There are two possible routes for applying for UK visa or UK naturalization. You can submit your UK visa application either through the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of the Home office services, or through a UK consulate/High Commission/Embassy abroad, depending on the category of visa you are applying for. The table below summarises which applications, immigration and naturalization services can be processed through either route, the processing times and the visa fees where applicable.

Please note that EU/EEA nationals and their family do not have to pay visa fees.

Application	Home office	Abroad*
Fiancee	No	Yes, £260
Marriage application	No, unless you are in the UK on a long-term visa (more than six months). 1 day to 1 month	Yes, £260
Ancestry	Yes, 1 day to 1 month	Yes, £75
Right of abode	Yes, 2-3 months	Yes, £20
Student	Yes (for non-visa nationals only) and you are not a national of Australia, Canada, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea and the USA.1 day to 1 month	Yes, £36 to £80
Au Pair	No	Yes, £36
Working Holidaymaker	No	Yes £36
Retirement	No	Yes £75
Naturalization	8 months	No

* - Processing times can vary depending on Embassy or Consulate.

Highly SKilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) has been very successful and this has led to lengthy processing delays. The new requirement that applicants currently in the UK need to also apply on an FLR (IED) form to work for a new employer or come under HSMP has also caused delays.

You should also note that in some cases the Home Office will need to hold onto your passport for a lengthy period of time. If you need your passport back from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) for travel purposes your application will be considered withdrawn. This can be very inconvenient for people making a FLR (IED) application.