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Advance travel planning and early visa application are important. If you plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to come to the United States as a temporary visitor, please review the current wait time for an interview using the tool below. Not all visa applications can be completed on the day of the interview; please read the information below for more details .

Check the estimated wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Note: Please check the individual embassy or consulate website to determine if your case is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview.

Applicants scheduling visa appointments in a location different from their place of residence should check post websites for nonresident wait times.

Select a U.S. embassy or consulate:

Global Visa Wait Times

Wait Time for Interview

The estimated wait time to receive a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate and is based on workload and staffing and can vary from week to week. The information provided is an estimate and does not guarantee the availability of an appointment.

Wait Time for Interview Waiver

Wait times for applicants eligible for Interview Waiver are applicable only for locations where applicants schedule appointments to submit their passport and any required documents to a U.S. embassy or consulate. The wait time estimate does not account for the time required for a consular officer to adjudicate the application nor mailing time of passports or other documents. Refer to the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section where you will apply to determine your eligibility for Interview Waiver and for instructions for submitting a nonimmigrant visa application. Note that applicants must be a national or resident of the country where they are applying to be eligible to apply via Interview Waiver.

Qualifications for an Expedited Interview Appointment

Consular sections overseas may be able to expedite your interview date if there is an urgent, unforeseen situation such as a funeral, medical emergency, or school start date. The process to request an expedited nonimmigrant visa interview varies by location. You should refer to the instructions on the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section  where you will interview, or on their online appointment scheduling site. You will need to provide proof of the need for an earlier appointment.

In all cases : You must first submit the online visa application form (DS-160), pay the application fee, and schedule the first available interview appointment. Only at this point will a consular section consider your request for an expedited appointment.

Note: Travel for the purpose of attending weddings and graduation ceremonies, assisting pregnant relatives, participating in an annual business/academic/professional conference, or enjoying last-minute tourism does not qualify for expedited appointments. For such travel, please schedule a regular visa appointment well in advance.

These estimates do not include time required for administrative processing, which may affect some applications. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case.

There are only two possible outcomes for U.S. visa applications. The consular officer will either issue or refuse the visa. If a visa applicant has not established that he or she is eligible for a visa, the consular officer must refuse that application. However, some refused visa applications may require further administrative processing. When administrative processing is required, the consular officer will inform the applicant at the end of the interview. The duration of the administrative processing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case. At the conclusion of the administrative processing period, the consular officer might conclude that an applicant is now qualified for the visa for which he or she applied. The officer may also conclude that the applicant remains ineligible for a visa. Visa applicants are reminded to apply early for their visas, well in advance of the anticipated travel date.

Important Notice:   Except in cases of emergency travel (i.e. serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family), before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants should wait at least 180 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later.

About Visa Processing Wait Times – Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

Information about nonimmigrant visa wait times for interviews and visa processing time frames are shown on this website, as well as on U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites worldwide. It should be noted that the “Wait Times for a Nonimmigrant Visa to be Processed” information by country does not include time required for administrative processing. Processing wait time also does not include the time required to return the passport to applicants, by either courier services or the local mail system.

In addition, it is important to thoroughly review all information on the specific  Embassy or Consulate Visa Section website  for local procedures and instructions, such as how to make an interview appointment. Embassy and Consulate websites will also explain any additional procedures for students, exchange visitors and those persons who need an earlier visa interview appointment.

About Wait Times

* Calendar days refers to every day of the week, including days when embassies are closed (such as weekends and holidays).

* Wait times are generally the MAXIMUM amout of time you will have to wait to get an appointment.  Appointments are continuously being added and you will likely be given an opportunity to move your appointment up as new appointments are opened.

† Work days refers only to days when the embassy is open and does not include weekends and holidays.      

‡ A, G, and NATO applications are excluded from these wait times, as they are processed separately.

Immigrant Visa Interview-Ready Backlog Report

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UK Visa Processing Times (Latest from UKVI)

Anne morris.

• 26 February 2024

IN THIS SECTION

The length of time it takes for your application to be processed can be an important factor in deciding when to apply and when to make travel arrangements. But UK visa processing times vary considerably, depending on factors such as the type of visa being applied for, the country or Embassy where the application is made and the applicant’s own individual circumstances and eligibility.

Visa applicants are advised to take guidance on the current processing timescales for their specific type of application.

UK visa processing times

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is the Home Office department responsible for the UK’s visa system.

The processing date is typically counted from when the applicant has attended their visa appointment and submitted their biometric information, or as soon as ID checks have been completed and the application is submitted using UKVI’s visa processing app.

Processing times for in-country applications are as follows (correct as at the date of publishing):

Priority & fast-track services

Priority service and super priority services for applications being made from outside the UK are available for work, business and family visa routes.

Where available, priority processing allows applicants for certain work and settlement routes such as the Skilled Worker visa to pay an additional fee for fast-tracked processing. Priority processing provides a decision within 5 working days, while super-priority is for a decision by the end of the next working day

Priority processing is only available to certain applicants, notably those proving their identity by attending an appointment at a UKVCAS centre or those using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app . If available to you, you will be notified when making your application and given the option to purchase faster processing.

The fees for priority and super-priority processing are as follows:

Priority processing times for Certificate of Sponsorship requests & Changes of Circumstances

Priority processing remains available to A’ rated sponsors for fast-tracked CoS allocation and other Change of Circumstances requests, for a fee of £200 per application. The priority requests are generally processed within 5 working days.

What is the difference between UKVCAS and Home Office processing?

One factor that may affect the UK visa processing time is whether the application has to be made through UKVCAS .

UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service) was introduced in November 2018 to handle certain UK visa, settlement and citizenship applications made be applicants already in the UK.

You will be advised when making your application if you must go through UKVCAS in order for your application to be processed.

How might the time of year and other factors affect your UK visa processing time?

There are other factors that may affect the processing time of your UK visa application. These include:

Caseload Summer is generally the busiest time for UKVI, and other factors such as Home Office priorities may impact processing.

Where you apply from The country that you apply for your UK visa from may affect the processing time for several reasons, including the relationship and arrangements between the UK and your country, the administrative systems within each country, current conditions within either country, endorsing documents from your country or finding their equivalent in the UK, whether that country is part of the EEA and so on.

It is always advised to check with the UK embassy or consulate in your country for any such issues that could lead to visa processing delays.

Insufficient or incorrect information If your application includes incorrect information or the documentation you supply is insufficient, the processing time may be longer than expected if UKVI suspend processing to request further information from you in order to make a decision.

The best way to avoid this is to check your application thoroughly and ensure that you have all the necessary documentation to hand before you apply.

What are the different types of UK visa applications?

The type of UK visa that you apply for will be the main deciding factor in how long it takes to process your UK visa application. The UK visa that you choose will depend on your reason for visiting the UK and how long you wish to stay.

Work in the UK

There are many types of short-term and long-term work visas including:

• Skilled worker visa
• Temporary worker visas
• Global Business Mobility visas
• Domestic workers in a private household visas
• Sportsperson visa
• Graduate route
• High Potential Individual visa
• Global Talent visa
• Scale up visa
• Innovator Founder visa

Each type of visa will carry its own eligibility, conditions and application requirements.

The Skilled Worker visa , for instance, is open to non-UK residents with a job offer from a licensed sponsor for skilled employment in the UK.

The processing time for the Skilled Worker visa is generally no longer than 3 weeks once the applicant has attended their appointment.

Holiday, family visit or business trip

The Standard Visitor visa is generally suitable for tourism, holidays, visiting and to receive short-term medical treatment. It replaces:

• Business visitor and prospective entrepreneur visas
• Family visitor visa
• Child visitor visa
• Sports and entertainer visitor visas
• Private medical treatment visitor visa
• Approved destination status visa
• General visitor visa

Under the standard visitor visa, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

Your application for a Standard Visitor visa should be made no earlier than 3 months before you intend to enter the UK, and it will generally take no more than 3 weeks for the visa application to be processed and a decision made after your appointment.

Under current processing times, visitor visa applications from outside the UK are taking six weeks instead of the usual three.

Studying in the UK

Should you wish to study in the UK, there are 3 visas available for this purpose, depending on your individual situation:

• A short-term study visa is suitable for a 6 month stay in the UK to attend a course. For students over 16 who wish to attend an English language course, it may be possible to use a Short-term study visa for a stay of up to 11 months.
• A general study visa is suitable for a longer course of study in the UK as long as the student has a confirmed place on a course and is sponsored by a licensed university or college.
• 4 to 17 years old wishing to study at an independent school should apply for a child student visa .

Apply for the appropriate student visa no earlier than 3 months before you intend to enter the UK. Once you have attended your appointment, it will generally take no more than 3 weeks to receive a decision.

Entrepreneurs & investors

The primary route for people coming to the UK to set up or run a business is the Innovator Founder visa.  While no up-front investment is required under this route, there are many eligibility criteria that will need to be satisfied by both the applicant and the business. Endorsement will also be required before the visa application can be made.

Processing for business visas can take longer than other categories due to the complexity of the application documentation and evidence. Again, the earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

Joining family in the UK

The Family visa will generally allow you to join certain family members who already live in the UK if you wish to remain in the country for more than 6 months, such as spouses. You may also consider a dependant visa .

If the visa application is made from outside the UK, the processing time will generally take up to 24 weeks.

To get married in the UK

If you intend to visit the UK to get married, you should generally apply for a Marriage Visitor visa . This visa is also suitable for civil partnership ceremonies in the UK.

