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Update April 12, 2024

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Advance travel planning and early visa application are important. If you plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to come to the United States as a temporary visitor, please review the current wait time for an interview using the tool below. Not all visa applications can be completed on the day of the interview; please read the information below for more details .

Check the estimated wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Note: Please check the individual Embassy or Consulate website to determine if your case is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview.

Applicants scheduling visa appointments in a location different from their place of residence should check post websites for nonresident wait times.

Select a U.S. Embassy or Consulate:

Global Visa Wait Times

Wait Time for Interview

The estimated wait time to receive a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate and is based on workload and staffing and can vary from week to week. The information provided is an estimate and does not guarantee the availability of an appointment.

Wait Time for Interview Waiver

Wait times for applicants eligible for Interview Waiver are applicable only for locations where applicants schedule appointments to submit their passport and any required documents to a U.S. embassy or consulate. The wait time estimate does not account for the time required for a consular officer to adjudicate the application nor mailing time of passports or other documents. Refer to the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section where you will apply to determine your eligibility for Interview Waiver and for instructions for submitting a nonimmigrant visa application. Note that applicants must be a national or resident of the country where they are applying to be eligible to apply via Interview Waiver.

Qualifications for an Expedited Interview Appointment

Consular sections overseas may be able to expedite your interview date if there is an urgent, unforeseen situation such as a funeral, medical emergency, or school start date. The process to request an expedited nonimmigrant visa interview varies by location. You should refer to the instructions on the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section  where you will interview, or on their online appointment scheduling site. You will need to provide proof of the need for an earlier appointment.

In all cases : You must first submit the online visa application form (DS-160), pay the application fee, and schedule the first available interview appointment. Only at this point will a consular section consider your request for an expedited appointment.

Note: Travel for the purpose of attending weddings and graduation ceremonies, assisting pregnant relatives, participating in an annual business/academic/professional conference, or enjoying last-minute tourism does not qualify for expedited appointments. For such travel, please schedule a regular visa appointment well in advance.

These estimates do not include time required for administrative processing, which may affect some applications. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case.

There are only two possible outcomes for U.S. visa applications. The consular officer will either issue or refuse the visa. If a visa applicant has not established that he or she is eligible for a visa, the consular officer must refuse that application. However, some refused visa applications may require further administrative processing. When administrative processing is required, the consular officer will inform the applicant at the end of the interview. The duration of the administrative processing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case. At the conclusion of the administrative processing period, the consular officer might conclude that an applicant is now qualified for the visa for which he or she applied. The officer may also conclude that the applicant remains ineligible for a visa. Visa applicants are reminded to apply early for their visas, well in advance of the anticipated travel date.

Important Notice:   Except in cases of emergency travel (i.e. serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family), before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants should wait at least 180 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later.

About Visa Processing Wait Times – Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

Information about nonimmigrant visa wait times for interviews and visa processing time frames are shown on this website, as well as on U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites worldwide. It should be noted that the “Wait Times for a Nonimmigrant Visa to be Processed” information by country does not include time required for administrative processing. Processing wait time also does not include the time required to return the passport to applicants, by either courier services or the local mail system.

In addition, it is important to thoroughly review all information on the specific  Embassy or Consulate Visa Section website  for local procedures and instructions, such as how to make an interview appointment. Embassy and Consulate websites will also explain any additional procedures for students, exchange visitors and those persons who need an earlier visa interview appointment.

About Wait Times

* Calendar days refers to every day of the week, including days when embassies are closed (such as weekends and holidays).

† Work days refers only to days when the embassy is open and does not include weekends and holidays.      

‡ A, G, and NATO applications are excluded from these wait times, as they are processed separately.

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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

Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.

She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.

Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator , and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals

• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Guide to Travelling to the UK
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Explore Commonwealth Visa Options
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ How to Live Permanently in the UK
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ UK Immigration Appeal & Status Guide 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.

Legal Disclaimer

The matters contained in this article are intended to be for general information purposes only. This article does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law, and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct at the time of writing, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its accuracy and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should be sought.

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On path return to 15-day UK visa process, says British High Commissioner to India

British high commissioner to india alex ellis on tuesday said that all visa application centres are working hard to bring back the 15-day uk visa process..

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Following a surge in the demand for travel to the UK from India, Britain has decided to bring back its standard 15-day visa process. British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis, in a video message which started with "Namaste", said: "We are on track to get back to processing India to UK visa applications within our standard of 15 days."

We are on track to get back to processing 🇮🇳 to 🇬ðŸ‡ç #visa applications within our standard of 15 days. 👉 Student numbers â¬Æ️ by 89% since last year. 👉 Skilled workers visas bring processed faster 👉 Focus on improving visitor visa processing times. A long way come, more to go. pic.twitter.com/cjX26mRxs8 — Alex Ellis (@AlexWEllis) October 18, 2022

He urged prospective applicants to apply for visa three months in advance. He also said that applicants apply under the priority and super priority services at various centres.

