United Kingdom: Priority and super priority services reinstated

In brief

The Home Office announced on 12 August 2022 that priority and super priority services for new study and work visa applications being applied for from outside the UK have been reinstated. Priority services are still suspended for new family, Innovator, Start-up and High Potential Individual visa routes. The priority service for visitor visas is available, however the number of priority service available has been reduced. 


Contents


Processing times

Applications submitted under the priority service should typically be processed in five working days or in one to two days under super priority service. 

The processing time under the standard service is significantly longer:

  • Visitor visas are currently taking an average of six weeks to process.
  • Study visas will take an average of three weeks to process.
  • Work visas will take an average of four weeks to process.
  • Family visas will take an average of 12 weeks to process.
  • Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visas will take an average of 12 weeks to process.

We would caution that although the priority and super priority services are reinstated, delays can still occur with the processing of applications.  

 

Related links

Visa decision waiting times: applications outside the UK 

Important Changes to Priority Visa Services offered by UKVI from 12 August | vfsglobal

 

Further details regarding these changes can be obtained by reaching out to your usual contact in our Global Immigration & Mobility team. 

Contact Information
Richard Mills
Associate at BakerMcKenzie
London
Read my Bio
richard.mills@bakermckenzie.com
Ying Fong Li
Senior Immigration Specialist
London
ying.li@bakermckenzie.com
Wendy Mortimer
Senior Immigration Specialist at BakerMcKenzie
London
wendy.mortimer@bakermckenzie.com
Natasha Riley
Senior Immigration Specialist
London
natasha.riley@Bakermckenzie.com
Tomoko Sasaki
Senior Immigration Specialist
London
tomoko.sasaki@bakermckenzie.com

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