This visa doesn’t allow you to remain or settle in the UK after the marriage or civil partnership ceremony.

Processing, once an appointment has been attended, should ordinarily take no more than 3 weeks.

Travelling through the UK

There are two types of Transit visa . If you will be passing through UK border control and staying in the UK no more than 48 hours, then you should apply for a Visitor in Transit visa. If you will not pass through UK border control, then you should apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa.

If you will be staying in the UK for longer than 48 hours, it will be necessary to apply for a Standard Visitor visa.

Need assistance?

At DavidsonMorris we have the experience to advise you on the most appropriate UK visa for your circumstances and have the insight to make the process as smooth as possible.

As a team of immigration lawyers and former Home Office employees, we have an established reputation for effective and efficient management and processing of visa applications, and for providing expert visa-related advice to suit your needs. Contact us for advice.

Last updated: 26 February 2024

Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.

She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.

Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator , and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals

• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Indefinite Leave to Remain Fee Guide 2024
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Minimum Wage 2024: Guide for Employers
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Effective Redundancy Planning for Employers
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ A Guide to British Citizenship 2024

About DavidsonMorris

As employer solutions lawyers, DavidsonMorris offers a complete and cost-effective capability to meet employers’ needs across UK immigration and employment law, HR and global mobility .

Led by Anne Morris, one of the UK’s preeminent immigration lawyers, and with rankings in The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners , we’re a multi-disciplinary team helping organisations to meet their people objectives, while reducing legal risk and nurturing workforce relations.

Legal Disclaimer

The matters contained in this article are intended to be for general information purposes only. This article does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law, and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct at the time of writing, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its accuracy and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should be sought.

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When applying for a UK visa or immigration permission to remain in the UK, the Home Office has set timeframes in place to advise customers how long they can expect to wait before receiving a decision on their application.

If your UK visa or settlement application is straightforward and the Home Office does not need to request further information, your application will be decided within the standard processing times.

Processing times will vary depending on the type of application you are submitting, whether you are filing your application from inside or outside the UK, and whether you choose to utilise any of the Home Office priority services to receive a faster decision.

Standard processing times by application type

The Home Office’s standard processing times will begin once your application has been received. Applicants should note that the service standard timeframe does not include the time taken to issue a Biometric Resience Permit (BRP). You will usually receive your BRP within seven working days after a decision has been made on your application.

Currently, the Home Office’s standard processing times by application type are as follows:

• Applying for a visa from outside the UK – The Home Office aims to reach a decision on 90% of non-settlement applications within 3 weeks. 98% will be processed within 6 weeks and 100% within 12 weeks of the application date (where one week is five working days).
• Applying for settlement from outside the UK – 98.5% of settlement applications will be processed within 12 weeks, and 100% within 24 weeks of the application date (where one week is five working days).
• Applying to remain in the UK as a worker, spouse, entrepreneur or student – Allow up to 8 weeks to receive a decision under standard processing times.
• Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or no time limit (NTL) from within the UK – Your application will be processed within 6 months.

The following standard processing times also apply for certain applications filed by sponsors:

• Organisations seeking to sponsor a worker – 8 weeks
• Organisations applying to update their sponsor licence details – 18 weeks

Getting a faster decision on your application

If your application is urgent, the Home Office also offers Priority and Super Priority services for an additional cost.

Those using the Priority service will usually receive a decision within five working days, and those using the Super Priority service will usually receive a decision by the end of the next working day. For both Priority and Super Priority applications, the service standard will start when you complete your appointment to provide your biometric information and supporting evidence.

Due to COVID-19, priority services are currently only available at selected UK visa application centres overseas. More information about these services and how much it costs can be found here.

How to ensure your UK visa application runs smoothly

Your application may not be decided within the standard processing times if your case is complex, if your application is incomplete or if the Home Office needs to request further information.

If there is a problem with your application, the Home Office will contact you to let you know why it will not be decided within the standard processing times, and what will happen next.

To ensure the Home Office can reach a decision on your application within the standard processing ties, you should ensure that:

• Your application is submitted before your current visa expires
• Your application is completed accurately
• You include all necessary documents, photographs and evidence of funds if required on the application form
• You enroll your biometric information and respond to any requests for further information by the dates indicated
• If submitting a paper form, ensure it is signed and dated and it is submitted with the required documents and payment.

Support with filing your UK visa application

If you require assistance with filing a UK visa or settlement application and collating the required documents, Smith Stone Walters can help.

Our team are experienced in filing a wide range of visa and settlement applications on behalf of our clients. With offices in London, New York, Hong Kong and Mumbai, our consultants are on hand to provide practical support wherever you are in the world.

To discuss your requirements, please contact us today.

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UK Visa Decision Waiting Times: Frequently Asked Questions

Nov 23, 2022 | Blogs - Immigration

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has published service standards for waiting times for decisions on visa and immigration applications.  UKVI also publishes up-to-date information on current processing times for visa and immigration applications submitted both within the UK and outside the UK.

In this post we take an in-depth look at UK visa processing times, including the Home Office service standards for waiting times, current Home Office visa processing times, options for securing a faster decision on a visa or immigration application and how to challenge a delay in the processing of a UK visa or immigration application.  We also answer some frequently asked questions relating to UKVI visa processing times and look at some of the factors to consider when timing an immigration application.

When Does the UK Visa Application Processing Time Start and End?

For UK visa applications submitted outside the UK, visa processing time will start from either the date you provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) at a visa application centre or, if eligible, the date you verify your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app. The waiting time will end on the date when you receive an email with a decision on your application.

For a UK immigration application submitted from within the UK, the waiting time will generally start from the date when you submit your application online.  An exception is made for Graduate Immigration Route applications, where the waiting time starts from the date when the applicant attends an appointment at a visa service centre or submits their documents using the UK Immigration ID Check app.  In all in-country cases the waiting time will end on the date when you receive either a letter or email with a decision.

The service standard does not include the time taken to issue you with your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). You will usually receive your BRP within 7 working days after a decision has been made on your application.  If you do not receive a BRP you can report it.

Will My Dependents’ Visas Be Processed Within the Same Time Frame?

Dependent visas should be processed within the same time frame as the main applicant’s visa and dependents should receive their decision at the same time. Dependent visas will not be issued before the main applicant has received their decision. Where a dependent applies after the main applicant has received a positive decision, this may shorten the time to receive an outcome.

Can I Get a Faster Decision on My UK Visa Application?

UK Visas & Immigration offers a ‘priority service’ and a ‘super priority service’ for applicants who, for an additional fee, wish to receive a faster decision on their UK visa application.  Selecting one of these premium services will ensure that an application is placed at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process.

Eligible applicants who apply via the priority service should receive a decision within 5 working days of their appointment at the visa application centre (for overseas applicants) or within 5 working days of either the day of their appointment at a UKVCAS appointment centre or the working day after having finished uploading documents if using the UK Immigration: ID Check app (for in-country applicants).

Eligible applicants who apply via the super priority service should receive a decision by the end of the next working day after their appointment at the visa application centre (for overseas applicants) or their appointment at a UKVCAS appointment centre (for in-country applicants) or within 2 working days if the appointment is at the weekend.  In-country applicants cannot use the super-priority service if applying using the UK Immigration: ID Check App to confirm their identity.

However, the Home Office has announced that both priority and super priority visa services are currently temporarily suspended for new family visa applications submitted outside the UK whilst it prioritises Ukraine Visa Scheme applications.  This suspension has been in place since 14 March 2022. For work (except Innovator, Start-up and High Potential Individual), study and visitor visa applications, priority and super priority services are available in the majority of overseas locations on an appointment basis.  However, there is a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service for visit visa applications.

The priority and super priority services are currently both still available to applicants who are applying for leave to remain and settlement in eligible routes from within the UK.

Overseas applicants should check with their visa application centre to see if the priority visa service or super priority visa service is available in the country they are applying from for their application type.

Applicants applying from within the UK can check the eligible visa and settlement application tables to confirm whether the type of application they are making is eligible for either the priority 5 working day or super priority next working day service (note that there are separate tables for switching/extending applications and settlement applications).

Priority and super-priority services may not be appropriate for complex applications which cannot be processed expeditiously.  In these cases, your application will be put at the front of the queue at each decision-making stage, but a decision may exceed the priority and super-priority timescales.

These premium services should also be considered carefully when making extension applications or switching categories where there is a risk of refusal.  Specialist advice should be sought to ensure that complex applications are timed strategically and sensibly.

Can I Stay in the UK While Waiting for a Decision on My Immigration Application?

If you applied from within the UK before your last leave expired then you will be able to stay in the UK until you receive a decision from the Home Office, even if a decision is delayed.

Can I Travel Outside the UK While My In-Country Application Is Being Processed?

If you have submitted a visa application from within the UK, the general rule is that you must not travel outside the UK while waiting for an immigration decision.  If you leave the UK, your immigration application will be treated as withdrawn and you will not be able to request a refund of your application fee.

You may travel outside of the UK if you have submitted a naturalisation application or have applied for the EU Settlement Scheme.

What Can I Do if a Decision Is Not Made in Time or I Need an Urgent Decision?

If UKVI is not able to process your visa application in time, due to its complexity for example, you should receive a letter explaining the reasons and what will happen next. This letter should be received within the standard processing time.

If you do not receive an update from the Home Office, you can contact them directly (by phone, in writing or both) to request an update on your application status .

