UK Visa Settlement Processing Time

I have never posted on this website but often use it for any questions I have had through this whole visa process.
So thought I would now post our timeline:

Mailed Application: 20th August
Email from LA Consulate: 23rd August
Approval Email: 3rd September

We did pay for the Priority service.

Awaiting for the visa to be in our hands but due to Labor day weekend UPS is showing it will not be till the 7th!

So happy to finally be done with this waiting and worrying. Good luck to everyone else.

 

Mailed Application: 20th August
Email from LA Consulate: 23rd August
Approval Email: 3rd September

We did pay for the Priority service.
So happy to finally be done with this waiting and worrying. Good luck to everyone else.

Congratulations!!!

Congratulations....that was super quick! Enjoy!

me again...just reading the last few posts and realise i was not alone in not knowing there was a priority service - they don;t offer it to you, I:m sure I would have picked up on it... the other thing that a tracking service would do is let you know if there are any hitches - there seems to be no rhyme or reason (except for paying the priority fee I guess) why one should have taken 44 days and the most recent poster on here just over a week...but it wold be nice to know if they have even opened our packet and looked at it and it is truly being processed or just sitting on someone's desk while the ones they get the extra cash for are being done ahead of us...just checked email now and no email so the earliest it could be now is Tuesday...did have an email to say the ship has left with John's household goods...they may arrive ahead of him!

me again...just reading the last few posts and realise i was not alone in not knowing there was a priority service - they don;t offer it to you, I:m sure I would have picked up on it... the other thing that a tracking service would do is let you know if there are any hitches - there seems to be no rhyme or reason (except for paying the priority fee I guess) why one should have taken 44 days and the most recent poster on here just over a week...but it wold be nice to know if they have even opened our packet and looked at it and it is truly being processed or just sitting on someone's desk while the ones they get the extra cash for are being done ahead of us...just checked email now and no email so the earliest it could be now is Tuesday...did have an email to say the ship has left with John's household goods...they may arrive ahead of him!

Hi Gilean, you are not alone!!!! A lot of us feel cheeted and misinformed during this entire process.  I agree a tracking system is a brilliant idea.  I do not think that the consulate even look at our applications until after a certain amount of days, say 40 business days, the current processing time at the moment for settlement visas. It is ridiculous.

How many days are you and what consulate did you apply to?

Hi Gilean, you are not alone!!!! A lot of us feel cheeted and misinformed during this entire process.  I agree a tracking system is a brilliant idea.  I do not think that the consulate even look at our applications until after a certain amount of days, say 40 business days, the current processing time at the moment for settlement visas. It is ridiculous.

How many days are you and what consulate did you apply to?

Hi nickiboo, is that a fact or just your opinion? Because I think a lot of people (myself included) would be very stressed, perhaps unnecessarily if it's not a fact, after reading that.

And I agree - personally, I feel cheated and misinformed about the whole thing. There are many things that I'm reading on here that are not mentioned AT ALL on the application checklist. I'm angry that the priority service isn't mentioned during checkout. I had no idea about it. I'm completely baffled as to why there is no way of finding out what's going on - how can there be no transparency when it comes to this?

I'm (very) slowly coming to terms with the fact that there's not much of anything we can do even though many of us feel cheated on the priority option. I feel like it's an injustice that I shouldn't have to pay the price for. I wish they would figure out a way to offer it after the fact to those of us that genuinely had no idea, but I doubt that will happen.

All I can suggest is everyone be sure to take the WorldBridge Customer Service Survey afterwards!

All I can suggest is everyone be sure to take the WorldBridge Customer Service Survey afterwards!

::wrings hands evilly::
muah ha ha ha haaaa!

I do not think that the consulate even look at our applications until after a certain amount of days, say 40 business days, the current processing time at the moment for settlement visas. It is ridiculous.

The reason it takes so long for the applications to be processed if you didn't use the priority service is because each consulate processes between 2,000 and 3,000 applications per month and probably more than that in the summer months (because of student visas). The priority service applications and student visa applications are given priority and are processed first in front of all the other applications.

