zlynne

movingtolakes

TimCypher

Shadowfair

have you received any letter?

what happens to applicant who used passport back service and retained their passport?
My understanding is if accepted they ask for the passport and if refused the VAC( TLS) will send the letter out by email rather than asking for passport to be submitted again

Brisbanebrit

Hello all,

​​​​I'm a bit confused about an email we've had from the visa Hub at the British Embassy Manila. I can't seem to find any recent info on this (pre jul 2017)...we applied from Brisbane (bio 19.06.18) and sent docs same day. ECO email 4.07.18 from Sheffield and I also sent an additional document on the same day to the Sheffield address. We also got an email from Sheffield about return postage (sent again as was already included), then on 2.08.18 we escalated via email.

14.08.18 we received an email from Manila Visa Hub, Home Office, British Embassy Manila saying the following:
Thank you for your UK visa application which is now under consideration. We aim to process regular non settlement applications within 15 working days, regular settlement applications within 60 working days, priority non settlement applications within 3-5 working days and priority settlement applications within 10 working days.

We apologise that we have been unable to meet these targets at this time. There are a number of reasons why we may not be able to meet our processing targets. We regret we are unable to give you a more detailed information whilst we are processing your application. You will be notified of the outcome of your application once your application has been decided.

I thought all settlement visas were decided on in Sheffield and the passports kept at the regional Embassy? So has the decision been made or is ours being decided on in Manila?

Any light would be much appreciated. Over scrutinising everything and forum stalking for 2 months now, we are utterly exhausted.

Thanks

TimCypher

Yes, our application was successful.

I don't believe that's true. I'm pretty sure I read that they ask you to re-submit your passport irrespective of the decision.

For us, they held onto the passport from biometrics to passport return following the decision.

Trooper86

Received my passport with visa today! Wish all of you who are waiting all the best!

Shadowfair

Shadowfair

tls got us to sign a letter saying if decision is negative they will email the letter and no need to submit the passport to them
our application was in turkey and my fiance isn't resident in turkey so I suppose that is why they offered it .

in reallity if you are refused, why would they ask for passport?

does the UKVI decision say whether you have been granted or refused? or will customer service line tell you ?

TimCypher

They need your passport to be able to record the visa refusal against that passport. As it wasn't in their care, you might have lost your passport while the visa was being processed and now have a new one, in which case they want to ensure the refusal is logged against your most current travel document.

No and no...

There are only two ways you can find out upfront of getting your passport back what the decision was. And those two ways are:

1) You went to your MP and they managed to find out for you.
2) You applied with a dependent child and they sent you an e-Mail to make the extra IHS payment - if you get that, you know your visa has been approved.

Aside from that, there's no way to know for sure. Though, it's probably fair to say that a quick decision on your application is more likely to be an approval.

movingtolakes

Shadowfair

Did you get it?

movingtolakes

The UPS truck showed up and i ran out and ripped open the package - inside was a letter confirming our application was a success and a visa in my wife's passport, best day of my life! We have until September 13th to travel and will be leaving on the 28th August. I'm currently typing up a summary of what documents we sent in, i could not have done this without the forum, despite the fact i hired a solicitor a lot of the documents i collected based off advice on here the solicitor used - if i were to do it again i would not use a solicitor. I'll be checking on here i'm hoping all you guys still waiting get positive outcomes - best of luck

Shadowfair

movingtolakes

thanks - how about you? whats the situation? mine took 45 business days - think you are a bit behind so i wouldn't worry too much