UK Visa Settlement Processing Time

Well I'm happy they chose not to decline the application on the grounds of not including the letter from my sponsor.  I guess they know that it was a simple mistake (I honestly didn't read anywhere it was a requirement, in hindsight it makes sense).  Me and my wife have been married in the US for nearly 5 years. 

I've provided 6 months of bank account activity showing both mine and her direct deposits from our employer, her bank statements from UK, our most recent tax returns, a letter of accommodation from her sister who has a 5 bedroom house, original birth certificates, passports, my college diploma, the deed to our house, etc.  I'm sure they realize it was an honest mistake, and fortunately I've been given another opportunity to submit the paperwork.

I appreciate the example sponsorship letter!  Sometimes the whole process can get overwhelming.  Part of the reason I misunderstood how to get priority service.  Oddly enough, this seems more stressful than when we got my wife's greencard.  ARGH!

Filled out paperwork sat May 14th  biometrics tuesday May 17th  sent in paperwork usps priority mail  fri May 20 arrived Sat May 21  Got email Wensday May 25 from ukba mine is exception case (maybe because I was turned away at border heathrow Jan 2010 sent back to us )since I paid for priority processing it will take a little longer not the 48hours ..processing will take up to 15 working days .. which brings me to June 16 th .. SO .. this is for a fiance visa I have included everything including reciepts for furniture we bought some with my credit cat even copied my card (dont worry blacked out all but last 4 numbers ) so they could see it was my card .. I just got back after being in Scotland for 6 months got back May 4th    .. Here is keeping my fingers crossed , because df is having fits waiting for call from them and waiting for answer ,, here is wsaing and hoping no news is good news meaning that its not a deniel do far .. any thoughts .. since I have not seen any posts on here since May 28th 

Sent the additional requested documents which they received last Wednesday.  Now its just a waiting game.  Sure hope it's soon! 

Filled out paperwork sat May 14th  biometrics tuesday May 17th  sent in paperwork usps priority mail  fri May 20 arrived Sat May 21  Got email Wensday May 25 from ukba mine is exception case (maybe because I was turned away at border heathrow Jan 2010 sent back to us )since I paid for priority processing it will take a little longer not the 48hours ..processing will take up to 15 working days .. which brings me to June 16 th .. 

Shame you had to pay for priority processing only to wait with the rest of us slobs Anyway I wonder what the special case email is all about...if that's just to explain why priority is taking longer, or if they send it to all "special cases"!

GOOD LUCK and let us know what transpires...

Sent the additional requested documents which they received last Wednesday.  Now its just a waiting game.  Sure hope it's soon! 

You and me both! I'm on day 19, so I've got a bit of a ways to go...yet I still check my email with one eye closed in the mornings. good luck....

Nicole, day 19 since they've received your supporting documents or day 19 from when you applied?  Also which consulate did you send yours into?  I sent mine to NYC.

It's day 10 since they've received my supporting documents.

Shame you had to pay for priority processing only to wait with the rest of us slobs Anyway I wonder what the special case email is all about...if that's just to explain why priority is taking longer, or if they send it to all "special cases"!

The thing is, the priority processing time of 15 working days only applies to straightforward applications. People with non-straightforward applications (i.e. previous refused entries, previous refused visas, overstays/illegal work in the UK, criminal convictions) can still pay for the priority processing, but the consulate can't guarantee 15-day processing.

In general, it takes an extra 2-3 weeks on top of the 15 days for non-straightforward applications using priority processing (so about 6 weeks or so). If the application is non-straightforward and you don't use priority processing, you could be waiting up to 3 months or more for the visa.

Nicole, day 19 since they've received your supporting documents or day 19 from when you applied?  Also which consulate did you send yours into?  I sent mine to NYC.

It's day 10 since they've received my supporting documents.

Day 19 since they received my docs and emailed me. NYC I believe is the only consulate accepting apps. right now?

In general, it takes an extra 2-3 weeks on top of the 15 days for non-straightforward applications using priority processing (so about 6 weeks or so). If the application is non-straightforward and you don't use priority processing, you could be waiting up to 3 months or more for the visa.