At the time that your fiance/spousal visas arrived at the consulate, it's likely that there were many applications already waiting in line ahead of yours, which have to be processed first before they can get to yours. Then, priority service applications (and probably student visas) that arrive after yours will be put to the front of the line and also processed before yours... which means you have to wait even longer for your application to be dealt with. Most applications are processed within a couple of days once they reach the front of the line, but if your application is not straightforward (i.e. you have criminal convictions or previous immigration problems), then you can another 2-3 weeks of processing time on top of that.

The consulates don't do it deliberately, it's just that it's currently taking that long for them to process all the applications they are receiving. Also, the more people that use the priority service, the longer it takes for non-priority applications to be processed... so, the more the priority service is advertised, the worse it gets for those who don't know about it!

At least the UK fiance/spousal visas are processed within a couple of months though. If you were applying for a spousal visa for the US, the processing time averages 8 months, with some applications taking up to 2 years to be approved!!

Edited... because I put 'for the UK' instead of 'for the US' in that last sentence 

And I agree - personally, I feel cheated and misinformed about the whole thing. There are many things that I'm reading on here that are not mentioned AT ALL on the application checklist. I'm angry that the priority service isn't mentioned during checkout. I had no idea about it. I'm completely baffled as to why there is no way of finding out what's going on - how can there be no transparency when it comes to this?

There are references to Worldbridge(Select United States from the drop down menu) on the UKBA guidance website, which is where the additional services are purchased through.

As far as documents needed as each persons situation is different, often when people come to UKY in the beginning phases of their application we can help them determine which documents they need that may not be specifically addressed with the Document Checklist (page 13) however the checklist does state to include any evidence to support the information in the application.

Hi nickiboo, is that a fact or just your opinion? Because I think a lot of people (myself included) would be very stressed, perhaps unnecessarily if it's not a fact, after reading that.

I can pretty much assure you that this is not fact and is just the opinion of a very stressed person. I agree that the process is harrowing - having been through it myself twice - and it is probably one of the most unpleasant things I've been through, however I can assure you that the applications are processed in a fair and timely matter - with priority given to those who have chosen to purchase the Priority Services.

We (as a UKY community) have been there informing our members of their application options throughout the recent changes in processing and will strive to continue to inform our members and lurkers as best we can.


Everyone keeps referencing processing statistics from their respective Consulates, what I'm thinking is happening is that some of our members submitted in July - that being the case the statistics that they would have seen before submitting would have been from March (before all the Tier 4 rush) as the statistics from April & May were never published (due to the change in UK Government), the most recent stats that are available are from June and have not been updated in nearly 2 months. June's numbers aren't reflective of the current processing times either, because Expediters will still submitting on June 6 so some of those approved visas in Junes statistics...

I know it's no consolation, but no too long ago it was taking up to 100 business days to get un-expedited visas processed in Los Angeles so 50 business days is progress of some sort and for US Applicants it really is just a matter of *when* not if the applications will be approved. Also complaints about processing timeframes will not be addressed because as long as the applications are processed within the customer service standard meet the requirement set forth by UKBA it is only when the processing exceeds the standard can a valid complaint be lodged.

Current Customer Service Standard:

Visa application processing times

Non-Settlement applications
To complete 90 per cent of visa applications (except settlement categories), in not more than three weeks, 98 per cent in six weeks and 100 per cent in 12 weeks.


Settlement applications
To complete 95 per cent of applications for settlement visas in not more than 12 weeks and 100 per cent in not more 24 weeks.

FAQ's on Customer Service Standards

Q: What are our standards?
A: See our Customer Service Standards page.


Q: How are these standards set?
A: The standards reflect the processing times that we aim to achieve across our global network, based on average and potential performance.

Q: why is there such variation in processing times between different locations for the same visa categories?
A: Each application is unique, so we cannot guarantee individual processing times. Time variations depend on current demand in each location, the numbers and types of application and the distance between the visa application centre and the visa processing centre where UK Border agency staff decide applications.

