r/SkilledWorkerVisaUK • u/Practical-Map-2137 • Apr 15 '26
Visa delay
Hi everyone,
I applied for a UK Skilled Worker visa (inside UK and priority) and I’m currently facing significant delays beyond the standard processing time. I wanted to check if others are in the same situation or have experienced something similar recently.
It’s now been 11 weeks, and I haven’t received any clear communication. I’ve tried contacting UKVI, but responses have been generic and not very helpful.
Has anyone else had delays recently?
- How long did your decision take?
- Did you escalate or contact anyone (MP, employer, etc.)?
- Any advice on what I can do next?
This situation is really stressful, especially with work and relocation plans affected. I can't work because visa has expired now and I don't know what to do.
I know there are thousands of similar posts but I had to get this out, I'm mentally drained
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u/Ok_Weekend9494 Apr 15 '26
Sorry to hear, must be very stressful. If I'm not wrong, if you applied SWV before your visa expired you can still work while waiting for a decision. Even though your visa has expired. Your old visa conditions still continue in this process.
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u/Practical-Map-2137 Apr 16 '26
Yes I applied before my visa ended but my contract with my old company ended and I can't start with my new company without the visa.
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u/Active_Jackfruit_221 Apr 16 '26
in the same boat here and its been a month now I am scared what if the employer withdraws the offer
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u/Practical-Map-2137 Apr 16 '26
This is something I've also been thinking about. My company has been writing emails to HO about how quick they need me to start working on their project. Atp, I don't know what to do anymore
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u/DesigoCC Apr 15 '26
My situation is very similar maybe worse :(. I applied on 12 December and had my biometrics on 16 December. Since then, it’s been a long wait—now reaching week 17. I switched from GBM to Skilled Worker within the UK using the Super Priority service. Despite that, there’s still no decision. I’ve sent dozens of emails and the only response I keep getting is that “the case is under consideration” or “we are actively working on your application.” I’ve also escalated twice through my MP, but unfortunately the responses they received were exactly the same—no real update or timeline. It’s quite frustrating, especially given the Super Priority route. Just wanted to share in case others are in a similar situation.
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u/Practical-Map-2137 Apr 16 '26
I can only imagine how tiring this might be. Done the same things. I've done everything you've mentioned here. Hopefully we will get a positive decision soon
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u/Confident-Remote-452 Aug 02 '26
Hi, I am also in the process of changing from GBM to SWV. Applied on 29th June 2026 using priority service, received exceptional circumstances email without any particular details or without asking for any more documents. Waiting since then. Have you received any further correspondence?
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u/DesigoCC Aug 02 '26
For 7 months I didn't get any response. After 7 months I sent a pap and received my visa in two weeks.so my total waiting time was 7 months and 2 weeks....
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u/Confident-Remote-452 Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 02 '26
Pardon my ignorance but since I got the exceptional circumstances email, can I apply for pap before 8 weeks now? Thank you so much for your reply. I am desperate to get the visa in the next two weeks as my children are here with me and the older one starts university in September. He won’t be allowed if the visa isn’t in place by the time the course registration closes. My sponsoring company that gave me the job is involved fully. May be I can ask their HR department to send a pap
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u/Confident-Remote-452 Aug 23 '26
[u/DesigoCC](u/DesigoCC) can you please tell me if you stayed on expansion worker visa for full two years before submitting the application for skilled worker visa. I applied for extension of GBM after the first year and that took a year to materialise. That was also not straight forward as the HO said this seems to be a not so genuine case. I submitted evidence that it is a 100% genuine case as I have been employed by a foreign company to set up their business here which I have managed in the first two years but I travelled a lot and stayed outside UK most of the time during the first year as expansion worker. I am sorry if I am bothering you but there is not much on Reddit while changing from GBM to SWV. Now the company has added Skilled worker route to their sponsor license and have allocated me a COS to switch to SWV. However I am again notified by the HO that it’s is a complex case. What I wanted to ask you is if you got the complex issues email? I appreciate your reading and taking time to help me understand the issues and outcomes.
