MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
#856
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2017
Location: UK
Posts: 312
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
#859
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 50
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
#860
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 225
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
and annoy me.
#861
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 54
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
Hi Simon. Your story sounds the same as mine back a while ago. I'm Canberra on 24 April, also priority. One thing I picked up along the way which would've been handy to know. When I've rang up and complained with the UKVI Contact Centre, they actually mentioned that the performance target for priority service is 30 days. The people in the Contact Centre have no access to your file to know you're priority so it's only when you say you paid the $1000-odd whatever it is that they will escalate.
If you want to try your luck, give them a call and you might get lucky with the operator. Some say they won't do any escalation at all until day 60. When I did my first escalation at day 60, the guy I talked to said I should've heard 30 days ago.
Magic words seem to be
1. Priority Processing
2. 30 day target
3. The exact dollar amount you paid VFS for the priority fee.
Then tell them you want your case escalated to the decision making centre as you've waited over the 30 day target for priority processing cases.
Word of warning - many of the operators are dumb as <snip>. But occassionally there's some good ones that genuinely try to help.
And one more thing - ask for a reference number for the call. UKVI may refund your call cost given it was a call beyond your control. I've been quite successful so far on that front. They just don't want people calling up kicking tyres hence the GBP1.30 per minute.
If you want to try your luck, give them a call and you might get lucky with the operator. Some say they won't do any escalation at all until day 60. When I did my first escalation at day 60, the guy I talked to said I should've heard 30 days ago.
Magic words seem to be
1. Priority Processing
2. 30 day target
3. The exact dollar amount you paid VFS for the priority fee.
Then tell them you want your case escalated to the decision making centre as you've waited over the 30 day target for priority processing cases.
Word of warning - many of the operators are dumb as <snip>. But occassionally there's some good ones that genuinely try to help.
And one more thing - ask for a reference number for the call. UKVI may refund your call cost given it was a call beyond your control. I've been quite successful so far on that front. They just don't want people calling up kicking tyres hence the GBP1.30 per minute.
#862
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 133
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
I have received the not straightforward email, and also the "still working on your application but can't give a timeline for completion" one in early August. But only after I complain and escalate. Never any proactive communication to me. Only found out it's with an ECO from 12 August when the MPs office called up on my behalf.
My migration agent is not a solicitor, but I'm seriously considering approaching one. My agent appears to be more than happy to work with one though. I think again just to shut me up as I'm on the phone and email very regularly to them (joke! They've actually helped one of my good mates' wife get into Australia too and been great). We're all just scratching our heads on what to do.
MPs office actually advised me to not waste my money just yet as Home Office is ignoring everyone. They said leave it another two weeks (that was last week) and see if the backlog clears out a bit. Unfortunately, I am now in the position that I'd budgeted to have started working in the UK last week. So not sure if I should bite the bullet and throw more money at the problem, or wait and wear the lost income.
I've seen a couple of people also get decisions lately, but also some people waiting longer and now there's the 5000-odd people who have been on hold. Just not quite sure what to do at this point. But still gotta keep that positive mindset.
My migration agent is not a solicitor, but I'm seriously considering approaching one. My agent appears to be more than happy to work with one though. I think again just to shut me up as I'm on the phone and email very regularly to them (joke! They've actually helped one of my good mates' wife get into Australia too and been great). We're all just scratching our heads on what to do.
MPs office actually advised me to not waste my money just yet as Home Office is ignoring everyone. They said leave it another two weeks (that was last week) and see if the backlog clears out a bit. Unfortunately, I am now in the position that I'd budgeted to have started working in the UK last week. So not sure if I should bite the bullet and throw more money at the problem, or wait and wear the lost income.
I've seen a couple of people also get decisions lately, but also some people waiting longer and now there's the 5000-odd people who have been on hold. Just not quite sure what to do at this point. But still gotta keep that positive mindset.
Stupid question. Have you ever seen somene waited over 100 BD and got refused? Keep telling everyone to be positive but sometimes i get frustrated and panic myself.
#863
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 53
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
God willing you are nearly there. I think you wait a bit more and hopefully you have your daughter and yours approval very soon.
