The Home Office resumed the priority visa service for new entry clearance family settlement applications on 20 February 2023.
From now on, applicants who avail of the priority service while submitting new applications from other countries will have their visas processed within 30 working days. Similarly, from 3 April 2023, the processing time for standard applications will be 60 working days.
Needless to say, this is a commendable change in visa processing times that were significantly affected by the war in Ukraine. The demand for visa services grew rapidly, resulting in longer processing times. Plus, many visa routes were temporarily suspended, as caseworkers were tasked with prioritizing the applications for pathways introduced for Ukrainians.
Apart from the suspension of priority visa services, the standard processing time for family visa applications increased from 60 days to 120 days. As a result, many families were forced to stay apart in different countries for several months since their visa applications were pending.
Therefore, the Home Office’s decision to resume priority services and the restoration of standard processing times shows that the UK visa services are slowly recovering after incurring disruptions in 2022.
About Priority Visa Service
Visa applicants who opt for the priority service get their applications processed within 5 working days. You’ll be guided about your eligibility to use the priority service during the visa application process.
Don’t forget that if you opt for the priority service, you will have to pay an additional fee other than the charges for your visa application. Click here for detailed information.
The priority visa service is a feasible option for people who want their visa within a short time or who cannot wait for their application to be processed as per standard processing times.
Who Should Opt For A UK Family Visa?
Foreign nationals who want to live with their family members in the UK for more than 6 months are advised to submit an application for a family visa. Here are the family members you are allowed to accompany in the UK on a family visa;
- Your spouse or civil partner
- Your fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner
- Your children
- Your parent
- Your relative who promises to give your long-term care
Approved applicants can work and study in the UK.
For help or assistance with any UK visa application, you can get in touch with the Home Office directly through the official website.
We hope you found this information helpful. Follow our blogs for the latest updates and informative content on UK immigration.
