Private life route
Family visas · Inside UK
What you should know
Settling in the UK based on long residence and family or private life ties.
Extension or switch lodged from inside the UK after biometric enrolment.
How UKVI counts Private Life processing time
Processing time starts the day UK Visas and Immigration receives your biometric information at a UKVCAS or SSCS service point. It ends when a decision letter or email is issued. Weekends and UK public holidays do not count.
The published wait reflects UKVI's current customer-service standard for the Private Life route, not a personal estimate. Your application can take longer if documents need to be verified, an interview is requested, or if your case is complex (for example, a previous refusal or criminal record).
You may be eligible to pay for a faster decision if you need a result sooner. Priority and Super Priority services are not available for every route — check the gov.uk page below for current availability.
When you might wait longer than the published target
- Documents need to be verified directly with the issuing authority.
- Your application is incomplete or evidence of funds was not provided.
- UKVI requests an interview to confirm details about your application.
- You have a previous refusal, immigration breach, or criminal conviction on file.
- UKVI is dealing with unusually high demand or a system outage.