UK Visa Settlement Processing Time

@Ashley, your agent is full of it.  Probably trying to scare you so that when your visa is approved, he can take all the credit.  There's no savings requirement for a spousal visa, and your husband's income sounds sufficient.  I doubt you have anything to worry about.

Thanks for some reassuring words... This guy just makes me insane! He is obviously self absorbed, and I regret using an agent in the first place. From what I'm seeing on this site, he was just a wallet sucker. >:| Either way, sure enough its been a day, and no email from the agent. So either the UKBA has not sent one, or our agent is just taking his time to tell us. trying to keep my hopes up tho... trying trying trying.

Hey everyone, new here!

Just thought I'd post up my submission timeline so far.

Application Submitted - May 10th
Biometrics - May 18th
Sent overnight to New York Embassy ($116 to do so)

I created a huge binder with all relevant information.  Passports, birth certificates, marriage certificate (married since 2006), bank statements from US and UK, living accommodations once over there.

Hopefully we are processed quickly because of the attention to detail!

My wife just received phone call at home that my Visa has been issued.  A phone call! wow... i don't think that the US embassy could be so efficient.  It took months for my wife to hear that anything was going on when she did her US immigration.

May 16th noon - paid for priority processing and extra USPS overnight mail to NYC
May 17th noon - email confirmation that package was rec'd
May 18th 2:45pm - phone call visa issued. 48 hours? Stunned. Now just have to figure out what to take and how to fit it all  in the 19' container.

Or... we could just buy a container and convert it into cool living space when we get there...

Just received this email from our agent about savings not being efficient and a past underage drinking charge I had when I was 18 years old.

"I had a similar situation in Australia a few months ago. We ended up withdrawing the original application and reapplied (see attached explanation letter). They lost the application fee and had to pay us extra to re-do their application."

Almost at the same time after reading this. I broke down into tears and and almost accepted my horrible fate. AND GOT A PHONE CALL! The UKBA saying that my Visa and my Daughters Visa has been issued! And we will recieve them in a couple of days.

This is just advice for anyone reading this thread... Agents that promise they will get your application done a less stressful way. YOU DON'T need them they will just cause you more stress and cost more money!

Applied online 5/11/2011
Biometric appointment: 5/13/2011
Supporting documents sent: 5/16/2011
Recieved by NY UKBA: 5/17/2011
Email of process: 5/18/2011 at 9:30AM.. Didn't receive it myself until 3:00PM
Phone call visa issued: 5/18/2011

All together it took less than 24 hours to process our application.

7 days from time of application.

And to think we almost withdrew our application and paid 2 times for something that would have been totally unessacary.. This guy was a crock, and we learned our lesson to trust an agent or third party visa company!

Good luck to everyone still waiting.

@vertigo, what do you plan on doing with your wifes US greencard once you leave?

And to think we almost withdrew our application and paid 2 times for something that would have been totally unessacary.. This guy was a crock, and we learned our lesson to trust an agent or third party visa company!

WOW that agent sounds like an idiot at best, and at worst, a total crook. Thank heavens you got that phone call when you did! Congrats and think of us poor saps still waiting

PS You should report the agency!

May 16th noon - paid for priority processing and extra USPS overnight mail to NYC
May 17th noon - email confirmation that package was rec'd
May 18th 2:45pm - phone call visa issued. 48 hours? Stunned.

Dang. Now that is a convincing argument for getting the priority service! I wish I had known about it when I applied!

who and how do you pay the $300 express processing fee to ? thank you

And to think we almost withdrew our application and paid 2 times for something that would have been totally unessacary.. This guy was a crock, and we learned our lesson to trust an agent or third party visa company!

Good luck to everyone still waiting.

I would report them and the practices - file a complaint for sure.
congrats!

who and how do you pay the $300 express processing fee to ? thank you

You have to go to the Worldbridge website (after selecting United States from the drop down menu, go to the Additional Services section) and purchase it on there. Instructions for what to do are on the website: https://www.visainfoservices.com/Pages/Welcome.aspx

You can only do it on the day that you are mailing in your application to the NY consulate (after you have applied online, had your biometrics taken and have the package all ready to go).

Congrats to Vertigo.67 and Ashleykaynee,

I didn't know that they are giving phone call to let people know that visas have been issued. It seems that priority is totally worth it. I hope they will be this efficient when I apply after the summer

Just letting those of you know that have submitted the application through the non priority service the guideline I had:

My timeline is so far:
March 10, 2011 Applied online.
April 4, 2011 Submitted Biometrics.
April 12, 2011 New York Consulate received documents+Biometrics
May 16, 2011 Visa denied 

Now my ordeal begins, feel like one has to be extremely wealthy to enter the UK, only reason denied was due to not having enough money.  Even went through a solicitor and still got denied.  Those of you that are using a solicitor, please make sure they are good one or else get ripped off like I just did.

Best of luck to those of you with successful outcomes!

Karen

ty Ksand24   ....

So sorry Karen...I hope you think of a solution to your problem.

It is rather disheartening to see someone denied while you're waiting! Do keep us updated as what you decide to do!

Nicole

@karen - so sorry. though I don't feel wealthy, my brother in law wrote a nice letter stating that we could stay at his house (large enough for all of us 4a+2k) free of charge for as long as needed.  I'm sure something like that would help with the finances side of things.
@donjamin - nothing. she's a dual citizen now. we can come back to US later if we want. without going thru the greencard business again or rediculous renewals (fees!$$$).