This is the most frequently asked question by numerous applicants with pending UK visa application(s) since the processing times followed by the Home Office vary significantly.
The answer to the question relies on the visa category you have applied for and if you submitted your application from the UK or another country.
Applicants Applying From Another Country
The visa application passport centre will retain your original passport throughout the processing period unless;
- The ‘keep my passport’ service is available in the country where you are located at the time of submitting your application.
- You have multiple passports.
As a result, you won’t be able to travel to another country before your visa application is processed and your passport is returned.
However, you can travel while having a pending UK visa application If you can avail of the ‘keep my passport’ service or have multiple valid passports
But you are advised to avoid travelling to the UK while your application awaits processing. This is because applicants who visit the UK while having pending UK visa applications for residence could face problems on arrival at the UK border. Plus, it puts a poor impression on authorities.
Applicants Who Apply While Living In The UK
You are allowed to travel to the UK or from the UK to another country while having a pending application for British Citizenship or the EU Settlement Scheme. However, it all relies on your specific circumstances.
You are advised to stay in the UK until your application is processed if you are going for an indefinite leave to remain in the UK or permission to stay/leave to remain. This is because the authorities may treat your exit from the UK while your application is pending as an automatic withdrawal. Don’t forget that the Home Office will find out if you leave the UK through the information collected by Border Force, which is becoming more digitized with each passing day.
We hope you found this information helpful. Follow our blogs for the latest updates and informative content on UK immigration.