You may wish to consider providing evidence of how the delay is impacting you, for example if you do not have a right to work or study.  If there is an urgency or the standard processing time has passed it is possible to ask for the matter to be escalated as a priority.

If you paid for a priority or super-priority service and a decision has not been made within the standard processing time, then you may also be able to request a refund of the priority or super-priority service fee.

When making enquiries, always take care to make clear that you are not intending to withdraw your application.

Additionally, you may also consider making a formal written complaint to UKVI. The complaint process can take up to 20 working days.

You may also consider contacting your local MP.

Please note that UKVI has a discretion to treat incomplete applications, for example those that do not include all mandatory documents, outside of the standard service processing time.

How Can I Challenge Home Office Delay in Deciding My Application?

If there is still no response, then you may consider a further legal avenue of challenge.  There is no right of appeal when there is no decision, but you may consider judicial review proceedings as a way to ask a judge to review the failure of the Home Office to act and make a decision.

If this is a route you wish to consider then you will need to ensure that you have evidence of all stages of your attempts to obtain a decision.  Keeping a written record and details of any Home Office ‘ticket’ numbers you are provided is highly recommended.  The steps you have taken to obtain a decision and the reasons why one is required will be relevant considerations.

Before commencing proceedings you will need to follow a pre-action protocol process. This will give UKVI the opportunity to consider the position before you commence proceedings.

Judicial review proceedings can be legally complex, costly and time consuming.  You may wish to consider seeking legal advice before commencing any proceedings.

Contact our Immigration Solicitors

For expert advice and assistance regarding a UK visa application, contact our immigration solicitors on 020 8240 9018 or via the enquiry form on our website.

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UK visa processing times: FAQ

This article was written in 2020.  For the latest information on UK visa processing times, please read: UK Visa Processing & Decision Waiting Times

In this post we address some of the common questions relating to Home Office UK visa processing times and some of the factors to consider when timing an immigration application. 

W hat are UK visa processing times?

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is responsible for processing immigration applications. UKVI publishes standard processing times for applications on its website in accordance with their customer charter.  The processing time will depend on the type of immigration application submitted and if it has been submitted within the UK or outside of the UK.

The service standard processing times vary according to the type of application. These times are set out on the UKVI website pages here and here . The published processing times are indicative but not determinative, as some applications will fall outside of the processing time. 

UKVI’s up-to-date records show that for straightforward applications from outside the UK:

• Non-settlement visa applications: 90% to be decided within 3 weeks;
• Non-settlement visa applications: 98% to be decided within 6 weeks;
• Non-settlement visa applications: 100% to be decided within 12 weeks;
• Settlement applications: 95% to be decided within 12 weeks; and
• Settlement applications: 100% to be decided within 24 weeks 

When does UK visa processing begin?

Processing for priority services will begin from the date you provide biometric information and supporting evidence at your booked appointment. The processing time will end when your passport is ready for collection.

What UK visa priority services are available?

You may be able to select a priority service when making your application and/or when booking your biometrics appointment. This will reduce the standard visa processing time. Please note that it is not available for all immigration applications or in all countries. 

A standard priority service offers a visa processing time of 5 working days of your appointment at a visa application centre. A super priority service offers a visa processing time of 24 hours of your biometrics appointment. Each visa application centre should be able to confirm which priority services are available and the relevant fees. Priority services are available in most countries. 

Priority services may not be appropriate for complex applications which cannot be processed expediently. In these cases, your application will be put at the front of the queue at each decision-making stage but this still may exceed the priority timescales. These services should also be considered carefully when making extension applications or switching categories where there is a risk of refusal. Specialist advice should be sought to ensure complex applications are timed strategically and sensibly. 

What factors affect UK visa processing times?

There are a number of factors which can delay processing times including: the complexity of the case, for example if it involves an assessment of Article 8 ECHR rights or derivative rights of EEA extended family members; concerns regarding suitability requirements such as criminality; consideration of any adverse immigration history; any concerns regarding the authenticity of documents; the volume of documents provided; whether further investigations are required or an interview scheduled; the capacity of caseworkers; and the time of the year.

There is no published service standard for applications that are not straightforward and UKVI have a wide margin of appreciation with regard to the timing of their decisions. 

Will my Dependants’ visas be processed within the same time frame?

These visas should be processed within the same time frame as the main application and dependants should receive their decision at the same time. Dependent visas will not be issued before the main applicant has received their decision. Where a dependant applies after the main applicant has received a positive decision, this may shorten the time to receive an outcome.

Can I travel while my visa application is being processed?

The general rule if you have submitted a visa application from within the UK you must not travel as your application will be treated as withdrawn and you will not be able to request a refund of your application fee. You may travel outside of the UK if you have submitted a naturalisation application or have applied for the EU Settlement Scheme as examples.

What do I do if a decision hasn’t been made in time?

If UKVI may not be able to process your application in time, due to its complexity for example, you should receive a letter explaining the reasons and what will happen next. This letter should be received within the standard processing time. 

If you do not receive an update from UKVI you can contact them directly to request an update on the application status, to request that the application be escalated as a priority, or to make a complaint.

When you have paid for a priority or super-priority service you may also be able to request a refund if a decision has not been made in the standard processing time. 

Please note that UKVI has discretion to treat incomplete applications, for example not including mandatory documents, outside of the standard service processing times.

Contact our Immigration Barristers

For expert advice and assistance regarding a UK visa application, contact our immigration barristers on 0203 617 9173 or complete our enquiry form below.

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Guidance: Visa decision waiting times: applications outside the UK

Uk visas immigration.

You are not required to book any travel before you apply or before a decision is made on your application. Youll only be refunded if we have not started processing your application.

When your applications waiting time starts and ends

Once youve submitted your application online, the waiting time starts when you either:

• attend your appointment and provide your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a visa application centre
• verify your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app . This will depend on the visa you apply for and youll be advised if you can use this

The waiting time will end when you get an email containing the decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next.

Visit the UK

Visit visas, including standard visitor visa applications, are currently taking on average 7 weeks to process, however some applications might take longer. We are working hard to process applications to get back to the 3-week service standard.

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a visa to visit the UK :

• for a holiday or to see family or friends
• for a business trip or meeting
• to get married

You may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on what country youre in - check with your visa application centre.

Travelling through the UK

Transit visa applications are currently taking on average 7 weeks to process. We are working hard to process applications to get back to the 3-week service standard.

You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a visa to travel through the UK on your way to another country.

Study in the UK

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application centre or use the ID Check app, if you are applying for a:

• Short-term study visa
• Student visa
• Child Student visa

If you verify your identity at a visa application centre you may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on what country youre in - check with your visa application centre.

Work or invest in the UK

Most work and invest visas, including skilled worker visa applications, are currently taking on average 4 weeks to process. We are working hard to process applications to get back to the 3 week service standard.

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application centre or use the ID Check app, if you are applying for a visa to work or invest in the UK .

You should get a decision within 12 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a Turkish Business Person visa.

Join family in the UK

UKVI is prioritising Ukraine Visa Scheme applications. Applications for family visas may take up to 24 weeks to process.

You should get a decision within 24 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying to settle in the UK as the spouse, partner or family member of someone who has British citizenship or is settled in the UK .

If you are applying as the dependent of another applicant, you will get your decision at the same time.

If you are applying for an EUSS family permit you will get a decision as soon as possible after proving your identity and providing your documents.

Family reunion

You should get a decision 12 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for family reunion with a refugee or person with humanitarian protection .

Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa

You should get a decision within 12 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application centre or when you submit your online documents after completing the ID Check app.

Commonwealth citizens

You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for an Ancestry visa .

Windrush Scheme

If you are applying under the Windrush Scheme read the guidance and the latest correspondence on the work of the Home Office in relation to Windrush .

Returning residents

You should get a decision within 3 weeks you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a returning resident visa .

Replacing biometric residence permits

You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a visa to travel to the UK to replace your biometric residence permit (BRP) .

Replacing residence cards

You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme and are applying for an EU Settlement Scheme travel permit to travel to the UK to replace a lost or stolen residence card.

Transfer your visa from your passport

You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying to transfer your visa from your passport .

Certificate of entitlement

You should get a decision within 3 weeks you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a certificate of entitlement to prove you have right of abode in the UK.

Priority services get a faster decision

Priority and super priority visa services have been temporarily suspended for new family visa applications.

For visitor visa applications, there is a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service.

Collection within 5 working days (priority service)

If you verify your identity at a visa application centre and the service is available in the country youre applying from, you can choose the priority service when you apply. There will be an additional cost for this service.

A decision will be made within 5 working days of your appointment at the visa application centre.

Check with your visa application centre to see if the priority

View the original news story

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New visa decision waiting times for applications outside the UK

You are not required to book any travel before you apply or before a decision is made on your application. You’ll only be refunded if we have not started processing your application.

When your application’s waiting time starts and ends

Once you’ve submitted your application online, the waiting time starts when you either:

• attend your appointment and provide your fingerprints and a photograph  (biometric information)  at a visa application centre
• verify your identity using the  UK Immigration: ID Check app  – this will depend on the visa you apply for and you’ll be advised if you can use this

The waiting time will end when you get an email containing the  decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next.

Visit the UK

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a  visa to visit the UK :

• for a holiday or to see family or friends
• for a business trip or meeting
• to get married
• to study for 6 months or less

You may be able to  get your visa faster  or access other services depending on what country you’re in – check with your visa application centre.

Travelling through the UK

You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a  visa to travel through the UK  on your way to another country.

