The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) department has announced updated visa processing times for 2025.
These changes provide clearer timelines for travelers applying from outside the UK, including for tourism, study, work, and family visas.
The updated visa processing times offer essential information for travelers, as they are intended to help applicants plan their travel and visa applications more effectively.
Travelers are advised to wait for their visa decisions before booking flights or making travel arrangements, TravelBiz cites.
The UK has also noted that visa application fees are non-refundable once processing begins, but refunds are possible if no processing has occurred.
For those needing faster processing, expedited options are available at an additional cost.
The processing of a UK visa application begins once the applicant has verified their identity and submitted the required documents. If eligible, this can be done via the UK Immigration: ID Check app.
Alternatively, applicants must attend a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to provide biometric information. The clock starts once UKVI receives these materials.
For most UK visa categories, processing times are as follows:
Visa applications may experience delays if:
Applicants facing delays beyond the standard processing time should reach out to UKVI for assistance.
For those who need urgent processing, priority services are available in some cases. Applicants should ensure their application is complete and accurate to avoid delays.