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Frequently Asked Questions About Processing Times

• Why is my form type or office not listed?
• Where should I look for my processing time if my receipt lists the National Benefit Center (NBC)?
• Where can I find my receipt number?

Case Inquiries

• I think my case is taking too long; when can I submit a service request?
• Why are the processing times increasing for the form type I submitted?
• I have been waiting longer for a decision than the time displayed for my form type and office. Why?

Methodology and Calculations of Processing Times

• Do the processing times listed on the website include cases where a request for evidence (RFE) or other notice has been sent or where biometrics submission is required?
• Are visa-regressed Forms I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, included in the calculation?

No. Visa regressed adjustment applications are not included in the processing times shown on the website. You can find additional information on visa retrogression on our website .

• Are petitions that had an approval revoked included in the processing times calculations?

No. We use the first decision (that is, approval or denial) to calculate processing times.

• Are premium processing cases included in the processing times calculations?

No, cases that undergo premium processing are not included in the processing times calculations.

• How often is this website updated?

We make every effort to update the processing times every month. For most forms, the processing times displayed are based on data that are one month old. For forms that still use the cycle time methodology, the processing times displayed are based on data captured approximately two months prior to updating the page.

• Why did USCIS switch from a range of times to showing one single time?

We received feedback that the range of times could be confusing to interpret, and we continually work to improve how we communicate processing times.

• Why do some forms use the cycle time methodology to calculate processing times?

Historically, we used the cycle time methodology to present public processing times. In 2018, we implemented a revised methodology that is used for most forms. Over time, all forms will use the processing time methodology. Cycle time is now mostly used as an internal metric to measure progress we make toward reducing our backlog.

• There appears to be an error on the webpage; who should I contact?

You may contact the USCIS webmaster at [email protected] .

• I want to know what processing times were in the past; where can I find this information?

We provide historical processing times for select forms from FY 2012 to FY 2022 on the Historic Processing Times webpage . This information represents the cumulative median processing time by fiscal year (Oct. 1-Sept. 30), using the current processing time methodology. This webpage is updated on a quarterly basis.

• Where can I find additional notes on how USCIS calculates the processing times for specific forms?

We place information related to specific forms on the processing time webpage in the “Notes” section and in the “Other Case Processing Time Resources” section of the processing times webpage.

• When will USCIS provide data on processing times for countries newly designated or redesignated for TPS?

USCIS will provide processing times for newly designated or redesignated countries when we have 6 months of completion data available.

Form-Specific Questions

• I filed Form I-485 together with Form I-130, Form I-140, or Form I-360. Which processing time should I look at?

If you filed Form I-485 together with Form I-130, Form I-140, or Form I-360, please refer to the processing time for Form I-485.

• I filed a standalone Form I-130 that was relocated to a field office for interview. Which processing time should I look at?

We do not currently post processing times for a standalone Form I-130 at a field office. As noted above, we are working to develop processing times for all forms, form categories, and offices. If your Form I-130 was relocated from a Service Center to a field office for an interview, this may impact your processing time

• I filed Form N-400 while my Form I-751 is still pending. Which processing time should I look at?

We will adjudicate your Form I-751 before or concurrently with your Form N-400. Please refer to the processing time for Form N-400.

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Application for Travel Document: Form I-131 Explained

How to apply for advance parole.

If you’re waiting to be issued a green card or you have an active case with immigration, USCIS doesn’t want you to leave the country without advance permission. 

Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, allows people with pending cases to obtain permission to travel outside of the country temporarily. This is what you should know about how, when, and why to use form I-131.

What Is Form I-131?

Form I-131, Application for Travel Document is used to apply for an advance parole document. Advance parole allows people who are not permanent residents or U.S. citizens to leave and re-enter the United States under specific circumstances for a limited amount of time. 

The word “parole” is often associated with a criminal being let out of prison before they’ve completed their term. In immigration, the term “parole” means something different . You aren’t in trouble, and you certainly aren’t regarded as a criminal. The term as used by immigration means that you’ve received special permission to travel while your application is pending and you are “paroled” into the U.S. to continue the application process. 

If you are not yet a permanent resident or a citizen, you may need an approved Form I-131 before you can depart the country without jeopardizing your immigration status or ongoing applications with USCIS. 

Leaving the country without obtaining a travel document could be interpreted as abandoning your USCIS case. A travel document shows intent to return to the United States.