Study in the UK

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application centre or use the ID Check app, if you are applying for a:

• Student visa
• Child Student visa

Short-term study in the UK

• Short-term study visa

If you are studying for 6 months or less and have applied for a Standard Visitor visa, please refer to the  visit the UK  decision times.

Work or invest in the UK

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application centre or use the ID Check app, if you are applying for a visa  to work or invest in the UK .

You should get a decision within 12 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a  Turkish Businessperson  visa.

Join family in the UK

You should get a decision within 24 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying to settle in the UK as the  spouse, partner or family member of someone who has British citizenship or is settled in the UK .

If you are applying as the dependent of another applicant, you will get your decision at the same time.

If you are applying for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit you will get a decision as soon as possible after proving your identity and providing your documents.

Family reunion

You should get a decision 12 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for  family reunion with a refugee or person with humanitarian protection .

Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa

You should get a decision within 12 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application centre or when you submit your online documents after completing the ID Check app.

Commonwealth citizens

You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for an  Ancestry visa .

Returning residents

You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a  returning resident visa .

Replacing biometric residence permits

You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a visa to travel to the UK to replace your  biometric residence permit (BRP) .

Replacing residence cards

You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme and are applying for an  EU Settlement Scheme travel permit  to travel to the UK to replace a lost or stolen residence card.

Transfer your visa from your passport

You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying to  transfer your visa from your passport .

Certificate of entitlement

You should get a decision within 3 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying for a  certificate of entitlement  to prove you have right of abode in the UK.

Priority services – get a faster decision

Priority and super priority visa services have been temporarily suspended for new family visa applications.

For visitor visa applications, there is a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service.

Collection within 5 working days (priority service)

If you verify your identity at a visa application centre and the service is available in the country you’re applying from, you can choose the ‘priority service’ when you apply. There will be an additional cost for this service.

A decision will be made within 5 working days of your appointment at the visa application centre.

Check with  your visa application centre  to see if the priority visa service is available in the country you’re applying from. The priority visa service is available in most countries.

Next day collection (super priority service)

If you verify your identity at a visa application centre and the service is available in the country you’re applying from you can choose the ‘super priority service’ when you apply. There will be an additional cost for this service.

UK Visas and Immigration aims to make a decision on your super priority visa application and contact you to let you know that your passport is ready to be collected by the end of the next working day from when you provide your biometric information.

Check with  your visa application centre  to see if the super priority visa service is available in the country you’re applying from.

What happens next

If you verified your identity at a visa application centre you will be contacted when your documents are ready for collection.

If you verified your identity through the UK Immigration: ID Check app, and your application was successful, then you do not need a biometric residence permit (BRP). Your  immigration status will be completely online .

Check your email spam / junk folder

Sometimes emails from us can end up in spam or junk folders, so check these folders.

When you’ll get your biometric residence permit

If you’re coming to the UK for more than 6 months and you verified your identity at a visa application centre you will need to  collect your biometric residence permit (BRP) . Collect your BRP once you’re in the UK.

You must do this before the vignette sticker in your travel document expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is later.

If there’s a problem with your BRP

Report  any problems with your BRP  within 10 days of collecting it.

When you might wait longer

You might wait longer for a decision if your application is not straightforward and more information is required before a decision is made, for example:

• if your supporting documents need to be verified
• if you need to attend an interview
• because of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

If you applied for a priority or super priority visa and your application is not straightforward, you may have to wait longer, but your application will still be put at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process. UK Visas and Immigration will try to process your application within our standard timescales.

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UK Visa Waiting Times

Nov 2023 Update – Most application have now returned to their typical service standard timeframe. Visit, study, work visas are typically 3 weeks where as Family applications are 24 weeks more than double the time compared to last year. You can expedite your application if you need to be in the UK faster however you would need to meet the criteria for this. Reasons for waiting longer for your family visa

• the information in your application is not accurate or requires further consideration
• your supporting documents need to be verified
• you need to attend an interview
• further information is required on your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)
• UKVI is experiencing increased visa demand

June 2023 Update – Applications made outside the UK for Visit, Points Based System and temporary worker visas are currently 3 weeks. Family visas are currently 24 weeks. April 2023 – There are currently delays in processing times for family reunion with a refugee or person with humanitarian protection. Contact the UKVI if you have not received any communication after 9 months. For visitor visa applications, there is a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service Feb 2023 – There are currently delays in processing times and your application may take longer than usual. For visitor visa applications, there is a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service

December 2022 Additional Update: Visit visas, including standard visitor visa applications, are currently taking on average 5 weeks to process, however some applications might take longer. We are working hard to process applications to get back to the 3-week service standard. Priority and super priority visa services have been temporarily suspended for new family visa applicatio ns. For visitor visa applications, there is a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service. October 2022 Additional Update: Visit Visas are currently taking on average 7 weeks to process. The UKVI is working towards the 3-week service standard. October 2022 Update:  Visit Visas are currently taking on average 7 weeks to process, however some applications might take longer depending on their complex nature. The UKVI is working towards the 3-week service standard. Most work and investor visas, including skilled worker visa applications, are currently taking on average 4 weeks to process. The UKVI are working towards their three-week service standard. June 2022 Update: Skilled Worker Visa applications are currently on average taking 6 weeks to process although the Home Office are working hard to process applications in order to get back to the three-week service standard. May 2022 Update: UKVI is prioritising Ukraine Visa Scheme applications. It may take up to 24 weeks to receive a decision for people applying to join family in the UK. April 2022 Update: Priority and super priority visa services have been temporarily suspended for new study, work and family visa applications made outside the UK to j oin family in the UK.  Standard visitor visa applications are currently taking on average 6 weeks to process. The UKVI are working hard to process applications to get back to the 3-week service standard. March Update: Due to Exceptional Circumstances, UK Visa applications may take longer to consider. There are a significant number of applications being processed at the moment due to an international effort to support the security of those fleeing conflict. Priority Services have also been disrupted, therefore consider whether it is worth using this service abroad.  

UK Visa Waiting Times (Pre-Humanitarian crisis)

One of the most common questions applicants have with regard to their visas is how long they will have to wait for a decision.

Ukraine Visa applications

Under the Ukraine Visa schemes available for those who are applying to join family in the UK and those who are applying under the ‘Ukraine for Homes’ the current waiting time is 7 days. Due to a significant number of applications being submitted the processing times may be extended. The home office resources are being reassigned to tackle high volumes of applications.

Applications made outside of the UK

If you are applying from outside of the UK then your application’s waiting time starts, once you’ve submitted your application online, either from the time that you attend your biometric appointment or verified your identity using the IDV App.  The waiting time also depends on the visa you have applied for.  See below.

Visit visa ( for a holiday or to see family or friends; for a business trip or meeting; to get married) – You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks. You may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on what country you’re in.  See priority services section below

Study in the UK/Work or invest in the UK (this also includes dependants of the main applicant) plus returning resident and ancestry – You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks

Join family in the UK (partner/parent/child) incl. dependants applying at the same time – You should get a decision within 12 weeks

EEA family permit or an EUSS family permit you will get a decision as soon as possible after proving your identity and providing your documents.

Visa decision waiting times: applications inside the UK

The waiting time starts, not when you have submitted your biometrics, rather as soon as you’ve submitted (paid) your application online.

For the visas outlined above which typically take 3 weeks consideration time outside of the UK – Switching or making extensions – 8 weeks other than applications to switch to a Start-up visa or extend a Health and Care Worker visa, both of which take 3 weeks

Family-based visas – Applications for leave to remain take 8 weeks

If you’re currently applying on the basis of your private life as you are unable to meet the requirements there are no standard processing times.  The average wait time for a decision is currently 8 months although The Home Office state that they are endeavoring to reduce this waiting time.

Applying for settlement – All standard route applications for ILR (settlement) normally receive a decision within 6 months, although this is often shorter and very occasionally longer (see when you might wait longer section below)

Priority services – pay a premium (check go.uk website for current visa fees) for a faster decision (where available)

Collection within 5 working days (priority service); next working day (super-priority).  These will be offered at point of payment, if currently available for your location and/or route.

When you might wait longer

You might wait longer for a decision if your application is not straightforward and more information is required before a decision is made, for example: if your supporting documents need to be verified, if you need to attend an interview; your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction).  These holdups can often be avoided by submitting a well-presented and more than adequately documented application.

If, you applied for a priority or super priority visa and your application is not straightforward, you may have to wait longer.  It is therefore advisable that, should you feel your application is not straightforward or has not been accompanied by ample supporting evidence, then perhaps it be best not to pay a premium for a faster decision.

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UK Visa Processing & Decision Waiting Times 2024

This blog contains information on visa decision waiting times for applications outside and inside the UK in 2023.

The UK visa processing and decision waiting time depends on individual’s circumstances. Visa applicants are advised to read Home Office guidance on the current processing timescales for their specific type of application.

UK visa processing times

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)  is the Home Office department responsible for the UK’s visa system.

The UK visa processing times starts from the appointment of your biometrics.

Priority & fast-track Premium services

Priority service and super priority services  for applications being made from outside and inside the UK are available for work, business and family visa routes.

UK Visa Processing Times For ILR Applications

Applicants who have submitted a settlement application, can expect to receive a decision within 6 months after biometrics.

UK Visa Processing Times For Spouse Visas

The standard spouse visa UK processing time in 2023 is currently 3 months (on average). However, the decision making time may vary depending on individual’s case.

