How Long Does an SIA Badge Take to Arrive?

Your SIA badge takes 4 to 6 weeks to arrive for most straightforward applications in 2026. The SIA processes at least 80% of complete applications within 25 working days once checks begin, according to data from the SIA licensing hub. 

Add another 14 days for postage, and you’re looking at roughly a month to six weeks total.

That’s the average, not a guarantee. Simple renewals often arrive faster. Complex cases with overseas history can stretch to 8 or 12 weeks or more, based on government processing data.

The 2026 timeline includes a new step that many people forget. Before the SIA even sees your application, you need Emergency First Aid at Work certification for Door Supervisor or Security Guard licences. 

This applies to renewals, too. Your training centre must verify your first aid certificate before you start the main course. 

Any delay in getting first aid sorted, completing your course, or waiting for your training provider to upload results pushes back when your SIA badge can actually be processed.

Standard SIA Badge Delivery Timelines

Understanding official targets helps set realistic expectations. 

The SIA aims to decide at least 80% of correctly completed applications within 25 working days from “checks in progress” status. Your physical badge should arrive within 14 days after approval, according to government guidance.

Real-world timelines from training providers show 4 to 6 weeks for straightforward UK cases. Overseas or complex applications take longer.

Type of SIA Application	SIA Decision Time*	Card Dispatch	Total Time
First-time front-line (UK only)	2-4 weeks at “checks in progress”	Up to 14 days	4-6 weeks
Straightforward renewal	10-15 working days; up to 25 days	Up to 14 days	2-5 weeks
Name/address change only	Few days to few weeks	New card ~14 days	Under 4 weeks
Overseas/complex background	6-12+ weeks possible	Up to 14 days	8-12+ weeks

*From “checks in progress” status, assuming no extra information requests.

First-Time SIA Licence Applications

First-time licences take the longest because every check starts from scratch. 

Once your status shows “checks in progress,” the SIA targets 25 working days for a decision. Many clean UK-only cases get decided in 3 to 4 weeks, based on SIA licence hub data.

That 25-day countdown only starts after you’ve done four things:

• Complete your first aid and main training
• Submit your online application
• Pay the fee
• Finish your Post Office identity check

After approval, expect your badge within 14 days. Plan on 4 to 6 weeks total from complete application to badge in hand. Longer if something’s missing or your background needs extra review.

SIA Licence Renewal Applications

Renewals move faster because the SIA already has your history. Many renewals process in 10 to 15 working days when circumstances haven’t changed and everything’s filled in correctly. The official target still sits at 25 working days from “checks in progress.”

Door Supervisor and Security Guard renewals in 2026 require valid first aid and mandatory top-up training before you can apply. You must complete these before renewing.

You can renew up to 4 months before expiry. 

Any remaining time gets added to your new licence. Time your training and renewal right, and you’ll typically wait 2 to 5 weeks from submission to badge arrival.

Pro Tip: Start planning renewal 4 months out. Book your first aid and top-up training early so results upload well before your current licence expires.

SIA Licence Updates (Change of Details)

Simple changes like address updates usually process quickly. 

You must tell the SIA about name or address changes within 42 days. Report convictions or investigations within 21 days. Straightforward admin changes often update in your online account fast and don’t stop you from working.

Some changes make the SIA question whether you should still be licensed. A new conviction or immigration status change can take weeks to review. It might lead to suspension or revocation rather than just a reissued badge.

Overseas & Complex Applications

Lived outside the UK? Expect longer processing. 

You need an overseas criminal record certificate for any country where you lived for 6 continuous months or more in the last 10 years. Getting these certificates often becomes the slowest part of the process.

SIA Freedom of Information data reveals some harsh realities. 

A small number of applications take months, not weeks. The longest case took 465 working days from “checks in progress” to decision. Overseas checks, medical reports, and ongoing investigations caused the delay.

Know you have overseas history? Plan realistically for 8 to 12 weeks or more end-to-end. Start collecting overseas documents long before you apply.

Important: According to government publishing data, overseas cases represent the biggest SIA badge delivery time variation. Don’t assume standard timelines apply to you.