Update for 🇮🇳 students 🎓 travelling to the UK 🇬ðŸ‡ç has now made Priority and Super Priority visas available for students. There is a high demand — we recommend you apply for your visa as early as possible with the required documentation. Apply now! pic.twitter.com/yGodCzGphO — Alex Ellis (@AlexWEllis) August 30, 2022

Meanwhile, travellers from the United Kingdom are having a difficult time securing visas for India. Most missions across the world have had huge backlogs leading to massive delays after the Covid-19 pandemic shut the world down.

“We understand that there has been difficulty in getting these appointments. We are doing our best to ameliorate the situation,” Ellis said last week.

“Here is what we are doing: First, we are ensuring that more bookings are released on our online booking service and that these appointment modules are not being misused, which has been the case recently. Second, we are ramping up capacity in partnership with our service provider,” he said. Published By: Abhishek Chakraborty Published On: Oct 18, 2022 --- ENDS ---

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 and 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 suspended for new Partner & Family Visa applications submitted outside the UK. However, if you apply for a Partner & Family Visa via the Priority Service then you will usually receive a decision within 30 working days.

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 applications.

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.

SEE HOW OUR IMMIGRATION BARRISTERS CAN HELP YOU

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• United Kingdom Visa
• United Kingdom Tourist Visa

What is a UK Tourist Visa?

How to apply for uk tourist visa, eligibility for uk tourist visa, uk tourist visa documents required, photo specification, uk tourist visa fees, how to check uk tourist visa status, when you have this visa, uk tourist visa for indian - definitive guide.

The Stonehenge, The London Eye, The tower bridge, The Roman Baths, The magnificent castles of Edinburgh, these are just a few of the numerous tourist attractions in the United Kingdom. The kingdom can attract the widest variety of people. To witness the beauty of the UK, you would require a UK Tourist Visa for Indians .

To visit Britain for citizens other than from the EU, and other visa exempt countries would require something technically referred as the UK Visitor Visa . The visitor visa is issued for people who want to enter the country for a short period of time. Based on the purposes, these were further classified into several types. If your purpose is solely tourism, the visa used to be known as UK Tourist Visa , now commonly called as Standard Visitor Visa .  The visa is issued for a duration and validity of 6 months. If you require to travel to the country regularly, you may be issued with a visa that has a validity of up to 2,5 or 10 years.

The procedure for UK Tourist Visa application is fairly straight forward. However, before starting the application, it is necessary to ensure that you are applying for the right type of permit and that you have all the documents required for the process. The application for the UK Tourist Visa for Indian citizens can be explained as below - 

• Create an account portal of the UK visa and immigration service, or on Visa4UK . Both are portals by the UK government and can be used for the online application for UK Tourist Visa from India .
• Fill in your details in the UK Tourist visa application form online . 
• Proceed to pay the fees for the application. 
• Book an appointment for the document submission and biometrics at a VAC. 
• Print out the confirmation mail you receive of the appointment, and carry it with your documents to the appointment. 
• Submit the documents at the VAC, along with your biometrics. 

In certain special cases, you may be required to submit to an interview. Please note that you ensure all the documents submitted are original and genuine. Any wrong information or fake documents can lead to your application being rejected. A visa rejection is considered as a black mark in your travel history.

As per the UK Tourist Visa requirements for Indian citizens , you must meet the following criteria to apply for the permit.

• You must hold an Indian passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
• Your sole purpose must be to take part in tourism-related activities.
• You must have sufficient funds to support your stay in the UK. 
• You must also be able to prove that you have ties in the home country that will ensure that you return back to your home country after the permit expires.

Every type of UK Visitor Visa has certain mandatory documents to be submitted with the application. The documents required for UK Tourist Visa from India are as follows  -

• A valid passport
• 2 photographs, as per regulations
• Proof of legal residence - ID card, passport
• Proof of previous travel history - copy of visa
• Complete travel itinerary
• Proof of accommodation - hotel bookings, Invitation letter from the host
• Employment contract copy or Employee ID card copy
• Letter from employer stating sanction of leave for the travel period
• NOC (No objection certificate) from the company
• A copy of the business license
• Copy in the commerce register or as a partner in a company
• Letter granting leave for the travel period, or NOC 
• Proof of admission
• Pension statement of the latest 6 months
• Copy of Retirement letter/relieving letter
• Proof of funds to support the stay -  Bank Statements for the last 6 months/ Passbook

• Recently taken
• Dimensions- 35mm X 45mm
• Clear basic cream or light grey background
• Glasses - allowed only for medical reasons
• Eyes - directly gazing at the lens
• Headgear - not permitted except in religious cases
• Facial expression - neutral
• No “Red-eye effect” from the camera flash

The fees for the permit depends on several factors such as the duration of the visa, the number of entries, as well as any priority visa fees, biometric charges, and other service charges. It is necessary to convert the amount to Rupees while paying the UK Tourist Visa fees from India . 

Once you have submitted your application, you will have to wait before your visa is processed. It usually takes about 15 days, and depend on several factors. In the meanwhile, you will receive updates regarding your application via email. Alternately, you can opt for SMS notifications. You can also do this by contacting the High Commission, or VAC via email or phone and telling them the application number. Once your visa has been approved, and you have chosen for them to deliver it to you, you can track the status using the GWF application number and entering it on the courier company’s website.

