UK Visa Processing Times | How long until I get a result?

You’ve done the scary bit and applied for a UK visa: now what? How long will you wait until you receive a decision? Let’s break it down.

As a Canadian expat living in England, I recently applied for my Family visa renewal. Because it’s a renewal, I’m able to do it within the UK.

I submitted the online application to the Home Office on May 8. The earliest Biometrics Appointment I could book was May 20. Technically the countdown starts after your Biometrics Appointment as that’s when all your supporting documents are finally sent to the Home Office to accompany your online application.

I paid for a basic service application, not the priority appointment which gets you a result sooner. When I did my application, the Priority Appointment was about £800 more than the standard application price, but you were supposed to receive a result one business day after your Biometrics Appointment.

I received my result from the Home Office (through email) on June 13. After my Biometrics, that was about 3 weeks or 17 business days. My results came as an email but depending on your application, you may be mailed a package with your passport and result.

Two days later, I received my new Biometrics Resident Permit in the post. If you’re applying from outside of the UK, you’ll need to pick up your permit when you arrive in the UK. You’ll also receive instructions on sending back your old BRP if you have one.

A side note about BRPs

The UK Government is phasing out BRPs and it will eventually all be digital. So even though my latest visa expires in 2026, my new BRP has an expiry of 2024. This just means the card itself won’t be needed after that time, but my visa is unaffected.

What if I’m on a different visa?

Of course this is just my experience renewing my UK visa, but I’ve reached out to fellow expats on a variety of visas. Some received a result within one week after their biometrics, but many seem to get a result about 3-5 weeks after their biometrics appointment.

For my particular visa, the Home Office said it should take about 8 weeks and the Biometrics people said 2-6 months – obviously both were way off.

Will I get status updates on my visa?

No. You will not receive any updates on your visa progress until the final result. Typically there isn’t anyone you can call and ask either, you just need to wait. If the Home Office requires more information from you, they will contact you directly.