The UK Government’s website, UK.gov reports that it is making an extra special effort to get back to the normal standard of three weeks to issue UK visas.

In the meantime, agents are advised to tell their clients to apply as early as they can. The Visa Department advises that they can apply up to three months ahead of travel and have the visa start from the intended travel date. 

Those who are regular visitors are asked to consider applying for long-term visas – and processing times are the same, according to the Visa Department. The cost of a five-year visa is currently £670 (R13 609), while the cost of a 10-year visa is £837 (R17 006). 

Processing times are the same. 

For an extra fee, the traveller can opt to keep their passport during the application process, in cases where, for example, they need to apply for another visa or to travel urgently to another country.   

Also, clients and agents should note that the processing time starts after the visa centre appointment. Travellers are told not to book flights or accommodation before applying for their visa.

During June, agents said the suspension of the UK’s priority visa service was exacerbating the problem, when the UK Government announced in March that priority visa processing services for all applications outside the UK were being suspended due to the Ukraine-Russia crisis.

Now, the Visa Department indicates that these priority visas are again available in South Africa: “If the traveller needs to travel urgently on compassionate grounds (for example, a medical emergency) or other specific reasons, that needs to be stated on the application form and at the application centre.”