Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average processing time was for student visa applications in the latest period for which data is available; and what steps her Department is taking to reduce processing times for such applications.

Our published transparency statistics can be found here and include data on service standards. The current publication covers to Q3 2024.

Visas, status and immigration data: Q3 2024 - GOV.UK

We continue to operate within our service standard of 15 days for straightforward applications, with even faster times for our priority services.

Where applications are complex and we require further information or checks, decisions may take longer. This is to prevent abuse of our immigration system. All visa applications are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with the immigration rules.

We encourage international students to apply as early as possible and ensure they have provided all required documents, to avoid any delay to starting their studies in the UK. Visa applications can be made up to 6 months before the course start date, once the student has their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from their education sponsor.

We work with educational institutions and partners globally to ensure students are encouraged to apply for their visa as early as possible and guided through the application process online.