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Turkey visa processing times as of 04 May 2015

Details of the current visa application processing times for the Istanbul Decision Making Center.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Visa

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.

  • 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.

  • 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:

How to apply for a UK visa (English)

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email govuk-feedback@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

How to apply for a UK visa (Turkish)

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email govuk-feedback@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

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.

Step by step guidance on applying for a UK visa

UK Visas and Immigration Istanbul

Updates to this page

Published 1 July 2014
Last updated 6 May 2015 + show all updates
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