When you submit your UK visa application, either online or at a visa application centre, the UK Visas and Immigration authority will receive it.
They’re also responsible for issuing you a visa – the decision of whether you receive a visa or not will be made by them.
No decision is taken at the Visa Application Centre for those who submitted at the VAC.
If you submitted it online, the UKVI will receive your application directly, however, if you did it at a VAC, the officers at the VAC will send it to the UKVI for further action.
If you see the statement “your application has been submitted to UKVI for processing,” this is what it means and what you should do next.
What does it mean if “your application has been submitted to UKVI for processing”?
“Your application has been submitted to UKVI for processing” means that the visa application centre (VAC) has received all your documents and biometric information and sent everything to the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for assessment.
Simply put; your visa application has officially reached UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), the department responsible for handling visa requests for the UK.
Or, the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has officially received your visa application and will now begin reviewing it.
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This is similar to a postal service receiving a package; your application is now in their system.
Here’s what happens next.
What happens immediately after you submit your visa application to the UKVI?
After you submit your application at a visa application centre, nothing happens until it gets to the UKVI desk.
If you submit online, your application will go directly to the UKVI for further action.
For submission through VACs, the officers at the VAC deliver your application to the UKVI.
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They (the people at the visa application centre) do not make the decision, rather, they forward it to UKVI where its processing will be done.
What does UKVI do when they receive your application?
When your application is received by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), they’ll carefully review/process it.
This means they’ll check every part of your application to make sure everything is accurate, complete, and in line with the requirements for the visa you applied for.
During the processing stage, the UKVI will:
First, look closely at all the documents you submitted to support your application, like your bank statements, invitation letters, and proof of employment.
They’ll check the documents to see that each one is real and reliable.
For example, if you submit a bank statement as your proof of funds, they’ll go through it and confirm that it’s genuine and matches the information in your application.
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On the other hand, if you include an invitation, they’ll check if it explains what you’re going to do in the UK when you arrive.
If you’re attending a business meeting or visiting family, they’ll confirm it.
That’s not all.
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The UKVI will also go over your travel history to see if you have a record of overstaying your visa.
Secondly, they’ll check if you have a clean immigration record.
For example, if you visited a country in the past and stayed within the time you’re allowed to stay, this will present a good impression on the visa officers. It will make them see you as a trustworthy visitor.
But if you’ve overstayed or violated your visa conditions in the past, it’ll raise concerns and affect your chances of getting a visa negatively.
Additionally, they do security checks.
In a UK visa application, a security check is an important part of visa processing.
UKVI needs to make sure every applicant meets the UK’s security standards.
During security checks, they’ll check if you have any criminal records or other red flags that can affect your eligibility.
They’ll also run checks based on the UK’s immigration rules to ensure that you don’t pose a risk to public safety or national security.
How you perform in all of these steps—document verification, travel history review, and security checks—will determine if you qualify for the visa.
UKVI do all these checks to make sure that only applicants who meet the standards set by UK immigration laws will be allowed into the country.
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In addition, they’re trying to protect the integrity of the UK visa system and the safety of those in the country.
Their goal is to make sure that only those who genuinely meet the requirements are granted visas to enter the country.
What happens after UKVI is done checking your visa application?
When they’re done checking your details, UKVI will decide on your visa application.
If they’re satisfied that all the documents are genuine, your information checks out, and you meet the visa requirements, they’ll approve your application.
When done, you’ll get a notification that your visa has been granted, plus instructions on how to collect your passport with the visa stamp or receive it by mail.
However, if there is an issue with your application like if there is a missing document, unclear information, or concerns about your eligibility—they’ll either deny your application or ask you to submit further information.
If they ask for more documents, you need to submit them ASAP.
For example, if the amount listed in your proof of funds isn’t up to the requirements of the visa you applied for, they’ll ask you to provide further evidence to show that you can sponsor yourself while in the UK.
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In the same fate, if your application is refused, the UKVI will send you a letter or an email explaining why they refused your application and what you can do next if you want to reapply.
When you get a decision, whether an approval or a rejection, follow the instructions they’ll give you.
When does UKVI send an email about a visa decision?
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) sends an email about your visa decision once a decision has been made on your application.
This email can come within several weeks to a few months, depending on the type of visa you applied for, your country of origin and whether you’ve applied for priority or standard service.
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In some cases, they won’t send you any email. Here, you’ll get updates about your application only by tracking your application status online.
How do you know if your UK visa application was successful?
You’ll know if your UK visa application was successful when you get an email or letter from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) stating the outcome of your application.
If your visa is approved, you’ll receive a vignette (temporary visa sticker) in your passport for travel, and a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) for long-term stay, which you can collect when you arrive in the UK.
Does UKVI send emails for visa approval?
Yes, UKVI sends emails to inform applicants about the approval of their visa, however, if you opt for text messages only, then, they’ll only send you text messages.
For applicants who receive email updates, the email will confirm the decision of your application plus instructions on how to receive your passport and the visa.
How long does it take for UKVI to make a decision?
The time it takes for UKVI to make a decision depends on the visa type you applied for, the time of year you applied, and your home country.
Generally:
- Standard visitor visas take around 15 working days.
- Student and work visas can take up to 3 weeks.
Priority processing options (when available) will reduce this time to 5 working days or even less for super-priority services.
If you see the statement “Your application has been submitted to UKVI for processing” after submitting your application, it simply means your visa application has been received by the UKVI which is responsible for the processing of your visa.
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They’ll review your application and make a decision based on the information you provided.
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