Let’s be honest, one of the most stressful parts of planning an international move is the unknown wait. You’ve secured that crucial job offer from a licensed UK sponsor, and now you’re staring down the visa process wondering: How long is this actually going to take?
The term “Express Entry” might get searched, but as we know, the UK’s system is the Skilled Worker visa route. While it’s not “express,” its timeline is more predictable than you might think, provided you understand the stages. This isn’t just about government processing times; it’s about the entire journey from saying “yes” to the job to unlocking your new front door.
Forget vague guesses. Here’s a realistic, phase-by-phase timeline to set your expectations and help you plan your life around this major transition.
Phase 1: The Preparation Stage (Your Control)
This phase happens before the UK Home Office even sees your name. Its length depends entirely on you and your employer’s efficiency.
What’s happening: You’re gathering your mandatory documents while your employer applies for your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The CoS is a unique reference number, not a physical document, that proves your job offer is legitimate under the sponsorship system.
Key Tasks & Timing:
- Document Gathering (1-4 weeks): This includes getting your passport in order, obtaining official proof of your English language ability (like an academic transcript or test certificate), and ensuring your personal savings have been at the required level (£1,270) for 28 consecutive days. If you have dependants, start their documentation now too.
- Employer Obtains Your CoS (1 day – 3 weeks): Your employer requests your CoS from the UK Visas and Immigration system. If they’re assigning a CoS from their annual allocation, it can be done in a day. If they need to apply for a new, unrestricted CoS, it can take several weeks. Stay in close contact with your HR or hiring manager during this period.
Realistic Expectation: Don’t rush this phase. A thorough, error-free preparation phase prevents catastrophic delays later. Allocate 3 to 6 weeks to get everything perfectly in order.
Phase 2: The Application & Decision Stage (The Official Wait)
This is the core visa processing period, starting the moment you submit your online application.
The Step-by-Step Breakdown:
- Online Application & Fee Payment (1-2 hours): You complete the main form on the official GOV.UK website, enter your CoS number, and upload scans of your supporting documents. Here, you’ll pay two big costs: the application fee (varies from ~£719 to £1,500 depending on job and visa length) and the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 per year, paid in full upfront).
- Biometrics Appointment (1-2 weeks for the appointment): After applying online, you must book an appointment at a visa application centre (run by TLScontact or VFS Global) in your country of residence. Here, you’ll have your photo and fingerprints taken and submit your passport. Appointment waits vary by location and season.
- Home Office Processing (The Main Wait): After biometrics, your application is under formal consideration. The UK government’s standard service pledge is 3 weeks (15 working days) for decisions made outside the UK. This clock starts from your biometrics appointment.
- Priority Services: For an additional fee (around £500-800), you can opt for “Priority” (5 working day target) or “Super Priority” (next working day target) services, if available in your location. These slots are limited and not guaranteed.
Realistic Expectation: For a standard application without priority, plan for a total of 4 to 7 weeks from online submission to having your passport back with the visa vignette (sticker) inside.
Phase 3: Post-Decision & Pre-Arrival (The Final Logistical Sprint)
You have your visa! But you’re not on the plane yet. This phase is about practicalities.
- Receiving Your Visa Vignette: Your passport will be returned with a 90-day entry vignette. You cannot enter the UK before the start date printed on this vignette.
- Planning Your Entry: You must travel to the UK and collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within the 90-day window. The BRP is your full, multi-year visa card.
- Collecting Your BRP: You pick this up from a designated UK Post Office branch (detailed in your decision letter) usually within 10 days of arrival. You’ll need your passport and the decision letter.
- The Final Hurdle – Right to Rent Check: Before you can sign a long-term lease, your landlord will need to see your BRP to conduct a “Right to Rent” check. Don’t expect to secure permanent housing before you have that card in hand.
Realistic Expectation: This phase can take 1 to 4 weeks, depending on how quickly you can wrap up your affairs, give notice, and book travel.
The Complete Picture: From Job Offer to First UK Month
So, what’s the total from “Congratulations, you’re hired!” to being a settled new arrival?
- Best-Case Scenario (Priority Service, Smooth Prep): 8-10 weeks.
- Average Scenario (Standard Service, Steady Progress): 12-16 weeks (3-4 months).
- Cautious Planning Scenario (Delays in CoS or Documents): Up to 5-6 months.
