Hi all, I’m really stressed out here. My sister and I applied for UK visitor visas together, sponsored by our dad. We were planning to travel soon. On November 6th, she found her rejection email buried in her spam folder, but as of November 16th, nothing for me—not in inbox, not in spam, nowhere! Why hasn’t my UK visa decision email arrived? We’ve been waiting forever. Any tips on what to do next? 
Oh no, that sounds frustrating! First things first, double-check all your email folders again, including junk and promotions. Sometimes they sneak in there. If it’s been over 10 days, you might want to contact the UKVI helpline or check your application status online through the VFS portal. Hang in there! 
This happened to me last year! Turns out my decision was delayed because of some document verification. I had to call the visa center, and they said it was still processing. For you, since your sister’s was rejected quickly, maybe yours needs more review? Try logging into your account on the official site to see if there’s an update. Fingers crossed for you! 
Sorry to hear that. Delays can happen if there’s high volume or if your app is more complex. My advice:email UKVI directly with your reference number explaining the situation. Also, avoid spamming checks—sometimes it takes longer. If it’s urgent, consider if you can follow up in person at the visa application center. Let us know what happens!
Hi all, Meliza here — Visa Expert at Outbound.
I totally understand why this situation feels stressful, but don’t worry — this actually happens more often than people think.
When two applicants apply together under the same sponsor, it’s common for the UKVI decisions to come out on different days, sometimes even 1–3 weeks apart. UKVI does not guarantee that grouped applications will be processed or released at the same time.
A few reasons why your sister’s result may have arrived first while yours hasn’t:
1. UKVI sometimes processes applicants individually, even if submitted together
Small differences in travel history, documents, or background checks can cause one file to move faster than the other.
2. Decision emails often get delayed, lost, or stuck in the system
Not receiving an email doesn’t mean a decision hasn’t been made — sometimes the email simply fails to send. I see this a lot.
3. Your decision may already be uploaded to the portal
Many applicants never receive the email, but their decision letter is already available in their UKVI account or TLS portal.
What you should do next:
1. Check your UKVI account (the application portal)
Log in to the same account you used to submit.
Sometimes the decision letter is already there.
2. Check your TLS/ VFS tracking
If your biometrics were done, the tracking may already show:
“Application processed”
or
“Ready for collection” (if using document-handling service).
3. Email UKVI (if it’s already been 15+ working days)
Use their paid priority support line — they can resend the decision letter.
4. Your passport/decision might already be on the way
If you chose passport courier return, sometimes the physical passport arrives before the email.
The good news:
A delayed decision email does not mean refusal. It simply means UKVI hasn’t released yours yet or the email didn’t go through.