Visit Visa - How long does it take?

[RickyR]

My girlfriend went to VFS and submitted her documents for the Visit Visa yesterday, they gave her a time scale of upto 30 days. She had a UK Visit Visa (Business) last year issued, and with all the supporting documents and return flights booked I'm hoping it shouldn't have any hicups.
Does anyone have any recent experience of the waiting time before the visa gets processed?

[reginacarlson]

Hello RickyR. You should have applied using the Fast Track service, it'll be quicker since I think she qualifies.

FAST TRACK CRITERIA
(can normally expect a 48 working hour turn around)

1. Has travelled to (except transit) in the last 5 years, and has evidence:

* UK, Ireland, Schengen Country, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand and has complied with their conditions of entry; or
* Holds a valid visa issued in the last 3 months for one of these listed countries; and
* Their last application for any of these countries was not refused nor were they removed from a country on their last trip.

[RickyR]

I wonder whether an e-mail to the embassy could get it upgraded to a fast track application, will try at least.

[reginacarlson]

Yes, it won't hurt to try. Don't forget to note her application reference number, and give the date of birth and passport details as well. Try to send it to ManilaVisaEnquiries@fco.gov.uk and info.ukph@vfshelpline.com. Goodluck

[RickyR]

Thank you :-)

[reginacarlson]

You're welcome :)

[RickyR]

OK, my next question is with a 6 month single or multiple entry visa, is there a maximum time limit per visit, i.e 3 weeks or whatever?

[vbkelly]

OK, my next question is with a 6 month single or multiple entry visa, is there a maximum time limit per visit, i.e 3 weeks or whatever?

i think still 6months multiple entry, but i heard they bring it down to 3months

[mhynne]

hello. my mom and sister has just been approved a family visit visa here to the UK. they put in their application around december 15 and was able to get the result yesterday. that will be around 3 weeks for them.. although the time scale really does vary.. expect maybe an average 4-6 weeks..
they also were able to get 6 months multiple entry

[gemini63]

My girlfriend went to VFS and submitted her documents for the Visit Visa yesterday, they gave her a time scale of upto 30 days. She had a UK Visit Visa (Business) last year issued, and with all the supporting documents and return flights booked I'm hoping it shouldn't have any hicups.
Does anyone have any recent experience of the waiting time before the visa gets processed?

On my experienced ive got it 3 days only.They automatic lined up my application on the fast track process for hving been to uk before.

[gemini63]

OK, my next question is with a 6 month single or multiple entry visa, is there a maximum time limit per visit, i.e 3 weeks or whatever?

They usually issue multiple entry, either 6 mos, 1 yr or 2 yrs up to 5 yrs,but the maximum time per visit should not exceed 6 mos in each visit.

[joebloggs]

They usually issue multiple entry, either 6 mos, 1 yr or 2 yrs up to 5 yrs,but the maximum time per visit should not exceed 6 mos in each visit.

3 months one was scrapped b4 it even happened :doh

also you should not stay more than 6 months in any one year !

[RickyR]

I sent an e-mail this morning, and Marvie got a call this afternoon saying it had been granted and to collect it tomorrow. Thank you so much everyone.

Just for info, we completed the paperwork online and printed it and submitted the following:

Visa Application
Passport Photo
Passport (containing 6 month visa issued last year) + Old Passport
Contract of Employment
Statement of earnings from employer
Return flight details (we booked fully refundable tickets, and will change them to cheaper ones that are non-flexible now)
Itinerary of her recent travels abroad
Signed and complete checklist

My passport
My letter of support
A letter from my employer stating my employment
My bank statements for last 3 months

And then I e-mailed the two e-mail addresses above today to get it fasttracked.

Many thanks to everyone.

Regards

Ricky

[fhara]

congrats :)