The Super Priority Visa UK service is designed for individuals who require a quicker decision on their visa application. Offering a 24-hour processing time, it is an option for those needing urgent approval for travel, work or residence. The service is available for certain application categories, including work, family and student visas, but eligibility criteria vary depending on the specific visa type.
For applicants, there are a number of important considerations. The service comes with a significantly higher fee compared to standard visa processing, and payment does not guarantee a successful application.
Rejections can occur if supporting documents are incomplete or do not meet UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements, leading to delays and additional costs.
As such, care will need to be taken to ensure the application is complete and correct, and that all required documentation should be accurate, up-to-date and submitted in the correct format. Applicants must also ensure they are eligible for the Super Priority service before applying.
So while the priority visa service offers convenience and speed, it may not always be necessary or cost-effective. Applicants should weigh their circumstances and the urgency of their situation against the additional expense to make an informed decision about using this expedited option.
What is visa priority processing?
The UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) is the system for processing UK visa, settlement and citizenship applications made within the UK. Processing is handled by a private company, currently TLScontact, on behalf of the Home Office. UKVCAS are only responsible for forwarding your supporting documentation and submitting your biometric information to UKVI, and not for making the application decision or providing you with your permit.
Under the processing system, some applicants making a UK immigration application ‘in-country’ are required to attend a UKVCAS appointment to have their identity confirmed, enrol any biometric information that may be required, and submit their supporting documentation. Following your appointment, UKVCAS will then submit your biometric information and supporting documentation to UKVI for a decision to be made.
However, the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check‘ app offers an alternative for eligible applicants, allowing them to verify their identity and submit necessary information remotely, eliminating the need for an in-person appointment. You will be advised when applying which option is open to you to verify your identity.
Once you have completed the identity verification stage, standard processing can take anywhere between four weeks to six months, depending on the type of application you have made (naturalisation for example will usually take longer to process than a points-based Skilled Worker visa).
For some types of applications, expedited processing is available using the UKVCAS super priority or priority services.
Priority & super priority service visa processing times
The UKVCAS Super Priority Service is an expedited processing option offered to applicants making certain in-country UK visa, settlement, or citizenship applications. It allows individuals to receive a decision on their application generally by the end of the following working day after submitting biometric information and supporting documents.
The Priority Service typically results in a decision within five working days. However, for Family visa applications submitted from outside the UK, the decision timeframe extends to approximately 30 working days.
Priority service processing starts after you have submitted your biometrics either at a UKVCAS appointment or using the ID Check app, whereby you will get a decision within one working day if your appointment is on a weekday, or in two working days if your appointment is at the weekend.
There are, however, instances where the decision-making process might take longer, such as when the Home Office requires additional information from you or needs to verify details with other government departments. If this happens, you will be informed.
In most cases, delays do not entitle you to a refund of the priority or super priority fee. For more details on refunds, check the Home Office refund policy.
How much is super priority processing?
The super priority service costs £1000 in addition to the standard application fee.
The priority service costs £500 on top of the standard application fee.
Who can use the priority services?
Applicants within the UK must already have legal permission to be in the country to use the priority or super priority services. Importantly, faster decision options are only available for specific types of visa applications. Always verify your eligibility and the visa categories covered by these services before applying.
UK visa applications eligible for priority processing
| UKVCAS appointment: within 5 working days | UKVCAS appointment: next working day | ID app: within 5 working days | ID app: next working day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child student visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Family visa | No | Yes | No | No |
| Global Talent visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Graduate visa | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Graduate Entrepreneur | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Graduate Trainee – Global Business Mobility visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Health and Care Worker visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| High Potential Individual visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hong Kong BNO visa | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Innovator Founder visa | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Intra-company visas | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Investor visa (Tier 1) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Minister of Religion visa (T2) | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Scale-up Worker visa | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Secondment Worker – Global Business Mobility visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Senior or Specialist Worker – Global Business Mobility visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Service Supplier – Global Business Mobility visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Skilled Worker visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| International Sportsperson visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Student visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Temporary Work – Charity Worker visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Temporary Work – Creative Worker visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Temporary Work – International Agreement visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Temporary Work – Religious Worker visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UK Ancestry visa | No | Yes | No | No |
| UK Expansion Worker – Global Business Mobility visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Youth Mobility Scheme visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Applying as the dependent child or partner on a work, global talent, start up or innovator founder visa | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Applying as the dependent child or partner on a Student visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Applying as the dependent child or partner on a Health and Care Worker visa | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Applying as the dependent child or partner on a Minister of Religion visa | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Applying as the dependent child or partner on a Scale-up Worker visa | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Applying as the dependent child or partner on an International Sportsperson visa | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Applying as the dependent child or partner on a Hong Kong BNO visa | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Applying as the dependent child or partner on a Global Business Mobility visa | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Applying as the dependent child or partner on an Investor visa | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Applying as the dependent child or partner on a Graduate Entrepreneur visa | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Applying for human rights claims, leave outside the rules and other routes through form FLR(HRO) | No | Yes | No | No |
| Applying for other routes through form FLR(IR) | No | Yes | No | No |
UK settlement applications eligible for priority processing
| UKVCAS appointment: within 5 working days | UKVCAS appointment: next working day | ID app: within 5 working days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application to settle on the basis of UK Ancestry (through form SET(O)) | No | Yes | No |
| Application to settle as a former member of HM Forces (through form SET(AF)) | No | Yes | No |
| Application to settle as a child under 18 (through form SET(F)) | No | Yes | No |
| Application to settle if you’ve been in the UK legally for 10 continuous years (known as ‘long residence’) | No | Yes | No |
| Application to settle if you work, establish a business or invest in the UK (through form SET(O)) | Yes | No | No |
| Application to settle as the partner of a person, or parent of a child, who is present and settled in the UK (through form SET(M)) | No | Yes | No |
| Application to settle as an Innovator Founder | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Application to settle on the basis of BNO Hong Kong | Yes | No | No |
| Application to settle as the dependent child or partner of a BNO Hong Kong visa holder | Yes | No | No |
How will I receive my application decision using the priority services?
