UK Visa Settlement Processing Time

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum, but feel relieved to know I'm not the only person who is going crazy waiting for a response. I live in Florida and my fiance is in the UK. Sent my visa "book" off on July 8, non-priority (like many people here did not see option until book was sent.) So if my obsessive day counting serves me right, I'm at day 37. Ours was sent to the Chicago consulate. This has been very stressful, have not seen my fiance for 3 months, and the longer I wait the more paranoid I get over possible mishaps, not enough info, etc. On the upside this is teaching about patience and waiting, but I can't believe we are unable to speak to a direct person at the consulate, and are forced spend wasted money on Worldbridge!!! The whole process is energy sucking, oh and now I can't stand weekends as well!! Sorry such a downer, at least some of you can relate..

Hi juliaburk and welcome to our living nightmare. This place helps bunches. We are day 31 through chicago non-priority so a little behind you.  Have everything crossed for all of us

we are unable to speak to a direct person at the consulate, and are forced spend wasted money on Worldbridge!!!

I know it's frustrating, but it might be helpful to remember that ring-fencing the consulate from the general public came about from *us*, and thus far from cruel or malicious...

I know it's frustrating, but it might be helpful to remember that ring-fencing the consulate from the general public came about from *us*, and thus far from cruel or malicious...

And just to add you don't have to spend money calling WorldBridge, as you'll get the same referencing to their website and to the UKBA application website just by emailing them...which is free.

If it's about your application possibly getting processed faster it must be a case of actual life & death for them to take action beyond normal processing, unless you've purchased the Settlement Priority service.

But if you've hit your target processing date (which will be stated in your confirmation email from the Consulate when your application has been received) you then have grounds to complain to the Consulate directly by using the visa complaints email for the appropriate Consulate. Any emails before then will be responded with the reminder of processing guidlines and customer service standards.

I know it's difficult to just sit and wait, which is why it's important to do something outside of checking email, refreshing UKY...I know that y'all want to be in the UK more than anything, but I also know that once you are here that you're going to miss parts of being in the US so take full advantage of your favorites that you can't have here...what I'd give for a Bean, cheese & green sauce burrito from Taco Bell right now or a hug from my mom 

Hang in there everyone...you'll be alright. 

Thanks for the info guys. I'm not knocking the consulate or their procedures, its just the waiting and trying to plan accordingly..and thanks for the heads up on emailing worldbridge, I didn't realize it would be free with my reference number. It is good to know other people get it though...

WebyJ - It's definitely good to keep things in perspective. I agree with you.. I'm trying my hardest not to focus on the waiting and pay more attention to the present moment. I will admit, I feel a bit more calm this week compared to last. Course that could just be me getting used to the burn Bonus is I get to enjoy (sarcasm) another 5 day heatwave and a potential meeting with a windy dude named Earl.

Juliaburk - Welcome! I know exactly the relief you felt when you found this thread. I felt the very same thing pretty recently. This forum is packed full of useful information, super nice people, and shoulders to cry on I'm at 22 days, non-priority through NY, you're an upper classman to me - I truly hope you hear something soon!! Best of luck!

I emailed the free worldbridge service before applying and never even got a reply. And from what I've heard, most people who paid to speak to someone never got answers to their questions either. This forum is a much more useful place to get advice and suggestions.
 
I don't want to sound like I'm attacking anybody either, but being kept in the dark is making me (and others) angry, frustrated and depressed. I really don't understand how the process is handled, since everything online is so vague. The little bits that I do read though make me very confused.

From Transpondia: "When all the information is present, both types take an absolute maximum of 45 minutes of an ECO's time". Why do they need 50 business days then? Especially with a one thousand dollar price tag on the visa? I can understand that some applications are complicated, but even then, probably only take a few extra hours. I never really understood the cost of the settlement visa either. Is it just a way to keep out "undesirables" or is it really the amount that is required for the visa processing system? Basically, why is it not possible, when they have THAT much money coming in, to stay on top of things and process them as they come?
 
Thank you for sharing this info, I really appreciate it. This is certainly not an urgent question by any means, so feel free to ignore my ranting. I'm just feeling very bitter about this (and not "technically" allowed to complain yet at day 42) so if anybody can and is willing to enlighten me, please do.

Thanks again to everyone for being here and being supportive.

I think that information is right it is just the sheer volume of visas and the fact that it is student visa time we picked the worst possible time to apply, well non-priority anyway. I am taking it student visas will be coming to an end soon so hopefully we will see a huge improvement in processing times.

I am starting to feel it now on day 14, as seeing other peoples ridonculous times is slightly worrisome.

I hope everyone hears back this week!

I think that information is right it is just the sheer volume of visas and the fact that it is student visa time we picked the worst possible time to apply, well non-priority anyway. I am taking it student visas will be coming to an end soon so hopefully we will see a huge improvement in processing times.

EXACTLY! Late Spring, Summer months and early fall is the WORST time to apply for a visa.

The slow time of year is November-March where you're probably going to get back non-priority visas back in a couple weeks...but realistically if time is of an issue then going priority is the only way. Especially now since they're allowing even those with previous refusals & criminal issues to use it the cost balanced with the potential 12 week wait (which is the customer service standard)...it's really a decision that would be difficult to make.

The new service standards will be posted on UKBA's site before the end of the year.

Hello!

So I posted my settlement application yesterday for next day arrival. It was guaranteed to arrive at the Chicago consulate at noon. My question now is how long does it generally take to receive the confirmation email from them??

Thanks so much!


Mel

Hi dreambig.  We got ours the following day from Chicago. I hope you went priority because we are currently 32 business days in with non priority.

Rachel 

Thanks Rachel!
Hopefully I'll hear something this afternoon. I swear this is aging me a year every minute I don't hear anything lol

Yes I did go with priority but only found out about it through this forum the day before I sent my application off! definitely not common knowledge and I'm so grateful I found this website otherwise I would be far behind you!

Good luck and I'll keep my fingers crossed that you hear good news soon!

Melissa

Dreambig, we sent our application to Chicago on Saturday, and used the priority service as well...




RACE YOU!

Heh, I'm with you Mel. Sent mine off yesterday to Chicago with Priority processing. According to FedEx tracking they received it around 1:00 today. Haven't received an E-mail yet, but I'm not going to worry too much about it. I know its there.

On your Mark, get set, go!!