Can I Travel While My UK Immigration Application Is Pending? (2025 Guide)

Can I Travel While My UK Immigration Application Is Pending?

If you’ve applied for a UK visa, settlement, or citizenship, you may be wondering: Can I travel while my immigration application is pending?

The answer depends on where you submitted your application — inside or outside the UK. Travelling at the wrong time could cause your application to be automatically withdrawn, which can have serious consequences.

This article explains the rules in plain English, so you know exactly what you can — and can’t — do while waiting for a decision from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

Travelling While Your Application Is Pending Inside the UK

If you submitted your UK immigration application from within the UK, you must not leave the Common Travel Area (CTA) until a decision has been made.

What is the Common Travel Area (CTA)?

The CTA includes:

• The United Kingdom
• The Republic of Ireland
• The Channel Islands
• The Isle of Man

What Happens If You Leave the CTA?

If you leave the CTA while your UK immigration application is still pending, your application will be treated as withdrawn automatically on the day you leave.

This means:

• You lose your right to stay in the UK if your previous visa has expired.
• You may not be allowed to re-enter the UK until a new visa is granted.
• You might have to submit a new application from abroad, leading to delays and extra costs.

✅ Important tip: If you must travel urgently, seek legal immigration advice before leaving the UK to avoid jeopardising your status.

Travelling While Your Application Is Pending Outside the UK

If you applied for a UK visa or immigration permission from outside the UK, you can usually travel while your application is pending — but there are some important details to note.

You Can Travel If:

• You still have your passport (for example, if you used the UK Immigration: ID Check app or purchased the “Keep My Passport While Applying” service).
• You are waiting for a decision on a work visa, study visa, or family visa made from overseas.

Visiting the UK While Waiting for a Decision

If you are a non-visa national or have a valid UK Visitor visa, you may be able to enter the UK as a Visitor while your main application is still pending.

However:

• You must prove your intention to enter as a genuine visitor (for tourism or short visits only).
• Border officers may ask additional questions, especially if they see you have a pending long-term visa application.

⚠️ Caution: Entering the UK as a Visitor while awaiting another visa type can raise concerns about your immigration intentions, so travel carefully and keep supporting evidence.

If Your Overseas Application Is Approved While You’re in the UK

If your application is approved while you’re already in the UK, and you don’t need to resubmit your passport for endorsement, you must still leave the UK and re-enter to activate your new immigration permission.

For example, if your Skilled Worker visa or Spouse visa is approved while you’re visiting the UK, you’ll need to exit and re-enter before your new visa becomes valid.

Travelling While a Citizenship Application Is Pending

If you’ve applied to naturalise or register as a British citizen, you can travel freely outside the Common Travel Area while your application is pending.

You do not risk your application being withdrawn by travelling abroad in this case.

Final Advice

Before making travel plans while your UK immigration application is pending, always consider:

• Whether your current visa or permission is still valid.
• The risk of your application being automatically withdrawn.
• Whether travel could affect your future immigration status or plans.

If in doubt, contact an immigration lawyer or check the latest guidance on the official UK Government website.