What Affects How Long Your SIA Badge Takes to Arrive?

Several factors control your SIA licence processing time. Some you can manage. Others you can’t rush.

Application Completeness

The top avoidable delay? Incomplete applications. 

The SIA verifies your last 5 years of address history. It must be continuous with zero gaps. Even one unexplained month causes problems, government data confirms.

Common mistakes that slow your badge:

• Missing months or overlapping dates in the 5-year history
• Name is spelled differently across documents
• Out-of-date ID or proof of address
• Wrong document combinations (incorrect Group A and B mix)

Every time the SIA sends your application back for corrections, the clock resets. You’ve just added weeks to your wait, SIA licence hub reports.

Background Check Processing

Your status changes to “checks in progress” after you complete “Next Steps.” 

The SIA now runs criminal record checks through DBS bodies. They verify right-to-work and immigration status. They check identity and run any additional vetting needed.

The performance goal: decide at least 80% of correct applications within 25 working days at this stage. Straightforward cases often finish in 2 to 4 weeks. 

Complex address history, overseas residence, or unusual criminal record information extends the timeline, based on government publishing data.

Quick Tip: This 25-working-day target represents actual SIA licence processing time once vetting begins, not total time from application submission.

Peak Application Periods

The SIA doesn’t publish a busy season calendar. 

Delays increase when rules change, prompting mass renewals. Summer festivals and Christmas work drive surges in new applications.

Stay ahead by renewing early in your 4-month window. Don’t wait until the last few weeks before expiry, SIA refresher training providers advise.

Postal Delivery Times

Your badge gets printed and mailed after approval. 

The SIA says it should arrive within 14 days of the licence grant decision. Many people get it within a week. Treat 14 days as the official maximum.

No card after 14 days? Request a replacement through your online account, Defence Security guidance confirms.

First Aid & Training Verification

Many “SIA delays” are actually training delays in 2026. 

Door supervisor and security guard licences require you to hold acceptable first aid before enrolling. You complete the full qualification. Then you wait for the awarding body to upload results so the SIA can see them.

Slow training centres stall your application before the SIA’s 25-day clock even starts. 

Courses from non-approved providers can trigger rejection. Chase your training provider to confirm results uploaded. This simple step avoids weeks of hidden delay, NEP Bridge and other training sources report.

Heads Up: At Securex Premium Services, we upload qualification results promptly after course completion because we know delays here cost you working days.

What Should I Do If My SIA Badge Hasn’t Arrived?

Knowing when to check versus when to worry saves unnecessary stress.

When to Start Worrying

Use this practical timeline. Under 25 working days at “checks in progress”? Keep checking your online account for updates or requests. No real cause for concern yet.

Over 25 working days at “checks in progress” with no messages asking for information? Reasonable time to contact the SIA for an update.

Licence already granted but no badge after 14 days? Report it and request a replacement card immediately.

Always check your SIA online account status and messages before calling. Many delays stem from missed “Further Information” requests.

How to Contact the SIA About Delays

The SIA expects communication through your online account. 

Log in at the SIA licensing portal. Check your application or licence status. Look for red “Next Steps” or “Further information required” messages.

When everything is complete but you’re beyond expected timescales, use “Contact us” or secure messaging in your account. Quote your application number.

If you work for an SIA-approved contractor, your employer may use business tools like Licence Status Checker or Licence Management to verify your status and contact the SIA on your behalf.

Can I Work While Waiting for My SIA Badge?

If your licence has been granted but your badge hasn’t arrived, you can start work immediately once licensed. 

Just carry your “licence granted” letter (printed or digital) and a suitable photo ID like a passport or driving licence.

Employers should verify your licence online using the public register or Licence Status Checker.

If your application is still processing and you don’t have a licence yet, working in licensable front-line security without a licence is normally illegal. The only exception: coverage by a Licence Dispensation Notice (LDN) issued by an SIA Approved Contractor.

Updated 2025 rules state LDNs only work when you held a valid licence when you submitted your new application. Your new application must be at “checks in progress,” LinkedIn industry updates confirm.

LDNs come from employers, not from you. They’re time-limited. If the SIA hasn’t decided within the set period (commonly 5 weeks), employers may request another LDN subject to SIA agreement.

