UK priority and super priority visa services explained

Priority (£500) aims to decide most visa applications within 5 working days; family visas from outside the UK and settlement or citizenship applications usually take 30 working days. Super priority (£1,000) aims for a decision by the end of the next working day after a weekday appointment, or 2 working days after a weekend or bank holiday appointment; it is not available for citizenship. Each family member must pay the fee for their own application. The clock starts at the biometric appointment or when ID Check app uploads are complete.

Inside the UK, GOV.UK tables list which applications qualify. Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Global Business Mobility, Global Talent, HPI, Student and Child Student applications can use both services; family visa applications can use only super priority; some settlement forms only one or the other. There is a daily limit, so if the option is not offered you can still make a standard application.

Outside the UK, whether priority or super priority is offered depends on the visa and the centre. If the service is available you can choose it in the online form, or select it when booking at the visa application centre. The User Pays Visa Application service, for which the Home Office sets a fee of £76.50, is a separate optional convenience service and does not by itself speed up the decision.

A faster service does not change the requirements and the fee is not refunded if the application is refused or if the Home Office needs more information. If you cancel before giving biometrics you get a refund; if you paid the centre's provider directly, request it through your account with that provider. Refunds can take up to 28 days.