When your application processing time starts

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) starts processing your application once you either:

• verify your identity and submit your documents and application online using the  UK Immigration: ID Check app . We’ll tell you if you can use this
• attend your appointment at a  visa application centre (VAC)  to provide your fingerprints and a photograph  (biometric information)

When your application processing time ends

You’ll get a letter or email to let you know that a  decision has been made on your application .

If you attended a visa application centre, you should not visit one until you have been contacted to do so.

• Visa decision waiting times: applications outside the UK
• Visa decision waiting times: applications inside the UK

Current UK Visa processing times from outside the uK in 2023

The processing times listed below are based on the current volume of visa applications.

All UK processing times are measured against agreed  customer service standards .

Visit visas

Study visas, family visas, popular work visas, temporary work visas, work visas you can apply for without a job offer, work visas to start a business, work visas for an overseas employer, other visas and permits, when you might wait longer.

Your visa application may take longer to process if, for example:

• the information in your application is not accurate or requires further consideration
• you need to provide further evidence, for example evidence of funds
• your supporting documents need to be verified
• you need to attend an interview
• further information is required on your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)
• UKVI is experiencing increased visa demand

You will be contacted by a letter or email if we need more information on your visa application.

Current processing times In 2023 from inside the UK

Your visa application may take longer to process, for example:

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UK Visa Processing Times

Many factors impact visa processing times, this article is a summary of the current (average) processing times. For accurate information refer to UKVI.

Paragon Law

UK visa processing times vary quite significantly depending on what visa is being applied for, where the application has been made, and what an individual’s circumstances are . 

It is worth mentioning that the provided information is just a guide, and so, processing times experience may be longer or shorter depending on factors such as the complexity of your case, the capacity at the UKVI.

UK visa processing times

In order to assess whether your visa or immigration application has been delayed, it is important to understand what the current visa decision waiting times are.

Your UK visa processing time begins when you submit your application online and ends when you have received a letter or email which outlines the decision. Some applicants will only need to submit an application form, however, others may be required to either:

Attend an appointment to provide both fingerprints and pictures at a biometric centre either within the UK or at an approved partner centre outside of the UK.

Verify identity and submit documents using the UK Immigration ID Check app (ID check app) .

If applicable, your UK visa processing time begins once you have either attended a biometrics appointment or have submitted the relevant documents to the UK ID Check app.

It is worth noting that a priority visa service is available for in-country and out-of-country applications. The priority visa service means that decisions on visa applications can be received within 1 and 5 working days (depending on the service purchased). Unfortunately, the priority visa service is not available for every visa route - where it is available you will be able to purchase it either upon submission of an application or during the process of booking the biometric appointment.

UK visa processing time: Applications made inside the UK

Below is a summary of how long the UKVI expects decisions to be made on the various types of UK immigration and visa applications. The UK visa processing time starts after you have submitted your biometric details, either through the ID Check App or by attending an in-person appointment.

According to UKVI, applicants who have made a visa application (and haven’t paid to receive a priority service) can expect to receive a decision within 8 weeks when switching to, or extending any of the following visas :

Applicants who have applied to either switch to, or extend either a Health and Care Worker visa or a Start-up visa, can expect to receive a decision within 3 weeks . 

Applicants who have submitted a settlement application, can expect to receive a decision within 6 months . 

Please be aware that the standard visa processing times outlined above have been impacted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. As a result of this, decisions on visa applications are taking more than 11 weeks to be made. However, UKVI is continuously working and aiming to return their decision timelines back within their standard service times.

UK visa processing time: Applications made outside of the UK

Below is a summary of how long the UKVI expects decisions to be made on the various types of UK immigration and visa applications. The processing time refers to the period after an individual has attended a biometric appointment or has verified their identity through another means. 

According to UKVI, applicants who have made a visa application can expect to receive a decision within 3 weeks when making an application for one of the following:

Visit visas (this includes Standard Visit visas)

Transit visas

Student visas

Short term study visa

Commonwealth citizen visas (including Ancestry visas)

Returning resident visa

Work and investment visas, including:

Entrepreneur visa

Global talent visa

Skilled worker visa

International sportsperson visa

High potential individual (HPI) visa

Innovator visa

Intra-company transfer visa

Domestic Workers in a Private Household visa

Investor visa

Representative of an Overseas Business

Minister of religion visa

Temporary Worker Visa

Scale-up worker visa

If you have made a visa application to join family in the UK (i.e. partner visa, spouse visa, parent visa, child visa, adult dependent relative visa, private life applications) then visa decisions take around 24 weeks . However, if you are applying for family reunion to join a  refugee or an individual with humanitarian protection, then decisions will take around 12 weeks (but there are currently delays in visa processing times).

The decision waiting time for the Hong Kong BNO visa and Turkish Businessperson visa is around 12 weeks .

If you are applying for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit, you will get a decision soon after you have proved your identity and provided the required documents .

What is the waiting time after biometrics?

The waiting time after biometrics depends on a range of factors including:

What visa you applied for.

Whether you applied from inside or outside the UK.

Whether you paid to receive a priority service.

The complexity of the case.

The evidence presented.

For a general overview of the waiting times after biometrics head over to these links ( applying from outside the UK or applying from inside the UK ).

What are some of the factors which affect immigration and visa application processing times?

The delays to the visa and immigration processing times are currently largely caused by Covid and the Ukraine crisis. However, other factors which can affect processing times include:

Concerns about an individual meeting the eligibility requirements (e.g. having a criminal record or an adverse immigration history).

Concerns about the documents presented with the application (e.g. issues with authenticity or not many have been provided).

If the applicant is required to attend an interview .

The capacity of the caseworkers at UKVI .

Can I speed up the processing time of my visa?

Yes certain UK visa applications enable you to pay to receive either a priority service or a super priority service .

If you are eligible to benefit from the priority service then a decision on your visa application will be made within 5 working days of attending your appointment at the visa application centre or uploading your documents on the UK Immigration: ID Check app. 

If you are eligible to benefit from the super priority service then a decision on your visa application will be made within 1 to 2 working days of attending your appointment at the visa application centre or uploading your documents on the UK Immigration: ID Check app . 

Please note that priority and super priority services have been suspended for new family visa applications and there is a reduced availability for these services amongst visitor visa applications.

Want to know more about applying for a UK visa?

Perhaps you have a question about UK visa processing times, or perhaps you have a question about applying for a UK visa. Whatever, the need, why not get in touch with us today and claim your free consultation with an expert immigration lawyer?

What to do when there is a Home Office delay

If your application to any of the routes outlined previously has been delayed, then you can do one of the following.

Contact UKVI to escalate application delays

UKVI offers several routes to contact them and enquire about applications.

For applications made outside of the UK, you can contact UKVI online . Queries cost £2.74. Upon completion of this application form and payment a response will be received from UKVI by way of email within 5 working days. You will not be charged for any follow-up emails about the same enquiry.

For both applications made within the UK and from outside of the UK a complaint can be lodged through this link . This route is free however upon submission of the complaint it takes 28 working days for a response to be received in respect of the application.

Contact your local MP

If you have made an immigration application within the UK and it has been delayed, then an alternative route to escalate this delay would be to contact your local Member of Parliament (MP).

To find out who your local MP is, please head over to this link . Upon selecting your MP based on your location you will be brought to their page on the government where you can find the correct email address to contact them.

If you choose to contact them to express your concern or frustration at the delay in your immigration application, then it is important that you write in a formal manner. Your email or other form of correspondence should include the following:

The reason why you are requesting your MP’s assistance .

What you would like them to do after reading your request.

Facts and evidence which supports your case and shows that you have experienced a Home Office delay .

The above information will assist your local MP to determine the strength of your case and how they can best assist you.

Your MP has the power to raise your case with UKVI which is invaluable because UKVI is obligated to respond. However, UKVI might only tell your MP what stage your case is at or reaffirm that your appeal rights have been exhausted. Therefore, it is important to be very specific with what you request your MP to do i.e. pushing for a decision to be made in the instance of a prolonged delay on your application. It is only through a specific and measured approach that you can increase your chances of getting positive intervention.

Parliamentary Ombudsman

The Parliamentary Ombudsman is a body which makes the final decisions on complaints that are yet to be resolved by a government department within the UK. They aim to do this fairly, without biases and freely. However, you can only complain about UK government departments (such as UKVI) if an MP refers the complaint to the Parliamentary Ombudsman . In summary, a complaint form (found here ) must be completed and signed by an MP before being submitted.

You can only make a complaint to the Parliamentary Ombudsman about one of the following:

The government department’s (e.g. UKVI) conduct was unfair .

The service you received was poor .

The negative impact of either the above has not been resolved .

It is then for the Parliamentary Ombudsman to investigate this and determine whether the government department is at fault and have failed to resolve these issues. Ideally, a complaint to the Parliamentary Ombudsman is submitted as soon as all of the other routes (mentioned previously) have been exhausted. However, as long as a complaint is lodged within the time-limits it will still be valid: this means that a complaint about a UK government department must be made within a year of becoming aware of the problem.

If the Parliamentary Ombudsman agrees with your complaint, they can do one of the following:

Request the government department take action to rectify its error , which could be in the form of either a refund or apology or acknowledging its mistake.

Instruct the government department to revisit the incorrect decision made.

Ask the government department to change their processes in order to prevent them from repeating the same mistake. This step would require the government department to review any policies, guidance, and standards which are in place.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman will also consider legal action where appropriate as they might be of the view that the best solution to your complaint is within the courts. However, this decision will be made considering all factors, such as the likely cost of legal action, the likelihood of a positive outcome and the likely length of court proceedings.

