United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Standard Visitor visa processing time
Standard Visitor visa: 3 weeks. Priority service (where offered): 5 working days.
Typical window
2 weeks – 3 weeks
Government fees
From around £115 for a standard 6-month visa. Long-term validity options carry higher fees.
Last checked
20 April 2026
What drives the timeline
Standard Visitor visa sits in the short term business category. Typical duration: Up to 6 months per visit; long-term visitor visas valid 2, 5, or 10 years (each stay still 6 months max).. Indicative government fees: From around £115 for a standard 6-month visa. Long-term validity options carry higher fees..
- Does not require a sponsor.
- Non-settlement route.
- Suited for: Short-term visitors for tourism or family visits, Business visitors for meetings and conferences, Those needing repeat short visits.
Primary source
GOV.UK — Standard Visitor visa
https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Standard Visitor visa take to process?
Standard Visitor visa: 3 weeks. Priority service (where offered): 5 working days. These figures come from GOV.UK — Standard Visitor visa and were last verified on 2026-04-20. Always confirm on the primary source before acting.
Is there a priority or premium service that speeds this up?
Refer to the linked primary source for current priority / premium options; availability changes frequently and varies by consular post.
Can you guarantee my application will fall inside this window?
No. Processing times are indicative and depend on case complexity, biometrics scheduling, sponsor-side delays, source country, public-holiday calendars, and policy shifts. The linked source is the only authoritative reference on the day you apply.