Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

How long did you have to wait to be able to make your appointment in Toronto? I'm working on my application now but it seems like there aren't any appointments available in Toronto now.

Thanks and good luck with your application!

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

How do.you know theres no appointments, were submitting on the weekend for Toronto office. But will do a overnight trip to Ottawa if theres no.appointmrnts.

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

When you submit your application online, one of the next steps is to book an appointment. I go through the process of booking the appointment and it says, 'currently no appointments available.'

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

It seems like they open the appointment book only a few days at a time. I have been trying with no luck since yesterday. I'm going to keep trying and will give them a call when they open at 9. I'll keep you posted.

You can also do walk in service for an extra USD65. I'd rather not pay extra since I can't book an appointment, and worry I dont get seen in one day. I live in Kitchener-Waterloo so Toronto is already a little out of the way.

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

We are in owen sound si bit of a trek for us.

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

This is great - Thanks Johanna4! I just joined and was thinking to start a thread to ask for peoples' experiences at the Toronto office with settlement visas. It is helpful to hear what others have done. Like you, I thought I had to go the route of having all of my originals and then a stack of copies of everything. We've been working on all this for a while and so, actually over the course of gathering all the required documents (similar to what you've listed) I started to read on the vfs website about scanning everything instead.. and it went from being an option to it seems that if I don't scan everything myself, I need to pay for Document Scanning Assistance at the VAC. Is that the case? When they gave you all of the coloured forms (I think these were called "barcode separators" when I first read about them on the vfs website, but now I can't find mention of them!) did you have to pay for them as well as paying an additional fee for the scanning?

And a few more questions please..
i) is letter the same as A4? were they not strict about this? I bought a thing of A4, but I'm actually running out (500 pages!?!! how??) and don't want to bother buying more. Do you think I can just use some 8.5x11? I think if you did all of yours on 8.5x11, you're pretty lucky.. or maybe they don't actually care that much, but say they do!
ii) because they do your fingerprints and photo there (the biometrics) did you need to also bring in a passport-sized photograph of yourself?? I'm thinking no, but if so, do you need two? or just one? and does it need to be countersigned?

thanks so much! sorry for all the questions.. and anyone reading this who can weigh in, thanks - really appreciate all the help!

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

hi chasingsun and jennamariespence,
this isn't really going to help, but just thought I'd share that when I submitted my application on march 7th, I was really surprised because I guessed there would be a whole bunch of appointment slots to choose from...
there was ONE. in all of March and April, it seemed. Like all the days were greyed out, except one and it was a lot later than I expected, more than three weeks from the submission date.

anyway, good luck and hope you get an appointment. and I guess I should count myself lucky that I got the appt at least.

I just replied to the first post in the thread.. if you guys have any answers, please let me know! I got everything together (originals, etc.) and copied everything and considered scanning, too, but the vfs website was not behaving reliably, and now I'm not even sure it'll be worth the effort. Should I keep trying to scan everything and get them uploaded to avoid spending hours in the office and paying more?!! Does anyone know..??

Thanks!

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

Hi smineke,

Thanks for sharing your appointment experience. I couldnt get an appointment booked. I tried calling multiple times but nobody answers the phone. The whole visa4uk website and vsf website is honestly a joke. I was forced to pay extra for copying, primetime appointment when booking walk in service and priority since I couldn't get an appointment booked in Toronto and I'm on a time crunch; the vsf website simply wouldn't allow me to remove those services from the shopping cart. I guess I ended up just paying for it as part of the expense of the visa. Oh well.

I am going to the walk in appointment on Monday so I"m not sure yet about the paper size, I thought A4 is the same size as letter 8.5 x 11. I wasn't advised to upload documents in advance, I am planning on just going to scan everything there. I think the barcode seperators are supplied when you get there, I think just try to keep the documents organized so it's easier, at least that's my plan. Please let me know if you hear anything different or better tips.

For the passport photo, I haven"t seen anywhere that it is required. I know some European countries have a different size passport photo than the USA (I'm American residing in Canada). I guess I was under the assumption you get your photo taken there?!

Good luck to you!!

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

let me know how walk.in goes. If we submit Saturday, well.probably do.walk.in as well. Time crunch here, shipping stuff over soon and me and the kids are going beginning of May, so partner wants it started before I leave .

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

Thanks so much!! Good luck to you, too..! Sorry you had so much trouble with the appointment booking, and extra services to pay for.. No fun.

