How long does a UK visa decision take, and can I travel while it's pending?

As a rough guide, work visa applications made from outside the UK often take around 3 weeks, and applications made inside the UK around 8 weeks — with paid priority services sometimes available. Important: if you applied from inside the UK, leaving the country before a decision generally withdraws your application. If you applied from abroad, travel elsewhere is usually fine, but your passport may be held. Current processing times are published on GOV.UK.