New Online Application and UKVCAS System - My experience (applying for ILR)

1. Seems like the questions I've seen before on FLR(M), and we answered the same way as you did - no extended family, just immediate ones.

2. That is a new one on me - I'll let someone else answer!

3. This was typically on the FLR(M) although encoded a little differently. The preamble on the cover page stated:

"All your reasons or grounds for wishing to stay in the United Kingdom must be stated in this
application. This requirement is being given under section 120 of the Nationality, Immigration
and Asylum Act 2002. If you do not tell us now of any reasons or grounds for remaining in the
United Kingdom and you tell us later without good reason, you will lose any right of appeal
you may have otherwise qualified for if we refuse your claim. You can use the box at 8B"

In our §8B for FLR(M), we left this blank. As with other applications, I *think* (please someone else correct me if I'm wrong) this is the box they would refer to if e.g. the income requirement wasn't met or there was some other reason for them to consider granting it "outside the rules".

RE 1, the questions were similar on the FLR, but it was a bit more vague (not as direct with saying list Name + type of relationship + location + how you communicate). It meant that you could write out something along the lines of "all of my immediate and extended family are located in the US and we regularly communicate by xyz methods". This specifically asks you to name them but only gives you 50 characters to name as many as you can really.

RE 2, yeah they didn't really ask this on the FLR that I can remember...but then I imagine the ILR application is going to be a bit different than the FLR because of the fact that this is a longer lasting visa. I've worked out that they might be asking in an attempt to see if I'm affiliated with any social or cultural groups that may go against what the UK "stands for" or might make it hard for me to assimilate into the UK. I've just explained that I've been away for over 5 years so have no ties to groups there as I'm not physically present.

RE 3, I don't actually remember reading this specific part on the FLR but maybe it's because I skipped right to the filling out of the thing as I already knew what to expect with it being my second one. This makes you physically acknowledge you need to provide this but having finished the online application now, it appears that my question isn't required as they straight up ask you for any other reason why you should stay in the country and I think you're right that it's to just ask if somebody maybe can't/doesn't want to leave the country for a specific reason they can provide evidence for even if they don't quite meet all the requirements. That's what it seemed like anyways.

Just submitted by ILR and wanted to firstly say thanks again to the OP for posting this (it was really helpful for me to reference!)

Secondly, just wanted to advise to anybody else that things have slightly changed now. You can now pay for other services on the page that OP stated were blank. This page offered the translation services, document checking, and something else (that I can't remember off the top of my head).

Outside of that, another point worth noting were that it was hard to get an appointment outside of the core centre in my area (so be prepped to not get something the following day/weekend) and it will cost. The library-level centre only seems to allow you to book 2 weeks in advance (unless I somehow did something wrong?) while the core and premium you could book further out.

Looks like they might have also bumped pricing slightly as well: application fee is now £2.4k instead of £".3k so the total with the "Super Priority Service" is now £3.1k instead of £3k (not a massive amount, just something that I had spotted and thought it might be worth noting). Believe biometrics fee is now included though (unless I completely misread?) as well as £100 for an appointment at the core centre in just over a week's time (not next day - I'm unsure which appointments are actually free as ALL appeared to have a fee associated).

Finally, the big one, is they have now changed the wording to say decision MAY be reached within 24 hours (but they don't guarantee this anymore). Wondering if this is because they had to refund too many people due to being unable to provide this service in actuality so they've tweaked the wording slightly so that they can AIM for that but not be liable if they don't meet that schedule.

Unsure if this will help anybody, but thought I'd share my updated experience (which was mostly the same so far but with those few little changes). Will advice next weekend if the process itself is still the same

Thank you so much for this post.  I am starting the application process and am having so much anxiety that I keep stop after every question.  Your post was so helpful!  I hope you get your decision soon. 

Thank you so much for this post.  I am starting the application process and am having so much anxiety that I keep stop after every question.  Your post was so helpful!  I hope you get your decision soon.

Believe the OP got their response with a positive result I might've confused things with my follow-up comments

Sorry for neglecting this thread for so long, you guys!

Thanks again, Sivara!

I'll give this a good read with my husband later, but first, a dumb question: Do we have to book an in-person appointment? Did they take away the option to mail things in and wait a few months?

They withdrew the paper forms on 1 November 2018 and you must apply online, but I'm not 100% sure if you have to book an in-person appointment. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t given the option to mail in my supporting documents, but maybe I overlooked it in my form-filling fog. x0Kiss0fDeath, do you remember?

Thanks for sharing your experience! I've spent almost this entire day filling out the form and ensuring everything I need is together or accounted for (even if that's in the post headed to me). I am really frustrated and confused about some of the questions in general and am hoping you can help explain further how you approached it. Questions are as follows:
…

I know you’ve already submitted your application (congratulations!!!), but to answer your questions, here’s what I did.

1. I just listed a few of my closest friends. When I filled it out, it actually did ask (like gray in the empty box or when you hovered or something) for names, where they live, and how you keep in contact, etc. so I couldn’t fit ALL my friends in the US.

