Waiting for a visa decision creates anxiety. You hand over your passport at VFS Global and wait for an email. Most applicants in Kenya receive a decision within three weeks.
This guide explains how to track your application and interpret the status updates you receive.
Standard UK Visa Processing Times 2026
The UK Home Office aims to process Standard Visitor Visas within 15 working days. This equates to three weeks from the date of your appointment.
The processing clock starts when you provide your fingerprints at the VFS Global centre in Westlands or Mombasa. It does not start when you pay the fee online. You must count only business days. Weekends and UK public holidays do not count toward the 15-day target.
Priority services are available if you need to travel urgently. You can pay an additional fee of approximately £500 to reduce this timeline to 5 working days. You must select and pay for this option on the VFS website before you attend the centre. You cannot upgrade to priority service once you have submitted your biometrics.
How to Track Your UK Visa Application from Kenya
You have two main methods to check the status of your visa. You need your GWF number for both options. You can find this number on your appointment confirmation letter or your application form.
The VFS Online Tracker
VFS Global provides a free tracking service on their website. You enter your GWF reference number and your last name. The system displays the current location of your passport.
This tracker is not always real-time. It often lags behind the actual progress. You might see the status "Received at Decision Making Centre" for two weeks without change. This is normal and usually indicates your file is in the queue rather than being actively worked on.
Paid UKVI Enquiry
If you need more detailed information, you can contact UK Visas and Immigration directly. This is a paid service. You can send an email enquiry for approximately £2.74 or call their helpline for a per-minute fee.
The paid enquiry team can tell you if a decision has been made. However, they cannot tell you the outcome of that decision. They will simply confirm if the application is "awaiting decision" or "decided."
Understanding VFS Status Emails
You will receive automated emails during the process. These subject lines use specific terminology that can be confusing. Understanding what each phase means helps manage your expectations.
"Forwarded to UK Visas and Immigration"
You usually receive this email on the same day as your appointment. It confirms that VFS has digitally sent your scanned documents and biometrics to the decision-making hub. Your application is now in the system.
"Received at the UK Hub"
This indicates that the Home Office has opened your file. The assessment period begins at this stage. You will likely hear nothing for the next two to three weeks.
"Processed Application Transferred to VAC"
This is the final notification. It means the Entry Clearance Officer has made a decision and closed your file. Your passport is on its way back to the VFS centre in Westlands or Mombasa.
You usually receive a collection email within 24 hours of this notification. Note that this email does not say "Approved" or "Refused." You will only learn the result when you collect your documents.
Knowing If You Are Approved or Refused
The waiting period ends when you receive the collection email, but the result remains unclear until you have your passport. VFS Global does not know the outcome of your application. Their staff cannot tell you if your visa was granted, even if you call them.
The Refusal Letter
If your application is refused, the Home Office usually sends a decision letter via email before your passport returns. This email comes directly from a "homeoffice.gov.uk" address. It contains a PDF attachment explaining the refusal reasons.
If you receive this email, your passport will still return to the VFS centre, but it will not contain a visa vignette.
The Approval Silence
Approvals often come with less communication. You might receive a vague email stating "a decision has been made" without any attachment. In many cases, you simply get a notification to collect your documents.
When you open your passport at the counter and see the vignette sticker, that is your confirmation.
Collecting Your Passport
Once you receive the "Ready for Collection" notification, you must return to the VFS Global centre.
You do not need a new appointment for collection, but you must attend during their specific collection hours (usually in the afternoon). Check the VFS website for current timings in Nairobi and Mombasa.
What to Bring
You must prove your identity to pick up your documents. Security will not release the passport without the following:
- Original Receipt: The receipt issued to you on the day of your biometrics appointment.
- National ID: Your Kenyan ID card or a government-issued identification document.
- Copy of ID: A photocopy for their records.
Third-Party Collection
If you cannot go to Westlands or Mombasa personally, you can send a representative. They must bring a signed letter of authorization from you, their own original ID, and your receipt. This is useful for applicants who live in Eldoret or Kisumu and do not want to travel back to Nairobi just for collection.
Courier Return
If you paid for the courier service during your application, you do not need to return to the centre. VFS will dispatch your passport via their courier partner (usually G4S or similar) to the address you provided. This creates a longer wait time, typically adding 24 to 48 hours to the process, but it saves you the trip to the office.
Why Visa Applications Take Longer
The 15-working-day timeline is a target, not a guarantee. Some applications require more time to assess. If your case is not straightforward, the Home Office will send you an email stating that they cannot meet the service standard.
Common Reasons for Delays
Several factors can cause your application to remain in the "Received at UK Hub" stage for longer than three weeks.
- Adverse Immigration History: If you have been refused a visa for the UK, USA, or Schengen zone in the past, the officer needs more time to verify your records.
- Complex Finances: If your bank statements show unusual activity or large unexplained deposits, the officer may need to conduct deeper verification checks with your bank.
- Peak Travel Seasons: The Nairobi centre experiences high volumes during student intake periods (August/September) and the December holiday season. Processing times often stretch to 4 or 5 weeks during these months.
Getting Your Passport Back Urgently
Sometimes you need your passport for urgent travel while your UK visa is still processing. Once you hand your passport to VFS, you cannot get it back without canceling the process unless you purchased a specific service beforehand.
The "Keep My Passport" Service
VFS Global offers a service that allows you to keep your passport during the assessment period. You must purchase this before or during your biometric appointment. You submit your passport for a quick check, take it home, and only return it once the decision is made. You cannot add this service after you have left the centre.
Withdrawing Your Application
If you did not buy the "Keep My Passport" service and an emergency arises, your only option is to withdraw your application. You can do this via the link in your confirmation email.
This stops the assessment immediately. Your passport will be returned to the VFS centre in Nairobi for collection, usually within 2 to 5 working days. However, withdrawing the application cancels the visa request. You will not receive a visa, and you will not receive a refund of the application fee.
If you are anxious about delays because your application has complex elements, getting professional advice before you apply can help. Our Eligibility Audit identifies potential triggers for delays so you can address them upfront.