Perhaps, in a few instance, UKVI/Home Office may undertake further assessment. Therefore, the UK visa fast track processing time may take longer than the customer service standards. However, if an application takes longer than expected then the UKVI normally informs the applicant. Therefore, applicants should keep their correspondence to a minimum during the consideration process.

Application Tracking

Perhaps, a few years ago, applicants were able to track their UK application status online. However, since the introduction of the GWF number, there is no free online service for tracking the application status. Accordingly, if an applicant is keen to know about the UK visa application status then needs to contact UKVI. However, it is not a free service but a paid service.

You can call or email English-speaking staff with a question about your application. Contact centre staff cannot give you advice about your personal circumstances. UKVI

Calling UKVI to track the visa application

From outside the UK, an applicant may call UKVI at +44 2034811736 to know the status of the UK visa application. Apparently, the service is available 24 hours from Monday to Friday. Perhaps, the representatives of UKVI are usually quite polite. And also apart from English, the service is also available in Arabic, Cantonese, French, Hindi, Mandarin, Russian and Spanish. Usually, after greetings, the UKVI asks for caller’s name and the Credit or Debit Card number. And also informs about the service charges of £1.37 per minute exclusive of international call charges. For instance, if an applicant talks to UKVI for 5 mins, the service charges will amount to £6.85.

Emailing UKVI to know the UK visa application status

An applicant can contact UKVI by email. However, an enquirer needs a credit or debit card to use the email service of UKVI. Accordingly, this first requires filling an online form and the payment details. The cost of each enquiry is £5.48. And this includes initial email plus any follow-up emails. Therefore, to know the UK application status the applicant may provide the GWF number and other relevant details. Usually, the UKVI service standard is to reply within two working days.

Please note: the UKVI contact centre staff are not involved in the decision process. And for urgent enquiries, it is recommended to use the phone service.