brynmaxwell

Because it has become apparent from posts on this and other forums the prompt manner in which applications used to be expedited no longer exists despite the Government jacking up the fees 35% in 2 years.

Maybe I am being a bit quick off the mark in my condemnation of the Home Office/UKVI because in actual fact Sheffield didn't received our documents until 11 August, so I can hardly expect a decision already. However, my friend submitted their application last November through the same VFS DMC in Manila we would have used had it not been closed and received the decision within 8 days. 5 days working days have already passed and we've not even had confirmation the docs were received. And going by the timelines posted elsewhere on British Expats, plus reading the Report I referred to in a previous post, its pretty obvious we're not going to get a decision anytime soon, because the system is a shambles.

I could sit on my hands and hope we're the exception and get a quick decision, but that hardly helps others stuck in the system - not that I have the solution other than lending support where I can.

(NOT divorce SanDiegogirl. There is no divorce in Philippines - only annulment if you're lucky enough to find good lawyer and prepared to pay big bucks for the privilege.)

AnaFoster

Good news!

Got my decision this Friday!
On the 60th working day... now I'm waiting for my passport ☺️

Applied may 26th biometrics too
Decision Aug 18th

brynmaxwell

Congratulations! Was that STANDARD OR PRIORITY?

AnaFoster

Priority!
Applied from Dublin - Ireland

brynmaxwell

60 days for a priority application!! Jesus - that's legalised State theft. Happy to take the £550 + extra fee and give nothing in return.

Was it a straight forward or complex application?

quiltman

Any application from the Phils is double checked as it is a "suspect" country for forged documents. For example if you have the annulment, this will be checked via Manila to confirm it is a true document. The average time for spouse visas from Phils is around 6 months so how your friend got a decision in 8 days is unusual , unless of course by applying through VFS they, (VFS) were able to confirm the genuine nature of the documents.
If Sheffield only received the documents on 11th august you may have some time to wait yet! Sheffield is also currently inundated with applications and even priority is taking much longer.Plus of course it's holiday time. There are plenty of threads on BE about this as you've found out.
Oh, on one line you say documents received on 11th August, and further down you say you've not received notification they have been received. AFAIK you won't hear anything until either they want more info, or a decision is made. It's the same with passports - no notification they have received documents - it's up to you to check. All you get is the DHL tracking number when they return them.
I know it's frustrating , but it's similar in other countries -The USA spouse visa takes 8/10 months minimum!
Hopefully a decision will be made soon - just keep checking on the website.
It'll all be worth it when you are settled back in UK.

AnaFoster

Straight forward... we paid cos the lawyer said that was quicker... but if we knew before.. it was better to apply for non priority and ask to keep my passport... this way I could wait in UK until I get my visa 😓

Clive157

Maybe try the Gaurdian as well. They have just covered the story about the UK Doctor who's adopted sons were not let in and got stuck in the visa process until the paper intervened!

IKInd

by end of this week it will be 98 WORKING DAYS!!!, I am so disappointing with service home office is providing. if it was private company doing, you could have gone to some independent Ombudsman and complaint and receive some reply. Here it is government, seems we cant do anything.

j4v3d

Congratulations!

Mine has advised me not to pay priority as so many people have done that and have been waiting for 60 days or more. It seems when you get nearer the 60 day mark you tend to hear something back from them.

Yikes! That's dragging on, did you pay priority? Have you got in touch with your local MP to see if he/she can help?

IKInd

yes, my local MP has written letter on 9th Aug, lets see what impact that has on home office

AnaFoster

When I applied I didn't know about the backlog... my lawyer said that the whole process was taking 15 working days... 😡 I'm so pissed with this lawyer! If we known that we could wait together in U.K.... I'm Brazilian but I have a residence permit to live in Ireland.. so I could travel to U.K... but I didn't know that if you apply using priority service you can't ask to wait for the decision with your passport... so I was stuck in Ireland 😡 If you apply with non priority you can ask to keep your passport and travel to U.K...

j4v3d

Probably won't have the impact you'd want but it'll almost certainly make them take notice of your case. Hoping you get a quick reply back and that you're application is resolved.

j4v3d

Stay strong - i know it's easy to say harder to put in practice, the system at the moment clearly does not work and they've mucked up big time, now there is a back log of applications that they are rushing through, missing paperwork etc, it's just chaos at the moment. Hoping everyone gets the results they want soon so this nightmare is over with

garyede

To be honest SJ i am not sure why you would want to come back to the UK. i was in Thailand twice last year i loved it. i could live there!! The UK is going down the pan with Brexit, heavy taxation, and a government which just looks after the rich and does not believe in family.