Fast-Track Your UK Visa: Priority and Super Priority Services
Waiting for a visa decision can be one of the most stressful parts of relocating, working, or settling in the UK. If you need a faster decision on your visa, settlement, or citizenship application, the UK Home Office offers optional premium processing services: the Priority Service and the Super Priority Service.
At Immigration Street Legal, we can help you assess whether your application is suitable for these fast-track routes, ensure your documents are perfectly prepared for a rapid decision, and book the necessary premium appointments on your behalf.
The Fast-Track Options
Priority Service
The standard Priority Service bumps your application up the queue, so it is assessed much faster than standard processing times.
Cost: £500 per applicant, paid in addition to the standard visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
Processing Time (Most Routes): A decision is targeted within 5 working days for most eligible work, study, and visit visas.
Processing Time (Family & Citizenship): For family visas applied for from outside the UK, and for citizenship applications, the Priority target is 30 working days.
Super Priority Service
The Super Priority Service is the fastest processing route available from the Home Office.
Cost: £1,000 per applicant, in addition to standard fees.
Processing Time (Weekdays): You will usually receive a decision by the end of the next working day following your biometric appointment or document upload.
Processing Time (Weekends/Bank Holidays): If your appointment or upload falls on a weekend or a bank holiday, the processing target becomes 2 working days.
Exceptions: The Super Priority service is not available for citizenship applications or for family visas applied for from outside the UK.
Applying from Inside vs. Outside the UK
Availability of these premium services depends heavily on where you are submitting your application.
Applying from Inside the UK: Fast-track services are generally available for most leave to remain and settlement applications made from within the UK. You will select your desired speed when submitting your online application and paying the fee. The processing clock begins either on the day you attend your UKVCAS biometric appointment or the working day after you finish uploading documents via the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app.
Applying from Outside the UK: Priority and Super Priority services are offered through international Visa Application Centres, such as VFS Global or TLScontact. However, availability is highly location-specific and subject to local capacity. Visa application centres may suspend premium services without notice during periods of high demand. We strongly advise checking current availability for your specific country before assuming a fast-track option will be offered.
Important Considerations Before Paying
While fast-track services are invaluable for urgent timelines, there are vital rules you must understand before paying the additional fees:
The Clock Starts at Biometrics: The 5-day or next-day timeline does not start when you click "submit" online; it starts only after you have enrolled your biometrics (fingerprints and photograph).
You Must Decide Upfront: You generally cannot add a Priority or Super Priority service to an application after you have submitted it online.
Complex Cases Take Longer: If your application is not considered "straightforward"—for instance, if you have a previous visa refusal, a criminal conviction, or if the Home Office needs to verify your documents with third parties—your decision may take longer than the target time.
No Refunds for Complexity: If your application is delayed because the Home Office needs to conduct further checks on a complex case, your premium fee will generally not be refunded.
Family Applications: If you are applying with family members and want a fast decision, you must pay the £500 or £1,000 premium fee for every single family member.
Official Government Resources
For the most up-to-date information on eligible visas and fast-track processing, please refer directly to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) department:
At Immigration Street Legal, our experienced solicitors ensure your application is completely watertight before you pay for premium processing, minimising the risk of delays, document requests, or lost fees.
Contact our team today to discuss expediting your UK visa application.