While you are on this permit, you will have to keep in mind the following key points to ensure that you have a hassle-free experience.

• Ensure that you carry all your travel documents along with your passport, visa. You will be required to show this at the border officers at the port of entry. 
• Make a note of the expiry date in the vignette. You will have to exit the country before that date. Staying back after the expiry is a criminal offense.
• While on a tourist permit, you cannot work or be employed. You may be able to take part in voluntary and unpaid work.
• You cannot use public funds in the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you do when you have a uk tourist visa.

Since the tourist visa is a nothing but UK Visitor visa , you can perform activities that are covered under this. These include sightseeing, visit friends/family, medical treatment, take part in charity/voluntary unpaid work provided that it does not last more than 30 days, business-related activities such as attending meetings, training, as well as sports-related activities.

What are the reasons for a UK tourist visa to be rejected in India?

Normally, the visa applications are rejected for the following reasons - 

• Wrong information in the application form / fake documents submitted
• Insufficient funds to support the stay
• Irrelevant or unconvincing travel itinerary
• Criminal history in the past
• Previous visa rejections from the UK or any other countries
• Passport nearing expiry/invalid
• Incomplete application form

How many funds do I need to show for a UK tourist visa if I have a sponsor there to accommodate me?

There is no exact amount you will need to show for obtaining the visa. The purpose of the financial documents is to prove that you can support your stay, as well to show your stability and expense patterns. As a result, if you have a sponsor, you do not need to show funds except for your basic expenses. You will, however, require an invitation letter from the sponsor showing that you will be staying with them and that he will be sponsoring you and the funds.

Can I get a UK tourist visa after a family visit visa was refused?

This totally depends on a few factors such as the reason why you were rejected the first time, the integrity of your new application, etc. If your previous application was refused due to technical reasons such as insufficient funds, insufficient proof, etc, as long as your situation has changed, and you have enough funds, and correct documentation, etc, you will have limited problems in the application. However, if you had been rejected due to criminal history, or other major reasons, chances are that you will be rejected again.

Do I need an invitation letter to apply for a UK tourist visa?

No, you do not need an invitation letter to get a UK tourist permit. Unless you are being sponsored by a family member or friend, you will not require this. However, if you are applying for a UK visitor visa for a friend or a family visit, you will need an invitation letter. Alternately, even if you are applying to take part in tourism, submitting an invitation letter may help your application.

Does a UK tourist visa need medical insurance?

No, you will not need medical insurance to travel to the UK on a tourist permit. Since the visa is for less than 6 months, it is not mandatory. However, since healthcare can be expensive in the UK, it is suggested that you obtain insurance before traveling.

Can I apply for a UK tourist visa along with a schengen tourist visa?

No. The Schengen and UK have different types of permit. The United Kingdom is no longer a part of the Schengen region. Also, if you apply for the two visas at the same time, you will have to submit the passport for stamping. This will not be physically possible. As a result, you will have to apply for one of them first, and then apply for the other one after that. If you have aUK stamp, your chances of getting a Schengen visa will be higher, and vice versa.

What is the eligibility condition for a 2,5,or 10 year UK tourist visa?

To get the 10-year tourist permit, you will have to apply for the Long term visitor visa. This can be given for 2,5, or up to 10 years. Unlike the short term type, these are harder to get. You will need to provide sufficient proof that you have a need to visit the UK multiple times over the years. Also, you’ll have to convince them that your motive of visit over the years will not be changed. Also, you will need to submit proof that you will return to your home country after each visit. 

Will a US visit visa help in getting a UK tourist visa?

Not directly. You will not receive a UK permit just because you possess a B1/B2 visa. However, if you have been stamped with US permit, your travel history becomes stronger and your credibility is higher as long as you have not overstayed in the US, or have been charged with other offenses. The US permit can then be a factor in convincing the consular officer processing your UK application. 

What is important to include in a cover letter for a UK tourist visa?

As per the requirements, you will not need a covering letter for the UK tourist permit. It has been clearly mentioned that you should not attach documents that are not required in the application. However, for visa types that require a covering letter, they would usually require your basic details, the purpose of the visit, duration and other details of the visit, as well as the source of funds.

When can I reapply for a UK tourist visa?

There is no official waiting time to reapply for a UK tourist visa. When your application has been refused, you will receive a letter explaining the reason behind it. Depending on this, you will have to make sure that you have corrected the faults in the previous application and apply for a new one. It is suggested that you wait for a sufficient time to prove that your situations or documents have been improved for the new application. 

Are criminal checks carried out on all UK tourist visa applicants?

Criminal checks are not usually done for a tourist visa. However, it is important to mention it in the application form if you have had criminal convictions in the past. The UK have the right to check your criminal record if required. If you have lied in the application form about any convictions, your application will be rejected, and you may even be banned for up to 10 years.

Can I get the UK tourist visa even if I am unemployed?

Yes, you can get a UK tourist visa even if you don’t have a job. Employment is not a requirement for the permit. However, you will need to prove that you have sufficient funds to support your stay in the UK. You will also have to show that you have some ties in your country that will ensure that you return back to it. These can be proof of any property, or education, etc.

