How to Change UK Visa Type from Normal to Urgent After Application Submission
Changing a UK visa type from a normal to an urgent application post-submission can be a complex process. In this article, we will guide you through the steps and considerations involved, along with important tips and official guidance to ensure that you handle this process effectively.
Understanding Visa Application Changes
Once your visa application has been submitted, changing it to an urgent type can be challenging. The main methods involve contacting the Visa Application Center, checking the application status, submitting a new application, justifying the urgency, and following official guidance.
Contacting the Visa Application Center
The first step is to reach out to the Visa Application Center where you submitted your application. They can provide you with the most accurate advice on whether it's feasible to upgrade your application to an urgent processing type. This step can be crucial in understanding your options and the necessary steps.
Check the Application Status
If your application has not yet been processed, some centers may allow you to pay the difference in fees and expedite the processing. This means that you might not need to submit a new application, but rather just pay a supplementary fee and ensure that your case is flagged for urgent processing.
Submitting a New Application
In some instances, you may need to submit a new application under the urgent category. This will typically involve paying both the initial visa fee and any additional fees associated with urgent processing. Additionally, you should ensure that you meet all the criteria for urgent processing to avoid any delays.
Providing Justification for Urgency
Be prepared to provide a clear explanation for why you require urgent processing. Supporting documents that justify the hurried need can be very helpful. Examples might include critical health concerns, a deceased family member, or an urgent business or personal matter.
Following Official Guidance
Always refer to the UK government's official visa and immigration website for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding visa applications and changes. This will ensure that you are following the correct procedures and that any new policies or guidelines are considered.
Cannot Change to Priority After Submission
It's important to note that once you have submitted your visa application, changing it to a priority service is not possible. You will need to withdraw your current application and then resubmit it under the priority service category. If you decide to withdraw your application, you will not only lose your visa fee, but also the priority service can take a bit longer to process depending on the case.
Here is an example of a specific case: For one of our Loreto sisters, Anastasia Chepkosgei Kiriongi, with passport number AK0392133 and GWF053979617, changing her application from standard to priority service would require withdrawing the current application and resubmitting it under the priority service. This decision may result in the loss of the visa fee, and the new application might take a longer time to process.
Hope this helps clarify the process of changing UK visa types from normal to urgent after application submission.