If you are outside the UK, you will typically receive a decision on your visa within 3 weeks after applying for a UK Work Permit, proving your identity, and submitting your documents. 8 weeks if you’re in the United Kingdom. It is important to allow yourself enough time to apply and receive your decision before you are due to travel.
How Long Does It Take To Get A UK Work Permit?
Many things can change how long it takes to get a work permit in the UK, such as:
- Permit type: Different work permits have different processing times. For example, Tier 1 visas are often processed faster than Tier 2 visas.
- The Home Office’s workload: Many applications for work permits are submitted to the Home Office so that processing periods can change based on workload.
- Unique circumstances: The applicant’s unique circumstances, such as their nationality, criminal history, and the complexity of their case, can affect the processing time.
Processing Periods for UK Work Permit Types
Different work permit kinds have varying processing times. For each category, the following processing times are typical:
Tier 1 visa
- Regular processing takes 2 to 4 weeks.
- Priority processing takes 5 working days.
- Super-priority processing takes 24 hours.
Tier 2 visa
- Ordinary processing takes 2 to 8 weeks.
- Priority processing takes 5 working days.
- Super priority processing takes 24 hours.
Tier 5 visa
- Regular processing takes 2 to 4 weeks.
- Priority processing takes 5 working days.
- Super-priority processing takes 24 hours.
Quick Processing
Applicants can speed up the procedure by paying for priority or super-priority processing. These services are chargeable extras that promise quicker processing times. Different fees apply for processing in priority and super-priority, depending on the type of permit.
Processing times for UK work permits might vary based on the permit type, the Home Office workload, and the applicant’s unique circumstances. It might take a few weeks to many months before processing is complete.
