UK Marriage Visa Processing Time

Understanding the expected processing time for a UK Marriage Visa is essential for planning your travel, accommodation, and future together with your spouse. While the timeline can vary depending on where and how you apply, there are some standard estimates you can rely on when preparing your application.

Standard Processing Time
If you are applying from outside the UK, the standard processing time for a UK Marriage (Spouse) Visa is approximately 12 weeks (60 working days) from the date of your biometric appointment. This timeframe may vary slightly depending on the country where you submit your application and the volume of applications being processed.

If you apply from within the UK—either to switch from another visa or extend your current one—the standard processing time is usually 8 weeks from the date of application submission and biometric enrolment.

Priority & Super Priority Services
For an additional fee, the UK Home Office offers Priority and Super Priority services in some countries. The Priority service typically reduces the waiting time to 5–10 working days, while Super Priority may return a decision within 24 hours.

However, these services are not always available and may be temporarily suspended during peak periods or due to local disruptions. Availability should be checked at the time of booking your visa appointment.

Factors That May Delay Your Application

• Incomplete or incorrect documentation
• Requests for additional information
• Background or security checks
• Public holidays in your country or the UK

To avoid delays, ensure that your application is complete, accurate, and supported by all required evidence. Respond promptly if the Home Office contacts you for additional documents or clarification.

While waiting, you can track the status of your application online in some countries. However, detailed updates are limited, so it’s important to remain patient and avoid unnecessary inquiries unless your application exceeds the expected timeline.