Indeed, but I was wondering if that email that told the applicant that their app was non-straightforward is sent to all applications like that, or only to the priority applicants to explain the delay.

Indeed, but I was wondering if that email that told the applicant that their app was non-straightforward is sent to all applications like that, or only to the priority applicants to explain the delay.

The applicant should know whether their application is straightforward or not before they apply because they have to include the paperwork that is the reason for it being non-straightforward (visa refusal letter, refused entry paperwork, police record and court documents detailing convictions etc.). I don't think that an application being priority makes a difference to the type of emails they send you, because they tell you on the priority processing page (on the Worldbridge website) that non-straightforward applications will take longer than 15 days to process.

In scotland09's case, her visa application was non-straightforward right from the start because she has had a refused entry, refused visas and a long visa appeal/tribunal in the past, so it was always going to take longer than the regular priority service timeline. The exceptional case email is pretty unusual though and it is not often sent out as far as I am aware... usually only the 'your documents have been received' and 'your visa has been processed' emails are sent out.

In Donajamin's case, the application was straightforward, but then the consulate asked for extra documentation (because it wasn't included to start with) - so in that case, it's a straightforward application that will take a bit longer because more information was requested. Had they included the extra requested documents in with the application packet then it would have been a regular straightforward application and would have been processed accordingly. In his case, he was lucky that they actually requested the extra documentation, because they could have just refused the application right away based on insufficient evidence provided (which would then have made any future visa applications non-straightforward).

Aaaalright, our timeline:

Applied online: May 29
Biometrics: June 2
App and docs sent with priority: June 2
Email stating docs received: June 3

waaaaiting...our case might not be compeltely straightforward because we misunderstood the terms of my visitor's visa and had mistakenly applied for FLR(M) in the UK but naturally got the automatic refusal because of that (we jumped the gun and were overexcited after our wedding!) but the wording of the refusal was simply due to my visitor's visa and we've included the original refusal to hopefully speed things up! But as far as financials and accommodation go, we seem fine and neither of us has so much as a parking ticket so no criminal record to worry about.  The waiting is driving me nuts though but reading about everyone in this forum is giving me hope! Fingers crossed, I just want to go home!

i sent in a copy of the tribunal judges letter with my application that stated I never should have been denied my visa on my appeals , and in my email from them they said they will ley me know WITH IN 15 WORKING DAYS

Dear Applicant Please be advised that further processing is required on your application and we will make a decision on your case at the earliest opportunity. The estimated processing time for your application has been revised and may now be up to 15 working days from today's date.  It is acknowledged that you purchased priority service. Priority service applications are processed ahead of other visa applications. Under normal circumstances, priority service applications are processed within 48 hours (not including weekends or public holidays) from day of receipt at UK Border Agency visa section in USA.  Your application has undergone an initial assessment, however further review is required. As indicated in the terms of service, in exceptional cases processing may take longer than 48 hours and your case has been identified as an exceptional case. Please note that we will continue to handle your case as expeditiously as possible. Please also be aware that the amount paid for the priority service, as well as visa fees, is not refundable in such cases.  You will receive a further e-mail advising you of the outcome of your application in due course. This e-mail will also provide you with details of your return package.  We are unable to respond to status enquiries. Further information on UK visa services is available at www.visainfoservices.com  Regards UK Border Agency, New York
This is the email they sent me sorry I was not sure how t copy n paste it but iI got it here

i sent in a copy of the tribunal judges letter with my application that stated I never should have been denied my visa on my appeals , and in my email from them they said they will ley me know WITH IN 15 WORKING DAYS

You should probably count your processing time as starting on the 24th, since your documents arrived on a Saturday and your letter was dated on a Tuesday.  That means that today is only working day 10.  Give it until the end of the week before you start to worry .

However, looking at that e-mail you just posted, are you sure you applied for the fiance visa?  How much did you pay?

1,349 and i figured from the email they sent on the 25 th 15 working days is june 16th