Stupid question. Have you ever seen somene waited over 100 BD and got refused? Keep telling everyone to be positive but sometimes i get frustrated and panic myself.
Stupid question. Have you ever seen somene waited over 100 BD and got refused? Keep telling everyone to be positive but sometimes i get frustrated and panic myself.
BritCits
I don't get a sense that there's a relationship between length of time and refusal or acceptance. Just the amount of time an ECO has to spend running the ruler over the information provided.
#864
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 133
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
I don't think there's any such thing as a stupid question in this ridonkulous process. I tried to get some understanding of what that looks like once, but just couldn't wrap my head around it. In the end, I found some data on BritCits which said 90% of Aussie applications get approved, so just cheering myself up with that.
BritCits
I don't get a sense that there's a relationship between length of time and refusal or acceptance. Just the amount of time an ECO has to spend running the ruler over the information provided.
BritCits
I don't get a sense that there's a relationship between length of time and refusal or acceptance. Just the amount of time an ECO has to spend running the ruler over the information provided.
#865
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 53
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
I don't fail any of the requirements but i missed some silly information i did not see the question about if there is more previous relationship i only filled the 2 column table about our former marriages just the last one and i provided divorce cert of the last one. Do you guys think this should be a problem?
#866
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 133
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
Any children involved is my first question. I imagine there would be a need to prove who cares for any children etc. Sorry if you've posted that before. But if it's previous marriages, I guess it's just about proving that you've got a genuine marriage relationship and that you are validly married. There are people more experienced than I, but I've had A LOT of time to just read. Although - I must say I prefer reading Tom Clancy over the Immigration Rules
#867
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 29
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
Hi Guys my little advice is to be Patience,how long it takes HO to make a decision does not mean anything,my hubby submitted his application on 15th may,online tracker said DECIDED on the 7th of August ,exactly 58working days,received decision made email on the 15th of August ,no on hold email,no case not straightforward email,no request for additional documents but when he collected his passport there was NO VISA,NO REFUSAL LETTER,NO STAMP .So early decision does not mean anything,it's been 4 weeks and we still don't know what the decision is ,our life is on hold now ,escalated two times ,no reply.Our only hope now is the MP's office .At least even if it's a refusal,we need the refusal letter to know what to do next .So please be patience,its better to wait and get a good decision than to be left in the wilderness,not knowing which way to go .VERY FRUSTRATING.
#868
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 29
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
UPDATE - after I posted the comments above we decided to send an email asking for a physical address in Sheffield we can use to send the passports via UPS to save time, they replied that they thought we were already in the UK!!
Shortly after that we received another email instructing us not to return the passports and saying someone from the team will contact us, nothing further so the uncertainty continues.
Shortly after that we received another email instructing us not to return the passports and saying someone from the team will contact us, nothing further so the uncertainty continues.
Have you received any update for urs please?
#869
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 7
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
I did get this too. Have you received any more news about your visa?
My timeline is:
Country applying from: Philippines
Online application: 12 July 2017 (Standard or non-priority application)
Biometrics and scanning of documents at VFS: 24 July 2017
SMS from VFS (a country-specific service I believe) stating that the visa application for GWFxxxxxxxxx was forwarded to UKVI on 24 July 2017: 24 July 2017
Email acknowledging online application has been received at the UK Decision Making Centre and that application is currently being prepared for consideration by an Entry Clearance Officer: 18 August 2017
Approval date: Awaiting decision as of this posting date
#870
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 86
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
Hi Guys my little advice is to be Patience,how long it takes HO to make a decision does not mean anything,my hubby submitted his application on 15th may,online tracker said DECIDED on the 7th of August ,exactly 58working days,received decision made email on the 15th of August ,no on hold email,no case not straightforward email,no request for additional documents but when he collected his passport there was NO VISA,NO REFUSAL LETTER,NO STAMP .So early decision does not mean anything,it's been 4 weeks and we still don't know what the decision is ,our life is on hold now ,escalated two times ,no reply.Our only hope now is the MP's office .At least even if it's a refusal,we need the refusal letter to know what to do next .So please be patience,its better to wait and get a good decision than to be left in the wilderness,not knowing which way to go .VERY FRUSTRATING.