C onclusion

In summary, when dealing with Home Office delays it is first important to assess whether you have in fact experienced a delay. With this information you can then:

Contact UKVI to get an update.

If that fails you can escalate your issue to your local MP.

As a last resort you can lodge a complaint with the Parliamentary Ombudsman providing that your local MP has referred your complaint to the Parliamentary Ombudsman first.

How can Paragon Law help?

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Got a question about visa processing times?

If you would like to know more about UK visa processing times, or if you would like to know what you can do to try and speed up the decision process, then get in touch with us today to speak to an expert immigration lawyer.

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US, UK and Schengen visas: What is the wait time?

By Condé Nast Traveller

Nearly years after the onset of the pandemic, embassies are struggling to provide visas to visitors and students on time. The wait time for US visas has gone up by over a year, which means you could get your US visa in March or April 2024. Some countries in the Schengen region have no slots available for appointments. The UK government has advised Indians to purchase a ticket only after they have received their visa. Here’s how long it could take you to get your visa.

Earlier in February when US visa slots opened up, the wait time for application for fresh US visas was till 2023. Now, the average wait time for a US visa in India has gone up to one-and-a-half years, according to the US State Department Website. This means if you apply now, you may receive your visa in March-April 2024.

When we checked on Thursday afternoon, the wait time for a visitor visa in New Delhi was 582 calendar days and 471 days for student visas. In Mumbai, it was 580 calendar days for a tourist visa and 12 days for a student visa. In Kolkata, the wait time for a visa appointment was 587 days and 2 days for a student visa, whereas in Chennai it was 513 calendar days and 8 days for a student visa. In Hyderabad, you will have to wait 510 calendar days for a visitor visa and 471 days for a student visa. 

According to the official UK website, visitor visas, including standard visitor visas are taking about 7 weeks to process. “We are working hard to process applications to get back to a 3-week standard,” states the website . However, the embassy is facing unprecedented delays on visas. Therefore visitors have been advised to buy their tickets only after they have received their visa. The UK is also receiving an unprecedented number of student visa applications this year. Britain's High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis said they are doing everything possible to ensure that these students get their visas on time. The UK High Commission in Delhi tweeted on Saturday that they have opened priority and super priority visas for students as well.

Schengen visa

Several Schengen countries currently do not have any slots available for appointments. When we checked on the VFS website on Thursday morning, Italy did not have any slots available in Mumbai or Bengaluru. The earliest slot available for the country is in Delhi on 29 August. Switzerland has slots open in September-end. Currently, Sweden has appointments as early as next week. For France, the earliest available date in Mumbai and Delhi is 28 September, whereas in Bengaluru no slots are available. Spain has appointments available in Mumbai as early as 24 August.

• Visa processing times for international students

Find out how long it has taken us to process some student visa applications for international students. Results vary depending on the type of education provider.

How long it takes to process an application

• Visitor visa and NZeTA wait times
• Work visa and employer accreditation wait times
• Resident visa wait times

Processing times by education provider

These processing times show the combined time for the most common student visas used by international students. They are:

• Fee Paying Student Visa — including English language students
• Pathway Student Visa
• MFAT-funded NZ Scholarship Student Visa, and
• Exchange Student Visa.

The processing time is broken down by the type of education provider:

• universities
• Private Training Establishments (PTE), and

How to understand this information

Our processing times are based on applications we have decided (approved or declined).

The processing times in this page are based on applications decided in May 2024. We are reporting on applications received since each visa reopened.

We also provide processing times for other visas.

How long it takes to process a visa application

Processing times can vary

We are committed to delivering the fastest possible service for visa applicants. We consider every application separately to make sure it aligns with New Zealand's immigration policy and regulations.

How long it takes us to process an application depends on how complex it is. The processing times for student visas show a variation based on the type of education provider, but this is not the only factor that affects how long it takes to process an application.

Why some visa applications take longer to process than others

Watch CBS News

Biden immigration program offers legal status to 500,000 spouses of U.S. citizens. Here's how it works.

By Camilo Montoya-Galvez

Updated on: June 19, 2024 / 1:40 PM EDT / CBS News

President Biden on Tuesday  announced  a large-scale immigration program that will offer legal status and a streamlined path to U.S. residency and citizenship to roughly half a million unauthorized immigrants married to American citizens.

The Department of Homeland Security policy will allow these immigrants to apply for work permits and deportation protections if they have lived in the U.S. for at least 10 years and meet other requirements, senior administration officials said previewing the announcement.

Perhaps most importantly, however, Mr. Biden's move will unlock a path to permanent residency — colloquially known as a green card — and ultimately U.S. citizenship for many of the program's beneficiaries. 

"For those wives or husbands and their children who have lived in America for a decade or more, but are undocumented, this action will allow them to file paperwork for legal status in the United States, allowing them to work while they remain with their families in the United States," Mr. Biden said.

The policy, if upheld in court, would be the largest government program for undocumented immigrants since the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals  initiative, which currently shields 528,000 so-called "Dreamers" who were brought to the U.S. as children from deportation.

Mr. Biden announced the measure at a White House event on Tuesday marking the 12th anniversary of DACA, alongside another move to make it easier for employers to sponsor "Dreamers" and other undocumented immigrants for work visas.

It's the second time in one month that Mr. Biden has taken a sweeping — and legally risky — executive action on immigration. Earlier in June, he invoked a presidential power used frequently by former President Donald Trump to disqualify most migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border from asylum .

How Biden's immigration plan would work

The Biden administration program for undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens will provide two key immigration benefits.

It will allow eligible applicants to work and live in the U.S. legally on a temporary basis under the immigration parole authority. The policy, known as "Parole in Place," will also help these immigrants clear roadblocks in U.S. law that prevent them from getting permanent legal status without having to leave the country.

An immigrant who marries a U.S. citizen is generally eligible for a green card. But current federal law requires immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally to leave the country and re-enter legally to be eligible for a green card. Leaving the U.S. after living illegally in the country for certain periods of time can trigger a 10-year ban, leading many mixed-status families to not pursue this process.

The Biden administration's policy would allow eligible immigrants to obtain a green card without having to leave the U.S. After 3 to 5 years of living in the U.S. as a green card holder, immigrants can apply for American citizenship.

Administration officials estimate that roughly 500,000 unauthorized immigrants with U.S. citizen spouses will qualify for the program. Applicants must have been legally married to their American citizen spouse by June 17. Those who are deemed to pose a threat to national security or public safety will not qualify.

The policy is also expected to benefit an estimated 50,000 immigrant children with a parent who is married to a U.S. citizen, officials said. Undocumented stepchildren of U.S. citizens — who must also leave the country to obtain green cards — will be eligible to apply for the parole process if they are under the age of 21.

A senior administration official said the government is planning to open the Parole in Place program to applications "by the end of summer." The policy will almost certainly generate legal challenges, possibly from Republican-led states, which have sued the Biden administration over its immigration policies several times.

For over a decade, the U.S. government has overseen a more limited Parole in Place policy for unauthorized immigrants who are the immediate relatives of U.S. service members or veterans. In 2020, Congress affirmed that policy.

The State Department is also announcing on Tuesday a streamlined process for DACA recipients and other undocumented immigrants who have graduated from U.S. colleges to more easily obtain employment-based visas, such as H-1B visas for high-skilled workers.

• Immigration
• Undocumented Immigrants

Camilo Montoya-Galvez is the immigration reporter at CBS News. Based in Washington, he covers immigration policy and politics.

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Transcript: Former national security adviser Robert O'Brien on "Face the Nation," June 23, 2024

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How Biden’s New Immigration Policy Works

The new policy will give some 500,000 people a pathway to citizenship.

• Share full article

By Hamed Aleaziz

President Biden’s new immigration policy protects some 500,000 people who are married to U.S. citizens from deportation and gives them a pathway to citizenship.

The election-year move comes just two weeks after Mr. Biden imposed a major crackdown at the U.S.-Mexico border, cutting off access to asylum for people who crossed into the United States illegally.

The policy announced on Tuesday is aimed at people who have been living in the United States for more than a decade and have built their lives and families here.

Here is how it works:

Why do the spouses of American citizens need protection?

Marrying an American citizen generally provides a pathway to U.S. citizenship. But people who crossed the southern border illegally — rather than arriving in the country with a visa — must return to their home countries to complete the process for a green card, something that can take years. The new program allows families to remain in the country while they pursue legal status.

Who is eligible?

There are roughly 1.1 million undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens in the United States, according to Fwd.us , an immigration advocacy group, but not all of them are eligible for the program.

The spouses must have lived in the United States for 10 years and have been married to an American citizen as of June 17. They cannot have a criminal record. Officials estimate that the policy will provide legal status and protections for about 500,000 people. The benefits would also extend to the roughly 50,000 children of undocumented spouses who became stepchildren to American citizens.

When will the program take effect?

Biden administration officials said they expected the program to start by the end of the summer. Those eligible will then be able to apply for the benefits.

Why is President Biden doing this now?

Mr. Biden is trying to strike a tricky balance on immigration, which is a serious political vulnerability for him. Polls show Americans want tougher policies. Just two weeks ago, Mr. Biden announced a crackdown on asylum at the southern border.

His new policy, giving hundreds of thousands of immigrants new legal protections, is a way for him to answer the calls from the progressive base of the Democratic Party, which has accused the White House of betraying campaign promises to enact a more humane approach to immigrants.

