UK Leave to Remain Processing Times: What to Expect

If you are applying for leave to remain in the UK, the processing time depends on the type of application you are making and whether you apply from inside or outside the UK. For a Student visa extension made inside the UK, a decision is usually made within 8 weeks. For most work, study and visit visas applied for outside the UK, the standard processing time is 3 weeks, while family visas and British National (Overseas) applications take 12 weeks. These are service standards, not guarantees, and applications can take longer if UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) needs more information or evidence from you.

Student visa extensions: the 8-week standard

If you are already in the UK on a Student visa (or a Tier 4 (General) student visa) and you apply to extend it, UKVI will usually make a decision within 8 weeks. This is the standard processing time for applications made from inside the UK.

The 8-week period is a service standard rather than a fixed deadline. UKVI will contact you if your application is complex and will take longer. Examples of circumstances that can extend the time include:

• your supporting documents need to be verified
• you need to attend an interview
• your personal circumstances require further consideration, for example if you have a criminal conviction

You may be able to pay for a faster decision. UKVI will tell you whether this option is available when you apply.

Applying from outside the UK: 3 weeks for most categories

If you apply for a Student visa from outside the UK, the standard processing time is 3 weeks. This is the same standard that applies to most other visa categories applied for outside the UK.

The table below sets out the current published processing times for applications made outside the UK, based on the volume of applications UKVI is currently handling.

Category	Processing time
Standard Visitor	3 weeks
Marriage Visitor	3 weeks
Student	3 weeks
Child Student	3 weeks
Short-term student (6 to 11 month English language courses)	3 weeks
Partner or spouse	12 weeks
Parent	12 weeks
Child	12 weeks
Adult coming to be cared for by a relative	12 weeks
Homes for Ukraine	3 weeks
Skilled Worker	3 weeks
Health and Care Worker	3 weeks
Global Talent	3 weeks
Youth Mobility Scheme	3 weeks
High Potential Individual (HPI)	3 weeks
Innovator Founder	3 weeks
British National (Overseas)	12 weeks
Returning Resident	3 weeks

These times are based on the UK working week, Monday to Friday, and include UK public holidays. They do not include public holidays in other countries.

When your processing time starts and ends

UKVI starts processing your application once you have done one of two things:

• verified your identity and submitted your documents and application online using the UK Immigration: ID Check app (if you are told you can use it)
• attended your appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) to provide your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information)

The processing time ends when you receive a letter or email telling you that a decision has been made on your application. If you attended a VAC and left your passport there, you should not return to the VAC until you have been contacted.

You do not need to contact UKVI to track your application if it is still within the current processing times. UKVI will not be able to provide information on the status of your application in that period.

What can delay a decision

Your application may take longer than the published processing time if, for example:

• the information in your application is not accurate or requires further consideration
• you need to provide further evidence, such as evidence of funds
• your supporting documents need to be verified
• you need to attend an interview
• further information is required on your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction
• UKVI is experiencing increased visa demand
• there is an unexpected technical outage affecting visa systems

If your application will take longer, UKVI will contact you within the current processing times. If your application has taken longer than the current processing times and you have not been contacted, you should contact UKVI.

Priority service and faster decisions

You may be able to pay for a faster decision on a visa application. This applies both to applications made inside the UK and to applications made outside the UK.

The processing times listed on the GOV.UK guidance page are different if you have paid for a faster decision. UKVI will tell you whether you can use a priority service when you apply.

If you are applying to extend a Student visa from inside the UK, you may be able to pay to get a faster decision, and you will be told if you can when you apply.

What to do next

Before you apply, check the current published processing times on the GOV.UK guidance page for visa decision waiting times for applications outside the UK. If you are applying from inside the UK, check the specific guidance for your visa type, such as the Student visa guide, which states the 8-week standard for extensions.

If your application is already within the published processing time, do not contact UKVI to chase it. If it has gone beyond that time and you have not been contacted, you should contact UKVI.

Remember that processing times are service standards, not guarantees. The most reliable way to know how long your application will take is to check the official GOV.UK page for your specific visa category and application route.