Sharing my timeline as Reddit experiences were really helpful while I was waiting.

Visa: UK Standard Visitor – 6 months
Applied from: India
VAC: Kolkata
Purpose: Business visit
Processing: Standard

Timeline

• 24 Sep 2026: Application submitted
• 25 Sep: Biometrics at VFS Kolkata
• 1 Oct: UKVI requested UK invitation letter
• 1 Oct: Sent the invitation letter
• 5 Oct: Visa approved 🎉

10 calendar days from biometrics to decision

Documents submitted

• UK visa application/VAF
• India employer sponsorship letter
• UK invite letter
• HDFC bank statement (24 days)
• FD and RD proof
• Previous travel/visa evidence
• Passport/travel document

Personal/home ties

• Married
• Dependent child remaining in India
• Home ownership
• Continuing employment in India

Travel history

• Previous international travel
• Previous US visa/travel history

I had also uploaded the UK invitation letter and payslips during the VFS upload process, but the VFS website was buggy and apparently those documents didn't upload successfully. I didn't check the final uploaded-document list carefully.

On 1 October, UKVI specifically requested the UK invitation letter, so I sent it the same day.

Interestingly, they didn't ask for additional payslips or bank statements.

My trip was a 9-day business visit, with my employer sponsoring the trip and accommodation.

The decision email said:

>“Your application for a United Kingdom (UK) visa has been successful.”

Biometrics → decision: 10 calendar days.

Very relieved! 🎉🇬🇧