A4 paper technically is different than letter (I looked online, but it's not different by much..), so maybe if it is all in one size, that is all that matters. I really don't know... I just came back from the UK where I got a bunch of the documents from my husband and printed stuff there, so half of it was all in the A4 size already. I bought a ream of it from Staples, but it wasn't in the store -- online, and it came to the store the next day. I've been using that for all of my printouts here and copies, etc.

Yeah, I'm not sure about the passport-sized photos.. there is an old document that does say that one is required, and it's still up on the gov.uk website (you can see it in the thread before this one). I also just figured that you're getting your photo taken there, so no need. I mean, the biometrics - fingerprints and photo - means they are already taking your photo! But anyway.. maybe they do want one, as well. Or they just haven't updated the process for those who are doing biometrics. At this point, if I don't hear in the next couple hours from someone who has done this recently in Toronto, I guess I'll just nip down to the local mall where there is a place that does them same day. And yeah, they'll have to be according to the UK requirements...

Thanks for the tips on organizing.. yeah, so I wrote out the various barcode separators when I was in the UK and am keeping them in mind (Consent Letter & Proof of Relationship, Employment Evidence, Appendix II, Financial Evidence, Additional Documents/Other, Educational Evidence, Accommodation - permanent/temporary, Sponsor Evidence) and as of last night, was still trying to upload things on the vfs website, but now I think I might be locked out!

I'm going in tomorrow, so I can post again after how it goes.. and hopefully, pass on any tips!

Anyone else out there reading this -- can you confirm if you still need a photo if you did the biometrics in Toronto (preferably, for a settlement/spouse/fiance visa)??

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

Sorry jennamariespence, I meant that as a reply to your message to me above, but I think maybe I'm still new to the ins and outs of posting to these threads! I guess I'm supposed to include yours in there...
Anyway, happy Thursday everyone!

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

I hope it went OK!

I ended up getting everything printed today on A4 from a printer here in Kitchener just to be safe. I have over 400 papers though, how long does it take to scan everything?! I feel like I could be there for hours, unless they have some sort of super scanning machine. Can you let me know please what that part is like?!

Thanks so much, good luck smineke

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

chasingsun the website added appointments yesterday for April. They must only open select appointments at a time. Good luck!

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

Great. Just waiting fir my.house sale to.close and were good to.go...

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

house sale money in bank, were submitting later today. Hor far ahead were the dates

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

Hi again,
Okay, so I went in yesterday for my appointment at VFS's Toronto VAC (I think I'll do a big long post to explain the process in detail for anyone it might help... I wish I had joined this forum earlier on and asked a bunch of questions way back.. Anyhoo...) and for the scanning, they didn't do it right there in front of me. The agent said it would be done by end of day. So, you don't have to worry about being there for hours... which is good. I was there from the time I checked in and when I checked out, basically exactly two hours. My appointment was at 10:20am, and I checked in with the security at 10am. It was packed when I went in.. Afterward, I found out I was the only person there that day for a settlement visa.. I asked the very nice security guard/person who checks everyone in and out if it was always like that; she said no, just happened to be that way that day.
Might explain why you guys are having trouble getting appointments because they are just full with people mainly applying for visitor visas, I think, and maybe settlements are booked in for a longer period so they fill up on the system (??). Not really sure..
I didn't really feel that I was there that much longer than anyone else (because they were all waiting), but I certainly had the MOST stuff! haha..
And I guess if I really think about it, they might have done theirs in about an hour max, whereas I took like two... But the first hour I was just waiting to be called.

Sorry, if I'm all over the place! Ask any questions and I'm happy to try and help...

Oh, and yeah, there was no charge for the scanning, and no passport-sized photos needed (thanks to TorontoGlasgow for letting me know this before going in!)
After I sorted my documents for submission with the agent [like the way Johanna4 mentioned above (coloured paper dividers)], I waited a couple minutes to be taken in to the biometrics room for the biometrics to be done - fingerprints and photo.

Good luck on Monday!!
And to anyone else on here, or those trying to get an appointment.. Good luck, and God bless.

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

we submitted and got appointment tomorrow. But it wouldn't let us pay priority. Can we pay that there on the appointment day

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

I think you can pay for priority when you get there but the price would be in CAD not USD. I can't remember how much it was in CAD. I brought cash with me just in case however I did see that they had a card machine on the table.

