UK Says Applicants Of Visitors Visa Will Experience Longer Waiting Time

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) office has stated that the processing time of standard visas for applicants that intends to visit the United Kingdom will now take an average of 6 weeks.

The increase in processing time is as a result of unpredictable demand all over visa centers, a fallout of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the global travel restrictions.

According to the British High Commission in Nigeria on its official Twitter account, this reveal is contained in a statement issued by the UK Visas and Immigration office, on Tuesday, 08 February 2022.

The UKVI office added that they are working at reducing the current processing time as fast as possible.

The statement from the UKVI reads, ‘’Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and global travel restrictions, UKVI are experiencing unpredictable demand across all visa routes.

“Standard visitor visa applications are taking on the average six weeks to process. UK Visas and Immigration are working to reduce the current processing time as quick as possible. You should bear this in mind when making travel arrangements.”

The UKVI, however, said there would be a consideration for extremely important or compelling circumstances such as medical emergencies, although that would come at an extra cost.

“You will be contacted by the Visa Application Centre (VAC) when your passport is ready for collection. Please do not attend the VAC until you have been invited to do so.

“Where there are extremely compassionate or compelling circumstances (for example, a medical emergency), we may consider expediting specific cases. However, the bar for this is high and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

“If your request is exceptionally urgent you can contact UK Visas and Immigration for help. Please note that this is a chargeable service for overseas customers. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause”, it said.