If you have applied for a UK visa, waiting for a decision can be a stressful experience, particularly if you have a travel deadline or other important plans. Fortunately, the UK visa application process allows applicants to track the progress of their UK visa application and check their UK visa application status.
In this post, we will walk you through the various ways you can check your UK visa application status, so that you can stay informed and up-to-date throughout the UK visa application process.
We also provide some useful additional information for anyone who is looking to track the status of a UK visa application, including Home Office service standards for deciding a UK visa application, how to find out current UK visa processing times, the factors that can delay a decision on a UK visa application, how to speed up a decision on a UK visa application and how to chase a delayed decision on a UK visa application.
Checking your UK visa application status is an important step in the application process. It allows you to stay informed and can give you an idea of how much longer you may have to wait for a decision. By checking your UK visa application status regularly, you can ensure that your application is moving through the process as expected and that there are no issues or delays.
Additionally, tracking your UK visa application status can help you identify any errors or omissions in your application and allow you to correct them before it’s too late. For example, if you notice that your application has been pending for longer than the average processing time , you may want to contact UKVI to enquire about the status of your application and ensure that there are no issues that need to be addressed.
By checking your UK visa application status, you can plan ahead and make any necessary arrangements. For example, if you receive a notification that your application has been approved, you can start making travel plans or booking accommodation. Alternatively, if you receive a notification that your UK visa application has been refused, you may need to consider reapplying or seeking legal advice regarding an immigration appeal , administrative review or judicial review .
Therefore, it is highly recommended that you regularly check your UK visa application status to stay informed and ensure a smooth UK visa application process.
To check your UK visa application status, you will need certain information about your application. Here are the key pieces of information that you may need:
Personal and contact details: You may need to provide your first name, last name, nationality, date of birth and the email address used on your application form. These details may be used to verify your identity and ensure that you are authorised to access the status of your application.
Passport number: You may need to provide the passport number that you used when you applied for your UK visa. This is another way to verify your identity and ensure that you are authorised to access the status of your application.
Type of visa applied for: As part of the process to track the progress on your immigration application, you may need to confirm the category of UK visa or immigration route that you applied for.
Date of application or biometrics: You may need to provide the date of your visa or immigration application, as well as the date when you provided your biometric information.
Place of application: If you wish to check the status of a UK visa application that was submitted overseas, you may need to provide the location of the visa application centre.
GWF reference number: This is a 9 digit (GWFxxxxxxxxx) unique reference number that may have been assigned to your application when you submitted it. You may need to enter this number in order to check your application status.
Application reference number: Depending on the type of visa you applied for, you may also have been given a 16 digit (xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx) unique application reference number. If you have been given an application reference number, you may need to enter it when you track your UK visa application status.
Immigration Health Surcharge reference number (if applicable): If you paid the Immigration Health Surcharge then you may be asked to provide your IHS number when tracking the decision on your UK visa application.
It’s important to ensure that you have all of the necessary information and documents at hand before attempting to check your UK visa application status. This will help you avoid any unnecessary delays or complications, and ensure that you are able to access the information you need as quickly and easily as possible.
You can track the progress of your out-of-country UK visa application on the VFS Global website:
If you have any questions or concerns about your UK visa application status, you can contact VFS Global customer service for assistance. Their contact details can be found on the ‘Contact us’ page of the VFS Global website.
You can track the progress of your out-of-country UK visa application on the TLScontact website:
If you have any questions or concerns about your UK visa application status, you can contact TLScontact support by clicking on the ‘Contact us’ page on the TLScontact website.
You can track the progress of your out-of-country UK visa application on the UKVI website. Please note that this is a paid-for service. Queries about the progress of a UK visa application cost £2.74. This cost includes an initial email enquiry plus any follow-up emails that you send relating to the same enquiry:
You can track the progress of your out-of-country UK visa application by calling UKVI on +44 (0)300 790 6268 and selecting option 1.
The telephone line is open 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday.
Calls cost 69 pence per minute on top of your standard network charges.
If you cannot contact UK 0300 numbers, then use +44 (0)203 875 4669.
Unfortunately, UKVCAS does not provide any application status updates on its website.
If you have any questions or concerns about the application status of an in-country immigration application, you should contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) instead (proceed to ‘4. Contacting UKVI by telephone’ below).
It is also not possible to telephone UKVCAS to check the progress of an immigration application.
If you have any questions or concerns about the application status of an in-country immigration application, you should contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) instead (proceed to ‘4. Contacting UKVI by telephone’ below).
Unfortunately, UKVI does not provide any application status updates on its website (proceed to ‘4. Contacting UKVI by telephone’ below).
You can track the progress of your in-country immigration application by calling the UKVI contact centre on 0300 790 6268 and selecting option 2.
The telephone line is open 9am to 4:45pm on Monday to Thursday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am to 4:30pm on Friday (excluding bank holidays).
Information on call charges can be found here .
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has published service standards for waiting times for decisions on visa and immigration applications. If you want to track the status of a UK visa application then it is useful to refer to these.
If a UK visa application includes all relevant information and supporting documents (and the Home Office does not need to request further evidence or explanation) then the following waiting time customer service standards should apply:
These service standards are the visa processing times that UKVI aims to deliver on for the processing of straightforward, complete applications, based on its customer charter . Actual UK visa processing times can vary considerably. However, if the service standard has been exceeded then this is a factor that can be raised as part of any attempt to chase a delayed decision .
Aside from its customer service standards for visa processing, the Home Office also publishes up-to-date information on current processing times for visa and immigration applications submitted both within the UK and outside the UK.