Q: Can I switch my application from one visa application centre to another with faster processing times?
A: Once your application has been submitted and your biometrics have been taken, the application fee cannot be refunded.  For visitor visa categories and EEA Family Permits, you may submit your application in any country with a visa application centre.  For all other long-term visa categories you must submit your application at a visa application centre in the country where you are living.

Q: How do you calculate the visa processing times?
A: The processing time begins when the UK Border Agency or one of our commercial partners (VFS Global and WorldBridge), has received your completed application form, with your passport and supporting documents, your biometrics registration and the relevant application fee. It ends after a decision has been taken on your application and your passport is available for collection.

Q: What happens if my visa is not returned within the standard time
A: Please do not contact the UK Border Agency or one of our commercial partners unless your application has exceeded our Customer Service Standards. If your visa application has exceeded these times, to find out what to do, please check for information on the visa application centre website in the country where you applied.

Also, the more people that use the priority service, the longer it takes for non-priority applications to be processed... so, the more the priority service is advertised, the worse it gets for those who don't know about it!

That makes perfect sense, but I really don't feel that's fair. There's an obligation to process all applications. Especially when considering the price tag. They can't just keep dropping non-priority applications because priority applications are coming through... People will be waiting the full 12 weeks in no time! Surely there's some sort of protocol for this that we just don't know about. Some sort of guideline that requires a percentage of pending non-priorities to be processed each week, for example?

At least the UK fiance/spousal visas are processed within a couple of months though. If you were applying for a spousal visa for the UK, the processing time averages 8 months, with some applications taking up to 2 years to be approved!!

This!

My husband and I are in month 3 for our Petition (I-130) to be approved through the US Embassy in London -- and that's not even the Visa Application itself! We'll be lucky to get it complete by the end of the year and then it will be another month after that before we get the decision...we'll be lucky to get to the US before my daughter turns 3 in May next year.  

So I really do know how y'all are feeling.

This!

My husband and I are in month 3 for our Petition (I-130) to be approved through the US Embassy in London -- and that's not even the Visa Application itself! We'll be lucky to get it complete by the end of the year and then it will be another month after that before we get the decision...we'll be lucky to get to the US before my daughter turns 3 in May next year.  

Yeah, one of my school friends is engaged to an American and is in the middle of filing for a US marriage visa... they started the visa application process about 2 months ago, but it takes so long that she's not going to be able to move over to the US until next year!

This!

My husband and I are in month 3 for our Petition (I-130) to be approved through the US Embassy in London -- and that's not even the Visa Application itself! We'll be lucky to get it complete by the end of the year and then it will be another month after that before we get the decision...we'll be lucky to get to the US before my daughter turns 3 in May next year.  

So I really do know how y'all are feeling.

WebyJ! You're trying to get out of Dodge? I actually do know about this process. The "petition to apply" step is unreal. My husband and I became very educated in the US process... and you're absolutely right. The UK waiting process is cake in comparison. A small part of the reason why we're going this route instead. It's faster and we can wait out some of the US process in the UK together should we decide to move down the road.

And not only is the US process a million times longer... it costs thousands more! I feel for you! Good luck!!

As far as documents needed as each persons situation is different, often when people come to UKY in the beginning phases of their application we can help them determine which documents they need that may not be specifically addressed with the Document Checklist (page 13) however the checklist does state to include any evidence to support the information in the application.

Don't get me wrong - I've seen great advice on here, and it seems like most people, myself included, are able to get reassurance through others' responses. I came across this place too late to help me, but moving on....
My issue is that one shouldn't have to get most of their clarification though a website. A website that one may or may not be lucky enough to come across.

There are references to Worldbridge(Select United States from the drop down menu) on the UKBA guidance website, which is where the additional services are purchased through.

I know. I of course went through the WorldBridge website. It just would have been nice to have a little heads-up at the end of the application process that something that could help so much is available - it seems very easy to miss out on important/helpful information, even if you do try to be careful where you look.