UK Visa Settlement Processing Time

Hi everyone,

   I am properly freaking out.  As most are I am sure.....I wish I had visited this website before we applied.  First off, didn't realize there was priority anything.  And then reading everyone's post, there are things I def did not include...like a sponsor letter (which I am assuming is different from the form that your sponsor fills out) from their spouse.  I thought that they meant like Sponsor(in terms of work related reasons for one move ). And I've been to England and spent time with my husband since our wedding in Toronto in November 2011, but I didn't include "evidence" of this. As this was never asked for (Except my passport which has my travel history on it). A user on here mentioned that they were refused because their was no evidence that they had met each other since their wedding. I literally only provided the things that were on the checklist (for example evidence of contact: a few pictures and a bunch of print out email since 2005 when we first started dating). I just graduated from medical school this May, and am pretty good at taking instructions.  However, there seems to be alot of room for interpretation when it come to documentation. I have never done anything like this before.  After reading everyone's posts I feel like I just tried to go to prom in some denim cut-offs and a tank top while everyone else came in ball gowns.   Arghhh....maybe I should have gone to law school. Anyway goodluck everyone!!!

Met during study abroad program Rutgers to University of Sussex Oct 2004
Started dating January 20 2005
Moved back to US
Continued dating, traveling back and forth
Engaged Sept 2011
Married November 2011 (Toronto)
Biometrics June 11 2012
Sent out documents June 13 2012 to NY (Non-priority)
USPS confirmed delivery June 15 2012
No emails yet....
Waiting.......

Good luck, Zee. Try not to worry!

Thanx PlainPearl!  I'm working on a few sewing/tailoring projects and searching summer music festivals to get my mind off of it. But its so hard!! Ohhh, you're in Shropshire! I'm actually going to StaffoDrshire (for the first month anyway).  Anyway....trying to stay positive!   

OMG OMG OMG ACCEPTED So so so so soooooo happy!!!!!

Okay, okay.. focused head on, lol!

2nd April: Fiance Visa Application Submitted
5th April: Biometrics, Priority Processing Paid, Application UPS'd
10th April: Visa Application Received ( long bank holiday weekend  )
24th April: Email to say application assigned to ECO
23rd May: Email to say an additional 15 working days processing required
21st June: Visa issued email!!!!

Thanx PlainPearl!  I'm working on a few sewing/tailoring projects and searching summer music festivals to get my mind off of it. But its so hard!! Ohhh, you're in Shropshire! I'm actually going to StaffoDrshire (for the first month anyway).  Anyway....trying to stay positive!   

Awesome, we'll basically be neighbors for a bit.

Congrats, Tiye!

Hey you all!!

K, I just got the email that they have opened my package!!! 5 business days. Phew! That was painful.  Now I know I still haven't gotten the actual visa yet, but knowing they have my stuff is wicked awesome. Plus if we are missing something, they'll let us know....which maybe a whole other process, but its better than thinking my documents were lost somewhere in the annals of the British Consulate. 

Question: If you are refused for something like missing documents, you don't have to pay the whole fee over again do you? And can you add Priority to it the second time if you didn't the first?  I've read a couple diff things about this, but mostly at other Embassies not New York.
 
They also gave me this information:
Processing times

Current visa application processing times for the New York hub as at 20 June 2012:

Visit visas…………………………………...............9 working days

Settlement visas……………………………………...9 working days

Tier 4 Student visas………………………………….9 working days

All other visa types…………………………………..9 working days

Priority Service applications…………….…........48 hours

Plus if we are missing something, they'll let us know...

Not always.  I've seen it both ways - people who were contacted about a missing document and given the chance to submit it and people who were outright refused due to not providing the sufficient evidence in support of the application.  It seems that it's just the luck of the draw - how generous an ECO you get processing your application.   

Question: If you are refused for something like missing documents, you don't have to pay the whole fee over again do you?

