Sopra Steria Appointments for FLR(M) Biometrics - LONDON

Anyone else had any luck with booking appointments for Biometrics in London?
We have been checking since the beginning of the week for any slots, absolutely nothing showing till the end of July...
 


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It's been my understanding that they are allowing appointments to be booked starting from those who submitted their application in March, and that you are supposed to wait for an email before you book.
What date did you submit your online application, if you don't mind me asking?
Since I submitted on April 15, I figured it was not yet my time and that I still had to wait for the official email. If this isn't the case, I'd love to know because I will also try to book.
Any insight or advice welcome!

Here's what it says on the UKVCAS website:
In order to be fair to everyone, we are now opening up the booking system in date order starting with people who registered with UKVCAS before the 27th March but did not have an appointment. We are working from the earliest to the most recent registrations as we think this is the fairest and best approach to take. If you are one of these customers, you will have an email from us on the 21st or 22nd of June asking you to book an appointment. The email will have full instructions about next actions.

It's been my understanding that they are allowing appointments to be booked starting from those who submitted their application in March, and that you are supposed to wait for an email before you book.
What date did you submit your online application, if you don't mind me asking?
Since I submitted on April 15, I figured it was not yet my time and that I still had to wait for the official email. If this isn't the case, I'd love to know because I will also try to book.
Any insight or advice welcome!

Here's what it says on the UKVCAS website:
In order to be fair to everyone, we are now opening up the booking system in date order starting with people who registered with UKVCAS before the 27th March but did not have an appointment. We are working from the earliest to the most recent registrations as we think this is the fairest and best approach to take. If you are one of these customers, you will have an email from us on the 21st or 22nd of June asking you to book an appointment. The email will have full instructions about next actions.

Oh interesting! We only submitted the online application on June 12th! I’m guessing we have a bit of a wait then :-(


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This thread has a few of us waiting to be able to schedule: https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftalk%2Euk-yankee%2Ecom%2Findex%2Ephp%3Ftopic%3D98141%2E0&share_tid=98141&share_fid=39132&share_type=t&link_source=app

Based on the most recent update on the UKVCAS site the office closest to me won't be open until 20 July, and I definitely don't feel safe traveling yet.

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I also submitted ILR application on April 15 and still haven’t heard anything. Soon hopefully!

Does anyone know what the process is if for some reason you are unable to book or find an appointment for biometrics in the time frame advised by UKVI? I ask purely becuase when we submitted our online application for FLR (M) we were advised to book and have a biometrics appointment by the first week of August.... Sopra Steria and UKVI guidance states that as from the 22nd of June, appointments will be offered (we are based in London)

We have attempted to find and book appointments across all service centres in London, and it currently shows no appointments throughout June or July....

What are our options? I am guessing we wait till the end of July and then maybe contact my local MP (who I must add was exceptional during our initial spousal visa process)

J


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We have attempted to find and book appointments across all service centres in London, and it currently shows no appointments throughout June or July....

You are not allowed to book an appointment at the moment, because they are prioritising people who applied in March and April right now. The appointments are only currently open for people who applied several months ago.

What are our options? I am guessing we wait till the end of July and then maybe contact my local MP (who I must add was exceptional during our initial spousal visa process)

Your only option is to wait until they email you to let you know that you are allowed to book an appointment.

They need to get through the March, April and May appointment bookings first before they will let applicants from June book their appointments.

Everyone applying for a visa this year is in the same boat as you right now. No one except those who have been contacted by UKVI by email has been allowed to book an appointment so far. We have people who applied in April who are still waiting to find out when they can book their appointments.

So, just be patient and don't worry about the deadline.

Hi there

Does anyone happen to know about compassionate grounds for expedition? My husband applied for FLR in June but in the meantime a family medical emergency has happened and he needs to go to the US. It looks like we're in the position that either he waits for the visa and risks not being able to go, or he goes and and visa has to be withdrawn and we have to start all over again, outside of the UK. I've seen elsewhere that if you've applied but haven't had biometrics done yet, you can leave the UK and come back, but am not sure how realistic that is. Our lawyer is trying to investigate the compassionate grounds to expedite it, but what with the current situation we're not too optimistic.

We're basically stuck - not being able to apply for priority, yet also not being allowed to leave. 

Hi there

Does anyone happen to know about compassionate grounds for expedition? My husband applied for FLR in June but in the meantime a family medical emergency has happened and he needs to go to the US. It looks like we're in the position that either he waits for the visa and risks not being able to go, or he goes and and visa has to be withdrawn and we have to start all over again, outside of the UK. I've seen elsewhere that if you've applied but haven't had biometrics done yet, you can leave the UK and come back, but am not sure how realistic that is. Our lawyer is trying to investigate the compassionate grounds to expedite it, but what with the current situation we're not too optimistic.

We're basically stuck - not being able to apply for priority, yet also not being allowed to leave. 

I would suggest contacting the MP in your jurisdiction as a matter of urgency


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Hi there

Does anyone happen to know about compassionate grounds for expedition? My husband applied for FLR in June but in the meantime a family medical emergency has happened and he needs to go to the US. It looks like we're in the position that either he waits for the visa and risks not being able to go, or he goes and and visa has to be withdrawn and we have to start all over again, outside of the UK. I've seen elsewhere that if you've applied but haven't had biometrics done yet, you can leave the UK and come back, but am not sure how realistic that is. Our lawyer is trying to investigate the compassionate grounds to expedite it, but what with the current situation we're not too optimistic.

We're basically stuck - not being able to apply for priority, yet also not being allowed to leave. 

Is his current visa still valid, or is he on the section 3c extension now? You can't travel once the visa expires because you wouldn't be let back into the country. I would definitely contact your MP to find out what your options are. Given the current timelines if his current visa still has time on it they might let him travel and do biometrics when he returns, but it'll have to come from them!

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His visa expired on 18th June. We were going to do the online application mid May, but given the circumstances our lawyer advised to wait to see if they opened up Priority, which they didn't.  We then did the online application on June 15th.  Our MP helped last time for the fiance visa because they messed up Priority, but at the moment he has other 'issues' to deal with - it's Robert Jenrick! Will try him tomorrow.  Thanks for your replies.

His visa expired on 18th June. We were going to do the online application mid May, but given the circumstances our lawyer advised to wait to see if they opened up Priority, which they didn't.  We then did the online application on June 15th.  Our MP helped last time for the fiance visa because they messed up Priority, but at the moment he has other 'issues' to deal with - it's Robert Jenrick! Will try him tomorrow.  Thanks for your replies.

I would not bother with a lawyer frankly, and go straight to your MP, explain the situation and the distress being caused. They have the powers to connect with HO ministers who by all means can expedite the whole thing...


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His visa expired on 18th June. We were going to do the online application mid May, but given the circumstances our lawyer advised to wait to see if they opened up Priority, which they didn't.  We then did the online application on June 15th.  Our MP helped last time for the fiance visa because they messed up Priority, but at the moment he has other 'issues' to deal with - it's Robert Jenrick! Will try him tomorrow.  Thanks for your replies.

Hopefully his staff want to give him something positive to address! Oh dear.

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