Who Needs Form I-131?

If you have a pending application with USCIS for asylum or adjustment of status, you aren’t allowed to leave the country. This would result in your application being deemed abandoned. 

If you encounter a situation where you need to briefly leave the country (like to complete the sale of your old home, visit a sick family member, or attend the wedding of a loved one), you need permission from USCIS to travel. 

A travel document will give you permission to come and go before you become a permanent resident or asylee of the United States. Once you receive permanent resident status, you’ll no longer need a travel document for trips outside of the United States shorter than 12 months. If you become a citizen, you won’t need a travel document for any trips outside of the United States, regardless of their duration. 

Form I-131 can also be used to apply for a re-entry permit, which can allow permanent residents to remain outside the United States for a year or more.

How Do You Use Form I-131 for a Re-Entry Permit?

USCIS wants you to file Form I-131 before you leave the country. If you’re a lawful permanent resident of the United States, they want you to travel for less than one year at a time. If you’re a permanent resident who stayed outside of the United States for one year or more without a travel document, you may need to take a few extra steps before you return. 

If you’ve been gone for more than twelve months, you’ll likely be taken aside at the airport for secondary inspection by the Department of Homeland Security . Immigration officials can claim that you attempted to abandon your permanent resident status and attempt to have it revoked, which will lead to a lengthy legal battle. You may be placed into removal proceedings and ultimately returned to your country of origin if you cannot establish you did not intend to abandon your residence.

If you had a legitimate reason for staying outside of the United States for a year or more, you can apply for a returning resident visa. Consular officials will consider situations like serious illness or injury to you or a family member to be a pressing circumstance. They no longer consider COVID-related claims. 

After viewing your case, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate may issue you a returning resident visa. A returning resident visa will allow you to enter the United States with minimal risk to your resident status. 

The best course of action if you need to remain outside the U.S. for a year or more is to apply for a re-entry permit before departing the U.S. This shows your that you do not intend to abandon your lawful permanent residence.

What Happens If You Leave the United States Without an Approved Form I-131 Travel Document?

If you leave the United States without completing Form I-131 and receiving a travel document while you have a case pending with USCIS, they will deny your case. If you leave the United States while your case is still pending, USCIS considers your departure as abandonment of your case. 

Can You Leave the United States Before You Receive Your Travel Document?

You’re technically allowed to leave the United States before you receive your travel document if your Form I-131 has been reviewed and approved. However, it is always best to have the actual advance parole document on hand before leaving the country. 

Can You Get an Emergency Travel Document With Form I-131?

USCIS is willing to consider emergency processing of many documents on a case-by-case basis. If you’re dealing with an urgent situation, like the death or severe illness of a family member overseas, you can request an emergency appointment with USCIS regarding your travel paperwork. 

You’ll need to arrive at your appointment with your passport and passport photos, completed I-131 travel document forms, and proof of an emergency. You can have your family member’s doctor write an official letter declaring the situation to be an emergency and present that letter as evidence. 

USCIS may be able to issue you an emergency travel document that will allow you to return home right away. They won’t charge you an expedited processing fee for a legitimate emergency. 

Is It Safe To Travel With a Pending Immigration Case?

USCIS would prefer that you didn’t leave the country while your immigration case is pending, even if your application for a travel document was approved. If you miss vital communication with USCIS, like an interview appointment or a request for more information, your immigration case can be denied. 

If you intend to travel while your immigration case is still in progress, it’s vital to check the USCIS website for updates on your case frequently . Ask someone you trust to check your mail for you every day and inform you of correspondences relating to your immigration case. If the phone number you have on file with USCIS can’t be used to reach you while you’re away, update your contact information before you leave. Be prepared to return if USCIS needs you to come back.

When Should You Complete and File Form I-131 to Request Advance Parole?

It’s important to apply for a travel document a few months before you’ll need it. You aren’t allowed to leave the country on advance parole until you’ve been approved and received your travel document. If you leave without an approved travel document, you may not be able to re-enter the United States. 

USCIS estimates the wait time for a travel document to be approximately 90 days, but USCIS perpetually manages a large backlog of cases. It often takes them a while longer to process documents that aren’t considered to be emergency cases. It may take them up to 150 days to issue you a travel document, so you should plan accordingly. You should apply for a travel document even if there’s a chance that your green card may be approved by the time you need to leave the country. 

