MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
Sep 26th 2017, 1:29 pm
#1426
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 109
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
I got the exact email today and I am on my 45th working day, priority from Hong Kong. We are kind of freaking out here as we were required to scan our documents in Hong Kong so we have no idea as to why they don't have our supporting documents. Not sure, but would you recommend to send them all the supporting documents again in the post?
Go back to the visa center where your documents were scanned and check they were sent successfully and obtain a receipt of delivery if you don't already have one.
Sep 26th 2017, 1:40 pm
#1427
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 133
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
Thats great J, but I was hoping someone on the list might be fully conversant with Facebook and could set up a group?
Latest on the list for those who received the 31 October deadline email from UKVI
Kernowian
Garyede
Scousejohn
Hullmonkey
Pinkdia
mystikal2k2a
Rosy1910
JAsh
MDoyle
Paulakh
PaManjang
JimmyBlue76
rvg1212
Latest on the list for those who received the 31 October deadline email from UKVI
Kernowian
Garyede
Scousejohn
Hullmonkey
Pinkdia
mystikal2k2a
Rosy1910
JAsh
MDoyle
Paulakh
PaManjang
JimmyBlue76
rvg1212
Sep 26th 2017, 2:05 pm
#1428
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 133
Re: Sheffield Settlement Visa +90 Day Delays
I got this today .. 22 weeks
Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you for applying for a UK visa.
Due to it being our busiest period, I am afraid we are unable to make a decision on your application within our usual timescale. We aim to make a decision on your application before 31 October. If for any reason we are unable to do so, we will write to you to update.
Staff at the visa application centres or contact centres have no influence on cases and cannot provide any further advice so we recommend you do not attend or call the contact centre. Please do not go to the Visa Application Centre until you have received written confirmation that a decision has been made on your application and that your passport is ready to be collected.
We understand this will be frustrating to you and regret any inconvenience caused.
We will contact you shortly to update you on what is happening
Thank you for your understanding.
Kind Regards,
UK Decision Making Centre
Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you for applying for a UK visa.
Due to it being our busiest period, I am afraid we are unable to make a decision on your application within our usual timescale. We aim to make a decision on your application before 31 October. If for any reason we are unable to do so, we will write to you to update.
Staff at the visa application centres or contact centres have no influence on cases and cannot provide any further advice so we recommend you do not attend or call the contact centre. Please do not go to the Visa Application Centre until you have received written confirmation that a decision has been made on your application and that your passport is ready to be collected.
We understand this will be frustrating to you and regret any inconvenience caused.
We will contact you shortly to update you on what is happening
Thank you for your understanding.
Kind Regards,
UK Decision Making Centre
Sep 26th 2017, 3:25 pm
#1429
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 17
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
Sep 26th 2017, 3:27 pm
#1430
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 17
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
I'm guessing this email, and the number of long-haul (100+ day) outliers who are starting to get decisions, indicates that 'not-straightforward' applications have finally been taken out of the IGNORE pile and are being considered.
I'm guessing. I'm hoping. I'm praying.
I'm guessing. I'm hoping. I'm praying.
Sep 26th 2017, 3:32 pm
#1431
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 6
Re: Sheffield Settlement Visa +90 Day Delays
Date of Application/ Biometrics: June 23, 2017 "Expedited"
Place: Singapore
Receipt by Sheffield: June 24, 2017
Contacted Visa International Enquiry Service: Sept 6, 2017. Form letter reply Sept 10: Your application is being considered.
Sept 13: Form letter: "Application not straightforward"
Sept 14: Request for additional documents - wedding photos, more detailed financials, etc
Sept. 14: Contacted MP for Hastings Amber Rudd (Home Secretary!) who contacted Sheffield.
Sept. 15: Requested documents sent via email.
Sept. 18: Sheffield claims they can't open the documents, asked to re-submit with one document per email.
Sept. 18 Contacted Amber Rudd again. Told to resubmit.
Sept 19: Re-submitted as requested, but even a resubmitted Appendix 2 (which they already had) rejected since "file size too big". Tried again using compression software.