A crucial, non-negotiable tip: Do not give notice on your current job, sell your car, or book non-refundable flights until you have your visa physically in your passport. The timeline is predictable, but not infallible.
Understanding this roadmap takes the anxiety out of the unknown. It transforms the wait from a frustrating black box into a series of manageable steps, each with its own light at the end of the tunnel. Use this timeline to plan logically, communicate clearly with your employer about start dates, and move forward with confidence. Your UK chapter is being meticulously prepared—one carefully checked document at a time.
Conclusion
So, here we are. You started this journey with one big, pressing question—”How long?”—and hopefully, you’re now stepping away with something much more valuable: clarity.
The timeline for your UK move isn’t a mystery. It’s a logical sequence of phases, each with its own set of tasks and a predictable rhythm. Yes, there are variables—your employer’s speed in securing your CoS, appointment availability at your local visa Centre, the postal service. But these are edges you can smooth out with early action and clear communication. The core path from application to arrival consistently takes a matter of months, not years.
The most empowering part of this knowledge is that the first and longest phase—the preparation—is almost entirely within your control. The weeks you spend meticulously gathering documents, ensuring your finances are in flawless order, and dotting every ‘i’ are not wasted time. They are your investment in a smooth, uninterrupted process. A single missing bank statement or an incorrect date can add weeks of delay; getting it right the first time is the closest thing to a “fast track” there is.
As you move forward, let this timeline be your practical guide, not just a set of dates. Use it to have honest conversations with your future employer about a realistic start date. Use it to plan your goodbye to your current job without burning bridges.
Your UK Visa Timeline: The Common Questions Answered
You’ve got the timeline guide, but real life always brings up those specific, nagging questions. Let’s tackle the most common ones that pop up when you’re trying to plan your move around visa processing.
Can I really speed up the visa process?
Yes, to a degree. The most effective “speed” comes from your own thorough preparation in Phase 1. Having every single document perfectly ready the day you get your CoS is the biggest time-saver. Officially, you can pay for a Priority (5 working day target) or Super Priority (next-day target) service if it’s available in your application country. These are expensive add-ons and slots are limited, so you must check availability the moment you start your online application. Don’t bank on them being an option.
My vignette is for 90 days, but my job starts in 4 months. What do I do?
This is a common stress point. Do not enter the UK before the start date on your vignette. If your job start date is after your 90-day entry window expires, your sponsor must request a change and you’ll need to get a new vignette sticker in your passport. This means more fees and more waiting. This is why agreeing on a realistic start date with your employer before they apply for your CoS is absolutely critical.
What happens if the Home Office takes longer than 3 weeks to decide?
The 3-week (15 working day) service standard is a target, not a guaranteed promise. During peak seasons (like summer), decisions can take longer. If your application is complex or requires further checks, it will also take more time. You cannot formally chase the application until it is outside the standard processing time. The key is to factor in buffer time when planning your notice period and travel.
I have my visa. When should I actually book my flight?
Only after you have your passport back in your hands with the visa vignette physically inside it. Check the valid from date on the vignette. Do not book a flight for a date before this. Once you have that date, you can book your one-way travel with confidence.
Can I go to the UK early to look for housing before my job starts?
This is risky and often not practical. You can enter as a visitor during your vignette’s validity, but you cannot start work, and landlords will be very hesitant to let you sign a lease without your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). Your BRP is your full proof of right to rent. Most people secure temporary accommodation (like a short-term rental or Airbnb) for their first few weeks and use that time, after collecting their BRP, to find a permanent home.
How long do I have to collect my BRP once I arrive?
You should collect your Biometric Residence Permit from the designated Post Office within 10 days of arriving in the UK, or before the vignette in your passport expires, whichever is later. It’s a straightforward process, but it’s a legal requirement.
What if my personal or job circumstances change during the application?
You must inform the Home Office immediately. A significant change, like a change in your job role, salary, or employer before you get the visa, likely means your Certificate of Sponsorship is no longer valid and you’ll need to restart the application. This is why it’s crucial to have everything settled and confirmed before you hit “submit” and pay your fees.
Can my family apply at the same time as me?
They must apply separately, but they can and should submit their dependent visa applications at the same time as you. This links their applications to yours and means your timelines should be aligned. If they apply after you, their processing will start from scratch, potentially leading to family separation during the move.