Visa processing times in UAE

The UK Border Agency in UAE aims to process most visa applications within 5-10 working days. Settlement visa applications may take up to 12 weeks to process.

When to submit your application

You can start the visa application process up to 3 months in advance of your planned travel date. The UK Border Agency advises you to start the visa application process at least 5-10 weeks prior to your planned travel date. This should allow you enough time to complete your visa application form, prepare your supporting documents, submit your biometric data and for the UK Border Agency to process your visa application. Visa applicants should bear in mind that each visa application is subject to an individual assessment and processing times may vary.

Queries about processing times

If your visa application has exceeded the processing times given on this website and those published in our Customer Service Standards, please email VFS free of charge - details can be found on the 'Contact Us' page of this website.

Guide to processing times

This UK Border Agency Guide to Processing Times gives visa applicants information on how long their applications may take based on recent visa processing performance. The guide cannot be used as a guarantee of individual visa application processing times. Visa applicants should bear in mind that each application is subject to an individual assessment and processing times may vary.

Customer Service Standards

UK Border Agency Customer Service Standards set out the processing time targets that apply to UK visa application centres worldwide.