Turkey visa processing times as of 04 May 2015
Details of the current visa application processing times for the Istanbul Decision Making Center.
Visa
Processing Times
Current visa application processing times for the Istanbul Decision Making Center for the week commencing 04 May 2015:
| Global Service Standards | Current processing times | Current performance against our standards | |
| Super Priority Visa | within 24 hours | 24 hours | within standard |
| Priority Visa | within 5 working days | 4 working days | within standard |
| Business visitors | within 15 working days | 5 working days | within standard |
| Visit Visas | within 15 working days | 8 working days | within standard |
| Tier 1, 2, 4 and 5 and dependants | within 15 working days | 7 working days | within standard |
| Settlement | within 60 working days | 45 working days | within standard |
| Time to make Biometric Appointments across VACs | within 5 working days | 1 working day | within standard |
| Customer enquiry response times | within 20 working days | 2 working days | within standard |
| Complaints response times | within 20 working days | 5 working days | within standard |
These times can change on a daily basis.
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Each application is unique and some may require longer processing times than those listed above. Visit our processing times page to see our globally agreed customer service standards and our recent performance against them.
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Please allow additional time for your passport to be dispatched to you.
Steps to apply for a visa
Visit the UK Visas and Immigration website to complete your application and book an appointment to visit either a Visa Application Centre (VAC) or Temporary Enrolment Location (TEL). Visa Application Centres and Temporary Enrolment Locations are contracted by UK Visas and Immigration to offer customers services that include visa application and biometric collection facilities.
IMPORTANT: If your default browser is a non-supported browser; please ensure you copy-paste the address to one of the tested browsers: Internet Explorer 10, 9 and 8; Chrome 30 and 29; Firefox 25.
If you have used a non-supported browser to register, you must use an alternative email address or select ‘Forgotten your password’ at the log in screen stage when registering on a supported browser
Detailed guidance on the application procedure can be found here:
Once you have made your appointment, you will need to pay your visa fee online. Please read condition of payment and refund policy; mark boxes to confirm you have read and understood the information to make payment. You will be directed to a secure payment system.
Attend your appointment to submit your biometrics information (and any required documentation). For further information about visa application centres and facilities please visit here.
Your visa application and documents will be assessed by the UK Visas and Immigration team in Istanbul and they will make a decision on issuing a visa.
Your documents will be returned to the VAC or to you if you directly if you have purchased return courier service
Where we offer a priority service, this is only available for certain categories of applications. Please check our Visas and Immigration page or UK Visa Application Centre Website for further information.
UKVI is constantly working for opportunities to enable improved customer services.
Important note:
By opting for the Priority Service, it does not imply or guarantee in any way that you will be successful in your application. All visa applicants must meet the requirements of the UK Immigration Rules. The amount paid for the priority service, as well as the visa application fee, is not refundable if the visa application is refused or, in exceptional cases, takes longer to process.
Latest news
On 16 March 2015 UK Visas & Immigration launched a new 24-hour Super Priority Visa Service in Istanbul. The introduction of the Super Priority Visa Service in Istanbul will give customers, applying for most visit or work visas, the option to apply, receive a decision and collect their documents within24 hours. The service costs an additional £600 and is available to customers applying in one of the following immigration routes:
Tourist and short stay visit visas for those with authority to live in Turkey
Points Based System Tier 2 applicants with authority to live in Turkey
Points Based System Tier 5 applicants with authority to live in Turkey
Appointments are available Monday to Thursday from 08:30 until 09:30am. Once an application has been submitted at the Visa Application Centre in Istanbul, applications will be processed and a decision made in the usual way. Customers will then be able to collect their documents from 09:00 the next working day.
Current delays:
None to report.
Forecast service interruptions:
None to report.
International Enquiry Service
If you require any visa information, or have a query about the visa application process, you can speak to an advisor on:
Phone lines: 00 800 142 078469 or 00 44 1243 218 175
Local opening times: 9am to 4pm
Cost: £1.37 per minute, you will not be charged until you are connected to an advisor. Alternatively, if you wish to email or use a web-chat service please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
Contact by email is free, and a 10 minute web-chat will cost £4.
Additional Information
Please be aware that from July 2014, parents will also need to book an appointment at the visa application centre for any children under the age of 5 when applying for a UK visa. A facial image (photograph) will be taken of the child. They will not be required to provide anything else.
Useful links
Step by step guidance on applying for a UK visa
UK Visas and Immigration Istanbul
Updates to this page
Published 1 July 2014Last updated 6 May 2015 + show all updates
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processing times change every week, so the document is updated on a weekly basis
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