Schengen Delays Push UAE Residents Toward UK as Visa Issuance Speeds Up

With summer travel approaching, visa applicants in the UAE are encountering extended wait times and limited appointment slots at European consulates via VFS Global. In contrast, the UK Home Office is offering two fast-track options — Priority and Super Priority services — alongside the standard visa process.

The Super Priority Visa Service, the fastest option available, offers a decision within one working day from the biometric appointment date. The service is priced at £1,000 (approximately AED 5,000) on top of standard visa application fees.

“If you are eligible, you can choose the ‘super priority service’ when you apply. You will usually get a decision by the end of the next working day after your appointment, if it falls on a weekday,” according to the UK Home Office.

A second fast-track option, the Priority Visa Service, guarantees a decision within five working days, costing £500 (around AED 2,500) in addition to the standard visa fee. Processing begins after the biometric submission or document upload via the UK Immigration app.

The UK’s faster visa system stands in stark contrast to the longer wait times reported at Schengen visa centers. Frustrations over months-long delays have prompted many UAE residents to alter their summer plans and redirect travel toward the UK.

In addition to the expedited services, the UK continues to offer a range of Standard and Long-Term Visitor Visas, allowing multiple entries over two, five, or ten years. Each visit is limited to a six-month stay.

Visa categories and fees include:

• Standard Visitor Visa (6 months): £127

• Medical Treatment Visa (11 months): £220

• Academic Visit Visa (12 months): £220

• Two-Year Multiple Entry Visa: £475

• Five-Year Multiple Entry Visa: £848

• Ten-Year Multiple Entry Visa: £1,059

Applications must be submitted online via GOV.UK, after which applicants are directed to VFS Global for biometric data collection. Optional premium services include lounge access, document scanning, and courier return of passports.

While delays persist across much of Europe’s visa system, the UK’s streamlined processing — particularly the next-day Super Priority route — is offering UAE residents a faster and more reliable alternative for international travel.