Can you apply for a UK tourist visa after a month once you leave the UK?

Yes, you can apply for another tourist permit after you leave the UK post your visa expiry. There is no rule on waiting time to reapply for the visa. However, keep in mind that your chances of it getting approved depend on the application, genuinity, as well as your previous stay in the UK. Now that you have already visited the UK on a tourist visa, the visa officers will look into your stay and the period. If you had failed to follow any of your visa regulations, you will be rejected.

How can I extend my UK tourist visa?

Normally, you cannot extend your UK tourist visa. You will have to leave the country and then reapply for another visa. However, under extreme circumstances such as unforeseeable emergency reasons, you will be permitted to have an additional 14 day stay in the country. These include medical reasons, issues where your home country is not safe, etc. Once this is done, you will have to leave the country no matter what. 

What are the chances of denial of UK tourist visa if you have no travel history and are travelling for the first time?

The chances of denial are solely dependant on your application and the documents. Since you are traveling for the first time, you do not have any history of visa rejections. As a result, you are free from that. However, the rest of the factors still affect you such as the authenticity of the documents, solid purpose, funds, correct information, etc

Is it necessary to submit my UK tourist visa application online?

Yes, for applications for the UK permit from outside the UK, it has to be made online. The offline application is not followed anymore. For the online application, you will have to create an account on the visa and immigration services website, or on the beta Visa4Uk website. You can then proceed with the application based on the instructions.

What are the documents required from a sponsor for a UK tourist visa and how much bank balance is required?

If you are being sponsored by someone for your UK tourist permit, they will have to submit a few documents. They will have to submit an invitation letter stating their details, and also confirm that you will be staying with them and that they will be supporting your stay. For the bank balance, there is no specific amount to be shown. The UK government requires that you have sufficient funds to support your stay. This includes food, accommodation, travel, and other basic necessities.

Do you want to check Visa Guide for other country?

Applied for Dubai visa and received in 2 days flat. Thank you Navanath & Avinash for quick & reliable visa Service. No need of hard copy document & physical visits. It is also cheaper than many other travel agencies. Mr. Kapil Pailwan

Sarang, you got it done man! I had to get done my Taiwan visa. Sarang guided me very well. This visa might bring some complications in terms of medical documentation but trust me he will take you though this very well. 5 out of 5 for you, Sarang! Cheers, Warmly, BHAGYESH DEO Mr. Bhagyesh Deo

We would like to thank BTW visa services and especially Vineet and Shrushti for assisting us for our USA & Schengen visa. We got all possible assistance from the staff. Awesome services You just have to give them necessary documents and everything else is taken care of. Will surely come back to you guys for our next visa. Mrs. Sayali Gujar

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The United Kingdom is amongst the most frequently visited destinations for travellers in the world. What adds to UK’s allure is its proximity with the Schengen region that opens up seamless tourism opportunities for travellers if they combine their UK travel with a visit to continental Europe, to behold its many brilliant landscapes and landmarks. In order to make your UK visa application process hassle-free and convenient, UK Visas and Immigration and VFS Global offer you an exclusive array of value-added services.

This is in addition to the Premium Lounge facility and the On Demand Mobile Visa services available at the UK visa application centres.

Choose from any of these time-saving services:

Keep Your Passport When Applying

If you need to apply for multiple visas, such as a UK / Schengen combination, or wish to make a short trip while waiting for your UK visa to be processed,

you will find the ‘Keep My Passport When Applying’ service at the UK Visa Application Centre very helpful. After enrolling your biometrics and submitting your visa application at the UK visa application centre, if you have opted for this service, your passport is handed back to you.

This is extremely useful if you want to carry on with another country’s visa application formalities, as this service allows you to keep your passport with you.

You can keep your passport with you until the UK embassy makes a decision regarding your visa, one way or the other.

Once the decision is made, you will be called once again to complete the procedures as required by the embassy.

The visa application centres of UK and Schengen countries are often conveniently located next to each other at the VFS Global centres. This facility enables applicants to finish the visa formalities of multiple countries along with that of UK in a single day.

Super Priority and Priority Visas

Need a visa at short notice? The Super Priority and Priority Visa services are options for those who need to travel urgently.

For Priority Visa applicants, the process takes 3–5 days, while for Super Priority Visa applicants, this speeds up to a single business day. Super Priority Visa Service is available at VFS Global’s UK visa application centres in New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. Do note that the eligibility for application for either of these services may vary.

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UK visa delay: British High Commission apologises, gives options to travellers

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 year the wait time has extended..

Frustration, Anger and Anxiety. These three words describe the state of mind of every person waiting for their UK visa to arrive. Thousands across the world are facing the same dilemma after the embassies and outsourced visa agency, VFS Global centres are scrambling with a high number of applications after a two-year halt in international travel. 

Bhawan Singh had applied for her UK visa in April end and was supposed to travel on June 5, with no visa stamped she lost all the money spent on flight tickets and hotel accommodation. Sangeetha Iyer is eagerly awaiting her graduation ceremony at Cardiff University on 22nd July, but with her visa still pending she isn't sure when to book the tickets.