Hamed Aleaziz covers the Department of Homeland Security and immigration policy. More about Hamed Aleaziz

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Cancer waiting times: Latest updates and analysis

13 June 2024

This article provides information on the latest performance against cancer waiting times targets. We have another piece explaining the recent changes to cancer waiting times in England .

Over the past few years, pressure on NHS cancer services has been mounting.

Cancer waiting times, which show whether the health system is meeting its targets for quickly diagnosing and treating cancer, help show us the extent of this pressure.

Testing for cancer, diagnosing it and starting treatment quickly saves people from stress and anxiety. Not only this, but cancer that’s diagnosed and treated at an early stage, when it isn’t too large and hasn’t spread, is more likely to be treated successfully. Prompt diagnosis and treatment underpin this.

December 2023 was the first month that the reported data on cancer waiting times is reflecting the new updated NHSE targets , as explained in our previous article . 

The standards have been streamlined into 3 key cancer waiting time standards with associated targets that   indicate how well cancer services are doing .  

Here are the latest results in England for April 2024:

The Faster Diagnosis Standard:  Target Missed

• 73.5% of people were diagnosed, or had cancer ruled out, within 28 days of an urgent referral in April 2024. The target is 75% and this target has only been met twice since its introduction in October 2021.

The 62-day referral to treatment standard: Target Missed

• Only 66.6% of people in England received their diagnosis and started their first treatment within 2 months (or 62 days) of an urgent referral* in April 2024. The target is 85% and has not been met since December 2015.

The 31-day decision to treat standard: Target Missed

• 89.2% of people started treatment** within 31 days of doctors deciding a treatment plan in April 2024. The target is 96% . 

The  above  data are specific to England. Scotland,  Wales and Northern Ireland also have their own cancer waiting times targets. 

Each of these numbers is a friend, family member, and loved one who is facing unbearably long waits for their treatment to begin, causing stress and anxiety. The general election must be a turning point for cancer. Nearly 1 in 2 people will get cancer in their lifetime and it affects every family in every community. Any incoming UK government must make tackling cancer waits a top priority, and pledge to meet all cancer waiting time targets by the end of the next parliament. To do this, all political parties should commit to a long-term, fully funded strategy to back cancer research across the UK and improve and reform cancer services in England, in order to provide our health service with much needed equipment and staff. Without this, cancer patients will not receive the level of care that they deserve.

What does this mean for people affected by cancer?

It can be easy to forget that behind these numbers are real people going through an incredibly anxious time.

Quantifying the impact of missing targets and longer waits on patient outcomes is difficult as the research is limited.

The picture is different for different cancer types – some progress quicker than others – but we know the overall impact is likely to be negative. One study estimated that a 4-week delay to cancer surgery  led to a 6-8% increased risk of dying .

People with more aggressive cancers are prioritised for early treatment where possible, but there can be good reasons why someone might experience a long wait for treatment.

For example, it can take longer to plan treatments intending to cure someone’s cancer, and sometimes patients need prehabilitation before starting treatment to give them the best chance of recovering well.

But increases in missed targets mean people who need potentially lifesaving cancer treatments are waiting, and worrying, for longer – and that is a big concern.

Despite delays, people shouldn’t put off coming forward if they are worried about symptoms. It’s always better to be on the waiting list than not at all, and if doctors are concerned, they will push things through as quickly as possible.

Getting back on track

Once again, the cancer waiting times out today represent unacceptable waits for cancer patients in England. Behind every one of these missed targets are patients – along with their friends, family and loved ones – who are facing unacceptably long and anxious waits to find out if they have cancer and when they can begin treatment.  

Last 2023/24 financial year we saw some positive movements in the face of significant challenges, including that the NHS has succeeded in returning the backlog of cancer patients in England to pre-pandemic levels and that the Faster Diagnostic Standard was met by March 2024.   

However, the last time all cancer wait targets were met in England was as far back as 2015 and  analysis from CRUK highlights that around 382,000 patients in England did not start their cancer treatment within the 62-day standard since the target was last met in December 2015.  

This election must be a turning point for cancer. Longer, Better Lives sets out the 5 missions we want any incoming UK Government to adopt and implement to help reduce cancer mortality rates by 15% and prevent 20,000 cancer deaths annually by 2040. It provides the ‘cancer blueprint’ for political parties ahead of a 2024 general election, setting out actions which can be taken to ensure that services are diagnosing more cancers at early stages and so that those who go on to receive a diagnosis have access to optimal treatments.  

The next UK Government needs to show bold leadership on cancer and commit to bold, long-term strategy across cancer research and care. This must be underpinned by targeted investment in workforce and equipment, alongside reform to improve the quality and efficiency of services. To build momentum behind this and tackle waiting times head-on, the incoming UK Government should commit to consistently meeting all cancer waiting time targets for England by the end of the next Parliament.  

Progress in efforts to tackle cancer is possible. Thanks to lifesaving research into cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, survival for all cancers combined in the UK has doubled since the early 1970s.  But with cancer cases on the rise and improvements in survival showing signs of slowing , cancer is still a defining health issue in the UK. It’s vital that the Government takes bold action to address these growing challenges.   

With a relentless focus, and long-term plan on preventing cancer, diagnosing cancers earlier and reducing inequalities, bringing tests, treatment and innovations to patients more quickly and building a national movement to beat cancer, together – we can elevate UK cancer survival to amongst the best in the world and help everyone lead longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer.  

* Urgent referrals include urgent referrals from a GP for cancer symptoms or breast symptoms, urgent referrals from a cancer screening programme, and referrals upgraded by a consultant.  

It’s important to note that the update to cancer waiting times standards in October 2023 means that more types of referral are now included in the 62-day standard. This means that that the 62-day standard now applies to more people than before.  

** This standa rd i ncludes people starting their first treatment for canc er and a lso people starting a ny subsequ ent treatments. B e fore October 2023, t h e 31 – day standard included first treatments only.  

Husband diagnosed with kidney cancer after a MRI for another reason. Dr referred for urgent review to urology after seeing the MRI he called for another reason. Was told by the urologist that a CT would be needed. This is what has happened next CT scan 20 Feb Results kidney cancer possibly Adrenal as primary and lung nodules so was referred to Endocrine.

Was told all above on the 27 Feb by phone call. Also being referred for a lung biopsy which we have heard nothing yet. March saw Endocrine team was told bloods were needed and urine test all done and results were back on the 20 th March.

21 March was told not Adrenal as the primary as previously thought it is kidney cancer still. Was told we would get a biopsy in two weeks time . I phoned up they said biopsy would be 24 April which is nearly 6/7 weeks after and well over the two week biopsy wait was told it would be. I am still chasing this up. Lung biopsy was told 4 week wait on the 27 Feb still no news. We have been passed from Kidney to Endcrine back to urology again. No treatment Not even seen an oncologist yet. Only had CT MRI Full blood Urine test One Doctor seen at one appointment Shocking really we was told on the the letter its stage 4 not even by a doctor.

I had a fall at work of about 9 feet. Sustained Multiple fractures, my Wrist, Collar bone. etc,. Had C.T Scan followed by M.I.R while in A&E. 5 days later got phone call to say they had found a growth. At Adrenal Gland was told it was on it.(So assumed on outside ) Then on the 6th day since fall got another phone call to go in for what the caller said was for emergency M.I.R and Bloods..In mean time received letter saying growth was inside the Adrenal Gland.? So do not know if on outside or inside and not told size of it..Just told When results of last M.I.R. are in system i would be getting appointment to Endocrinology. That was 3 weeks ago..I have phoned Endocrinology twice once it got to over 2 weeks. Keep being told my results are not yet in the System. And in any case waiting list for Endocrine appt,. is one huge long waiting list. Today weirdly i was told my results are still not in system but then was told She would get my Consultant i have not met yet to phone me..Obviously i cannot work until fractures heal and plaster comes off. So i have too much time to worry and feel in Limbo as to what will,… is to happen next..

Fourteen years of incompetent government.

too informative and thanks for sharing this much knowledge with us.

Husband diagnosed with bladder cancer in August 2023. Awaiting a bladder removal. Aggressive cancer & waiting list is 4-5 months. Due according to the surgeon to strikes. I will be taking legal advice & action. NOT good enough.

I had a PSA test in January that scored 19. The follow up test two weeks later scored 21. I then had an MRI scan followed buy a CT scan & prostate gland biopsy. On 19th May a consultant Urologist at Leicester General Hospital told me I had stage three cancer with a high Gleeson score. He prescribed hormone treatment and referred me to Oncology. On the 22nd Aug I saw an Oncology consultant & was told I needed seven & half weeks of radiotherapy. Owing to the “backlog” treatment wouldn’t start for two & half months and if I hadn’t heard anything by then to “Give them a call” I was advised by Prostaid to “chase this up” Today I called Radiotherapy at Leicester Royal Infirmary and was told I’m number eighty in the queue and the list is being cleared at four per week. Unfortunately, it looks as if I have another five months to wait before any futher treatment will start. I’ll continue with hormone injections.

My daughter was diagnosed with grade 4 bladder cancer on 14th July 2023. She has still not started treatment. Is this because they know she’s going to die so they see no urgency in treating her. They can’t operate and she only saw the oncologist 10 days ago. It’s disgraceful. She is very distressed at the lack of treatment and this can’t be doing her any good physically either.

