The Home Office has confirmed the return of priority services for applications to enter the UK on a family visa.
In March 2022, due to widespread Home Office delays, the standard processing time for spouse visas was extended from 12 weeks to 24 weeks. The Home Office also suspended priority services. In January this year, the Home Office started individually contacting those with a pending application and offered priority service.
In a welcome announcement, the Home Office has confirmed that priority service will be reintroduced from 20 February 2023. This means that from 20 February 2023, those applying to enter the UK on a spouse visa will be able to pay for priority service for a decision in 6 weeks. The priority service fee will be £573.
The Home Office has also confirmed that from 3 April 2023 the standard processing time for spouse visa applications will be reduced from 24 weeks to 12 weeks.