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Whichever country you are applying from, a visa that feels slow is not always late. Different visas have different target times, and some of the delay may be on your side. This guide helps you work out whether your visa is actually delayed, then gives the steps to take, in order, when it is.
Step 1: Check the Normal Decision Time
| Visa | Normal time | When the clock starts |
|---|---|---|
| UK visit or study, applying from outside the UK | About 3 weeks | When you prove your identity, for example by attending the centre for biometrics |
| Schengen short-stay | 15 days, and up to 45 days if more checks or documents are needed | From the date the application is accepted |
| Germany, Lagos | Up to 14 calendar days, according to the mission | After your appointment |
| Canada | Varies by visa type and office. Check the IRCC processing times page | After you apply and give biometrics |
| United States | The interview comes first. Some cases go to administrative processing afterwards | After the interview |
If you are inside these windows, you are not delayed. You are waiting.
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Does a delay apply to your passport?
| Passport | Short visit to the Schengen Area | Short visit to the UK |
|---|---|---|
| US, Canada, Australia | No visa, so no decision to wait for | Electronic travel authorisation rather than a visa for most visits. Check gov.uk for the current process |
| India | Schengen visa. Decision times as in the table above | Visit visa. About 3 weeks from biometrics |
| Nigeria | Schengen visa. Decision times as in the table above | Visit visa. About 3 weeks from biometrics |
Why a Decision Takes Longer
- Information that is inaccurate or needs more consideration.
- A request for more evidence, such as proof of funds.
- Supporting documents that need to be verified.
- An interview that is required.
- Further checks on personal circumstances.
- High demand or a technical outage.
Step 2: Look at Your Own Side First
- Check your email and spam folders. Requests for information and decisions arrive by email or letter.
- Log in to your application account and read any message or status change.
- Confirm that every part is complete. UK processing starts only after you have applied, given biometrics and provided documents.
- Answer any request quickly and in full, using the same channel.
Step 3: Contact the Right Office After the Time Has Passed
Once the normal time has gone, contact the office that is handling the decision, not the centre that only took your papers. For the UK, UK Visas and Immigration says to contact it if you have heard nothing after the processing time has passed. Have your application number and passport number ready, and keep the message short. Some missions do not answer status questions at all. The German mission in Lagos says it does not respond to enquiries about the status of an application, so follow the instructions on the mission’s site.
Step 4: Consider a Faster Decision, If Offered
The UK offers a paid faster decision service for some applications, and it must be chosen when you apply, if it is available to you. It speeds up the decision but does not change the outcome. Where no such service exists, there is no way to pay your way to a quicker answer. Beware of anyone who claims they can.
Step 5: Protect Your Travel Plans
- Do not buy non-refundable tickets or accommodation before you have a decision. The UK says it will not reimburse travel costs or other expenses if a visa is refused or takes longer than expected.
- Ask your airline and hotel about change options now, before the date is close.
- Tell your employer, school or host that a decision is pending.
- If your passport is held, ask when it will be returned, and do not plan other travel in that time.
A Hypothetical Example
This is an illustration, not a real case. A student attends biometrics on 3 July for a UK visa and expects a decision around 24 July. On 28 July she has heard nothing. She checks her email and spam, finds no request, and confirms in her account that nothing is outstanding. Because the 3-week period has passed, she contacts UKVI with her application number. She had kept her flight refundable, so waiting a few more days does not cost her money.
A second hypothetical case. An applicant in Delhi files a Schengen application with a visa centre and expects a decision in 15 days. On day 20 she has heard nothing, but her centre confirmed that the embassy asked for one more bank statement. She sends it the same day and the clock continues. The delay was a request for evidence, not a problem with the case.
What Not to Do
- Do not submit a second application while the first is pending unless the office tells you to.
- Do not pay “fixers” or people who claim inside contacts.
- Do not send repeated messages every day. One clear message and a reply is enough.
If the Result Is a Refusal
A decision, even a refusal, ends the waiting. Read the reasons in full and see our guides on avoiding visa denials and appealing a UK refusal.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Schengen visa delayed after 15 days?
Not necessarily. The rules allow up to 45 days where a more detailed examination or more documents are needed.
Can I get a refund if my visa takes too long?
Usually not. The UK refunds the application fee only if processing has not started.
Does a delay mean I will be refused?
Not by itself. A delay means the office needs more time, more checks or more evidence, or that demand is high.
When should I have applied?
See our application timeline for the earliest dates and a calendar to plan from.
If you would like help working out your next step, you can contact KP Visas & Travels.
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