United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United Kingdom visa processing times
11 visa routes, each with the typical decision window as published by UK Home Office. Click through for the source URL, priority-service notes, and the eligibility criteria that drive the timeline.
| Route | Typical window | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker visa Work visa for non-UK workers with a job offer from a Home Office–licensed sponsor in an eligible occupation. | 2 weeks – 3 weeks | 2026-04-20 |
| Health and Care Worker visa Discounted Skilled Worker route for eligible NHS, adult social care, and allied health roles. | 2 weeks – 3 weeks | 2026-04-20 |
| Youth Mobility Scheme visa Unsponsored 2-year visa for 18–30 or 18–35 year olds from participating countries and territories. | 2 weeks – 3 weeks | 2026-04-20 |
| Student visa Study visa for international students enrolled with a licensed Student sponsor at eligible UK institutions. | 2 weeks – 3 weeks | 2026-04-20 |
| Standard Visitor visa Short-stay visa for tourism, visiting family, or permitted business activities up to 6 months. | 2 weeks – 3 weeks | 2026-04-20 |
| Global Talent visa Unsponsored visa for leaders or potential leaders in academia, research, arts, culture, or digital technology. | 3 weeks – 8 weeks | 2026-04-20 |
| High Potential Individual visa Unsponsored work visa for graduates of a time-limited list of top global universities. | 3 weeks – 4 weeks | 2026-04-20 |
| Innovator Founder visa Endorsement-based visa for founders launching an innovative, viable and scalable business in the UK. | 3 weeks – 8 weeks | 2026-04-20 |
| Scale-up visa Sponsored route for workers joining qualifying fast-growing UK scale-up businesses, with faster settlement timelines. | 3 weeks – 8 weeks | 2026-04-20 |
| Graduate visa Post-study work visa for recent graduates of eligible UK higher education institutions. | 6 weeks – 8 weeks | 2026-04-20 |
| Family visa (partner/spouse) Visa for partners of British citizens, settled persons, or certain other qualifying sponsors. | 3 months – 6 months | 2026-04-20 |
Source authority: GOV.UK — Browse visas and immigration.