Once a decision has been made by UKVI on your application, you will receive an email, followed by a decision letter in the post. However, the email will only give you the outcome of your application if it has been approved. If it is refused, you will not find out until you receive your letter.
Pros and cons of the super priority service
The Super Priority Service offers several benefits to applicants, particularly the speed at which visa and settlement decisions are made. A significant advantage is the 24-hour decision timeframe, which is ideal for those who need urgent resolution for travel, employment or family commitments. The expedited processing can reduce anxiety by providing clarity and certainty in a much shorter timeframe than standard or priority services. The service is available for a range of visa categories, making it a flexible option for many applicants.
However, the Super Priority Service also has some drawbacks. The most notable is its high cost, which is significantly higher than both the standard and priority services. For many applicants, this fee can be prohibitive, especially when combined with other visa application costs. Also, the service does not guarantee a positive decision; an application can still be refused if it does not meet the necessary criteria.
Availability can also be a challenge, as appointment slots are often limited and may not always align with the applicant’s needs.
Finally, if the Home Office requires additional information or time for checks, the expedited decision period may be delayed, and refunds are generally not offered in these cases.
So while the Super Priority Service is invaluable for urgent situations, applicants should weigh the costs and potential limitations before opting for it.
Need Assistance?
Immigration rules and processes can be challenging for applicants. Mistakes or missing documents can lead to delays, rejections or wasted fees. For specialist support with your application, speak to our UK immigration experts.
Super priority visa FAQs
What is the Super Priority Service?
The Super Priority Service is an expedited processing option offered by the UK Home Office that provides a visa or settlement decision by the end of the next working day after your UKVCAS appointment.
Who can use the Super Priority Service?
The service is available for certain visa and settlement applications, such as Skilled Worker visas, Student visas, and some family applications. Eligibility depends on the specific application type and how you prove your identity.
How much does the Super Priority Service cost?
The service costs £1,000 in addition to the standard application fee for your visa or settlement application.
Does using the Super Priority Service guarantee approval?
No, using the Super Priority Service only speeds up the decision-making process. Approval still depends on meeting all the Home Office requirements for your application.
What happens if a decision is delayed?
If the Home Office requires additional information or checks with other government departments, the decision might take longer. Refunds are not usually issued in such cases.
Can I use the Super Priority Service from outside the UK?
The Super Priority Service is only available for in-country applications. If you are applying from outside the UK, other priority services may be available.
Is the Super Priority Service worth it?
The service is ideal for those who need an urgent decision for travel, work, or other time-sensitive matters. However, the high cost and lack of guaranteed approval mean it may not be suitable for everyone.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Super Priority Service | A premium Home Office service offering visa or settlement decisions within 24 hours of appointment. |
| UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services) | A service provider responsible for handling biometric enrolment and document submission for in-country applications. |
| Priority Service | A faster processing option for visa and settlement applications, with decisions typically made within five working days. |
| Biometric Information | Data such as fingerprints and photographs collected to verify an applicant’s identity. |
| Standard Processing Time | The typical timeframe for processing visa applications without expedited services, often several weeks or months. |
| Application Fee | The standard cost of applying for a visa or settlement, excluding additional fees for priority services. |
| Refund Policy | The rules governing whether applicants are eligible to get their fee back if services are delayed or unavailable. |
| Eligibility | The criteria an applicant must meet to use the Super Priority or Priority services. |
| Working Day | A day when the Home Office is operational, usually Monday to Friday, excluding weekends and public holidays. |
| Immigration Rules | The legal framework outlining the requirements and processes for visa and settlement applications in the UK. |
| In-Country Application | A visa or settlement application made from within the UK, rather than from overseas. |
Author
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