I ended up getting an appointment at 8:45am so there wasn't much of a wait, I was the third person there. By the time I left the place at 9:30, the room was packed. They did say that settlement visas have the most paperwork and take the most amount of time. I sumbitted 400+ pages of evidence, so I'm hoping that there's enough information there to come to a quick decision.

Also, he told me that priority takes 8-10 weeks, I thought the website said 30 business days so that was disappointing. He did say that it can be faster, but it is all very vague.

Another note, I went out of my way to print everything on A4 paper which was a huge hassle. I asked the guy if they require A4 paper, and they said it can be EITHER letter size or A4. It just has to fit in the scanner. Be sure not to staple anything, but paper clips are ok. The bar code separators were a little vague on what goes where, but arrange it as best you can and if you're unsure, the guy was very helpful when he went through the documents with me and helped me arrange it correctly.

Lastly, this seem weird to me, but they said that they e-mail you once they are sending the passport back to you, but that you don't actually know if you got the visa or not until you open the passport. The suspense!!!

Good luck to everyone!

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

thanks, we cant even log onto vfs global with our gwf number, it says data not found.. so were stressing out a little...
most priorities are done within 30 days.

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

I can't login to VSF global either, the website only works about 10% of the time.

good luck tomorrow!

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

thanks. His appointment is at 11.50, they said its 10 minutes long. But hoping he can purchase priority there and see everything be scanned.. I'm guessing hell be a few hours there.

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

Hopefully it's not too long. A lot of the people applying today looked like students getting visas which is a different process I believe. There's parking next to the place on Bedford which is $14 for the whole day. Best of luck to you.

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

well it all went well, everything done on our end. It was a 12 hr day for him getting to toronto and back. He said it was busy and chaotic.
niw we just wait to see.. Be interesting to see our timelines develop.

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

I'm hoping someone in this thread might be able to help. This thread has been so helpful so far as I'm in the same situation as a number of you with the same visa a location.

I just submitted my application on visa4uk, got my BRP location, got an appointment, paid my visa application fee and the IHS payment. I printed my application, have my supporting docs and appendix and printed my appointment doc too.

The one thing I can't do is sign-in/register for the commercial partner/vfs global. It doesn't recognize my password or let me reset. I've tried a number of times and no success. Do I need to do that? I feel like I have everything I need for the appointment, but that box is still black on the visa4uk site, as is the print your application one. Do they all need to be green?

Any guidance you can provide would be appreciated.

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

Thanks so much for the quick response; you put my mind at ease. I never thought visa applications could be so stressful!

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

It is stressful!! Keep us updated on timelines- it helps us all :) good luck!

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

we have never been able to.log on to vfs, but it didnt make any difference at appointment..
I just wish we would some acknowledgement that everything is received. , it's been a long 8 working days...

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

I haven't received any acknowledgement too since April 3rd that my supporting documents package was signed for and received at Sheffield. I didn't apply in Toronto though. I hear it sometimes takes up to 2 weeks to get an acknowledgement email. I noticed on the timelines thread that people on priority get faster acknowledgement

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

Awesome. I just got all nervous..

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

I got my acknowledgement email April 15th

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

April 2nd...

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

Biometrics 29th March tho I'm in Nigeria.

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

we got the email today.. Day 15.. I am leaving on May 5th with our kids, so happy that's its underway...Hopefully my partner wont be too far behind us.

Re: Spouse visa application from Toronto - my experience
 

Hi everyone,
Wow, I haven't been back on here in ages... I submitted everything on March 29th, came on here the weekend after and posted a bit, and then, I think I took a huge, deep breath and forgot about this application for a good while.
Problem is today marks seven weeks since I submitted and I haven't received anything.. not the email from the ECO or anything. Trying to be okay with this, but shouldn't I be a bit worried, you think?

Part of me is okay since I know you guys are all priority and I didn't do priority, so it should take a while longer, if not A LOT longer...

jenna, congrats on getting your visa! i saw your submission on the timelines thread.
OSJG, did you get yours? hope so..!
and chasing sun, what about your timelines? hope your husband got the visa by now!

Any thoughts, encouraging info would be much appreciated. Should I try to contact VFS or Sheffield and make sure it was all scanned and received, at least.. and hopefully, started on by now? Even other non-priority people from Toronto (submitted like a month earlier than me, and earlier than that..) at least received the ECO email in about four weeks/one month..
Help!

Anyone on here have any advice for me on this..
Thanks in advance!