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How Swiss Citizens Can Check Their UK Visa Application Status
- Paul Richmond
- Jan 5
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 4
If you are a Swiss citizen who has applied for a UK visa, waiting for a decision can be stressful, especially if you have a travel deadline or important plans. Fortunately, the UK visa application process allows applicants to track the progress of their UK visa application and check their UK visa application status.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how Swiss residents, individuals living in Switzerland, and Swiss passport holders can check their UK visa application status. This will help you stay informed and up-to-date throughout the UK visa application process.
We also provide useful additional information for Swiss nationals looking to track the status of their UK visa application. This includes Home Office service standards for deciding on a UK visa application, how to find current UK visa processing times, factors that may delay a decision on a UK visa application, how to expedite a decision, and how to follow up on a delayed decision.
The Importance of Checking Your UK Visa Application Status
For Swiss citizens, regularly checking the status of your UK visa application is crucial. It helps you stay informed about your application’s progress and gives you an idea of how much longer you might have to wait. By checking your UK visa application status regularly, you can ensure that your application is moving through the process as expected and that there are no issues or delays.
Additionally, monitoring your UK visa application status allows you to spot any errors or omissions in your application and correct them before it’s too late. If you notice that your application has been pending longer than usual, contacting UKVI might be necessary to address any potential issues.
By staying updated on your UK visa application status, you can plan your next steps accordingly. For example, if your application is approved, you can start organizing travel or booking accommodation. If it’s refused, you may need to consider reapplying or seeking legal advice regarding an appeal or administrative review.
What Information Do You Need to Check Your UK Visa Application Status?
To check your UK visa application status, Swiss nationals will need specific information about their application:
Personal and Contact Details: Provide your first name, last name, nationality, date of birth, and the email address used in your application.
Passport Number: The passport number you used when applying for your UK visa.
Type of Visa Applied For: Confirm the UK visa or immigration route you applied for.
Date of Application or Biometrics: The date of your visa or immigration application and when you provided your biometric information.
Place of Application: If your application was submitted overseas, provide the location of the visa application center.
GWF Reference Number: A unique 9-digit reference number (GWFxxxxxxxxx) assigned to your application.
Application Reference Number: A 16-digit reference number (xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx) if provided.
Immigration Health Surcharge Reference Number (if applicable): If you paid the Immigration Health Surcharge, provide your IHS number.
Make sure you have all necessary information and documents ready before checking your UK visa application status to avoid delays or complications.
How Swiss Nationals Can Check Their UK Visa Application Status From Switzerland
Using the TLScontact Website
Open Your Confirmation Email: Locate the email from UK Visas and Immigration.
Sign Into Your Application: Click the link in the email and log in on the GOV.UK website.
Navigate to TLScontact: Click ‘Provide Documents and Biometrics’ and then ‘Continue’ to be redirected to TLScontact.
Select ‘Track’: View the real-time status of your application.
Using the UKVI Website
Visit the UKVI Website: Go to UKVI.
Click ‘Start’ and ‘General Enquiry’: Complete the online form to check your application status.
Contacting UKVI by Telephone
Call UKVI at +44 (0)300 790 6268: Select option 1 to check your application status.
How Swiss Nationals Can Check Their UK Visa Application Status Within the UK
Using the UKVCAS Website
Unfortunately, UKVCAS does not provide status updates online.
Contacting UKVCAS by Telephone
UKVCAS does not offer telephone support for checking application status.
Using the UKVI Website
UKVI does not provide application status updates online.
Contacting UKVI by Telephone
Call the UKVI Contact Centre at 0300 790 6268: Select option 2 for in-country applications.
Frequently Asked Questions About Checking Your UK Visa Application Status
1. Does UKVI Have Standard Processing Times for UK Visa Applications?
Yes, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) publishes service standards for visa application processing times. These standards provide an estimated timeframe for how long it should take to process different types of visa applications. For Swiss citizens applying for UK visas, here are the typical service standards:
Non-settlement Visa Applications (submitted outside the UK):
90% should be decided within 3 weeks.
98% should be decided within 6 weeks.
100% should be decided within 12 weeks.
Settlement Visa Applications (submitted outside the UK):
98.5% should be decided within 12 weeks.
100% should be decided within 24 weeks.
Applications for Leave to Remain (submitted within the UK):
Typically, 8 weeks for most categories such as spouses, workers, and students.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Applications (submitted within the UK):
6 months for processing.
Applications for No Time Limit (NTL) (submitted within the UK):
6 months for processing.
Sponsor Licence Applications:
8 weeks.
Updating Sponsor Licence Details:
18 weeks.
These service standards represent the target processing times for straightforward applications. Actual processing times can vary, and if the service standard is exceeded, this can be raised with UKVI.
2. What Are the Current Home Office UK Visa Processing Times?
The Home Office provides updated information on visa processing times on its official website. These times reflect the current average processing durations and are updated regularly. For Swiss nationals, it's helpful to check the Home Office's website for the most recent information on processing times for the specific visa type you have applied for. This can give you a more accurate estimate of how long your application might take compared to the service standards.
3. What Factors Can Delay UK Visa Processing Times?
Several factors can affect the processing times of your UK visa application:
Complexity of the Case: Cases involving complex legal or humanitarian considerations, such as Article 8 ECHR rights or derivative rights of EEA extended family members, can take longer.
Suitability Requirements: Issues related to criminality or other suitability concerns can delay processing.
Adverse Immigration History: Previous immigration issues or refusals can complicate and delay processing.
Authenticity of Documents: Concerns about the validity of submitted documents can cause delays.
Volume of Documents: A large amount of documentation may require additional time for review.
Additional Investigations or Interviews: If further information or an interview is required, this can extend processing times.
Caseworker Capacity: The availability and workload of caseworkers can impact how quickly applications are processed.
Time of the Year: Peak times, such as holiday seasons or application surges, can affect processing times.
Swiss nationals should be aware that there is no standard service time for complex cases, and UKVI has a wide margin of discretion regarding the timing of decisions.
4. How Can I Get a Faster Decision on a UK Visa Application?
UKVI offers premium services for faster processing:
Priority Service: Available for a faster decision, usually within a shorter timeframe than the standard processing times.
Super Priority Service: Offers the quickest processing, often resulting in a decision within 24 hours.
To use these services, you must select them at the time of your application and pay the additional fee.
5. How Can I Chase a Delayed UK Visa Application?
If your UK visa application is delayed beyond the standard or expected processing times, you can take the following steps:
Check Your Application Status Regularly: Use the TLScontact or UKVI websites to monitor your application's progress.
Contact UKVI: Use the contact methods provided (phone or email) to follow up on your application.
Submit a Formal Inquiry: If your application has exceeded the standard processing time, you may need to submit a formal inquiry with UKVI.
Seek Legal Advice: If delays are excessive or if you face issues with your application, consulting an immigration lawyer can help address your concerns and explore options such as appeals or administrative reviews.
Conclusion
For Swiss citizens checking their UK visa application status is an essential step to stay informed and manage your plans effectively. Whether using TLScontact, UKVI websites, or phone lines, ensure you have all the necessary details for a smooth process.
Good luck with your application!
Contact Our UK Immigration Lawyers in Switzerland
For expert advice and assistance with your UK visa application or immigration appeal, contact our UK immigration lawyers in Switzerland on +41 21 588 07 70 or get in touch via our contact form.
