Submitted visa applications
Content
+At the moment, almost all visa applications, with the exception of several types (which are no longer submitted often), are filled out, submitted and paid for online.
At the same time, applicants need to book a personal appointment at one of the Sopra Steria visa centers in order to submit their biometric data (fingerprints, face photo and digital signature sample).
Sopra Steria guarantees that such a visit can be scheduled no later than five working days after completing the online application.
The applicant can scan and upload the accompanying documents into the system himself, or an employee of the visa application center can do this for an additional fee.
At the same time, the applicant remains in possession of all originals, including passports. It is worth noting that the applicant cannot travel outside the country, as his application will be immediately cancelled and withdrawn from consideration.
The time frame for processing visa applications will vary slightly depending on the type of expedited processing.
As part of the standard package, a decision will be made within six months or eight weeks, depending on the type of visa category.
Expedited processing implies making a decision one working day after the provision of biometrics (the “Super Priority Service” service) or within five working days after the provision of biometrics (the “Priority Service" service).
Using the priority service
If your visa category falls under this service, you can choose the "priority service" when submitting your visa application. You will need to pay 500 pounds in addition to the standard visa fee that you pay to submit your application.
You will usually receive a decision within 5 working days. The time begins:
- Or on the day of your appointment for biometrics submission, if you personally provide your biometrics
- Or the next working day after the completion of the document download, if you use the mobile application "Immigration to the UK: ID verification"
At the same time, the application review process may take more than 5 working days, for example, if the Home Office needs to request additional information from you.
When submitting your application, you will be informed whether you can provide biometrics in person or using a mobile application.
Using the super priority service
If your visa category falls under this service, you can choose the "super priority service" when applying for a visa. You will need to pay £1,000 in addition to the standard visa fee that you pay to submit your application.
You usually get a decision:
- Or by the end of the next working day after your fingerprints are provided at the Sopra Steria visa application center, if the date of biometrics is on a weekday
- Or two working days after your biometrics appointment, if your biometrics due date falls on weekends or non-working holidays
At the same time, the application review process may take more than two working days, for example, if the Home Office needs to request additional information from you.
You will not be able to receive a decision until the end of the next working day if you use the mobile application "Immigration to the UK: ID verification".
Submitting a visa application with family members
For each family member applying with you, you will need to pay extra:
- 500 pounds to receive a decision within 5 working days
- 1,000 pounds to receive a decision by the end of the next working day
Each family member will need to pay separately for faster decision-making. At the same time, everyone will receive a decision for everyone at the same time.
Visa categories for which expedited review services can be used when applying from the UK
You can apply for a faster decision on some visa applications or applications for permanent residence in the UK.
The tables below list the acceptable visa categories and indicate whether you can pay for an expedited review to get a faster decision:
- within 5 working days
- until the end of the next working day
To discuss your visa application
Please contact with one of our immigration lawyers by phone +44 (0) 207 907 1460 (London), +971 509 265 140, +971 525 977 456 (Dubai) or complete our enquiry
Contact usEligible visa categories for using the priority review service
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UKVCAS appointment: within 5 working days |
UKVCAS appointment: next working day |
ID app: within 5 working days |
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|---|---|---|---|
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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|
Yes |
Yes |
No |
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|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Yes |
No |
Yes |
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Yes |
Yes |
No |
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Yes |
No |
No |
|
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Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Yes |
Yes |
No |
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Yes |
Yes |
No |
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Yes |
Yes |
No |
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Yes |
Yes |
No |
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Yes |
Yes |
No |
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Yes |
Yes |
No |
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Yes |
Yes |
No |
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Applying as the dependent child or partner on a work, student, global talent, start up or innovator founder visa |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
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Applying as the dependent child or partner on an investor visa |
Yes |
No |
No |
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No |
Yes |
No |
|
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Applying for human rights claims, leave outside the rules and other routes through form FLR(HRO) |
No |
Yes |
No |
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Applying for other routes through form FLR(IR) |
No |
Yes |
No |
Eligible applications to settle in the UK
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UKVCAS appointment: within 5 working days |
UKVCAS appointment: next working day |
ID app: within 5 working days |
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|---|---|---|---|
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Application to settle on the basis of UK Ancestry (through form SET(O)) |
No |
Yes |
No |
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Application to settle as a former member of HM Forces (through form SET(AF)) |
No |
Yes |
No |
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Application to settle as a child under 18 (through form SET(F)) |
No |
Yes |
No |
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No |
Yes |
No |
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Application to settle if you work, establish a business or invest in the UK (through form SET(O)) |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
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No |
Yes |
No |
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
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Application to settle as the dependent child or partner of an Innovator Founde |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
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Yes |
No |
No |
Our services
- We can advise on the procedure for making a booking under either type of the priority service
- We can assess the merits of your application and advise as to how to improve your application to maximise success
- We can assist you with carrying out the actual booking of the necessary type of the priority service
- We can assist with making amendments/changes to the already done booking and making another booking for the relevant type of the priority service
Still have questions?
Contact us
