UKVI Announces Changes to Priority Services for Visa Applications

As per an update issued by VFS Global, UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) has announced significant changes to their Priority Visa Services, effective from 13 March 2023. These changes apply to a new study and sponsored work applications, new visit visa applications, and family applications.

Priority Visa Services for new study and sponsored work applications

UKVI has announced that Priority Visa (PV) and Super Priority Visa (SPV) can now be purchased online and at the Visa Application Centre before submitting biometrics for new study and sponsored work applications, where available.

However, customers applying as a dependent in the Start-Up, Innovator, or High Potential Individual route remain ineligible for priority service. They are advised not to purchase this service when booking appointments. They will also not be able to upgrade at the Visa Application Centres.

If customers have mistakenly paid for the priority service as a dependent in one of these categories during the online process, they will be contacted by UKVI for the regrading of their application to the standard service and notified of the arrangements for the refund of the priority fees.

It is worth noting here that customers applying as dependants in the eligible work and study routes cannot purchase SPV while booking their appointments.

If required, SPV can be purchased at the Visa Application Centre at the time of the booked appointment, prior to the submission of biometrics.

Priority Visa Services for New Visit Visa Applications

UKVI has reduced the volume of PV appointments available for new visit visa applications to enable them to process more standard applications and gradually reduce the overall processing time for all customers.

However, appointment availability for SPV for new visit applications will not be reduced, where this service is available. Both PV and SPV appointments for new visit visa applications cannot be purchased retrospectively.

Priority Visa Services for Family Applications

From 20 February 2023, UKVI re-introduced PV services for customers with a new overseas family visa application. PV applications will be assessed within 30 days/6 weeks from the date of biometric submission. The fee for this service is the usual PV fee of £573.

Please note that Priority services are not available in all locations and customers should visit the official website of VFS Global to determine whether their selected application centre offers the service.