The UK Home Office has updated its guidance regarding visa processing times for UK visa applications submitted outside of the United Kingdom. Delays are due to the UK government’s prioritisation of Ukraine scheme applications.

The guidance states that, on average, skilled worker visa applications are taking six weeks to process and student visa applications are taking five weeks to process. There has been no change to the processing times for family route applications, which may still take up to 24 weeks to process.

Employers should be aware that UK Visas and Immigration has also temporarily suspended priority services for all student, work, and family visa applications submitted outside of the United Kingdom so that the agency can prioritize applications made under the Ukraine schemes. Employers should therefore factor in longer lead times for the recruitment of overseas nationals into the United Kingdom.

[View source.]