Up-to-date information on current UK Visa processing times for all the main immigration routes can be found in our post:
If you wish to track the status of your UK visa application then, in addition to referring to the customer service standard, it may be helpful to refer to these published current processing times in order to ascertain approximately how long it should take for your pending UK visa application to be decided.
When you check the status of your UK visa application you should be aware that there are a number of factors which can delay UK visa processing times and cause the customer service standard and/or the current processing time to be exceeded, including:
If you are looking to check your UK visa application status then it is worth keeping in mind that there is no published service standard for waiting times for more complex applications and UKVI has a wide margin of appreciation with regard to the timing of their decisions.
UK Visas & Immigration offers a ‘priority service’ and a ‘super priority service’ for applicants who, for an additional fee, wish to receive a faster decision on their UK visa application. Selecting one of these premium services at the point of application will ensure that an application is placed at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process.
In our comprehensive guide to UK Visa Premium and Priority Services, we look at the Priority Service and Super Priority Service in detail, covering everything from processing times, to current availability, costs and whether an application is likely to be suitable for an expedited decision:
It is deeply frustrating when the Home Office takes longer than stated on its website to process a visa or immigration application. If the processing of your UK visa application has been delayed then, as well as tracking the progress on your UK visa application, you may wish to consider taking additional steps to chase a decision on your UK visa application.
We explain how to chase a delayed UK Visa or immigration decision in 6 steps in our post:
In conclusion, checking your UK visa application status is a crucial step in the application process, as it will allow you to stay informed and up-to-date on the progress of your application.
Whether you use the VFS Global website, the TLScontact website, the UKVI website or the UKVI telephone enquiry lines, it’s important to ensure that you have all the necessary information to hand before checking your status.
Remember to be patient, as processing times can vary depending on the type of visa you have applied for and the nature of your application.
By following the steps outlined in this post, you’ll be able to check your UK visa application status with ease and plan your next steps accordingly. Good luck with your application!
For expert advice and assistance in relation to a UK visa application or immigration appeal, contact our immigration barristers on 0203 617 9173 or complete the online enquiry form below.
Why should I check my UK visa application status?
Checking your visa status keeps you informed about your application’s progress, helps identify issues, and allows you to make travel or other plans accordingly.
How can checking my visa status help avoid delays?
By monitoring your status, you can detect and correct any errors or omissions, preventing potential delays in the decision-making process.
What information do I need to check my UK visa status?
Key details include your passport number, date of birth, visa type, application date, biometric submission date, and reference numbers (e.g., GWF or IHS).
Can I track my visa status if I applied outside the UK?
Yes, you can track the progress of out-of-country applications via VFS Global, TLScontact, or the UKVI website.
How can I track my UK visa application if I’m inside the UK?
In-country applications can be tracked by contacting UKVI directly, either through their phone lines or using other provided contact methods.
What is the Home Office service standard for UK visa processing?
UKVI aims to process 90% of non-settlement visas within 3 weeks, and settlement visas within 12 weeks. Processing times may vary for complex cases.
What factors can delay UK visa processing?
Delays may occur due to case complexity, document verification, criminality concerns, or immigration history.
How can I speed up my UK visa decision?
UKVI offers premium services like priority or super priority processing for faster decisions, available for an additional fee.
What should I do if my visa decision is delayed?
If a decision exceeds the service standard, you can chase it by contacting UKVI or using their online services.
What happens if my UK visa application is refused?
You may consider reapplying or seeking legal advice for an appeal, administrative review, or judicial review based on the reason for refusal.
UK Visa Application: The process of applying for permission to enter or stay in the UK for various purposes such as work, study, or tourism.
UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration): A division of the UK Home Office responsible for managing visa applications and enforcing immigration laws in the UK.
VFS Global: A private company that manages visa and passport services for various governments, including the UK, helping applicants submit biometric data and track visa applications.
TLScontact: A company that facilitates visa application processes for the UK and other governments, primarily outside of the UK, including biometric enrolment and tracking applications.
Biometric Information: Data including fingerprints and a digital photograph, required as part of many visa applications to confirm identity.
GWF Reference Number: A unique 9-digit number (GWFxxxxxxx) assigned to an applicant when they submit a UK visa application, used for tracking and enquiries.
Application Reference Number: A 16-digit number (xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx) given to applicants for tracking their UK visa applications online.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): A fee that must be paid by some visa applicants to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
Visa Application Centre (VAC): A centre where applicants submit biometric information and supporting documents for their UK visa application.
Service Standards: The official timeframes in which UKVI aims to process various types of visa applications, such as 90% of non-settlement visas decided within 3 weeks.
Priority Service: An additional service that speeds up the processing of UK visa applications for an extra fee.
Super Priority Service: The fastest visa processing service available from UKVI, which guarantees a decision on the application by the end of the next working day after submission.
Decision-Making Centre (DMC): A UKVI office where visa applications are processed and decisions are made on their approval or refusal.
UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services): A service provided to UK-based applicants, allowing them to submit biometric information and supporting documents as part of their visa or immigration application.
Standard Processing Times: Typical timeframes within which UK visa decisions are expected to be made under normal circumstances, depending on the type of visa and where it is submitted.
Settlement Visa: A visa for individuals who intend to permanently live in the UK, often for family reunification or long-term residency.
Leave to Remain: Permission granted by UKVI allowing an individual to stay in the UK for a specified period, which may be extended or lead to indefinite leave to remain.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): A permanent residency status that allows individuals to live and work in the UK without time restrictions.
Article 8 ECHR: Refers to Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to respect for private and family life. It is often cited in immigration cases.
Judicial Review: A legal process in which a court reviews the lawfulness of a decision or action made by a public body, such as UKVI.
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