Travel Visa

UKVI Introduces New Super Priority Visa Service In Hong Kong

Clients making an application for a United Kingdom visa from Hong Kong will soon be able to be reimbursed for a quicker judgment on their request as United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) introduces a new Super Priority Visa (SPV) service in the area.

Many candidates choosing to use the service will get a judgment on their application by the end of the next business day. The Super Priority Visa service charge is $1,318.68, together with the standard payment for the kind of visa requested.

This is a game-changer for clients in Hong Kong, offering them a level of flexibility never experienced before. In his announcement, the Consul General to Hong Kong and Macau, Brian Davidson CMG, stated, “I am delighted to announce that the Super Priority Visa service is now available in Hong Kong. This new service will be particularly beneficial for our clients in the business and trade industry and those who require a swift decision on their visa. Its introduction offers our clients more flexibility and underscores our unwavering commitment to enhancing the visa services for Hong Kong citizens traveling to the United Kingdom.”

Presently, the Super Priority Visa service is not obtainable for British National (Abroad) visa applications, even though clients making an application for a British National (Abroad) visa already have the choice of a Priority Visa service, which strives to offer a judgment within five business days.

Using The Super Priority Visa (SPV) Service

When you have presented a request for a United Kingdom visa, Home Office case staff will check your request and accompanying documents, who will judge whether to award you a visa and inform you of the result in writing. The time it takes to get a judgment is your visa’s processing time. This process is the same for both the Super Priority and Priority services, with the only difference being the speed of the judgment.

The standard processing time for several classifications of United Kingdom work, visit, and study visas is about 15 business days when applying outside the United Kingdom. However, this does not include evenings, weekends, or federal or public holidays; it may take longer in most situations.

Clients who are eager to expedite the process can rest assured that the Priority and Super Priority Visa services are reliable. Available in selected locations around the globe, these services can be purchased in addition to the visa fee, providing a quicker decision on their visa request. This will bring a sense of relief and peace of mind, knowing that their visa process can be expedited.

Clients who choose to use the new Super Priority Visa service in Hong Kong will often get a decision on their United Kingdom visa application by the end of the next business day if their appointment is on a weekday. If scheduled on a weekend or during a bank holiday, it could take two business days. This gives clients a sense of empowerment, knowing they have control over their visa processing time.

Even when using Priority Services, processing durations are never assured, and reimbursing for a quicker judgment does not imply that your visa will be awarded. Hence, if your request is sudden, candidates are advised to use Priority and Super Priority services if feasible.

Suspension Of Super Priority Visa Service

Clients are suggested that because of a scheduled modification of internal systems from 10-11 September, UKVI will be halting their Super Priority Service for all regions. During these 48 hours, clients will, therefore, be unable to choose and buy their service online or upgrade onsite at the VAC.

The Priority service will be available as often as possible. Hence, there may be a slight hesitation in processing at this time. These services are anticipated to start as usual from 12 September onwards. If you need the Super Priority service, organize a session before 10 September or after 11 September 2024. Please note that during this period, you cannot choose to buy the Super Priority service online or upgrade onsite at the VAC.

Useful Details

When contemplating how long it may take to get a judgment on your United Kingdom visa, clients making an application from Hong Kong are required to understand the following beneficial details concerning the processing durations:

  • Your visa’s processing time starts when you make your appointment at the Visa Application Center and provide your biometric details.
  • If you use United Kingdom Immigration, you cannot get a judgment by the end of the next business day.
  • The current global processing durations for various classes of United Kingdom visas can be discovered here.
  • A visa request may take more time to process for specific events. For instance, if the details are incorrect or need additional deliberation, if you are required to provide further proof or go for an interview, or when UKVI is experiencing elevated requests for visa services.
  • If you use the Super Priority or Priority services and it takes more time than the declared timeframe to get a judgment, you will not often receive your money back.
  • Please check VFS‘ webpage for more details about the range of additional value services available to clients in Hong Kong.