Application confusion!

We are applying for a spousal visa for my wife. We are currently in the USA. We filled in the online application and made biometric appointment which is next Monday.

Am I right in assuming that we don't mail in the application until after the biometric appointment?

Also, it says that we need to send the return shipping labels. I have gone to the vfs.global site to do this. I am given 3 options, Priority Visa service, Roundtrip Courier or Return Courier priced at $738, $227 and $141 respectively. We want priority processing, but the readmore link says this is for a visitor visa. Is it still the same if it is for settlement.

Thanks for the help. It is all very confusing and I want to make sure we get it right.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

We are applying for a spousal visa for my wife. We are currently in the USA. We filled in the online application and made biometric appointment which is next Monday.

Am I right in assuming that we don't mail in the application until after the biometric appointment?

Also, it says that we need to send the return shipping labels. I have gone to the vfs.global site to do this. I am given 3 options, Priority Visa service, Roundtrip Courier or Return Courier priced at $738, $227 and $141 respectively. We want priority processing, but the readmore link says this is for a visitor visa. Is it still the same if it is for settlement.

Thanks for the help. It is all very confusing and I want to make sure we get it right.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Don't send the application until after the biometrics because you have to include the stamped biometric receipt with your package.

Settlement Priority service is $738, that's the one you want.

Make sure you follow the instructions.

You should mail your settlement application to Sheffield in the UK. The only exception to this is Settlement: Returning Resident which should be sent to New York. You must write ‘Settlement Priority Service’ in very large letters on the front and back of the outermost envelope of your visa application. This means the exterior UPS envelope. Please note that failure to follow this direction may result in your application not being identified and handled as priority. In addition, please ensure that you place your settlement priority service purchase receipt on top of your application documents inside your envelope. 

Am I right in assuming that we don't mail in the application until after the biometric appointment?

That's correct.

You have to take your passport and your biometrics appointment confirmation sheet to the appointment... and you can't mail the application without your passport or your confirmation sheet!

You have 5 days after the biometrics appointment to mail the application to Sheffield.

What will happen is:
- you attend the appointment, taking your passport and printed appointment confirmation (with the barcode on it)
- they will check that your passport name matches your appointment confirmation name
- they will stamp your appointment confirmation
- they will take your fingerprints and photo
- they will send you home

Once you get home, you place your passport and stamped appointment confirmation in your documents package and then mail it to Sheffield within 5 days.

Also, it says that we need to send the return shipping labels. I have gone to the vfs.global site to do this. I am given 3 options, Priority Visa service, Roundtrip Courier or Return Courier priced at $738, $227 and $141 respectively. We want priority processing, but the readmore link says this is for a visitor visa. Is it still the same if it is for settlement.

- Priority Processing for a visitor visa (and all other visas except settlement visas) costs $247 - you DO NOT want this service

- Settlement Priority Processing for a spousal visa costs $738 - you DO want this service

- For shipping, you can choose whether to purchase the round-trip shipping for $227 (UPS 2-day shipping both ways), or just to purchase the return shipping for $141 (UPS 2-day shipping back from Sheffield), and then mail it to Sheffield yourself using UPS or DHL.

So, if you want to use both priority processing and the shipping labels, you need to purchase:
- Settlement Priority Processing $738
AND
- Shipping for either $141 or $227

Thanks for the replies. That really helps.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk