Immigration News, News, Visas
The Home Office (UKVI) announce that Visa decisions can take up to 16 weeks
The length of time it takes for your application to be processed is a significant factor in deciding when to apply, when to make travel arrangements to come to the United Kingdom and how to manage your future. With this in mind, we are keen to advise that UKVI have announced that applications to switch into or extend a Skilled Worker visa or a Health and Care Worker visa are currently taking, on average, 16 weeks to be decided. This is because of the redirection of resources in response to the war in Ukraine in addition to high global demand for visas.
Remember that you can apply for a UK work visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK.
According to Home Office service standards, applicants applying for a work visa from overseas in any of the above-mentioned categories should normally receive a decision on their application within 3 weeks. This service standard is being met by UKVI at present.
If you are applying for settlement on a work or business route you should usually receive a decision within 6 months.
In response to the delays in application processing, we are in the process of drafting a letter to MPs and the Home Office to raise our concerns.