Bottom line: You usually can’t work while waiting for your first SIA badge unless an SIA-approved contractor employs you and issues a valid LDN once your application reaches “checks in progress.” 

If your licence is already granted, work immediately using your licence-granted letter and photo ID. Don’t wait for the plastic badge.

Note: Securex Premium Services works with employers who understand the LDN process, helping manage the transition period for our graduates.

Requesting a Replacement Badge

If your badge is lost, stolen, damaged, or never delivered, request a replacement through your SIA account. Log in, go to licence details, and select the replacement card option.

If your badge was stolen, report it to police and provide a crime reference number. The SIA aims to send replacements within 14 days. If that replacement also fails to arrive, contact them again.

Your underlying licence and expiry date stay the same. Only the card number changes.

The SIA Digital Licence: Instant Access Option

Key takeaways:

• Your licence is digital first. The decision and “licence granted” letter in your SIA online account provide legal proof you’re licensed
• The plastic badge represents that licence. It isn’t the licence itself
• Employers can and should verify your licence status online using SIA tools like the register of licence holders and Licence Status Checker
• Some non-front-line roles receive only the grant letter. No badge gets issued

What Is the SIA Digital Licence?

The SIA doesn’t brand it “digital licence,” but your licence lives digitally in two places. Your personal SIA online account shows application status, licence status, and letters like “licence granted.” 

The SIA’s public and business registers let employers confirm your licence is active.Together, these form your digital proof. The physical badge mirrors that status. It doesn’t create it.

How to Access Your Digital SIA Licence

Getting your digital licence details is straightforward. 

Go to the SIA licensing portal and log in. Under “My applications” or “My licences,” find your current licence. Check the status like “Licence granted.”

Open the “licence granted” letter. Save or print it. This is your official written proof of licence.

Ask your employer to check your licence using the Licence Status Checker in their business account if they need independent confirmation.

Benefits of the Digital Licence

Thinking digital-first has clear advantages:

• Start work immediately once licensed using your grant letter and photo ID. No waiting for the badge
• If your card is delayed, lost, or damaged, your digital status still shows you’re licensed. Employers verify this online
• Employers run bulk checks on staff licences through SIA business tools, improving compliance and speeding up onboarding

How to Speed Up Your SIA Badge Application

The fastest way to get your badge is to focus on what you control.

Submit a Complete Application First Time

The fastest route to your badge is avoiding rework. Prepare your 5-year address history with exact month-by-month coverage and no gaps. 

Gather correct Group A and Group B documents in advance. Ensure they’re in date and names match exactly. Double-check spellings of your name and address in every field.

Guide sites and the SIA repeatedly flag incomplete history and document errors as the top cause of delays and refusals. Fixing this alone shaves weeks off waiting time, SIA training and licensing sources confirm.

Expert Tip: Create a spreadsheet of your 5-year address history before starting your application. Include exact start and end dates for every address.
This prevents the most common reason applications get stuck.

The Post Office “Next Steps” Tip

After submitting your form, your status quickly moves to “Next Steps.“ 

The SIA tells you what to do next. Usually, visiting a Post Office branch for identity checks, photo capture, and payment. Sometimes posting documents.

The SIA is clear: processing can’t begin until you complete all Next Steps instructions. Only then does your status change to “checks in progress,” and the 25-working-day target begins.

Speed things up by going to the Post Office as soon as possible after receiving Next Steps.

Pay the fee promptly and keep your receipt. Don’t wait weeks to complete this step or your whole timetable shifts back.

Get Your DBS Check Done Early

You can’t usually run the specific SIA disclosure yourself in advance. But you can make the DBS stage smoother by ensuring your 5-year address history is accurate and matches bank and electoral records. 

Respond immediately to any request from the SIA or disclosure bodies. Collect overseas criminal record certificates well in advance if you lived abroad.

Delayed DBS or overseas checks explain why some applications take 8 to 12 weeks rather than 4 to 6.

