After completing your UK visa application – submitting your document and paying the necessary fees, you have to wait for the immigration authorities to go through your application before making a decision.
This waiting period can be nerve-racking. I prefer to call it the “uncertainty period”. It is usually filled with so many uncertainties – you don’t know if the reply will be positive (approval) or negative (rejection).
Surprisingly, even if you provided all requirements for the visa type you applied for, it does not still guarantee (100%), that your application will be approved, rather, it puts you in a better position to get approval.
During this anxious period, you often find yourself caught between anticipation and anxiety, with your mind wandering through countless possible outcomes.
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The good thing is, most of the time when you submit a complete application and you don’t have admissibility issues, your application will be approved.
If you have applied for a visa and waiting for approval, this guide will show you how to know if your UK visa is approved already.
How to know if your UK visa is approved
To know if your UK visa has been approved, you can check the status of your application through the online tracking tool or send a status request email to the visa application centre where you submitted your application.
If these above options do not give you the result you want, you can also contact the visa application centre on the phone.
Their customer service rep will help you check the status of your visa and revert.
How to know if your UK visa has been approved through the online tracking tool
There are many online tools that you can use to track the status of your UK visa application, you can use the VFS Global website.
- Visit the VFS Global website at https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/.
- Once you are on the site, choose the location of the visa application centre where you submitted your biometrics.
- Locate and click on the “track visa application status” option
- Enter your application reference number (the 16 digits (xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx) provided to you after submitting your application).
- Click submit and you will see the status of your application. If it has been approved, it will show “visa application granted”.
If your application has not been approved, you will see other options like “in progress” or under review.
You can also use the TLScontact website to know if your visa has been approved.
To do this
- Go to the visa application confirmation email you got from UK Visas and Immigration after submitting your application
- Click the link in the email and enter your password to log in to your application on the UK government (GOV.UK) website.
- Click on ‘Documents and Biometrics’ and wait for your browser to redirect you to the TLScontact website.
- Locate the tracking section to view the status of your visa and know if your application has been approved.
If your application has been approved, it will show “Approved”, . If you need to submit more documents, the status will read “more information needed”.
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If your application has been rejected, you will see “Application rejected”, and the reason for rejection will be communicated to you.
How to know if your UK visa has been approved by calling UKVI
You can also know if your UK visa has been approved by calling UKVI at +44 (0)300 790 6268.
They are open for calls 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday. The charge for calls is 69 pence per minute, in addition to your regular network fees.
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You can also reach them at +44 (0)203 875 4669.
What about emails?
Another way to know if your UK visa has been approved is through email – During your application process
Do you get an email when your visa is approved?
Aside from calling the VAC or checking online, you can also know if your UK visa application has been approved through emails.
Once you’ve completed the application process, you will receive a confirmation email from the immigration authorities.
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In the same way, if your application is approved, the UK Visa and Immigration will send you an email notifying you that your visa has been approved and they have been granted entrance to the UK for a certain period.
Keep an eye on your email inbox, including spam or junk folders, for any communication from the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI).
Approval notifications and further instructions will be sent via email.
Visa Application Centre (VAC) services
Another way to know if your UK visa application has been approved is by contacting the VAC. If you applied through a Visa Application Centre, check with them for updates on your application.
VACs also provide additional visa services, including updates on the application status – if your application has been approved, they will let you know.
You can also know through SMS notification
Another way to know if your UK visa has been approved is through SMS. In some cases, you may receive SMS notifications about your visa status if you subscribe to SMS notifications.
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Make sure the contact information in your application form is accurate.
Can also be through changes in visa Vignette
Not the best way to know but it’s still an option. If your application is successful, the visa vignette (sticker) in your passport will reflect the approved visa type and validity period.
Check your passport for any changes.
Frequently asked questions about UK visa approval and their answers
How can I check the status of my UK visa application online?
You can check the status of your UK visa application by logging into the online application portal. The status updates will be displayed in your account.
Is there a specific processing time for UK visa applications?
Yes, the processing time for UK visa applications varies depending on the type of visa you applied for and the country from which you are applying.
If you want to know the specific processing time of your visa type, you can check the official processing times on the UK government website.
Will I receive an email notification if my UK visa is approved?
Yes, if your UK visa is approved, you will receive an email notification from the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) with details about the approval and any further instructions about your stay in the UK.
Can I track the return of my passport after a UK visa decision is made?
Yes, you can track the return of your passport after a decision has been made if you made provision for tracking your passport – if you used a courier in sending your passport to the VAC, you will be able to track it through your courier.
What should I do if I haven’t received any updates on my UK visa application?
If you haven’t received any updates, you can contact the Visa Application Centre (VAC) where you submitted your application to ask for an update about your visa.
If you have any questions about your visa application or wish to complain, you can contact the UK Visa and Immigration office. They are available to answer questions and provide any updates you may need.
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If you don’t want to reach out to them, always refer to the official guidance provided by the UKVI and maintain open communication with the relevant authorities to make your visa application process smooth and transparent.