I am not happy I have not had chemo for 6mths it is very stressful

From my own experience, I cannot fault the care and treatment I have received from Oxford University NHS Trust. I was referred by my GP for tests on 14/02/23, received a phone call from my local hospital, The Horton General in Banbury, on the 15th inviting me for a CT Scan on the 16th, on the 16th I received another phone call this time from the endoscopy unit offering me an appointment on the 18th,…. bad news! On the 1st March I was sat in front of my consultant at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford getting the really bad news. I started palliative chemotherapy and immunotherapy on 29th March and have just completed my sixth and final cycle of chemo with immuno to continue. Perhaps I am lucky (well only sort of, because the outcome is now per-ordained) because of where I live and OUHNHSTrust includes the Churchill Hospital, an acknowledged cancer care unit. Finally, a big shout out to ALL the wonderful and caring staff, from Professor Ramon De Melo, Dr. (Consultant) Paul Miller, all the Macmillan nurses, all the nurses and staff at the Horton GH in Banbury and particularly those at the Brodey Center who administer the chemo/immuno therapies.

I waited 10 weeks for results of my two yearly scan! Consultant said well if it was good news I would have rang you within a couple of weeks! I started palliative chemo 16 weeks after my scan! The stress this has caused for me and my family is unimaginable. My cancer is not curable but it is treatable. At the time of the scan my cancer spread was small but 16 weeks down the line who knows!

These figures showing the many missed targets are absolutely shocking but don’t come as a surprise. As a former experienced RadiationOncologist in the north of England, I kept making awareness of delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment, particularly radiotherapy, in the public domain 30 years ago. The current dreadful missed target figures are a direct result of long term significant underfunding of cancer services by many governments and are extremely worrying.

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Highlighted content

70 years of progress in cervical cancer research, what do the manifestos mean for cancer, our researchers light up prostate cancer cells to help surgeons cut them out, new scan technique gives children the right medulloblastoma diagnosis in minutes, not weeks, cervical screening awareness week: four women share their cervical cancer stories, thousands of nhs patients to access trials of personalised cancer 'vaccines', sarah harding's legacy: finding women who may have higher breast cancer risks, skin cancer cases reach all-time high, an animal's guide to staying safe in the sun, related topics.

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• Cancer in the news

Election latest: Senior Tory says bets on date are 'stupid' but seeks to play down scale of scandal

Many more people than the leading Tories already identified are being investigated by the gambling regulator over election betting, Sky News understands. Earlier, James Cleverly told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips he has "no reason to believe" any cabinet ministers are involved.

Monday 24 June 2024 02:09, UK

• General Election 2024

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• 'Many more people' under investigation in Tory election betting scandal
• Cleverly: 'No reason to believe' any ministers involved
• Tory betting scandal: What is the law around gambling?
• Labour candidate's office vandalised in 'anti-democratic attack'
• Live reporting by Faith Ridler

Election essentials

• Manifesto pledges: Alliance Party | Conservatives | Greens | Labour | Lib Dems | Plaid Cymru | Reform | SNP | Sinn Fein | Workers Party
• Trackers:  Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
• Campaign Heritage: Memorable moments from elections gone by
• Follow Sky's politics podcasts: Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
• Read more:  Who is standing down? | Key seats to watch | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency is changing | Guide to election lingo | Sky's election night plans

We'll be back at 6am with all the latest from this busy election campaign, which has entered its latter days before polls open on 4 July.

Until then, you can scroll through the posts below to catch up on the day.

Join us for more live updates on Monday.

It's an election campaign - and that means political donations have ramped up.

What exactly are the rules on donations? Do they change for elections? Who gets the most money? Why do people donate? And can parties give funds back?

Here, we explain...

Veterans minister Johnny Mercer has tonight offered further details of an "awkward" hustings in Plymouth, after which he claimed his Labour rival was "bloating" his military service.

Mr Mercer, who is standing as the Conservative candidate for the Plymouth Moor View constituency, took aim at his Labour opponent Fred Thomas after the event on Wednesday.

The minister questioned whether the Labour candidate had served in combat missions during his time as a Royal Marine, as had been reported by the Guardian newspaper in 2023.

Labour has said Mr Thomas is unable to discuss much of his role in the armed forces because of its "sensitive" nature.

Now, in a lengthy social media post, Mr Mercer described the event, which he said "descended into anarchy".

In response to Mr Mercer's comments, Labour's shadow defence secretary John Healey said: "The Commanding Officer of the Special Forces Support Group wrote of Fred's integrity and his character. Those words will not have been penned lightly. Mr Mercer should do the right thing and withdraw his deeply disrespectful remarks."

By Adam Boulton , Sky News commentator

Have you ever taken part in an opinion poll? I was about to say I haven't and then a dim memory surfaced from decades ago of a nice lady with a clipboard asking me questions in the Berkshire town of Pangbourne.

Whether or not your opinions have been sampled, you will have found it impossible to miss coverage of polls during this election campaign.

Reporting of opinion polls has been such a feature of the race that some are complaining about it. The controversy has been inflamed after the dramatic results shown in recent MRP polls,  such as this week's YouGov survey for Sky News .

Critics range from those who argue polls are one-day wonders that take coverage away from the "real issues" to others grumbling that polls distort how people vote, even though they may turn out to be wrong.

In this election, there are at least 18 separate companies publishing voting intention polls. They are busier than ever now the campaign is under way.

Read the rest of Adam's column here:

A flurry of general elections since 2015 has brought an unprecedented churn in our parliamentary representatives.

This year, two in five MPs aren't seeking re-election and the picture for the Conservatives is record-breakingly grim.

An unparalleled total of 23% of Conservative MPs are calling it a day in 2024, more than the previous high of 22% of Tories who quit in 1997, another year of boundary changes.

In contrast, only 15% of Labour MPs are resigning.

There are many reasons MPs quit: from retirement, family commitments and health concerns to career change, abolished constituencies, and the prospect of defeat.

But their decision to depart can reveal much about life in Westminster and have a significant impact on parliament's mix of experience, demographics, and the direction of political parties.

Dr Sofia Collignon, associate professor in Comparative Politics, analyses the churn in our representatives here:

Our politics show hosted by political correspondent Ali Fortescue has just wrapped up for today.

But don't worry - the Politics Hub will be live at 7pm on Sky News every night through the election campaign.

And until then, you can keep up with all the latest right here.

This is the question asked by our political correspondent Darren McCaffrey ...

In 2019, Liz Truss was once again elected MP for South West Norfolk - her fourth election win.

The then international trade secretary and later prime minister romped home to victory with nearly 70% of the vote.

Her constituency was one of the safest in the country.

Now, if the polls are to be believed, it is hanging in the balance.

Watch below as Darren tries to track Ms Truss down:

The full list of candidates in the South West Norfolk constituency is:

• Earl Elvis of East Anglia - The Official Monster Raving Loony Party • James Bagge - Independent • Gary Conway - Heritage Party • Pallavi Devulapalli - Green Party • Lorraine Douglas - Communist Party of Great Britain • Terry Jermy - Labour Party • Toby McKenzie - Reform UK • Josie Ratcliffe - Liberal Democrats • Liz Truss - Conservative and Unionist Party

Crossbench peer Lord Darroch is next up with Ali Fortescue.

She asks if Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer becoming prime minister would change the UK's relationship with the European Union.

"Yes, there will be a reset," he says. "I think that he is hosting a European political community summit in Blenheim House within a couple of weeks of the election."

Lord Darroch says Sir Keir will likely be "the star of that show".

"If he wins as big as some of the polls suggest, this will be a historic margin of victory.

"All the other leaders will want to meet him, and talk to him, and discover how he did it."

He will find himself "almost mobbed" at this summit, Lord Darroch claims.

Our live poll tracker collates the results of opinion surveys carried out by all the main polling organisations - and allows you to see how the political parties are performing in the run-up to the general election.

It shows a drop in support in recent days for Labour and the Tories - with a jump for Reform and the Liberal Democrats.

Read more about the tracker here .

The Metropolitan Police have opened an investigation into criminal damage after Labour candidate for Walthamstow Stella Creasy's office was attacked.

Photos shared by Ms Creasy on social media appear to show the that the glass of one of the windows and the front door was hit several times.

Detectives Superintendent Dion Brown, one of the senior officers responsible for policing Waltham Forest, said: "It is entirely unacceptable for the office of one of London's prospective parliamentary candidates to be targeted in this way.

"An urgent investigation is under way, and officers have attended the scene and are already following up active lines of enquiry, which will include full analysis of all available CCTV footage.

"The incident is believed to have occurred between 03:10hrs and 03:30hrs on Sunday, 23 June.

"I urge any witnesses or anyone with information to contact police and share what they know.

"Anyone who witnessed the damage being caused, or who has other information, should call police on 101 with the reference 2621/23jun."

Ms Creasy sent a message to the perpetrators herself, writing on social media: "You don't intimidate me and you don't belong in the political process.

"Same as those circulating malicious and false leaflets. Police already on this to find you - will press for the strongest penalties for such an anti-democratic attack and I know Walthamstow won't be cowed or influenced by your violence either."

Here is the full list of candidates standing in the constituency of Walthamstow:

• Imran Arshad, Workers Party of Britain
• Mohammed Ashfaq, independent
• Stella Creasy, Labour Party
• Dan Edelstyn, independent
• Sanjana Madan Mohan Karnani, Conservative Party
• Martin Lonergan, Reform UK
• Ruth Theresa Rawlins, independent
• Rosalinda Ayo Rowlands, Green Party
• Nancy Taaffe, Trade Union and Socialist Coalition
• Rebecca Taylor, Liberal Democrats

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