The time it takes to process a visa application by those in Kenya who intend to travel to the United Kingdom (UK) is now back on track after a six-month backlog.

The announced was made by UK High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott, who says a decision on a travel visa request will now take only three weeks from previous six weeks.

Through a communication on her official social media pages on Wednesday, she indicated that the High Commission will give top priority to those in need of urgent travel visa.

“Six months ago, I promised we would get our visa service for traveling back on track. I’m pleased we’re now at normal customer service standards - a decision should take just three weeks, with faster priority services available,” she said on Twitter.

President William Ruto and UK PM Rishi Sunak. PHOTO/PCS

Back in July 2022, Marriott had made an appeal to Kenyans to plan their travel to the European country at least six weeks in advance following visa application delays.

At the time, the UK High Commissioner to Kenya blamed the visa delays on processing backlogs occasioned by Covid-19 pandemic, terming the delays a challenge faced globally.

“I want to offer my sincere apologies to Kenyans for the delays in the UK visas. It is a global challenge, it is not Kenya-specific. This is due to a huge backlog as a result of visa applications during Covid-19 that were not processed,” said Marriot then.

Jane Marriot. PHOTO/COURTESY

She added, “The various global issues and crises that are going off at the moment but also unprecedented demand for visas is also a reason for the delay," she said.

Those in Kenya can apply for their visa on the website of TLS Contact and collect it at the private Visa Application Center’s 9 West Building offices in Westlands, Nairobi when ready.