Sept 20: All emails went through, but no acknowledgement. Also sent documents via Royal Mail recorded delivery to Sheffield.
Sept. 23: email from Sheffield claims the financial information not received despite receipt of recorded delivery on Sept 22. Request for additional documents (Divorce papers!) despite Govt issued marriage certificate from Govt. of Singapore issued in 2010 and wedding photos. Note: Singapore does not condone either bigamy or polygamy!
Sept 24: Recontacted Amber Rudd who confirmed all of the documents had been received.
Sept. 25: email from Sheffield: "We're busy, aim to make a decision by Oct 31, but if we can't we'll let you know." Forwarded the reply to Amber Rudd!
Sept. 26: Looking into cancelling flight reservations from Singapore to the UK made 3 months ago, assuming that expedited processing would take 15 days as claimed when I paid the £400 extra.
Place: Singapore
Receipt by Sheffield: June 24, 2017
Contacted Visa International Enquiry Service: Sept 6, 2017. Form letter reply Sept 10: Your application is being considered.
Sept 13: Form letter: "Application not straightforward"
Sept 14: Request for additional documents - wedding photos, more detailed financials, etc
Sept. 14: Contacted MP for Hastings Amber Rudd (Home Secretary!) who contacted Sheffield.
Sept. 15: Requested documents sent via email.
Sept. 18: Sheffield claims they can't open the documents, asked to re-submit with one document per email.
Sept. 18 Contacted Amber Rudd again. Told to resubmit.
Sept 19: Re-submitted as requested, but even a resubmitted Appendix 2 (which they already had) rejected since "file size too big". Tried again using compression software.
Sept 20: All emails went through, but no acknowledgement. Also sent documents via Royal Mail recorded delivery to Sheffield.
Sept. 23: email from Sheffield claims the financial information not received despite receipt of recorded delivery on Sept 22. Request for additional documents (Divorce papers!) despite Govt issued marriage certificate from Govt. of Singapore issued in 2010 and wedding photos. Note: Singapore does not condone either bigamy or polygamy!
Sept 24: Recontacted Amber Rudd who confirmed all of the documents had been received.
Sept. 25: email from Sheffield: "We're busy, aim to make a decision by Oct 31, but if we can't we'll let you know." Forwarded the reply to Amber Rudd!
Sept. 26: Looking into cancelling flight reservations from Singapore to the UK made 3 months ago, assuming that expedited processing would take 15 days as claimed when I paid the £400 extra.
Sep 26th 2017, 3:34 pm
#1432
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 225
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
I'm guessing this email, and the number of long-haul (100+ day) outliers who are starting to get decisions, indicates that 'not-straightforward' applications have finally been taken out of the IGNORE pile and are being considered.
I'm guessing. I'm hoping. I'm praying.
I'm guessing. I'm hoping. I'm praying.
Sep 26th 2017, 3:50 pm
#1433
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 133
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
Sep 26th 2017, 4:05 pm
#1434
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 30
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
Country applied Hong Kong - priority
Biometric date 31st may
17th Aug Required sponsor extra financial documents
Rang them 5 times and each time status is still yet to be assessed
No other choice rang MP test and he said this is very common as many ppl rang him to chase up their application so no surprise
Last night same e-mail as everyone the 31st Oct deadline
Biometric date 31st may
17th Aug Required sponsor extra financial documents
Rang them 5 times and each time status is still yet to be assessed
No other choice rang MP test and he said this is very common as many ppl rang him to chase up their application so no surprise
Last night same e-mail as everyone the 31st Oct deadline
Sep 26th 2017, 4:06 pm
#1435
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Midlands. UK
Posts: 342
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
Thank you, I've joined. :-)
My Wife got the "busy period.....by 31st October" email today.
I raised ours with my local MP last week, received a letter today that they will arrange a 'Surgery' appointment soon.
We are on day 70 now (not including the Saturday OT they're doing!)
I imagine just about every MP is getting requests for help by now.
My Wife got the "busy period.....by 31st October" email today.
I raised ours with my local MP last week, received a letter today that they will arrange a 'Surgery' appointment soon.
