I need to get to London for a family emergency. VFS is offering the Super Priority service for a huge fee. Before I pay, has anyone used it recently? Does the clock start when I walk out of the centre, or when they send the email? I’m terrified of paying and then getting a ‘technical delay’ message.
Realizing the urgency here is paramount, specifically regarding the timestamp usage. The processing clock technically commences the moment you complete your biometric enrollment at the VFS center, not upon email receipt. This ultimately will be the standard procedure unless a specific IT outage occurs. However, keep in mind the CUTOFF TIME; appointments late in the day often push the ‘Day 1’ count to the following morning. Just a heads-up so you don’t book your flight too aggressively. History lives in the details, so observe the timing closely.
Many of our clients use UK Super Priority for emergency, business, or medical travel. If you submit your application and biometrics before 10 a.m**.**, in about 99% of cases you get the decision and passport the same day.
The processing time starts after your biometrics are completed at VFS, not when you just walk out. In very rare case there can be a delay to the next working day due to technical or security checks, but this is uncommon.
Yes, the Super Priority service is highly reliable and is designed specifically for emergencies like yours. The clock officially starts the moment you finish your biometric appointment at the VFS center. If your appointment is on a weekday, you will typically receive a decision by the end of the next working day.
Totally get the anxiety — Super Priority is expensive and the wording doesn’t help. The clock starts after your biometrics/ID check is completed, not when you pay and not when you walk out of VFS. The email is just a confirmation, it doesn’t control the timing.
Most recent cases do come back next working day once biometrics are done, but yes, “technical delay” or extra checks can still happen and the fee usually isn’t refunded. That said, if it’s a straightforward profile and a clean application, Super Priority generally works as advertised.
If timing is critical, book the earliest weekday biometric slot you can — that’s what actually matters.