Following feedback from customers and partners, UKVI service standards have changed for applications made within the UK since 1 January 2014.

Processing times for straightforward applications are listed below. If your application is more complex and a decision cannot be made within that time, we will write to you to explain what happens next.

Applications received before 1 January 2014 will remain subject to the standards in force at the time they were submitted.

Processing times for applications made within the UK
Customers applying to remain in the UK on a temporary basis as: a spouse, workers, Tier 1 General and entrepreneurs, students, and organisations seeking to sponsor a worker 8 weeks (10 days priority postal and same day premium)
Employers applying in the UK to update and maintain their license details 18 weeks
Customers applying in the UK to remain permanently (or naturalize as British) and applicants from Turkey and Croatia to live, study or work 6 months