Kenyans will now wait for only three weeks to have their UK visas processed, following new adjustments on visa processing duration announced on Wednesday by United Kingdom High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott.
This means that Kenyans applying for visas to visit the UK for a holiday or to see family or friends, business trip or meeting, to get married or to study for 6 months or less, will no longer have to wait for six weeks to know whether their visas have been approved or denied.
High Commissioner Marriott who issued the statement on Wednesday said the three weeks waiting duration also includes persons applying for a visa to travel through the UK on their way to another country.
“I’m pleased we’re now at normal customer service standards – a decision should take just three weeks, with faster priority services available,” Marriott stated.
According to the UK Commissioner, priority services will get a faster decision. A decision will be made within 5 working days of an appointment at the visa application centre.
For super priority service, the visa will be ready to be collected by the end of the next working day from when one provides their biometric information.
“There will be an additional cost for this service,” she states.
Those seeking a UK visa to join family in the UK will have a longer waiting duration of 24 weeks in order to get a decision after attending an appointment at the visa application centre.
This includes those applying to settle in the UK as the spouse, partner or family member of someone who has British citizenship or is settled in the UK.
“If you are applying as the dependent of another applicant, you will get your decision at the same time,” it adds.
The statement however indicates that persons applying for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit will get a decision as soon as possible after proving your identity and providing required documents.
Last year in July the High Commissioner had indicated that they are working on addressing delays experienced by Kenyans in getting UK visas, an issue that has caused major inconveniences.
She however noted that this was a global issue and not just in Kenya.