to confirm whether the type of application they are making is eligible for either the Priority 5 working day or Super Priority next working day service (note that there are separate tables for switching\/extending applications and settlement applications).<\/span><\/p>\nPriority and Super-Priority services may not be appropriate for complex applications which cannot be processed expeditiously.\u00a0 In these cases, your application will be put at the front of the queue at each decision-making stage, but a decision may exceed the priority and super-priority timescales.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThese premium services should also be considered carefully when making extension applications or switching categories where there is a risk of refusal.\u00a0 Specialist advice should be sought to ensure that complex applications are timed strategically and sensibly. <\/span><\/p>\nCan I Stay in the UK While Waiting for a Decision on My Immigration Application?<\/b><\/h3>\n
If you applied from within the UK before your last leave expired then you will be able to stay in the UK until you receive a decision from the Home Office, even if a decision is delayed.<\/span><\/p>\nCan I Travel Outside the UK While My In-Country Application Is Being Processed?<\/b><\/h3>\n
If you have submitted a visa application from within the UK, the general rule is that you must not travel outside the UK while waiting for an immigration decision.\u00a0 If you leave the UK, your immigration application will be treated as withdrawn and you will not be able to request a refund of your application fee.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nYou may travel outside of the UK if you have submitted a naturalisation application or have applied for the EU Settlement Scheme.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat Can I Do if a Decision Is Not Made in Time or I Need an Urgent Decision?<\/b><\/h3>\n
If UKVI is not able to process your visa application in time, due to its complexity for example, you should receive a letter explaining the reasons and what will happen next. This letter should be received within the standard processing time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nIf you do not receive an update from the Home Office, you can contact them directly (by phone, in writing or both) to request an update on your application status.<\/span><\/p>\nYou may wish to consider providing evidence of how the delay is impacting you, for example if you do not have a right to work or study.\u00a0 If there is an urgency or the standard processing time has passed it is possible to ask for the matter to be escalated as a priority.<\/span><\/p>\nIf you paid for a priority or super-priority service and a decision has not been made within the standard processing time then you may also be able to request a refund of the priority or super-priority service fee.<\/span><\/p>\nWhen making enquiries, always take care to make clear that you are not intending to withdraw your application.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nAdditionally you may also consider making a <\/span>formal written complaint to UKVI.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0The complaint process can take up to 20 working days.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nYou may also consider contacting your local MP<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\nPlease note that UKVI has a discretion to treat incomplete applications, for example those that do not include all mandatory documents, outside of the standard service processing times.<\/span><\/p>\n