OMG! a 3rd email after being told 15 working days...

"Your application, passport and supporting documentation have arrived safely. Please note that your package was not opened immediately on receipt in this office due to the increasing volume of mail received as we enter our peak time.  Now that your package has been opened, we ask you to allow up to 12 weeks for us to review your Settlement application."

I received two emails previously that stated 5 then a further 10 working days before I would hear the decision. I just now received an email saying they got my app and give them 12 more weeks!!!  My initial online application was July 29th, my biometrics appointment was August 20th and I sent my package that day, it was delivered at the Los Angeles British Consulate on August 25th, I received my first email from the consulate saying they opened the package and to allow 5 days, then a second saying allow a further 10 (working) days on September 4th.

I am about shattered, I think the only thing keeping me from breaking down crying is that I am at work.

I don't know what this means or if anyone else is getting this email or what =( I didn't think my stuff was complicated... I don't know if there is anything I can do other than change everything I had planned =(

 :\\\'(
CJ

Most people are getting this e-mail, which is why we are saying that you must expect the application to take at least 20 days from the day they receive the application.

I guess they are no prioritising the last minute student applications, so this is taking even longer.

Vicky

yep we received that email today. we have just put in for a spouse visa and got that email i hope they are just saying that to stop people calling them and chasing it up as my wife has already cried and i feel sick.  :\\\'(

It's only a week or so more!  It will still be done and dusted within the month.

Vicky

Did it say 12 weeks? How is that done and dusted in a month?

Because they say that, but it won't be 12 weeks.  All e-mails say that, and I still haven't come across any from the US that have taken more than two months.

Vicky

Thank you so much for posting and letting us know Vicky, sorry if I sounded paniced but I was =(

I didn't see anything else posted about an additional 12 weeks, and I imagine there is a form letter that someone just ticks and sends out when there are additional delays due to volume or what not...

I know til you get a visa you shouldn't make any concrete plans, and I didn't buy a plane ticket or anything but I tried to get everything sorted and a somewhat viable time line to sort out my leaving, the work thing, the housing thing and when I got that email I just felt my world spinning!

Again THANK YOU! for posting!

I hope you get your approved E-mail soon!

Hi!
I just read your post, this all seems very discouraging.  I never even got an email, and it will be 5 weeks tomorrow,  so if its going to be 12 weeks from the time they open the package, we are going to withdraw our application...I mean in my case, even if its another month its definitely not an option :\\\'(
I hope it all works out for you!  Keep us posted if you get any more emails.

Because they say that, but it won't be 12 weeks.  All e-mails say that, and I still haven't come across any from the US that have taken more than two months.

Vicky

I received 2 emails today... first say 5 days wait, the second email say 12 weeks. at first i was like WHAT THE .. but i realize that maybe is just the time frame.

Ive read few case in this site so i didn't really panic. ive seen VICTORIAS respond in other member of this board and makes me feel relax and in peace. thanks victoriaS

So after they open the package... is it after 20 working days? or with in that 20 days?

Thanks... HOPE WE GET OUR VISA REALLY SOON!!!

08/12/2008- Online application
09/06/2008- Biometrics (Mailed same day)
09/08/2008- LA Consulate received the Package
09/18/2008- 2 Emails received (5 days & 12 weeks email)

Hey Raff,

I just notices you are in Medford Oregon! I am in Portland now but I lived in Medford for a couple years, went to (the old) Howard Elementary before they turned it into the maintenance building and built a new one! Hello to a fellow Oregonian 

Sorry, slightly offtopic. I noticed that several people in this thread had biometrics taken almost a month after the online application, was it because there were no earlier appointments available or for other reasons? What is the current timeframe to schedule biometrics at this moment? Thanks

for me, yes it was because that was the earliest appointment I could get according to the schedule. I imagine it depends on where you are getting your biometrics done, mine was in Portland Oregon it was done at the US immigration office so they do biometrics for the US stuff as well as for the UK, they are a contractor of the UK Visa dealie I would imagine.

You don't get to see the appointments available for your area or make an appointment until you have finished your online visa.

I had my biometrics done at an Application Support Centre in MD.  My appointment was 5 days (including the weekend) after I submitted my application.  Be sure when you are looking to book, you check the dates available at all the different locations available in your area - one might have openings on earlier dates.  I was originally under the impression I had to go to Baltimore but 2 other locations (ASCs) came up and with dates much sooner than B'more.