Premium service for applications in the UK

This section describes the service at our public enquiry offices for applicants in the UK who want to submit their application in person and receive a decision on the same day.

This is called our premium service, and you will need to pay a higher application fee. The service is:

• by appointment only - you must book an appointment before you come to a public enquiry office;
• available for only some types of application.

If your application is straightforward, you will normally receive a decision on the same day as your appointment - see below. If we cannot make a decision on that day (because your application requires further enquiries, or we are having technical problems), we will decide your application on the next working day or as soon as possible.

In some immigration categories, you can apply online for permission to extend your stay. If you have applied and paid online, you can still use the premium service to submit your supporting documents and enrol your biometric information, and normally you will receive a decision on the same day.

Some types of application cannot be submitted at a public enquiry office. You should read the application form for your application type to find out how you can apply.

Public enquiry offices

The premium service is available at our 7 public enquiry offices, in:

• Belfast
• Cardiff
• Croydon
• Glasgow
• Liverpool
• Sheffield
• Solihull

The offices have different services, facilities and opening hours. Please check the details of the office that you want to attend.

The offices are very busy, and we cannot guarantee that an appointment will be available before your current visa or permission to remain expires. If appointments are not available at one public enquiry office, you may be able to book an appointment at another public enquiry office (but you should check that it offers the service that you require).

For most applications you must pay the fee when you book an appointment. If you are required to pay on the day our public enquiry offices do not accept cash or cheque as payment for applications. You can pay by debit or credit card, banker's draft or postal order at most offices. For more information about fees and how to pay them, see the How much does it cost? page.

The public enquiry offices do not handle enquiries or give advice.

Service standard

Our published service standards describe how quickly we aim to decide different types of application. For charged applications submitted in person at a public enquiry office, our service standard says that we will decide 90 per cent of cases on the same day. We do aim to provide a same day service to everyone who uses our premium service.

Please ensure that you factor sufficient waiting time when making travel arrangements to attend for your appointment. On average, it is currently taking approximately two and a half hours to process a premium service application. For customers attending with family members, we suggest that you add an additional 15 minute wait time for each of your dependants. Please note that this is intended as a guide to help you plan your visit effectively. If your application is complex you may need to wait a little longer and if it is straightforward it may be processed sooner. All premium service applications will be considered on the same day.

We cannot guarantee that a decision will be made on the same day, but the vast majority of applications are decided within this time. If there is likely to be any delay in deciding your application, we will tell you when you attend your appointment.

You should not book any travel outside the UK until we have decided your case and returned all the necessary paperwork, including your passports and any decision letters, to you.