The UK High Commissioner to Kenya, Jane Marriott, announced on Wednesday that the visa process for Kenyans visiting the UK is now back on track after six months of assurances to improve the service.
According to Marriott, visa applications should now be decided within three weeks, with faster priority services available.
“Six months ago, I promised we would get our visa service for Kenyans travelling to the UK back on track. I’m pleased we’re now at normal customer service standards – a decision should take just three weeks, with faster priority services available,” Marriot tweeted.
According to the official guidance from the UK Visas and Immigrations office, the applicant must either show up for their appointment at a visa application centre and provide their fingerprints and photo, or they must use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to confirm their identity. The waiting period begins once an application is submitted online.
The waiting period will end when the applicant receives an email with the decision on their application.
Individuals applying for a visa to travel to the UK for pleasure, business, or marriage should expect to hear from the visa office within three weeks of their appointment at the visa application centre.
This applies to those seeking a visa to enter the UK for a period of no more than six months.
The decision process for those applying for a student visa or short-term study visa should also take three weeks.
Those applying for a work or investment visa, or to join family in the UK, may have to wait longer.
Applicants seeking to settle in the UK as a spouse or family member may have to wait up to 24 weeks for a decision.
Many Kenyans will be relieved by the announcement, as they have been dealing with long wait times and delays in visa processing.
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.