2. I think you’re totally fine with saying ‘no’. It’s a weird question, I agree, and the only thing I could think of as well was that they were looking for affiliations with groups that are contrary to UK values.

3. I wrote it in the online application itself (since it shows up on the final version I downloaded). It was just a couple sentences on how I was expecting, and I included my Mat B1 as documentation. Probably unnecessary, but who knows.

You’re very welcome and thank YOU for your updates based on your experience!

Strange about the fee changes. I wonder if anyone else ran into this?

As for the 24-hour decision, I think the wording was ‘Most applications are decided in 24 hours.’ and then went on to say they’d let you know if it would take longer. This seems to still promise they’ll tell you something within that time frame! https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration/about-our-services Did you go for Super Priority? Let us know when you get a decision!

Thank you so much for this post.  I am starting the application process and am having so much anxiety that I keep stop after every question.  Your post was so helpful!  I hope you get your decision soon. 

I’m glad you found it helpful, KittyJuneberry! You can do it, you’ll survive! Just give yourself time and ask for help if you’re unsure of anything; there are some great experts here that have helped me a lot. And there are people who can sympathize…like me. Thanks, I did get my decision and now I get to start the final stretch--citizenship. I wish you all the best!

I wrote a whole bunch but then it all got deleted so I'll just briefly sum up what I had put...

but maybe I overlooked it in my form-filling fog. x0Kiss0fDeath, do you remember?

I think you still may be able to BUT I may be wrong...I didn't look too far into it because I knew I wanted to use the "new process" super priority (you had the option to not use the new process, so I imagine that might be submitting the paper doc?)

I know you’ve already submitted your application (congratulations!!!), but to answer your questions, here’s what I did.

1. I just listed a few of my closest friends. When I filled it out, it actually did ask (like gray in the empty box or when you hovered or something) for names, where they live, and how you keep in contact, etc. so I couldn’t fit ALL my friends in the US.

2. I think you’re totally fine with saying ‘no’. It’s a weird question, I agree, and the only thing I could think of as well was that they were looking for affiliations with groups that are contrary to UK values.

3. I wrote it in the online application itself (since it shows up on the final version I downloaded). It was just a couple sentences on how I was expecting, and I included my Mat B1 as documentation. Probably unnecessary, but who knows.

Thanks! Will just need to wait and see what happens next weekend!

It did ask on mine specifically for the names and relationship types, etc. of friends and family. I ended up just filling out as much as I could on both sections and then left notes at the bottom stating something along the lines of "couldn't fit all names/info on here due to limited space". Assuming they won't spend much time on it. Ended up saying "no" in the end as well to my affiliations and explaining that I'm not active in any social group due to the fact I only go back to the US once a year for 2 weeks at a time and that I'm more active in the community here where I live than back in the US.

I ended up answering my own question RE the "other reasons to stay" as I asked before I had finished the application where it asks for this info at the end. I ended up mentioning my dog (which is a joint responsibility) and the fact that if I were unable to stay, my husband and I may be separated for an undetermined amount of time sorting out new visas and travel docs for the pup. Only evidence I could really provide was just to upload current pet insurance for my pooch to prove she exists lol. Maybe too emotional and not enough factual stuff that I physically could eventually work around, but thought it was better than leaving it unsaid and not mentioning the dog.

You’re very welcome and thank YOU for your updates based on your experience!

Strange about the fee changes. I wonder if anyone else ran into this?

No worries! Thought it might be interesting to just add the update as it's changed ever so slightly since it first changed over in November.

Like I said, the fees weren't massively different (total including visit so far is just over £3.2k for super priority service), but definitely a surprise especially since it seems UKVI still are having teething issues overall with all visa processes. Perhaps I did something wrong, but I definitely wasn't expecting to pay for ANY appointment date/time. There was an option to show "free only" appointments but I'm wondering if maybe those are appointments much further out in date or something? As there were Monday and Tuesday appointments that still cost £100.

As for the 24-hour decision, I think the wording was ‘Most applications are decided in 24 hours.’ and then went on to say they’d let you know if it would take longer. This seems to still promise they’ll tell you something within that time frame! https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration/about-our-services Did you go for Super Priority? Let us know when you get a decision!

I did go for Super Priority just for peace of mind because I assumed I'd be able to get an appointment for this weekend (submitted the application Thursday night) but it wasn't an option. The library centres literally had NOTHING available and the earliest core centre I could get was for this coming week (but it was a weekday so I went with the weekend as was only a few days difference). The peace of mind was because my visa expires Feb 1st (couldn't reapply sooner as I had a trip to Japan in October and a trip back to the US for Christmas in December), and I was hoping the whole 24 hour decision would guarantee that if anything was wrong and I was rejected, it would still give me time to get a new application with any corrections before my visa expires so i don't have to start at the bottom all over again but it appears it's not actually 24 hours...It's definitely worded as "most applications..." so I guess will see what happens!


