UK Visa Stuck in Limbo?
Feb 10th 2021, 3:07 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2015
Location: Chicago, but headed to UK
Posts: 9
UK Visa Stuck in Limbo?
My plan for 2020 was to visit my UK citizen hubby March thru June, then return to the States to apply for my visa and while waiting I'd finish working on a very busy year full of projects all around the US. The week before I originally planned to travel, my March project (I produce conferences) cancelled due to COVID and I moved up my travel date to arrive at hubby's just before lockdown 1.0. By the end of May, the remainder of my year had cancelled. At that time, our UK immigration solicitor advised that there was a temporary waiver allowing for family visa applications from the UK, rather than home country, so I got my application and 19 multipage attachments of support documents uploaded and fees paid by 09 July. My biometrics appointment was 14 August and my passport was scanned at that time. I have had no word on the decision from the Home Office either via email or post, although I have reached out by phone three times (12 Oct, 05 Dec, 15 Jan) when I was told "quite a backlog" & "you'll need to wait" and once to the "special assurance" email address with no response. I didn't want to leave my hubby alone (he was shielding as a vulnerable patient) and return to the US while this is pending, but am I in trouble for overstaying?
Feb 10th 2021, 4:03 pm
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,662
Re: UK Visa Stuck in Limbo?
If you used the Covid pandemic as the reason to remain in the UK and not return to the US to file for your visa, then, as a US citizen, you really did not have a good reason. US citizens have always been able to return to the US even in lockdowns - (which was over by July in the UK)
As you have already been enquiring and told there is a backlog you will just have to wait and see ......
As you have already been enquiring and told there is a backlog you will just have to wait and see ......
Feb 10th 2021, 4:21 pm
#3
Concierge
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,139
Re: UK Visa Stuck in Limbo?
My plan for 2020 was to visit my UK citizen hubby March thru June, then return to the States to apply for my visa and while waiting I'd finish working on a very busy year full of projects all around the US. The week before I originally planned to travel, my March project (I produce conferences) cancelled due to COVID and I moved up my travel date to arrive at hubby's just before lockdown 1.0. By the end of May, the remainder of my year had cancelled. At that time, our UK immigration solicitor advised that there was a temporary waiver allowing for family visa applications from the UK, rather than home country, so I got my application and 19 multipage attachments of support documents uploaded and fees paid by 09 July. My biometrics appointment was 14 August and my passport was scanned at that time. I have had no word on the decision from the Home Office either via email or post, although I have reached out by phone three times (12 Oct, 05 Dec, 15 Jan) when I was told "quite a backlog" & "you'll need to wait" and once to the "special assurance" email address with no response. I didn't want to leave my hubby alone (he was shielding as a vulnerable patient) and return to the US while this is pending, but am I in trouble for overstaying?
Feb 10th 2021, 4:30 pm
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,662
Re: UK Visa Stuck in Limbo?
As per the above website:
During this time, you will not be treated as an overstayer or suffer any detriment in any future immigration applications for this consideration period.
During this time, you will not be treated as an overstayer or suffer any detriment in any future immigration applications for this consideration period.