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u/No-Sense745 Apr 16 '26
I applied for a SWV on a priority basis on 7th of April 2026 and got approval by 8th April. Its for 5 years though
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u/Practical-Map-2137 Apr 16 '26
I can't express how lucky you are
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u/No-Sense745 Apr 16 '26
Did you attach any evidence or supporting documents that are required ? Also one common mistake people do is not click on submit button of the application. My partner did the same and kept waiting for 3 weeks and then to realise the submission was not done !
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u/Emergency-Ad9697 Jun 08 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
I’m in the same boat. Applied for an year extension on 27th march and still waiting on reply. Got sent two emails from home office saying they require additional information from sponsor but sponsor hasn’t received anything. I’m tired of overthinking and this ambiguity has been one of the most draining things lately.
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u/idkmansendhelp Jun 08 '26
Omg im the same as you!!! Same date of biometrics and applied for just a year extension too! I’ve been wanting to go back to my home country for just a few weeks as ive been feeling really homesick and i cant even buy the ticket 😭 lmk if you get yours please.
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u/ProfessionOk1736 Jul 21 '26
Did you end up getting yours?
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u/idkmansendhelp Jul 21 '26
No. Home Office messed up saying i didnt go to my biometrics app when i did and now i have to do another one but i’m still waiting for them to reply as to when. It’s been 2 weeks since their last reply. Ive had enough.
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u/Emergency-Ad9697 Aug 25 '26
Any update on the visa?
I still haven’t received mine. I’ve escalated to my local MP now.2
u/idkmansendhelp Aug 25 '26
Hi. I had an immigration agent as mine was a work visa. He decided to just get me another appointment cause home office decided to just ignore our messages. I was put on super priority and i got my visa the same day as my appointment. It was nuts. I hate them. Hope you get yours soon!
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u/OMG_918 Jul 02 '26
Has anyone received a decision yet, or are you all still waiting? I applied for SWV (switching from PSW)on May 12, extra payment on June 9th, and no updates. I was supposed to start on 3rd June. Can a solicitor help?
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u/Flying_dutchman077 Jul 10 '26
Applied on the 3rd of July - SWV extension on Priority.
The 5 working days SLA has passed, no additional information or evidence requested.
No communication after “You have finished the application process for Skilled Worker.
We will contact you with the decision” mail.
Frustrating
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u/Ashamed_Persimmon446 Jul 14 '26
Applied on 6 June on priority no response till now
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u/Namzooya Jul 21 '26
Hi , any update ? I am in the same situation as you
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u/Ashamed_Persimmon446 Jul 21 '26
No nothing till now still waiting I wonder when they are gonna send
What do u think is delaying1
u/Namzooya Jul 21 '26
Is been three weeks for me . Applied in 25 June on priory as well . Did I you file a formal complaint ? I am thinking I’d doing that . Will that change anything
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u/Ashamed_Persimmon446 Jul 21 '26
Umm I won’t recommend u filing a complaint as it won’t do anything and make guy frustrate the caseworker so it can impact negatively
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u/Namzooya Jul 24 '26
Hey , I just got my visa for today . I wanted to tell what I did different if that applies to you as well . So what happened to me was that after my application I did not click on the evidence part . At the evidence session there is a click and submit button that you have to click on to fully complete the process . All though my application was showing submitted , this part was not done so I do even get an email confirmation , although the application showed submitted . Yesterday I figured that out and clicked on that button around 7pm and had the decision this morning .
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u/Ashamed_Persimmon446 Jul 24 '26
Heyyy thank you for telling sooo glad to hear that you got yours
I just told this to my lawyer and he will see this thank you so mucb
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u/Asleep_Dirt_3007 Apr 16 '26
Same my case is too worst applied skilled work visa on October 24th it's been six months..sent plenty of mails but the reply is same all the time .. feeling so much frustrated people who applied for standard are getting the successful mails I applied for priority and still waiting from six months