Life can be unpredictable. You have no way of knowing if an emergency may pull you back home before you’ve received your green card. If you have any strong ties to a country other than the United States, you can file form I-131 at the same time you file the forms for your green card. It’s better to have a travel document and not need it than it is to need a travel document and not have it. You’ll be able to leave at a moment’s notice if you have a valid travel document.

How Long Does a Travel Document Last?

Travel documents may be issued for up to five years from the issue date. You need to return to the United States before the expiration date on your advance parole docuement. You’re allowed to return to the United States and leave again as long as you return before your travel document expires.

If you believe you’ll need to stay outside the United States for longer than the validity, you must return and request another travel document. Your green card will likely be issued before your travel document expires. If that’s the case, return to the United States temporarily to retrieve your official green card. Once you have your green card, you’re free to travel outside of the United States for a maximum of one continuous year. 

If you intend to apply for citizenship , keep in mind that the residency requirement states that you must live primarily in the United States for at least five continuous years before applying or three continuous years if you received your green card through marriage. 

Traveling too frequently or spending too much time outside of the United States may interfere with your ability to apply for citizenship. It’s okay to visit your family back home for a few weeks every year, but be mindful of lengthy visits.

Can You File for a Travel Document Extension?

There is no process for extending a travel document that already exists. If you have a travel document that’s about to expire and need more time, you must return to the United States and file a new Form I-131. Processing times and fees aren’t different if you’re filing for a new travel document. 

The process will work the same exact way as it did the first time, and the waiting period will depend on USCIS’s current caseload. You’ll want to plan accordingly if you think you’ll need to be out of the country after your travel document’s expiration date. Because the waiting period can be several months long, it’s better to cautiously return to the United States and reapply for a travel document before your current travel document expires. 

Can Filing a Form I-131 Prevent You From Being Detained When You Return?

CBP may detain people with pending immigration cases when they re-enter the country, as well as lawful permanent residents who have been outside of the United States for a long period of time. 

Filing Form I-131 won’t prevent you from being pulled aside when you arrive in the United States. Border protection officers want to verify your travel documents and your pending case with immigration before allowing you to pass. It may be an intimidating situation, but there’s typically no reason to worry. If you’ve attended every immigration appointment and responded every time they contacted you, you’ll typically be allowed to re-enter the United States.

If you missed important calls, letters, or appointments while you were gone, you may not be allowed to re-enter. You’re expected to manage your side of your immigration case even if you’re traveling with a valid travel document. Always be mindful of important dates and letters USCIS may send. Ask a trusted person to check your mail in the United States while you’re away.

Do You Need Legal Assistance With Form I-131?

Knowing how and when to file Form I-131 and understanding the rules around traveling with an active green card application is crucial for immigrants who need to leave the United States. The experienced team of immigration attorneys at Cohen, Tucker + Ades may be able to help you navigate the situation.

Contact us for a consultation to review the details of your immigration case. We’ll be able to advise you of your options.

The Use of Parole Under Immigration Law | American Immigration Council

What is Secondary Inspection? | Study in the States | U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Emergency Travel | USCIS

How to check your immigration case status | USAGov

Not sure which option is right for you? Request a confidential consultation today.

Update May 10, 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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Convention Travel Document and Passports

There can be some confusion for non-British individuals and families as to what document they can apply for if they wish to travel outside of the UK (and cannot get a passport from their birth country).

Let’s first discuss what types of documents exist.

At time of writing, there are four different types of travel documents that an individual can apply for, depending on which category they fall under.

This is shown in the table below.

Eligibility and Minimum Criteria

To be eligible for one of the above, you will need to be in the UK and to meet one of the criteria below:

• you have permission to stay as a refugee or stateless person
• you have humanitarian protection for a limited time after a failed asylum application
• you have discretionary leave for a limited time after a failed asylum application
• you’re settled here permanently (known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’)

You must show that you’ve formally applied for and been unreasonably refused a passport by authorities in your country, unless you have permission to be in the UK as a refugee or stateless person.

Fees payable to the Home Office

Assuming you were born after 1929, you will need to pay the following amounts for each document. This is a fee collected by the Home Office and must be paid upon application:

How to apply for a travel document

You will need to have received your biometric residence permit (BRP) which should be up to date. If you are applying for a one-way document (IS137), then you will not need to obtain a BRP.

