Clarification about last steps and priority (FLR(M) extension)

Hi,

We are applying for my second FLR(M) visa (1st extension, I've already done 2.5 years into the 5 year route).
We have filled out the application, prepped the documents, paid the health surcharge, but are now likely waiting on a 1am slot to open up for Priority Service - we don't want to pay as much as the £800 for Super Priority, just want the 5 working days waiting time version just called 'Priority' I think? which costs £500). Right now on the website it seems that the only options available are Standard and Super Priority - nothing in between.

Questions:

1. Are Priority service slots actually opening up - is it worth waiting til 1am or not?
We have a friend who submitted for the same visa a couple months ago and they logged on every couple minutes leading up to and after 1am, and at 1:01 on the dot there was a slot for Super Priority in addition to Standard, but no middle Priority option. Are they available at all anymore?

2. Is there any reliable update on how long Standard applications are taking? We really do not want to wait 6 months (of course no one does, but we are not necessarily in a situation where we could wait that long presently).

3. What is the order of next steps regarding document upload time and biometrics appointment - we're a bit confused, does it depend on what kind of priority service we pick?:
--- What is the time limit for documents to be uploaded for each service option? Is it always "as long as it's before your biometrics appointment" or do we have that wrong?

Thank you for your help clarifying this for us!

we don't want to pay as much as the £800 for Super Priority, just want the 5 working days waiting time version just called 'Priority' I think? which costs £500). Right now on the website it seems that the only options available are Standard and Super Priority - nothing in between.

That’s correct - your only options are Standard (8 weeks) or the £800 Super Priority (24 hours).

The 5-working-day is not available to people applying for FLR(M) - it’s for student/work visas only.

For FLR(M), since the standard processing is only 8 weeks, if you are not in need of your new visa urgently, we often suggest not using Super Priority and instead saving it for ILR (which can take 6 months).

1. Are Priority service slots actually opening up - is it worth waiting til 1am or not?
We have a friend who submitted for the same visa a couple months ago and they logged on every couple minutes leading up to and after 1am, and at 1:01 on the dot there was a slot for Super Priority in addition to Standard, but no middle Priority option. Are they available at all anymore?

They are releasing them at 1am, but you aren’t seeing them because that priority is not available for your visa type.

2. Is there any reliable update on how long Standard applications are taking? We really do not want to wait 6 months (of course no one does, but we are not necessarily in a situation where we could wait that long presently).

FLR(M) standard processing should be within 8 weeks.

6 months is for ILR.

3. What is the order of next steps regarding document upload time and biometrics appointment - we're a bit confused, does it depend on what kind of priority service we pick?:

No, you just book a biometrics appointment for whenever you can get one. Free appointments have a longer wait, or you can pay for a different appointment.

--- What is the time limit for documents to be uploaded for each service option? Is it always "as long as it's before your biometrics appointment" or do we have that wrong?

Options:
- upload and submit the documents up to 2 days before the appointment… this gives them time to check them before you attend the appointment

- upload right up until the appointment… but they won’t be submitted until you attend (the ‘submit’ button disappears 2 days before)

- pay for the document scanning service and they will do it for you at the appointment


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you ksand24! That makes so much more sense than what I thought was the case. A bit annoying that there isn't a middle priority option, but whatever.

We have gone for the option we felt most comfortable with and have booked an appointment successfully for in a couple weeks' time.

One last thing - my current BRP expires tomorrow - just as a sanity check, I can defnitely still upload documents to Sopra Steria after this (so long as it is 2 days before the appointment of course), right? Or do I need to upload them before my current BRP expires?

Thank you.