Any updates from recent applicants?

Hi NMF921

Did you pay priority? When did they receive your application paperwork?

Also, did they not inform you they were sending your visa or a decision has been made?

Man oh man, this process is Not Fun.

Having been told by Fedex that they picked up our return package from Sheffield last Friday, we're told today that actually they didn't - Sheffield 'activated' the package and so in their system it looked as though it was moving.

On the plus side, we got our decision email today and so now we know 'it' (whatever 'it' turns out to be) should be on its way soon. Hopefully they will have got it out of the office today and it won't sit there waiting to be collected over the holiday 

Oh, and in case anyone wants to know: package was received in Sheffield on April 4. So that's 9 days of processing time (we did send priority).

Ben1989 -

Yes, we paid for priority...
No, we have only gotten one email from them and it was the one that stated they had received our paperwork and that the process has started...
Here is our timeline so far:
03 10 2014 - Online app submitted
03 13 2014 - Biometrics submitted
03 19 2014 - Expedition service paid & Supporting docs sent out
03 26 2014 - Email processing started rcvd
04 4 2014  - UPS tracking shows Pick up Scan for return
04 8 2014  - shipment is warehoused until released by clearing agency
04 11 2014 - shipment still warehoused until released by clearing agency
04 14 2014 - new label sent from local UPS to Int UPS
04 15 2014 - New tracking number in hand, pkg ready for shipment, should have by 4/18 (?)
04 16 2014 - no movement on package... Per local UPS, pckg sent back to UK Visa and 2 attempts to pick up for delivery failed...


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We just switched our spouse visa application to priority. The difference in flight prices between May and June is a couple hundred dollars anyway, so I don't think it'll end up being more expensive to do priority.

I emailed AND webchatted with the UKVI help people (https://ukvi-international.faq-help.com/ [nofollow] ) and they both told me there was no way to switch to priority after submitting the application. I also responded to the "we've received your application" email with the same question, and they told me I could switch to priority, just to attach the priority confirmation receipt. SO, the UKVI help desk seems to be misinformed.

They originally received my application April 5th and I just submitted the priority receipt today so I'll keep you all updated on the progress  Crossing my fingers!

I asked on here if that was possible. So what route did you go through exactly to get it switched to priority?

I didn't think it was possible to apply for priority after the app had been sent in! Next week makes 6 weeks for me so unless they are going to go the full 24 weeks, not sure if I should change mine. Ben1989 I guess you can weigh pros and cons of when the app arrived for y'all.

I just replied to the "we've received your visa" application and asked if I could switch to priority. They responded that I could through the VFS site (that replaced World Bridge) and then send them the confirmation of priority payment.

Here's the link: http://vfsglobal.co.uk/usa/user_pay_services.html [nofollow] (it's at the very bottom).

I just replied to the "we've received your visa" application and asked if I could switch to priority. They responded that I could through the VFS site (that replaced World Bridge) and then send them the confirmation of priority payment.

Here's the link: http://vfsglobal.co.uk/usa/user_pay_services.html (it's at the very bottom).

Im sorry .. Im Confused ... you sent them a email or replied to their application recieved email to you and you got a direct response back ?

Have they changed the format for that email in the last 3 weeks???

Granted I DID do the priority but this is what mine said...

Dear Applicant,

Your UK visa application has arrived safely at the UK Border Agency, Sheffield and is currently being processed.

Priority Service:

Your application will be placed in the front of the queue and assessed ahead of other non-priority visa applications.

Please note, as indicated in the terms of service, the amount paid for the priority service, as well as visa fees, is not refundable if the visa application is refused or due to delays in processing times.

You will receive a further e-mail advising you when a decision has been made on your application. This e-mail will also provide you with details of your return package.

We are unable to respond to status enquiries. Further information on UK visa services is available at www.visainfoservices.com

This is an automated e-mail. Please do not reply. Your reply will not be received.

Kind Regards,

UK Visa Section, Sheffield


How did you get a response from them?

Wow, they let you add priority processing after you submitted and they received your application? I wish you all the best! At this rate I feel as though I may as well wait it out. I'm not sure I trust them to do mine any faster after the fact. I already wake up to disappointment every morning when I have an empty inbox. What's another 2 weeks?  

Agreed! I feel the same way NatCatCole lol I'm so tired of waiting, but don't see a point of even trying to get my application bumped to priority after 5 weeks... Hopefully we'll hear something this coming week!

When was your application received?


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Whoops - I was wrong. I replied to an email they had sent me requesting my courier account number and got a direct response back. My application was received the 5th of April so if I had done priority in the first place, I'd probably have the decision by now!

Wow, they let you add priority processing after you submitted and they received your application? I wish you all the best! At this rate I feel as though I may as well wait it out. I'm not sure I trust them to do mine any faster after the fact. I already wake up to disappointment every morning when I have an empty inbox. What's another 2 weeks? 

They've been allowing people to add priority service after applying for a couple of years now... They just don't advertise it because you're supposed to purchase it before you mail the documents. On the old UKBA Facebook page, they even said explicitly that you can do it in certain circumstances, although everyone I know of who has tried it had no problems.

Whoops - I was wrong. I replied to an email they had sent me requesting my courier account number and got a direct response back. My application was received the 5th of April so if I had done priority in the first place, I'd probably have the decision by now!

Thanks ... LOL .... I am so happy it wasn't the other email ... I didn't mean it if I sounded snappy, I'm just going through so much with trying to get my stuff back to me ... Still waiting on a response from the email that I sent out yesterday (fingers crossed soon)

And yes, I would say you would have gotten it back by now... Yours was right after mine and if not for the hold up at customs, I would  have had mine back too ...


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When was your application received?

My application was received on March 17th, but they immediately requested an additional form via email so the automated email didn't come until March 20th.

I just hope this lovely 4 day weekend of theirs doesn't add another week for us!
My "received" email came in March 11th. Tuesday makes 6 weeks but its also the day they return to work.