Please note that some countries will not accept a travel document if there are less than 6 months left on the ‘leave to remain’ date. Please check with the relevant country to ensure you are able to travel.

Family applications to travel

If you are applying as a family, then you can send all the applications in one envelope and they will be dealt with at the same time. Bear in mind that you must include separate applications and there are no discounts for family applications.

We can help you get the right document

Our OISC registered colleagues can help you to make an application for a travel document and if needed, challenge decisions by way of appeal.

We do charge for the travel document service , but we are definitely the lowest when it comes to a paid service.

We assist by doing the following:

• Pre-advise you over the phone or in person if our service is right for you
• Ensure that we can undertake your case. If we cannot, then we will tell you at the beginning
• Asking the relevant questions to understand your specific case
• Gather the right documents needed
• Advise you of the possible outcomes
• Complete the application on your behalf
• Submit the application to the right department at the Home Office
• Chase up with the right departments to get an outcome as soon as possible
• Provide follow up advice and offer relevant services once a decision has been made

Immigration solicitor services at a fraction of the cost

We can offer the same service as immigration solicitors for a travel document but at a much cheaper price. We do this by focussing our service online and by not having a high street presence. Naturally, solicitors are very expensive and charge accordingly.

Can I get free assistance for my document applications?

Yes, of course. You can complete the travel document yourself if you are confident of filling in the application.

There is no need for you to pay solicitors or third-party services like ourselves to complete this task.

You can also ask the Red Cross to help you with the Convention Travel Document which is offered free of charge, but please note that they have long waiting times.

For further reading on what travel documents are suitable for you, please visit the Home Office guide .

Current Home Office Travel Document waiting time

If you have already done your biometrics, the current travel document processing time is 7 weeks .

While this timeframe is subject to change at any time, it is correct as of

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.

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Passport renewal can be a pain. What to know about applications, appointment wait times.

There are many reasons why someone may need a new passport . Whether it's because your last one was damaged or it was expired , you'll want to have a valid passport before you travel. And you'll need one if you have an upcoming international trip.

Applying for a passport can feel a little heavy on the bureaucracy thanks to all the documents and forms you need. And once you've applied, the wait time to get it may be longer than expected.

If you are looking to apply for or renew a passport, here is a guide on how to get one and how quickly you can expect it to come.

How to get a passport?

The process for passport application varies depending on your situation.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

According to the U.S. Department of State, you should apply in person if:

• You are applying for your first passport.
• You are applying for your child who is under 16.
• Your previous passport was issued when you were under 16.
• Your previous passport was lost, stolen or damaged.
• Your previous passport was issued over 15 years ago.

In these cases, you must fill out form DS-11 (that can be found online ) and print it to apply in person.

If none of the above apply, you may be able to get a new passport by mail. According to the State Department, you are eligible to renew by mail if:

• You have your most recent passport (and it is not damaged) and can submit it with your application.
• Your most recent passport was never reported lost or stolen.
• Your most recent passport was issued in the last 15 years.
• Your most recent passport issued when you were 16 or older.
• Your most recent passport is issued to your current name, or you can present a document – such as a marriage certificate or divorce papers – as evidence of a legal name change.
• "It was not limited to less than the normal 10 year period of validity for an adult passport due to multiple passport thefts or losses, or due to issues with passport damage or mutilation."

In these cases, fill out form DS-82 (that can be found online ).

What do you need to get a passport?

According to the USAGov, if you are applying for a passport for the first time as an adult , you must bring the following:

• Application form (form DS-11)
• Proof of citizenship (such as birth certificate) and government-issued photo ID (such as driver's license)
• Photocopies of both citizenship document and photo ID
• Passport photo

According to the USAGov, these are the documents you will need if you're renewing :

• Renewal form (form DS-82)
• Your most recent passport 

If your name has changed since your last passport, you will have to provide legal documentation to verify, such as a certified copy of your marriage certificate or a court order of name change.

How fast can I get a passport?

Expedited processing time is two to three weeks for passport applications applied on or after Dec. 18 2023, according to the State Department.

Processing time does not include mailing time. It could take up to two weeks from your application day for your passport to be "in process." 

As of May 2024, routine processing time is six to eight weeks .

Just Curious for more? We've got you covered

USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From " How to find cheap flight? " to " What is the smallest country? " to " What is the largest state in the US? ", we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our  Just Curious section  to see what else we can answer for you.