UK fiancee, partner and spouse visa processing time

One of the most frequently asked questions our clients ask is “How long will it take to bring my foreign fiancee, partner or spouse to the UK on a prospective marriage or spousal visa after submitting a settlement application to the British Embassy, Consulate, or High Commission?” The answer to this question depends on where your loved one lives. Processing times vary greatly from location to location, and from Embassy to Embassy.  

Generally, the waiting time for the British Consulate to reach a decision on a settlement class fiancee, partner or spouse visa application can range from a few business days to several months. For example, the British Consulates in Kiev, Ukraine and Rio, Brasil can process a straightforward settlement visa application on the same day, while the British High Commission in Canberra, Australia and the Consular Section of the British Embassy in Manila, Philippines can take up to three months to process a case. It should be noted that complex cases can take the immigration authorities longer to bring to resolution and visa issuance. Many factors, such as the need for additional administrative processing and resolving incomplete applications, may dramatically influence the time it takes to obtain a visa.

If the application is deemed "clearly approvable", meaning the forms are accurate and contain all the required information, and the case overall does not raise any serious concerns ("red flags") over its legitimacy, a visa is likely to be issued quickly. In order to grant immediate approval, the Embassy officials that conduct a preliminary review of the immigration case must waive the personal interview requirement, which they can do at their discretion. If the examining Embassy officials are not satisfied with the paper application and any documentary evidence submitted as part of the initial filing package, they may require the fiancee or spouse to participate in a personal or telephone interview with an entry clearance officer, which will result in a slight delay in the processing, depending on how quickly the interview can be scheduled. 

Our procedures are designed to ensure that the application for a UK fiancee, partner or marriage visa is complete, accurate, and easy to review so that the Embassy officials are encouraged to approve the application quickly and, possibly, without requiring an interview. We encourage you to take advantage of our professional experience to avoid unnecessary delays in the processing of your case. Start with a free no-obligation consultation.  

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