Unfortunately, yes.  If you are refused and you have to submit a fresh application addressing the reasons for refusal, you will have to do the whole process (including biometrics) and pay the fee all over again.

And can you add Priority to it the second time if you didn't the first?

Yes, you can.

Thanks so much for the thorough breakdown.  See I thought that the "full right to appeal" meant on the current application, and it would be a continuation....  Hmmmm, well  anyway, I hope that's not the case, and they just ask me for the missing documentation.  It can't be more than 1 or 2 things if so.  It seems criminal to take $1300+ to just tick off a checklist, and not even make an effort to get relatively easy to acquire information applicants. 

Got the email that they have opened my packet, but nothing so far...On Day 7 of business days since I sent it out, and Business day 2 since they opened it.

Here's hoping we have a understanding ECO...
Good luck everyone!

Hi, just happened upon this site - as others have said, I wish I'd seen it sooner. My wife sent docs to NY which arrived June 13th, rec'd confirmation June 19th...June 25th requested more docs (notarized passport for me - I thought my driving licence and a regular photocopy of passport would suffice - record of a 10 year old traffic offense for her), all arrived NY today. The waiting, there's no tension like it. Just wanted to share...good luck to all those waiting... 

I got my email saying my Visa was Issued today!!! Thank you for all the help from everyone. All the info on here has helped me so much.

We did use the priority service and I must say it helped tremendously! I recommend anyone to do this.

6/18/12 - Got married and finished online application
6/25/12 - Biometrics appt and mailed off completed application
6/27/12 - Email stating they received my application
6/29/12 - Email with visa approval!!!!

I used the NY embassy and stayed up to date on their process times through Facebook, which I would recommend if you are wanting to know how things are going. Good Luck to everyone!!!
 

Hey everyone,

   Still waiting to hear something after that first email on June 21st.  On the UKBA facebook page, they state that 'Processing times are calculated from the date the application is sent to the British Consulate-General in New York' (which for me would have been June 15th, day of USPS Confirmation). So today would be the 11th business day right?! Argghhh, the waiting. It sucks. I keep thinking at least I got that first email. And I know everyone else is waiting too. Just wish things could move along faster....Oh and the processing time was increased from 9 to 11 days.  I feel like the bearer of bad news....sorry

Anyway, Goodluck everyone!

6/11/12- Biometrics Done
6/15/12- USPS Confirmation
6/21/12- Email stating package opened and being sorted

6/13/12 Application rec'd NY (FedEx tracking)
6/19/12 Package rec'd email from UKBA
6/25/12 Further docs requested
6/28/12 All docs in NY
7/2/12 Email receipt of docs
7/2/12 Visa issued

Good luck all.

Hi. I am a bit worried since I have NOT received email from NY consulate regarding my docs.

22 June - Submitted Visa online
26 June - Biometrics Done
28 June - received last of docs from fiance and fedex'd printed app and all docs overnight to NY Consulate
29 June - Fedex confirms delivery

No email confirming docs received.  Will I get an email when they get to the box of docs or should I follow up with them to make sure they have them?  I gather they are getting slammed right now so I don't want to be cranky but worried nonetheless.

Sep

There's no need to worry just yet - it's only been 2 working days so far and the consulate is closed today anyway (for 4th July).

Did you purchase the settlement priority service when you mailed in your application?

If not, then you could be waiting a few more days for an email - no doubt they are receiving a lot of applications at the moment before the rules change so chances are your application is waiting in line to be logged into the system (plus, priority service applications are put to the front of the line which means non-priority applications may have to wait a bit longer).

Be aware though that not everyone always gets an email, so don't panic if you don't get one. If you know the application arrived at the consulate, then it's just a case of waiting now.

This is our timeline...

Applied online and paid visa 29/05
Biometrics 1/06
Application received email 18/06
Entry Clearance Officer email 25/06 10.20am EST
Acceptance and tracking number 25/06 6.17pm EST

I was surprised at how quickly it took from the ECO email to acceptance!