Oh my goodness I don't even know where to start. Some of this might be repeat information to some, so I apologize, but I just need to vent!
You might know Ive been waiting a month now for Tier 4 visas for my fiancee and I. We applied a month ago at the NY consulate at a premium appointment. They looked at our application package for about 30 seconds and said it would take more time. She said they would probably get to it "either today or tomorrow, we will email you."
9 Business days passed. So Sept 8th (the day we planned to leave) I sent an email. The next day they replied telling us we can expect a decision by the end of the week.
The very next day they sent another (although automated) email, to both of us, saying that our applications were considered exceptional and we could expect a decision "in due course."
September 13th, business day 12. Sent another email. Someone with the initials JBD replied that our applications are "currently still pending" and they will not be able to make a decision until the required checks have been done on them.
Yes, our applications are considered exceptional. I have a misdemeanor charge from 2003. However; that is spent.
The main applicant has charges from 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004. One for shoplifting, and the other 3 are drug related (small possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.) The first 3 are completely spent! The charge from 2004 was only for possession of paraphernalia but he received 1 year probation (spent after 5 years) and 30 days suspended sentence of jail time (spent after 7 years!) This is the only criminal conviction that is not spent. Now, according to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, they must look to determine if this charge would have received a sentence in the UK of 12 months prison or more.
And now Ive searched until my eyes bled...Possession of paraphernalia is not even illegal in the UK! And if it was, it would most certainly not have a prison sentence of 12 months or more!
And of course, he has a traffic conviction list of about a page long! But that should not prevent him a student visa. We're not bad people.
His previous charges stemmed from when he lived and studied in Missouri. He was in his early 20s and young and stupid. He is now 32. He hasn't offended in 6 years! He has totally changed his life around. He just graduated with honours, at the top of his class. Last semesters GPA was 4.0!!
He was offered a place to study masters level at St. Andrews. He has such a bright future ahead of him as a Professor of History. If only they would give him this visa!!!
Both him and I are total wrecks right now. We are on autopilot. Zombies. We are on edge, scared about our future. Dreading about having to think of a plan-b.
We both put our notices in at our jobs, so now we're both not working. We sold his car. We sold almost everything we owned at a yard sale! Everything depends on this visa. Today is business day 19. He needs to be at St. Andrews by the 3rd week of classes (Oct. 8th) or he cant come at all. He has already missed orientation, and classes begin this Monday.
Not to mention we have a beautiful house waiting for us in Pittenweem, Scotland. Our landlord has been great and totally patient. But she obviously cant wait forever. We have paid for August, and she is waiting for her September payment for when we arrive. But its the end of the month already.
The stress has been overwhelming. You can see it in our faces. We look haggard and tired. When will it end?
Ive done everything I know to do. I know we must just wait. I realize they need to complete their "checks" but how long does it possibly take?!?!
It's become too much to handle.
