UK Visa Settlement Processing Time

HI EVERYONE

I RECENTLY APPLIED FOR MY HUBBYS SETTLEMENT VISA FOR UK, WE RECIEVED AN EMAIL FROM CHICAGO AUG 3 2010 SAYING THEY HAVE RECIEVED IT, NOW WERE STILL WAITING FOR APPROVAL, IM OVER IN USA FOR VACATION WITH KIDS, WERE LEAVING AUG 23RD, IM HOPING WE HEAR BEFORE WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO UK.....

Did you use priority processing?  If so, they aim to have a decision in 15 working days for straightforward applications.

I received an email from the NY office on August 4th saying they are processing our apps. ( me and my 3 kids ). I am assuming that means they are actually working on it but who knows?! It took 5 days for me to get that email from when my apps actually got there. I keep reminding myself that patience is a virtue!

My email from the NY consulate came only 2 days after I posted the application.  I have a non-priority application.  I think it is safe to say that when you receive the email from the consulate that they have opened the package.  Who knows if they actually start processing it that day or the application is placed in a line behind other application?

CONGRATS...

OURS IS 10 BUSINESS DAYS TODAY CHICAGO NON PRIORITY, iM HOPING WE WILL HEAR SOON LIKE YOU DID, I SEE YOURS WAS 16 BUSINESS DAYS, IM HOPING OURS IS GOING TO BE LIKE THAT, I WILL KEEP EVERYONE INFORMED, I FOUND THIS SITE HELPFUL"!!

Congrats MagikRat and Aquila.  Hope everyone else waiting has good news soon.

First off, I can't even begin to explain how relieved I am to have found this website. This process has got to be the worst waiting game ever! Our timeline is as follows:

7/22/10 - Submitted online application & payment
7/28/10 - Completed biometrics & overnighted all documentation to NY Consulate
7/30/10 - Received email confirming that documents were received and my "visa is currently being processed" - which, let's face it...should really just say it's been received because I'm getting the feeling it's collecting dust somewhere.
This is where my timeline rests in limbo.

I'm really frustrated with their website. My husband and I have been researching this process for nearly a year now. Our original plan was to use a courier service in order to "expedite" things. When I revisited the visa website this spring, I learned of the sad news that this method is no longer permitted. I bookmarked the application page to easily access it when I was ready to formally complete it... which I then did in July. Only AFTER my submission did I learn the Consulate themselves are cashing in on this priority service now as of June. Personally, I think this is very poor website construction. It only makes sense to offer that option while you're going through the payment flow... but nope. They decided to put it on an entirely different page. I wouldn't have thought twice about paying the extra fee... if only I had known!! I am now a "frequent flyer" on the WorldBridge site and although their site clearly tells us not to bother sending an inquiry of any sort if you're still within the timeline, I felt I had grounds for an email due to my lack of knowledge on the priority option. I did receive a response confirming that, yes, once it has been submitted non-priority - I'm stuck waiting.

Today was business day 13. As coworkers were discussing their children preparing for the start of school, it dawned on me. All those college students preparing for the semesters abroad are probably flooding the Consulates. After reading this thread, I noted someone had said just that.. I suspect we picked the worst possible month to do this.

Ugh - I so feel for everyone who is waiting... To not know when I get to see my husband again is driving me nuts and seriously racking up our phone bills. I check my email every 10 minutes during the work day... it's practically a nervous tick now

I also read many remarks about the Consulate contacting the spouse/fiance in the UK to confirm the application... does this happen to everyone? Now I'm going to be waiting for my husband to get a phone call...

Thanks for all of the info!! I hope everyone gets approved ASAP!

Hi EmmJayye, and welcome to UKY!

When I went through this process about a week ago, my UK spouse was not contacted by the Consulate, so I don't think it happens to everyone.

Best of luck with your application, and wishing you a speedy decision!

Thank you for the warm welcome, Aquila!

I've totally dived into this forum. It is so great to know I am not alone in this strange state of purgatory. I swear, if one more friend/coworker asks me "So, have you heard anything yet???", I'm going to scream!