Apply Online vs. Paper Applications

The modern SIA process is built around online applications. Here’s why online beats paper every time:

Feature	Online Application	Paper Application
Status tracking	Real-time updates in your account	No visibility until decision
Communication	Instant Next Steps and Further Information messages	Postal delays for all correspondence
Processing speed	Faster – no postage or manual handling delays	Slower – manual processing required
Post Office link	Easy integration with ID services	Separate coordination needed
Employer access	Direct link to business accounts	Manual verification only
Availability	Standard for all applicants	Limited, pre-agreed circumstances only

For almost everyone, online is the only sensible choice if you want your badge quickly.

Use the Priority Service (If Available)

There’s no official SIA fast-track or priority processing fee like UK visas have. Any “priority” wording from training providers usually means faster help submitting your application, closer tracking and chasing of your case, or employer-side efficiencies using Licence Assist or Licence Management.

The real priority boost comes from three actions:

• Submit a perfect, complete application early
• Respond instantly to all SIA requests
• Avoid common mistakes triggering manual review

Understanding the SIA Application Process Timeline

Think of the SIA application as stages and statuses moving forward.

Stage 1: Application Submission and Review (3-5 Days)

You create your personal account, fill in the online form, and submit. 

After initial automatic review, your status usually moves to “Next Steps” within a few working days. The SIA has generated your personalized instructions.

Stage 2: Identity and Background Checks (2-4 Weeks)

Once you complete Next Steps (including Post Office visit and payment), your status becomes “checks in progress.” 

Real vetting begins now.

From this point, the SIA aims to decide at least 80% of correctly completed applications within 25 working days. 

Many straightforward UK-only applications finish in 2 to 4 weeks. Complex cases run much longer, SIA training hub data shows.

Stage 3: Decision and Badge Production (3-5 Days)

When checks finish, your status changes to “decision made.” Licence granted? 

A “licence granted” letter appears in your account. Your SIA digital badge status is now live.

The decision to card-print and dispatch typically takes a few working days.

Stage 4: Dispatch and Delivery (3-5 Working Days)

Your badge gets printed and handed to Royal Mail. Official guidance says you should receive it within 14 days of the grant. Many applicants get it within 3 to 5 working days.

If no card arrives after 14 days, request a replacement and confirm your address details are correct.

Tips for Managing Your SIA Licence Renewal Timeline

Smart planning prevents gaps in your working status.

When to Start Your Renewal Application

You can renew your SIA licence up to 4 months (120 days) before expiry. Any remaining time gets added to your new licence. You don’t lose it.

Given the need for first aid and top-up training, a safe renewal plan includes:

• Start planning renewal around 4 months before expiry
• Book your top-up and first aid training in good time
• Submit your renewal application at least 1 month before expiry to avoid any chance of a gap

Pro Move: At Securex Premium Services, we see graduates succeed when they book renewal training 3 months out, allowing buffer time for results processing.

Setting Reminders for Expiry Dates

The SIA largely communicates via your online account. Not every licence holder gets separate postal reminders.

Set yourself up for success:

• Set calendar reminders 4 to 6 months before your expiry date
• Check both the expiry date on your badge and inside your online account
• Schedule refresher training so results are uploaded well before your current licence runs out

Keeping Your Details Updated

An out-of-date address means renewal letters and new badges may never reach you. 

Licence conditions require telling the SIA about name or address changes within 42 days. Report certain other changes within 21 days.

Updating promptly ensures:

• Renewal communications go to the right place
• No confusion or delay in dispatching your new badge

Common Delays and How to Avoid Them

Most delays are preventable. Here’s how to dodge them.

Incomplete Applications

The biggest, most avoidable delay is a messy or incomplete application. 

The SIA checks your 5-year address history in detail. It expects a fully continuous record. Any gaps, overlaps, or unexplained breaks trigger follow-up.

Licensing and training guides list gaps in address history as the number one reason applications get stuck or refused. 

Double-check that there are no missing months. Every move has a start and an end date. Overseas addresses are included and backed by the right criminal record certificates.

Poor Quality Photographs

Your photo must meet passport-style standards. Rejections are common for busy or dark backgrounds, selfies with filters, and incorrect cropping or file size.

