The British High Commission in Australia advises visa applicants that, due to a tremendous increase in the number of applications filed over the past few months, average processing times for certain application types may become longer. In particular, fiancée and marriage visa applications filed after July 2008 may take approximately 12 – 14 weeks to process.
UK visa applications are processed in the order they are received by application type. Processing times are an estimate of how long it will take to complete a specific case. Each case is different and some cases may take longer than others due to complexity.
The process for obtaining a UK fiancée or spousal visa in Australia has not changed for the applicant. They still must make a biometric appointment with one of the few biometric processing facilities, provide paperwork, and have the application adjudicated by an entry clearance officer. If the visa is approved, an entry clearance stamp is secured in the applicant’s passport and the passport is returned with the visa.