Priority Settlement updates

Any recent timelines of success stories out there you fellow members can share?

We received an email confirming receipt of our priority application on October 1st and still nothing.... My wife is set to fly on 11th December and we are both now getting frustrated / nervous. 

Hmmm... that does seem very long for a priority application.  Another member's was mailed on November 7th and they received their decision made email yesterday.

Remind me, is there anything unusual about your application?  Any prior refusals or criminal convictions, etc.?

Absolutely nothing. Very straightforward we think. How do we follow up?

I believe you can raise an inquiry through the website.  It's rather generic though.

While I know you want to travel soon, please wait to book tickets until you receive the visa (unless fully transferable/refundable).

Email sent. Fingers crossed. I booked my wife a flight for the 11th Dec, so let's hope they get back to us soon. I hope so given it's been 7weeks already and we paid all the priority fees to avoid delay.

I am new to the forum and my husband applied from Toronto but we had a similar situation. Biometrics and priority processing payment 2nd Oct at Toronto VFS, told him could take up to 5 weeks. Confirmation email 5th Oct. Sent several emails via the website and received normal useless generic replies. 8th Nov sent email to Sheffield and included Priority receipt. No response. 13th Nov sent another email via website including Priority receipt number. They asked hubby for more info. I phoned Sheffield 13th Nov and they said they'd escalate case. Decision made email 16th Nov. Visa received 17th Nov.

Radiostar, have you the telephone number for Sheffield? I wish to call and follow up...

If applying from USA how much is the Priority service and Visa fees?

If applying from USA how much is the Priority service and Visa fees?

You should have paid:

IHS surcharge £600
Application fee $1,520
Priority fee $572

There is a generic UKVI helpline that is very expensive to call.  They have no access to your application and often give bad advice and incorrect information.  I would save your money.

Email sent. Fingers crossed. I booked my wife a flight for the 11th Dec, so let's hope they get back to us soon. I hope so given it's been 7weeks already and we paid all the priority fees to avoid delay.

Hopefully you'll be okay (assuming you receive an approval).  But they do state not to book flights until you have your visa in hand.  It's a risk as there is a chance you won't be able to use the tickets.

Hi Bedfordshireboy, the number I called is the Immigration Office Enquiries number 0300 1232241, so it may not be to Sheffield. It cost £1.37 per minute and you need a credit/debit card handy. The person I spoke to was quick and efficient and was able to find my husband's email with the extra info they had requested and said she'd escalate it immediately and we should hear something in 3-5 working days. I found the menu at the start of the call to be a bit confusing, wasn't sure at first which number to press but got through in the end. I called at 3pm and hubby's visa was approved same day. Hope this helps.

Flew to the US on Monday 2nd Nov
Got married on Friday the 6th Nov
Submitted online application & paid fees Inc priority service 7th Nov
Booked biometric appointment for Tuesday 10th Nov
Mailed application and all supporting docs 10th Nov
Application under consideration email on Thursday 12th Nov
A decision has been made email Tuesday 17th Nov
Supporting docs returned with entry visa Thursday 19th Nov

I know we must have got a bit lucky, but we really did stress ourselves silly in the month leading up to leaving for the US! I made sure we had everything they had ever asked for validated and signed and there are no criminal records or any other reasons for the US consulate to stall with their searches on the applicant.

Very happy that we paid for priority in the end and such a relief that it all happened so smoothly. Just waiting on her flight over in December now!

Many thanks to everyone whos helped on this forum!

Good luck to everyone who's still waiting!!

38 Business days and counting…..

Country applying from: USA
Type of visa applied for: Spouse/Settlement Priority
Married: September 11, 2015
Online Application Submitted: September 22, 2015
Biometrics Taken: September 28, 2015
Application Mailed: September 28, 2015
Package Received in Sheffield: October 1, 2015
Email confirming receipt of documents: October 1, 2015
Date Sheffield emailed to confirm decision has been made:

Does anyone know if the wait times posted for September on the UK website are reflective of Priority Settlement Visas or just Settlement Visas in general? I was hoping to make it to England before Christmas…..

Processing times are all applications combined (priority and non-priority), as well as all categories.

What possibly could be causing this delay do other members think? We really (in our opinion) have a straight forward case.. Have any recent members submitted for spouse settlement using the Priority and heard back?

Country applying from: USA
Type of visa applied for: Spouse/Settlement Priority
Married: September 11, 2015
Online Application Submitted: September 22, 2015
Biometrics Taken: September 28, 2015
Application Mailed: September 28, 2015
Package Received in Sheffield: October 1, 2015
Email confirming receipt of documents: October 1, 2015
Date Sheffield emailed to confirm decision has been made:

My wife is still holding onto hope of making it to England to join me before Christmas…..