If the SIA rejects your photo, your application won’t move forward until you upload a correct one. Another easily avoidable time-waster, SIA training and licensing sources report.

DBS Check Complications

DBS and related checks get held up when you have multiple names or aliases. Complex address history creates problems. Living overseas and needing foreign checks adds time.

FOI data shows some cases taking many months when overseas information or non-conviction data must be assessed. 

There’s no way to fast-track this. Providing accurate, complete information from the start reduces the chance of extended review.

Payment Issues

If your fee isn’t correctly paid, the SIA won’t process your application. This happens when you don’t complete payment at the Post Office, a card transaction fails, or you assume your employer paid when they haven’t finalized it in their business account.

Always keep proof of payment. Check your online account to confirm the fee was received.

What to Do While Waiting for Your SIA Badge

Waiting time doesn’t have to be wasted time.

Complete Additional Training

The SIA and counter-terrorism police encourage security staff to complete ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) Awareness and ACT Security e-learning. 

These free online courses improve your awareness of terrorism risks and suspicious behavior. You can finish them in under two hours. They provide certificates you can add to your CV and show employers.

Job Search Preparation

While your application is in progress, get ready to work. 

Update your CV with your completed SIA training and any ACT certificates. Register with SIA Approved Contractors who understand the LDN process. 

They’re often more experienced in managing people through renewal and processing delays.

Research local pay rates and roles. Door supervisor, CCTV operator, retail security, event security. Move quickly once you’re licensed.

Securex Premium Services assists with job placement. Connect with potential employers while your application is being processed so you’re ready to start immediately after approval.

Understanding Your Legal Obligations

Use this time to understand your legal responsibilities as a licence holder. Working in a licensable role without a required licence is a criminal offence. Penalties can include fines and up to six months’ imprisonment.

You must keep the SIA informed about relevant changes. New convictions, right-to-work changes, and name or address changes within required timescales.

Always produce your badge or licence-granted letter on duty. Cooperate with checks by enforcement officers.

Knowing the rules in advance reduces the risk of enforcement action that could shorten or end your career.

Conclusion

For most applicants in 2026, an SIA badge takes about 4 to 6 weeks from submitting a complete, correctly supported application to the card reaching your door.
That assumes you’ve already passed first aid and main training, completed Next Steps quickly, and your background checks are straightforward.

Keep your wait short by sorting first aid and licence-linked training early. Prepare an accurate 5-year address history and all required documents. Submit your application online and act immediately on the Next Steps instructions. 

Watch your online account for messages and respond quickly. For SIA renewal badge delivery, start the process up to 4 months before expiry so you’re never unlicensed.

Once your licence is granted, you don’t need to wait for the plastic badge to work. Your licence-granted letter and photo ID provide legal proof in the meantime. If your application is delayed beyond normal timescales, use your online account and, where appropriate, your employer’s SIA business tools to chase it.

Your SIA Badge Questions Answered (So You Don’t Waste Weeks Waiting)

How long does an SIA badge take to arrive after approval?

Your badge typically arrives within 14 days after the SIA grants your licence, though many people receive it within 3 to 5 working days.

Can I pay extra to get my SIA badge faster?

No, the SIA doesn’t offer a paid fast-track service, but you can speed things up by submitting a complete, error-free application the first time.

What if I need to start work before my badge arrives?

You can start work immediately after approval using your “licence granted” letter and photo ID while waiting for the physical badge to arrive.

How long does an SIA renewal badge take?

Renewal badges typically take 2 to 5 weeks from submission to arrival, faster than first-time applications because the SIA already has your history on file.

Can I collect my SIA badge in person?

No, all SIA badges are printed and mailed directly to your registered address, so make sure your address details are current and correct.

Will I be notified when my badge is dispatched?

Check your SIA online account regularly for status updates, as the system shows when your licence is granted, though dispatch notifications may vary.

How long does it take to get an SIA badge for the first time?

First-time SIA badges take 4 to 6 weeks for straightforward UK applications, or 8 to 12 weeks if you have overseas history or complex background checks.

What happens if my SIA badge is lost in the post?

If your badge doesn’t arrive within 14 days of approval, log into your SIA account and request a replacement card at no extra cost.