UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) on 9 October 2026 quietly refreshed its public ‘visa processing times’ page, keeping the India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) turnaround at a headline three weeks but showing no improvement for standard visitor visas, which still average six weeks plus courier time. Migration advisors note that the 3-week metric masks variability: VFS Global’s New Delhi super-priority lane delivers results in 5-7 days at a fee of £1000, whereas files lodged in Kochi take up to five weeks despite the same official SLA. The data drop also confirmed that post-study Graduate route decisions are tracking four weeks for Indian applicants—useful for campuses enrolling January-term intakes. Sponsors issuing Certificates of Sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route should factor in the raised £41,700 salary threshold that took effect in July 2025; failure to meet it remains the top reason for refusals. Clients report that UKVI’s new ‘eVisa only’ policy, phased in since February 2026, continues to cause confusion at Indian airports where some airlines still ask for BRP cards. Indian corporates planning executive visits around Diwali should therefore lodge visitor applications by mid-September and consider the super-priority upgrade if travel is non-negotiable. Meanwhile, the YPS ballot for 2027 opens in February, and demand is expected to exceed the 3,000-place quota yet again.
Source: Five Star International / GOV.UK
