Support migrant centric journalism today and donate
The following information sets out UK service standards and where available, the approximate timescales for deciding applications. Current projections indicate that their performance across all workstreams is meeting the new service standards.
Work Permits and SBS
Service Standard: 70% of new applications to be decided within one week of receipt at UK payment handling service and 90% within three weeks.
Current Performance
May Performance | June Performance | |
% of applications decided within 1 week | 75% | 75% |
% of applications decided within 3 weeks | 92% | Awaiting data |
If the UK visa officials need to make further checks or seek additional information, your application is more likely to fall into the category that can take up to three weeks or even longer.
Limited Leave to Remain
Service Standard: 70% of new applications to be decided within four weeks of receipt at UK payment handling service and 90% within nine weeks.
Current Performance
April performance | May performance | |
% of applicants decided within 4 weeks | 78% | 83% |
% of applications decided within 9 weeks | 96% | Awaiting data |
If UK visa officials need to make further checks or seek additional information, your application is more likely to fall into the category that can take up to 9 weeks or even longer.
HSMP
Service Standard: 50% of new applications to be decided within 5 weeks of receipt at our payment handling service and 90% within 14 weeks.
Current Performance
April Performance | |
% of applications decided within 5 weeks | 60% |
% of applications decided within 14 weeks | Awaiting data |
If they need to make further checks or seek additional information, your application is more likely to fall into the category that can take up to 14 weeks or even longer.
The UK is trying to reduce the number of older HSMP cases as quickly as possible. The oldest applications now being processed were made in the week commencing 20 July 2004.