UK Marriage Visa Processing Time: What to Expect in 2025

UK Family Visas, including partner and spouse visas, generally take about 12 weeks to process when applied for from outside the UK, and if you apply from within the UK, it can take up to 8 weeks. Processing begins on the date you attend your biometric appointment, not on the date you submit your application, which is an important distinction many applicants overlook when calculating their timeline.

According to published service standards, 98.5% of settlement applications submitted outside the UK should be decided within 12 weeks of the application date and 100% within 24 weeks. However, these are service targets rather than guarantees, and real-world experiences often vary.

Several factors can influence how long your application takes to process. Your visa application may take longer to process if you provide inaccurate or incomplete information, as the Home Office reviews each application to ensure it meets standard eligibility requirements, and any missing paperwork, expired documents, or incorrect information will further extend the processing time.

Applications are routinely delayed when either partner has previously overstayed in the UK, there are previous visa refusals, or the applicant has a criminal record. Financial and relationship documents may need to be checked more closely, particularly if they were issued overseas, are translated documents, or appear unclear.

You may be required to attend an interview if the Home Office needs additional clarification about your relationship status, which inevitably adds time to the process. Additionally, the number of applications may fluctuate at different times of the year, with a lot of applications coming in at once during holidays or big foreign events, which can make spouse visa UK processing time longer.

For couples who need faster decisions, paid priority services are available. Priority service costs £500 inside the UK or approximately £573 outside the UK, and aims for a decision within five working days after your biometric appointment. The Super Priority Service is the fastest available option, aiming for a decision within one working day, though if the Home Office identifies any issues or needs to conduct additional checks, the timeline can extend up to five working days.

However, priority services aren’t suitable for everyone. Although everyone applying is eligible for UK spouse visa processing time priority service as long as it’s available at the visa application centre, priority processing is not recommended for every applicant, particularly for those whose applications may require additional verification.

If you apply from outside the UK, you can travel while waiting for a decision from the Home Office, but you will need to return to the country from where you applied to receive your visa if your application is approved. If you applied from inside the UK, even though your present visa has expired, you are still able to live, work, and study in the UK as long as your application for an extension of your spouse’s visa is pending, but you won’t be able to travel abroad.

If your visa is significantly delayed and you’ve heard nothing after the standard processing window, you may raise a complaint through the UKVI complaint service, submit a formal delay enquiry through the UKVI contact form, or request assistance from a solicitor, especially if the delay is affecting your employment, travel, or family life.

To minimize delays and improve your chances of receiving a decision within the standard timeframe, ensure your application is complete, accurate, and includes all required supporting documents from the outset. Many applicants benefit from seeking professional immigration advice to ensure their application meets all Home Office requirements and is properly prepared before submission.