Question for you though - did you get an email from UKVI before your appointment? Asking as I got an email Friday that my application was with home office and it could take up to 6 months for a decision and I'm not sure if it's normal. I know you got an email but it was while you were at your appointment if I remember correctly? (but I'm wondering if the timing was just a coincidence because you happened to book an appointment the next day so it was a coincidence that you got it while at the appointment). I am fairly certain I can just ignore it but I can't let go of the feeling in the back of my mind that something was done incorrectly.

Thanks again! I'll totally keep everybody posted on how long it takes me to hear back (hopefully they're through most of the teething on these!)

(you had the option to not use the new process, so I imagine that might be submitting the paper doc?)

Ahhh! Yes, the old vs. new process - since you have to use the online form now, my guess is if you select the old process, maybe that could give you the option to post your supplementary documents and wait.

Like I said, the fees weren't massively different (total including visit so far is just over £3.2k for super priority service), but definitely a surprise especially since it seems UKVI still are having teething issues overall with all visa processes. Perhaps I did something wrong, but I definitely wasn't expecting to pay for ANY appointment date/time. There was an option to show "free only" appointments but I'm wondering if maybe those are appointments much further out in date or something? As there were Monday and Tuesday appointments that still cost £100.

Maybe the only appointments left for the weekdays were early or late ones that aren't free. I guess I'll find out when it comes to scheduling my UKVCAS appointment for citizenship.

I did go for Super Priority just for peace of mind because I assumed I'd be able to get an appointment for this weekend (submitted the application Thursday night) but it wasn't an option. The library centres literally had NOTHING available and the earliest core centre I could get was for this coming week (but it was a weekday so I went with the weekend as was only a few days difference). The peace of mind was because my visa expires Feb 1st (couldn't reapply sooner as I had a trip to Japan in October and a trip back to the US for Christmas in December), and I was hoping the whole 24 hour decision would guarantee that if anything was wrong and I was rejected, it would still give me time to get a new application with any corrections before my visa expires so i don't have to start at the bottom all over again but it appears it's not actually 24 hours...It's definitely worded as "most applications..." so I guess will see what happens!

I'm pretty sure you'll be fine and won't have to start all over again. And if it takes more than 24 hours, hopefully you'll get your Super Priority fee back. Still waiting for mine to come through. (BTW, I'm jealous of your trip to Japan! Lived there for 3 years and loved it.)

Question for you though - did you get an email from UKVI before your appointment? Asking as I got an email Friday that my application was with home office and it could take up to 6 months for a decision and I'm not sure if it's normal. I know you got an email but it was while you were at your appointment if I remember correctly? (but I'm wondering if the timing was just a coincidence because you happened to book an appointment the next day so it was a coincidence that you got it while at the appointment). I am fairly certain I can just ignore it but I can't let go of the feeling in the back of my mind that something was done incorrectly.

Yep, I got that same email from UKVI/Home Office the day after I submitted my online application saying it may take up to 6 months, etc. I think you're right that it must have coincidentally arrived while I was at my UKVCAS appointment! Don't worry about it.

Ahhh! Yes, the old vs. new process - since you have to use the online form now, my guess is if you select the old process, maybe that could give you the option to post your supplementary documents and wait.

That's what I'm thinking but I honestly didn't look at it even close enough to guess! lol I just went right in with what I knew I needed/wanted haha

Maybe the only appointments left for the weekdays were early or late ones that aren't free. I guess I'll find out when it comes to scheduling my UKVCAS appointment for citizenship.

Yeah that might;ve been it as all the appointments were either 8 or 9AM on a weekday (that I looked at as I only looked at the sooner appointments) or weekends. NOTHING when it came to weekday, later in the day so that could totally be what happened. All I know is my option to get this done before Feb (or eve at the very beginning of Feb) was to pay £100 for the core centre or £260 for the Premium centre and I went with Birmingham because it was just under a 2 hour drive to get to the building (and £160 less than the Premium centre in London that would take over 2 hours door to door).

I'm pretty sure you'll be fine and won't have to start all over again. And if it takes more than 24 hours, hopefully you'll get your Super Priority fee back. Still waiting for mine to come through.

I thought they had probably changed the wording to avoid giving the fees back but if it said that when you applied too, there's still a chance! haha I guess it will come down to what they tell me next weekend (like if they tell me like you did that I should hear by the next day or if it will be more complicated/longer). Hoping you get your fee back soon!! £600+ is SO much to be waiting on!

(BTW, I'm jealous of your trip to Japan! Lived there for 3 years and loved it.)

Jealous of me!? I'm jealous of you!! You got to live there! Need to work on my dual citizenship before I can look for work abroad (and I know the work-life balance there isn't stellar), but I would LOVE to work and live there for a few years! We loved it so much that we're going back in November to celebrate my 30th birthday! I honestly cannot wait. I am SUPER excited!

Yep, I got that same email from UKVI/Home Office the day after I submitted my online application saying it may take up to 6 months, etc. I think you're right that it must have coincidentally arrived while I was at my UKVCAS appointment! Don't worry about it.

Cool thanks! Just wanted to double check! I wasn't panicking or anything but a part of me was just wanting to check this was normal and that I hadn't accidentally submitted something incorrectly to trigger this or something.