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 year the wait time has extended. After apologising for the delays applicants are experiencing, the British High Commission spokesperson assured, “We are working urgently to reduce the current processing time as quickly as possible."

Considering the increase in applications, British High Commission has opened the priority and super priority services only for Indians since April onwards, “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.”

These services can be availed to get visa within a couple of days but at a higher cost.  According to the UK visa and immigration website, at the time of the visa application, if an applicant can verify his/her identity at a visa application centre, and choose the ‘priority service’ 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.

“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.

With no clarity on when things will get normal and what is the ideal time frame relating to their individual applications,  the embassy stated, “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.” 

“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.”

Vertika Kanaujia is Editor Audience Growth at Hindustan Times and oversees the website’s coverage of business news, health, technology and internet culture. She is a Chevening Scholar and a Columbia Journalism University Fellow. Vertika has been a journalist for more than 18 years. After starting her career as a business journalist in TV she has worked with various leading news channels. You can email her at [email protected]. ...view detail

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Tue 7 May 2024

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How to get a visa for India: Rules for UK applications explained with new measures to ease ‘stressful’ backlog

The uk has been excluded from the list of countries eligible for e-visas for travel to india. hundreds of holidays were disrupted as travellers struggled to secure an in-person visa appointment.

British tourists must apply for a visa to visit India , and are not eligible for e-visas, a rule that has caused disruption to hundreds of holidays.

However, the Indian High Commission has announced new “interim measures” to speed up applications, including a service that will collect relevant papers from your doorstep and return them once processed – for a fee.

Before the pandemic , the UK was among tens of countries from which most holidaymakers could use an e-visa to travel to India . The system was fairly straightforward and similar to applying for a US Esta.

It was reinstated for 156 countries when India fully reopened to tourism in February , but the UK was left off the list of eligible nationalities. The Indian High Commission confirmed on 7 October, following weeks of confusion, that Britons would need to attend in-person appointments and interviews to secure a visa.

In October, visa applicants reported difficulties securing a slot at the the nine processing centres across the UK, which were booked up well into November. Travellers who were able to book an appointment spoke of long waits at the centres and people being sent away due to small mistakes on their paperwork.

UK tour operators have cancelled many trips, and refunded customers. Some have stopped selling trips to India for the rest of the year.

Ashley Quint, holiday designer at Berkhamsted travel agency TravelTime World, told i that two clients had found the process “difficult” and “stressful”.

Last month, Aito, the specialist travel association, estimated that around 1,500 of its members’ bookings were affected.

Why can’t British tourists use an e-visa?

It is not clear why the UK was been excluded from the list of eligible countries; Canada has also been left off the list.

Theories include an administrative oversight with the end of the Brexit transition period having occurred between India suspending and reinstating its e-visas (all current EU member states are on the eligible list), or as a reciprocal measure given that it is an arduous process for Indian citizens to apply for a UK visa.

For now, there is no suggestion as to if, and when, e-visas might be reinstated for Britons.

How to get a visa for travel to India

You should make an appointment in good time ahead of your trip to India. These can be booked online .

There is a three-step process: After applying online, submit your documents at an Indian Visa Application Centre, then collect the documents from the centre or receive them via post. You can check the status of an application online .

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warns that you should make sure that you have the right visa and that it is valid for the purpose and duration of your stay.

Under the entry requirements on the India advice page, it adds: “If you enter India on the wrong visa, you could be detained on arrival and you may be deported and blacklisted, meaning that you cannot enter India again.”

More from Travel

There is further information available through the High Commission of India in London and the Government of India’s Bureau of Immigration .

The FCDO advises that overstaying your visa is an offence in India and to ensure you leave the country before your visa has expired.

Visa applicants of Pakistani origin who have dual nationality must apply for an Indian visa on their Pakistani passport.

The new measures to speed up applications

Indian High Commissioner, Vikram K Doralswami, said in a video posted on Twitter last week that the number of visa applications being handled for travel to India from the UK had doubled to 40,000 from 20,000 in a month as a result of changes made to the booking system in October.

The High Commissioner has previously said that the visa process had been “difficult”.

New visa processing centres have opened in Glasgow and Marylebone, London (the latter on 1 November) to help reduce waiting times.

A new “visa at your doorstep” service is also being introduced under which travellers can pay a fee to have their papers collected for processing and returned to them after processing.

To assist with this, the service provider will also offer a service at a small cost to have documents checked online before they are taken to be processed.

There will also be a form filling service for those that need extra help in completing the paperwork.

The Indian High Commission has yet to release details on how to apply and pay for these services.

Visas for group tours travelling to the same destination in India and on the same flights, usually with a tour operator, are available again as of 1 November.

What to do if you’re due to travel to India

If you are planning to travel to India in the next couple of months, then be sure to apply for a visa as soon as possible.

Travel agents have reported customers having to rely on appointments on the day before they travel.

Ashley Quint from TravelTime World told i : “ I have been trying to help a couple of people who have been caught up in this mess.

“They were panicking because the only date they could get for their appointment was the day before they were travelling and found the process difficult.”

“I believe they got their visa in the end, and were able to travel, but it was really to the wire and stressful.”

If travelling with a tour operator, or booking through a travel agent, contact them for the latest advice.

Most Read By Subscribers

Foreign and student visa applications to UK plummet as tough new curbs kick in

Visual Stories

Earlier this year, the U.S. Embassy in India revealed that there was a 60% increase in visa applications from India in 2023, as compared to 2022. One out of every ten U.S. visa applicants around the world is an Indian. It’s no wonder then that despite processing a record 1.4 million visas from India and bringing down visa wait times by 75% in 2023, US visa wait times in India remain long. There have been efforts to streamline the process—such as consolidating the visa-waiver appointments to New Delhi and conducting ‘Super Saturday’ drives for visa appointments in New Delhi—but the wait times still remain well over a year in some Indian cities. Here are the current US visa wait times across India:

Note: Visa wait times are subject to change. It is advisable to get in touch with your nearest embassy for the latest updates. The following wait times are as per the data available on 30 April

Current wait times for a US visa across India:

Chennai: 507 days Mumbai: 494 days Hyderabad: 282 days New Delhi: 162 days Kolkata: 151 days

If these wait times are too long for you, you can apply for a B1/B2 visa through an international destination you may already have travel plans for. The wait times are a day in Kuwait , two days in Hanoi , Vietnam, and three days in Kuala Lumpur . Some countries have about a month-long wait time—29 days in Phnom Penh , Cambodia, 39 days in Bangkok , 38 days in Fiji’s capital Savu , 43 days in Singapore and 59 days in Riyadh . These global visa wait times can change based on workload and staffing. While these wait times are for residents, schedules for non-residents in different countries don’t differ, as per travel agent Akash Pratim, founder of Elite Tours & Travels. Pratim, however, does highlight that Indians applying for a US visa from other countries could be questioned about the reason for applying via a third country. He, therefore, advises being prepared with an answer on the wait time in your city.

Politics latest: Defence secretary giving statement on MoD hack - as PM defends 'robust' China policy

The defence secretary is giving a statement about a hacking attack on the UK's Ministry of Defence, which Sky News understands China was behind. Meanwhile, Scotland's new first minister has been voted in by MSPs.

Tuesday 7 May 2024 17:48, UK

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

• Coming up on Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge at 7pm
• China hacked Ministry of Defence, Sky News learns
• Contractor behind system named in House of Commons
• Explained: What we know about cyber attack - and who's behind it
• Sam Coates:  Why the government won't name China
• Scotland's new first minister voted in
• Labour rejects PM's election prediction
• Live reporting by Ben Bloch and (earlier)   Faith Ridler

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith - who is himself sanctioned by China and a vocal proponent of treating it as more of a threat - got into quite a testy exchange with the defence secretary in the Commons.

He said the government was warned by the Americans nearly two years ago of the hack of the Electoral Commission that was confirmed earlier this year, and accused the government of having kept quiet in that time.

He also accused the government of failing to be honest that nearly 40 MPs in total were hacked by China.

Mr Duncan Smith went on to say that he has a "concern" that the government refuses to publicly blame China for this latest hack, and expressed concern that "we may spend another two years" waiting for confirmation.

Given all of the above, he questioned: "Why in heaven's name don't we take the decision to place this malign actor into that enhanced [tier of the foreign influence registration scheme] and then make sure we deal with them accordingly?"

The defence secretary replied that he is "unable" to "jump to the conclusion" that China is responsible for this hack."

He went on: "You'd expect me to follow due process, but I rather support his view that if attribution is required, that that should happen in a timely and speedy manner.

"And I will undertake from this despatch box to ensure that in this case that is what happens and that we do not get into a situation where many months or years pass by without it being mentioned."

Mr Duncan Smith will be on tonight's edition of Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge - watch and follow live from 7pm.

Grant Shapps was pushed by Tory MP and chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Alicia Kearns, on China's involvement in the hack, revealed by Sky News last night.

The defence secretary worded his response carefully, saying: "It is not the case in this circumstance, and I don't want to mislead the House, that there is a proven connection."

He stressed that while a "malign actor is involved", the government has "yet to make a full connection to a statement".

He added that he "can't rule out" that being the case, but said there is "no evidence to conclude that way - yet".

As we have explained, the process for a government minister to be able to formally name a foreign state as the perpetrator of malicious cyberactivity takes many months.

Tory MP Sir Jeremy Quin asked the defence secretary when the "malign actor" responsible for the hack of the MoD contractor's system will be formally named.

Sky News understands that the perpetrator is China, but Grant Shapps told MPs that the process of formally accusing it "is a specific process" which "does take some time".

He did not give any sort of timeframe.

On the contractor itself, Mr Shapps said the UK does "expect very high standards" from all who provide services to UK government departments.

In response to the statement by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps confirming a hack of the Ministry of Defence, his Labour counterpart, John Healey, questioned how the media obtained news about it before he informed parliament.

He said it must have been worrying for Armed Forces staff to hear about this breach from the media, rather than their superiors.

He asked if a leak inquiry has been launched.

