patient and constructive consultation by the United States on this text."

She added: "For our part, we will continue to do everything we can to get aid into Gaza as quickly as possible by land, sea and air.

"But an immediate stop in the fighting is the only way to get aid into Gaza that is so desperately needed and make progress towards a permanent, sustainable ceasefire."

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Step 1: Contact UK Visas and Immigration for Assistance. If you are experiencing delays in processing your application and have not been contacted by the Home Office, the next step is to contact UK Visas and Immigration and ask for an update on the progress of your application. You will find the relevant contact details for the Home Office here ...
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2. Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation. One of the primary reasons for visa delays, irrespective of the year, is the submission of incomplete or incorrect documentation. It's crucial to ensure that all documents are accurate, up-to-date, and align with the requirements outlined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
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UK 🇬🇧 Visa Update: Due to extremely high global demand, standard UK visitor visas continue to experience a significant delay in processing. — UK in India🇬🇧🇮🇳 (@UKinIndia) 1641532957000. Furthermore, the High Commission gave details of the website and also apologized for the inconvenience. "We are working to process ...
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