How long does the visa processing time take after an interview, and can it be approved sooner than expected?

Update and question please

Hi everyone, just looking for some clarification and to vent a little too! 😅

I posted yesterday about being asked to attend an interview in London for my visa application. Since I live on an island near London (not in it), I had to book a last-minute flight last night and hotel just to attend — which cost me over £400.

✅ I attended the interview — it lasted about 5 minutes.

Now, I’ve received a follow-up email.

My questions are:

• Does the 10-working-day processing time start from today (the day of the interview)?

• Is there any chance it could be approved before the 10 days? And I will be able to go on the 24th?

When I applied on the 5th of September, I was then asked for proof of flights to Thailand, which I then booked and provided — my flight is on the 24th of September. I honestly thought that would leave plenty of time.

Before anyone asks — no, the flight isn’t flexible (my fault, I know). But it still feels crazy that it might take this long, especially after attending in person.

Feeling a bit stressed and deflated after all the effort and cost involved just to be left waiting 😞