Mr Healey went on: "Any such hostile action against our forces is utterly unacceptable, and their protection must be the first order of priority for the defence secretary, whether on operations abroad or for the data at home."

As we've reported in our previous post, Mr Healey claimed SSCL (Shared Services Connected Ltd) is the contractor involved in the data breach, and he asked the defence secretary what other contracts the firm holds across government.

The shadow defence secretary said there have been a number of data breaches in recent years, and said this latest hack "raises serious questions about how the MoD manages its outsourced services".

Sky News revealed last night that China is responsible for the hack, and while he acknowledged there is a detailed process to be undertaken before blame can be formally attributed, he said if it is China, it would be "a very serious threat to our national security", sharply criticising the government's defence policy.

In response, the defence secretary said firstly that Sky News's revelation of the hack last night was "unwelcome".

He confirmed that 272,000 people appear to have been affected by the data breach, but it could be a lower number.

On the contractor itself, SSCL, Mr Shapps confirmed it is the contractor involved, and said the government has "ordered a formal review of their work within MoD", as well as "across government".

A company responsible for multiple government systems has been named as the contractor running the Ministry of Defence's payroll that was hacked by China.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed SSCL (Shared Services Connected Ltd) is the contractor after it was named by shadow defence secretary John Healey in the House of Commons.

It comes after Sky News revealed last night that the Chinese state had hacked the Armed Forces' payroll system .

Names, addresses and bank details of current Army, Royal Navy and RAF personnel and some veterans were exposed by the hack.

SSCL is a subsidiary of the Paris-based tech company Sopra Steria. The company is the largest provider of business support services for the government and the UK military, as well as the Metropolitan Police Service.

Its website says it provides payroll, HR and pension services to 230,000 military personnel and reservists, and two million veterans, with a "wholly safe and secure service" that is "data protected to the highest levels".

Sky News has approached SSCL and Sopra Steria for a comment.

The prime minister said earlier he wanted to reassure people the MoD has already removed the network, taken it offline and is "making sure the people affected are supported in the right way".

China said the accusations were "completely fabricated and malicious slanders".

The UK embassy spokesman said: "I will hereby reiterate that the so-called cyber attacks by China against the UK are completely fabricated and malicious slanders.

"We strongly oppose such accusations. China has always firmly fought all forms of cyber attacks according to law. China does not encourage, support or condone cyber attacks. 

"At the same time, we oppose the politicisation of cyber security issues and the baseless denigration of other countries without factual evidence.

"China has neither the interest nor the need to meddle in the internal affairs of the UK."

The defence secretary has given a statement in the House of Commons on a hack targeting British service personnel.

He did not name China as the perpetrator due to the lengthy process required to be able to formally do so, although Sky News understands that it is responsible.

Here is what he says, as he says it:

• Grant Shapps says there are "indications that a malign actor gained access to part of the Armed Forces' payment network";
• He emphasises that it is an "external network" and is not connected to the main MoD system;
• The defence secretary says the system is operated by an external contractor, and there is "evidence of potential failings by them which may have made it easier for the malign actor to gain entry" - a security review is under way;
• In response, he says, the government has "enacted a multipoint response plan to support and protect our people";
• The system is now offline, and a full investigation has been launched by the Cabinet Office, with the help of external experts;
• Those affected have been alerted today, he says, advice is available on the government website, and a helpline has been set up;
• Mr Shapps says all payments were stopped when the breach was detected, and the system was isolated - but he adds that all April salaries have been paid and pensions should not be affected;
• But the defence secretary declines to release further details, although he does say the UK "cannot rule out state involvement";
• He apologises to the people affected, saying the breach "should not have happened".

Grant Shapps is on his feet in the House of Commons giving a statement on China's hack of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The defence secretary will tell MPs of a massive data breach involving the MoD, targeting service personnel, revealed by Sky News yesterday.

The government will not name the country involved, but Sky News understands this to be China.

The Chinese state is to be accused of two or three attempts at hacking MoD employees - including personnel.

China's foreign ministry has said it "firmly opposes and fights all forms of cyber attacks" and "rejects the use of this issue politically to smear other countries".

Watch the statement live on Sky News, in the stream above, and follow live updates here in the Politics Hub.

 Our flagship weeknight politics show  Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge  will be live on Sky News from 7pm.

The fast-paced programme dissects the inner workings of Westminster, with interviews, insights, and analysis - bringing you, the audience, into the corridors of power.

Sophy will be joined by Tory MP and former party leader Iain Duncan Smith to discuss China's hack of the Ministry of Defence.

On the same topic, Sophy will also hear from  Brian Lord , former deputy director for intelligence and cyber operations at GCHQ.

And on her panel tonight will be:

• Baroness Kate Fall , Tory peer and former deputy chief of staff to David Cameron;
• Tom Hamilton , former Labour head of research.

Watch live on Sky News, in the stream at the top of this page, and follow live updates here in the Politics Hub.

"This is not the collaborative place it has been in the past."

John Swinney acknowledged the divisions in the Scottish parliament in his first speech since MSPs voted him in as first minister.

Our Scotland correspondent Connor Gillies  says it was an attempt at outreach to other party leaders at Holyrood, as he'll need their help to govern effectively given the SNP leads a minority administration.

