Applicants seeking to join their British or settled family members in the UK can now take advantage of the priority service to expedite the processing of their visa applications. This recent development brings relief to individuals looking to reunite with their families in the UK. While the government website has yet to be updated, the overseas third-party visa application centres, VFS Global and TLS Contact, have both announced this new service on their respective websites as of February 20, 2023.
Eligibility for the Priority Service
The priority service has been reintroduced for new visa applications made outside the UK, effective from February 20, 2023. Under this service, the processing time target is set at 30 working days from the date of biometric enrolment.
Existing Family Visa Applications
Previously, the Home Office suspended priority services to allocate resources towards processing applications made under the Ukraine schemes. This affected various visa routes, including family visa applications made outside the UK, which experienced an increase in the standard processing time from 12 weeks to 24 weeks.
In January 2023, the Home Office began contacting individuals with pending visa applications in chronological order, offering the option to pay an additional fee to upgrade to the priority service. This effort is ongoing, and applicants can expect to receive such notifications in the upcoming weeks. Considering the substantial waiting period for these pending applications, the priority processing service for those with applications submitted before February 20, 2023, is further reduced to 15 working days.
While the Home Office aims to provide a decision within the designated timeframe, applicants will not receive a refund if this target is not met.
Cost of the Priority Service
The priority service incurs an additional fee of £573 per applicant. For families applying together, consisting of four members, the additional fee amounts to £2,292, in addition to the regular application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge. It is essential to consider this cost carefully, especially since processing times are not guaranteed.
Opting Out of the Priority Service
Should applicants choose not to utilise the priority service, their visa applications will be processed within the standard 24-week timeframe. The Home Office is actively working to reduce this processing time back to the previous 12-week standard. Prospective applicants should regularly check the “Visa decision waiting times: applications outside the UK” for updates on processing times.
To stay up to date with the latest information on processing times, prospective applicants are advised to check the “Visa decision waiting times: applications outside the UK” page. This resource provides valuable insights into current processing trends, any changes in standard processing time, and relevant updates from the Home Office. Regularly monitoring this page will help applicants make informed decisions and better plan their visa applications.
In conclusion, the introduction of the priority service for UK family visa applications brings hope for faster processing times and facilitates family reunions. While there is an additional cost involved, it provides an option for individuals who prioritise expedited processing. As the Home Office works to improve standard processing times, applicants should stay informed about any updates regarding visa decisions for applications made outside the UK.