Updates to application process since 2018?

Good day!

My husband and I are planning to apply for my spouse settlement visa next month for me to join him in the UK. We originally applied in November 2018, but unfortunately had to withdrawal our application before a decision was made. We were familiar with the process at the time, but wondering if any changes have been made since we last applied...

Is the online application process the same? Do we still mail our package of supporting documentation to the New York Scanning hub? Has that address changed? Many thanks in advance!

Also, are there many folks on this forum who have had luck applying and obtaining a 2nd US passport while their UK visa is processing to travel to other courties outside the UK? I read that is an option, but not a guarantee. Is the Premium Services through VFS still the available as the best (most expensive ) option to keep your passport?

Any assistance would be much appreciated!! 

Good day!

My husband and I are planning to apply for my spouse settlement visa next month for me to join him in the UK. We originally applied in November 2018, but unfortunately had to withdrawal our application before a decision was made. We were familiar with the process at the time, but wondering if any changes have been made since we last applied...

Is the online application process the same? Do we still mail our package of supporting documentation to the New York Scanning hub? Has that address changed? Many thanks in advance!

Also, are there many folks on this forum who have had luck applying and obtaining a 2nd US passport while their UK visa is processing to travel to other courties outside the UK? I read that is an option, but not a guarantee. Is the Premium Services through VFS still the available as the best (most expensive ) option to keep your passport?

Any assistance would be much appreciated!!

If you have the luxury of time, I would try to obtain a second US passport for use during your visa processing rather than pay for the VFS $2,000 service. It will be cheaper.

The process has changed a bit. The entire application is now online.

https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa

You still have to send your passport and receipts to NY, (address in the link below) You can scan the rest of your evidence or if you don't want to scan yourself, you can send the evidence to NY for scanning but they now charge $100 for the service.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/usa-apply-for-a-uk-visa/apply-for-a-uk-visa-in-the-usa

The requirements remain unchanged.

Thank you kindly for the response and information! This is very helpful.

We will review these updates and begin forging ahead.

Will reach out with questions and guidance soon