But he didn't shy away from the issue of independence, despite polls suggesting the country is still divided on that - around 50/50.

"While he needs to tell the party and the party faithful that is a priority," says Connor, he also needs to work with people not persuaded.

He also has work to do on controversial gender reform laws.

Despite Mr Swinney's vast experience, having been first minister before and held cabinet positions under Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf, today was still a "big moment" for him.

"He is back in the top job," says Connor, and has plenty of work to do.

Scotland's new first minister, John Swinney, has just spoken to journalists after MSPs at Holyrood voted him into the top job.

He says it's "very clear" the SNP wants to "move forward", and he'll "work with other political parties" to pursue his priorities.

He doesn't mention independence, instead citing an aspiration to eradicate child poverty.

"That will not happen overnight - these are deeply entrenched problems," he admits.

But he says he's "absolutely over the moon" to become first minister.

"I'm thrilled, I look forward to the challenge, and will give it everything."

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• Visas and immigration
• What you need to do

How to apply for a visa to come to the UK

Choose a visa.

You may need a visa to come to the UK to study, work, visit or join family.

There are different visas depending on:

• where you come from
• why you want to come to the UK
• how long you want to stay for
• your personal circumstances and skills

Before you apply, you must check if you need a visa and what type you need. Depending on your nationality, you might not need a visa to visit or transit through the UK.

Your application must be approved before you travel.

You do not need to apply for a visa if you’re an Irish citizen.

If you want to visit the UK

Apply for a Standard Visitor visa to visit the UK for up to 6 months. For example:

• for a holiday or to see family and friends
• for a business trip or meeting
• to do a short course of study

You must apply for a Marriage Visitor visa if you want to visit the UK to get married or register a civil partnership.

If you have a visitor visa you cannot take a job in the UK.

If you’re travelling through the UK

You might need a visa if you’re travelling through the UK on your way to another country, for example if you have a layover between flights.

Apply for a visa to travel through the UK .

If you want to study in the UK

Your course length, type and place of study affect which visa to apply for.

A Standard Visitor visa lets you do a short course of study that lasts no longer than 6 months.

A Short-term study visa lets you come to the UK to study an English language course that is over 6 months and up to 11 months.

A Student visa is usually for a longer course. You must be sponsored by a licensed college or university and have a confirmed place. On this visa, you may be able to do some work.

A Child Student visa is for 4 to 17 year olds who want to study at an independent school. If you’re 16 or over, this visa lets you do some work.

If you want to work in the UK

You can work in the UK on a short or long-term basis with a work visa. There are many types of work visa .

The visa you need depends upon:

• your skills and qualifications
• if you have a job offer and sponsorship
• if you want to bring your family with you
• what you’ll be doing - for example sporting, charitable or religious work

You can set up a business with an Innovator Founder visa .

If you want to join family in the UK

If you’re a spouse, partner or family member of someone who has British citizenship or settlement in the UK, you can apply for a family visa to join them. They may need to show that they can support you financially.

You may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain ( ILR ) after a set amount of time living in the UK.

If your family member is in the UK on a visa

You may be able to apply for a visa to join a family member who’s in the UK on a visa. They must be either:

• your spouse or partner
• your parent if you’re 18 or under

Check what visa you’ll need to join them.

Family reunion visas for refugees

If you were separated from your partner or child when you were forced to leave your country, they can apply to join you in the UK.

Your family members can apply if you have been given asylum or 5 years’ humanitarian protection, and not have British citizenship.

If your family member is from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

You can apply for a free EU Settlement Scheme family permit to come to the UK if you have a close family member who:

• was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
• has pre-settled or settled status
• you had a relationship with by 31 December 2020 (unless you’re applying for a child who was born or adopted after this date)

Close family members include your spouse or civil partner, child, grandchild, parent or grandparent.

A family permit lets you live, work and study in the UK for up to 6 months. You can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to stay in the UK after your family permit expires. You usually need to apply within 3 months of arriving in the UK.

Other ways to get permission to live in the UK

If you’re from the eu, switzerland, norway, iceland or liechtenstein.

If you started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme instead of applying for a visa. The deadline to apply was 30 June 2021, but you can still apply if you can show reasonable grounds for the delay in applying.

Check if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme .

You can only apply from outside the UK if you have a valid passport or national identity card with a biometric chip.

Commonwealth citizens

You can apply for an Ancestry visa to work in the UK if you have a British grandparent and meet other eligibility criteria.

You may have right of abode to live in the UK.

If you’re a Commonwealth citizen and cannot prove your right to be in the UK, read about the Windrush scheme .

Returning residents

You’ll need to apply for a returning resident visa to come back to the UK if one of the following is true:

you had indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme (‘settled status’) and left the UK for more than 5 continuous years (or 4 continuous years if you’re a Swiss citizen or their family member)

you had permanent permission to stay in the UK (‘indefinite leave to remain’) but it was not under the EU Settlement Scheme and you left the UK for more than 2 years

Other visas

There may be another visa that’s right for you based on your circumstances. Check if you need a visa and what other visas you’re eligible for.

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