At the end of every nightly phone call, my husband reassures me "Tomorrow is the day, sweetcheeks!" Here's hoping business day 14 is the one... but like many have pointed out, after 4-4:30 PM... if the inbox is still empty, it's looking like you'll have to sleep on it yet again.

I wonder... has anyone taken the survey on the WorldBridge site after the process has been completed? I have many opinions on this process which, would probably be best to remain quiet until after the fact (haha). I really think they should clearly explain how the applications are handled. Student visas vs settlement, business vs. student, etc, how the staff handles the intake of applications (are there processing units dedicated to each visa type?), that sort of thing.

Clearly, this process was not designed for a person with a slightly "Type A" personality. And as you might suspect... our documents were delivered in a perfectly indexed legal folder with tabbed sections - naturally! (Yeah...I typically poke fun at myself when I'm stressed and terrified....)

Hi EmmJayye,

I submitted my settlement visa application to the NY consulate that same day you did. I am on day 13 too!  Let's hope we receive an answer very soon

Nicki-

I am sooooo cheering you on! Is tomorrow our day!?! Maybe that's setting ourselves up for disappointment... How about "This week is our week!" By Friday!!! I cannot go another weekend as I am sure you cannot either!

Good vibes your way!

Hi EmmyJayye! Totally agree with you on the lack of info on the website. I applied just after they changed the priority system, so even though my husband and I had done tons of research and would have been willing to pay extra, there was no warning when it came time to pay that you have this option.

I also sent an email to ask about paying for priority after sending it in, but got no reply. Found out here that it's not possible and I'm very annoyed with this whole thing.

I really hope you and Nicki and everybody waiting get your visas soon. I'm on 32 business days (LA consulate, so you shouldn't have the same wait) and every business day feels like a decade. I wouldn't wish this upon anyone. I can't stand being so far from my husband and not knowing a thing and everytime someone says "I'm sure it'll arrive tomorrow, or by the end of the week" it leads to nothing but tears of frustration and disappointment.

Keep us updated when you get your visa! Always makes me smile to see another person is finished with this process, that they get to be with the one they love again, and that someday, it WILL be me.

GOOD LUCK GOOD LUCK GOOD LUCK GOOD LUCK!

EmmyJayye,

I am totally in the same boat as you. Maybe today is our day!?! The best attitude to have is a positive one!  Let's hope for a speedy return!

Peggles,

I couldnt use the priority either What a bummer! They changed the rules just before I sent my application to the consulate.  I gather a lot of people have been affected the same way we have been. I would have paid the extra $300.00 in a heartbeak.  Feels like we have been cheated and mislead a little bit!  I also sent an email about priority after an application has been submitted and received no reply either!!! Maybe today is your day!!!

Hi all,  new here and great site for info.

Still waiting for husbands visa since docs received 17th June...

We didn't know about priority either 

that was NY.

Hope he'll be home soon....the wait is awful.

I also read many remarks about the Consulate contacting the spouse/fiance in the UK to confirm the application... does this happen to everyone? Now I'm going to be waiting for my husband to get a phone call...

EmmJayye, my fiancée was contacted but I don't think it's a routine thing. They didn't think we had included enough evidence of wedding plans. I think a fiancé visa is likely to get more of that kind of scrutiny than a spouse visa. Good luck! You should be right there

Approaching lunch time and nothing yet....

This may be a silly question, but when others have received that magical and wonderous "Visa Issued" email.... approximately what time of day was the email sent? I read somewhere that this email includes UPS tracking information for the return of documents so I'm guessing maybe the afternoon is when that's sorted out?

I'm annoyed that WorldBridge has not updated their processing times so I can see what was going on in July. I know it doesn't have much to say about what's going on right now, but I still want to see the statistics. And I'd love to just share my own statistics with them. Like the fact my wine intake has increased since this process has started

My fingers are crossed for all of you!! I hope at least one of us gets some good news today!!!