We are on day 70 now (not including the Saturday OT they're doing!)
I imagine just about every MP is getting requests for help by now.
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Sep 26th 2017 at 4:20 pm. Reason: Quote deleted Site Rule 9
Sep 26th 2017, 4:30 pm
#1436
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,023
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
If you wish to join KernowIan's FB group...please contact him for the details. It is not OK to post a link to FB groups. Being as it is KernowIan's FB group...he can put a link in his signature...it will then show below all his posts. If he cannot fathom how to do this I have offered to do it for him.
Sep 26th 2017, 5:18 pm
#1438
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 37
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
Thats great J, but I was hoping someone on the list might be fully conversant with Facebook and could set up a group?
Latest on the list for those who received the 31 October deadline email from UKVI
Kernowian
Garyede
Scousejohn
Hullmonkey
Pinkdia
mystikal2k2a
Rosy1910
JAsh
MDoyle
Paulakh
PaManjang
JimmyBlue76
rvg1212
Latest on the list for those who received the 31 October deadline email from UKVI
Kernowian
Garyede
Scousejohn
Hullmonkey
Pinkdia
mystikal2k2a
Rosy1910
JAsh
MDoyle
Paulakh
PaManjang
JimmyBlue76
rvg1212
Sep 26th 2017, 5:31 pm
#1439
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 6
Re: MERGED: Spouse Visa Issues with Sheffield +Spouse Visa Chat Thread.
91 days since "expedited" application from Singapore. Multiple requests for additional documents duplicating what has already been sent. They claim they have not received documents sent multiple times via email and Royal Mail Recorded delivery with delivery confirmation. Contacted local MP Amber Rudd (!) several times. She always replies quickly, but only with information about required documents and delays, and can't meet me because of a conflict of interest. Constant requests for additional documents over and above those requested originally (divorce papers despite legitimate government issued marriage certificate - they are presumably unaware that Singapore is particularly intolerant of bigamy and polygamy!). The large number of requests for additional documents is clearly clogging the system and increasing the delays in getting from the receiving end to the decision end in Sheffield.
Sep 26th 2017, 5:49 pm
#1440
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 58
Re: Uk Spouse Visa issues with Sheffield 2017
Garyede - I couldnt private message you as I am too new but please add my statistics
11 May Online submission
15 May Biometrics - Havana, Cuba
3 August 1st escalation after 60 days
8 August 2nd escalation as first one never got submitted
11 August Documents awaiting review with ECO and request for PrePaid envelope (sent that day and signed for on 14 August)
15 August - raised issue with MP
30 August 3rd escalation - following previous escalation 15 days and nothing
1 September - MP called Home Office
1 September - email from Sheffield asking for ANOTHER pre-paid envelope
4 September - MP called Home office re envelope and visa - envelope found but no news on visa except awaiting ECO review since 14 August
4 September - email from Sheffield confirming receipt of envelope but not able to confirm how long we will have to wait for decision
83 Long Days and now HURRICANE IRMA hitting Cuba on Friday .............
11 May Online submission
15 May Biometrics - Havana, Cuba
3 August 1st escalation after 60 days
8 August 2nd escalation as first one never got submitted
11 August Documents awaiting review with ECO and request for PrePaid envelope (sent that day and signed for on 14 August)
15 August - raised issue with MP
30 August 3rd escalation - following previous escalation 15 days and nothing
1 September - MP called Home Office
1 September - email from Sheffield asking for ANOTHER pre-paid envelope
4 September - MP called Home office re envelope and visa - envelope found but no news on visa except awaiting ECO review since 14 August
4 September - email from Sheffield confirming receipt of envelope but not able to confirm how long we will have to wait for decision
83 Long Days and now HURRICANE IRMA hitting Cuba on Friday .............
A question regarding your pre-paid envelope as we have just been faced with the dreaded ordeal of being requested to re-submit our supporting documents although they were already scanned in from the VFS centre in Hong Kong. Was your pre-paid envelope for your documents to be sent back to a UK address or an address in Cuba? And if Cuba, how did you go about arranging for a pre-paid envelope?