lady7

Hello,
Has anyone used the Keep my Passport service while applying (KPM)? I received an email from UKVI letting me know a decision for my spousal visa has been made and to drop off my passport to the visa application centre in Canada. I was told by the agent it'd be 3-5 days and I'd receive an email for collection. It's been 12 business days since drop off and I haven't heard anything. I contacted UKVI Sheffield to confirm they received my passport and got an automated response directing me to a website regarding document returns (which I had already reviewed but it doesn't include KPM, just about getting supporting material back).

Anyone have any experience using the service and how long did it take you?

Thanks so much!

Sammy2018

lady7

Hi, thanks for the reply and I appreciate your response with the info about the USA. Luckily enough I received an email today to pick up my passport and documents (I didn't opt for courier to save some $). It seems that the passport was sent to the British Consulate and shipped back to Toronto for pickup. During the application stage I didn't have to send anything directly; all documents were scanned at the VFS office.
Thanks again.

Sammy2018

TorontotoGlasgow

Hey there

Great to hear that the process went well! I also did the KPM service at the Toronto location and was just wondering what date the 30 day vignette started from. Was it from when a decision was made or closer to when you received your passport back. Just thinking if it took 12 business days, it doesn't leave much time if the time started from when you received that initial email.

Cheers

lady7

The vignette was post-dated 5 days after the date I received an email that my passport and documents were ready for pick-up. I received the e-mail on Feb 12, and could enter between Feb 17 and March 19. I had to pick up the BRP card before the vignette expired, so I entered in well before the expiration date. Hope that helps!

TorontotoGlasgow

That is very helpful!! thanks for that info.

jennamariespence

I am also applying for a spousal Visa for the UK. I have submitted my application on the visa2UK website, and I am trying to make an appointment in Toronto but it says that there are not any appointments available. Did any of you have this problem? Or did you pay extra for the walk-in service? My immigration lawyer told me to book an appointment at another location like Vancouver, then select the walk in service for Toronto and just walk in. Just trying to wrap my head around all this so any input would be helpful!!

Thanks,

Jenna

TorontotoGlasgow

Hi Jenna

I didn't have any of those issues when applying. I submitted my application online on January 5 and was able to make an appointment for January 7 at the Toronto office.

A few pointers:

-When you arrive they will give you a stack of paper that divides up all your paper work. "Applicant information, sponsor information, accommodation information, bank statements, etc" So you do all of that while you wait for your appointment. Nothing can be stapled, so when you are preparing stuff at home use paper clips. Although I had an appointment time, I didn't get called for about 1.5 hours after my stated time.

- Settlement visas appear to be more technical than the other types of visa. Although there were 4 staff working, I was told I had to wait for one particular person. It was probably for the best as that staff member knew what he was doing and was very helpful.

- Everything you submit must be on a letter or A4 size piece of paper. Although we had original payslips, since they were on small form paper the person only took the photo copies.

- if you are looking for a place to get all the photocopying done, we went to a place at Bay and Avenue called Crocodile Print. To copy EVERYTHING -- passports, pay slips, bank statements and to print out application form, statement letter, etc. -- so well over 100 pieces of paper, they charged $15 which in my opinion was either a complete mistake or amazing price.

I used the Keep my Passport service and UKVI has informed me that a decision has been made and to wait for an email from the Toronto Visa Application Centre, so currently waiting for that email...

jennamariespence

Thank you so much for those tips, very helpful! Good luck with your decision, fingers crossed! PS- I am also planning on moving to Glasgow =)

lady7

jennamariespence

Thank you so much for replying! I looked at booking an appointment in other cities like Ottawa (obviously not convenient at all) and they only had appointments on offer that were within two days. I'm going to try to log back on first thing tomorrow morning to see if they opened up appointments for more days.

@Lady7 I hope that you had success with your visa!

lady7

jennamariespence

Yay! I'm glad your visa worked out for you. I studied in Glasgow when I was in college and this process wasn't nearly as complicated then =)

I haven't been prompted to pay yet, it is having me first book my appointment then I will pay after I believe. Going to get up bright and early tomorrow morning to give it another try.

christmasoompa

Very different process though. Same going the other way, a study permit for Canada takes 6 weeks and is a short application, but a PR application takes a year or so and has endless requirements for paperwork, medical, etc, etc. Understandably there are a lot more hoops to jump through for a spousal visa.