When you’re applying for a UK visa from India, timing can be just as important as eligibility. While standard processing is usually sufficient for most travel plans, you might be in a situation where you need a decision quickly — for urgent travel, job start dates, or family matters. That’s where UKVI’s Priority and Super Priority services come in.
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) offers optional services that expedite your visa decision, reducing the waiting time compared to standard processing. These services are paid extras on top of your regular visa application fee.
There are two main options:
| Service | Expected Decision Time | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Priority Service | ~5 working days | Faster decision than standard processing for most visa categories. |
| Super Priority Service | Next working day | The quickest option — decision usually by end of next working day. |
⚠️ Timeframes begin after you have submitted your application and proved your identity (biometrics or ID app). Actual times can be longer if additional checks are needed.
According to the official UK Home Office fees schedule (effective through 2026):
Priority Service: £500 per applicant
Super Priority Service: £1,000 per applicant
These fees are in addition to the standard visa application fee and are non-refundable, even if your visa is refused or delayed.
While exchange rates fluctuate, in Indian Rupees (approx):
Priority service may cost around ₹60,000–₹63,000
Super Priority service may cost around ₹1,20,000–₹1,30,000
(These figures vary by date and currency conversion — check actual rates when applying.)
📌 These charges apply to all major visa categories (visitor, student, work, settlement), but availability varies by visa type and application centre.
Fill and submit your visa application online (via the official UKVI/ VFS portal).
Pay the visa fee plus the priority or super priority fee at the time of booking your appointment.
Attend your biometric appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
The clock starts once biometrics or ID identity check is done.
Standard processing: Typically around 3–6 weeks for many visa types, but can extend based on volume, time of year, and completeness of documents.
Priority service: Decision in ~5 working days.
Super Priority: Decision usually by the next working day after biometrics.
Priority services are widely available for many categories, such as:
Visitor visas (tourism, business, family visits)
Student visas
Work visas
Spouse and other settlement visas (sometimes with slightly longer “priority” windows)
However:
Not all applications are eligible (e.g., some complex settlement or dependent cases may be restricted).
Priority slots can be limited — especially during peak seasons.
✅ Plan ahead: Priority services cost significantly more — only use them if timing is critical.
✅ Book early: Premium slots fill quickly, especially in major centres like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru or Chennai.
✅ Check eligibility: Not all visa types or centres offer both priority and super priority options.
✅ Prepare documents carefully: Extra document requests from UKVI can delay even priority cases.
✅ Each applicant pays separately: Fees apply per person — including children.
Suppose you apply for a UK Visitor Visa from India:
Standard visa fee: ~£115 (approx ₹10,000–₹12,000)
Priority service: +£500 (~₹60,000)
Total: ~£615 plus priority (~₹72,000+)
Decision: typically within 5 working days.
If you choose Super Priority, expect a decision by the next working day at ~£1,115 (~₹1,30,000+).
Priority and Super Priority services are excellent tools if you need faster UK visa decisions, but they come with significant cost increases and are not always guaranteed to beat delays caused by document issues or extra verifications.
Whether you’re travelling for study, work, family, or leisure, understanding these timelines and fees can help you budget wisely and avoid last-minute surprises.
