UK Visa Settlement Processing Time

this is deeply uncharitable of me, but I'm finding it harder and harder to feel happy for people who paid for priority.  Every time I see someone go through on 2 days processing time, all I can think is "That's my wife's space they took".

I haven't seen my wife in 75 days.

I bet that behind many of those priority applications are stories of long separations. For example my wife received her visa in 10 working days, but at one point in our relationship we were separated for 50 consecutive weeks.

Hang in there! I was worried sick about my wife's application but it turned out OK. Before you know it, this will all be in the past and you will be enjoying life in a new country!

Andy

I'm over in England.  I haven't seen my wife in 75 days.  Our application has been processing for 35 of those days.

It's getting harder to remain hopeful.

Don't worry mister, you know I'm coming for you I will bake bread. It will be good.

And thanks for the words of support guys. We're another of those couples who haven't been separated for more than a week in the last 8 years. Combine that with my family being less than supportive lately and the fact that our wedding anniversary is in a couple weeks we're both worn pretty thin these days.

I'm with the uncharitable feelings towards priority now too...in fact really they should just get through them all as quick as possible without lifting an extra $300 for a job they should do anyway, my MP has written to the Home Office and the Border Agency asking for an explanation..I'm a woman on a mission now!

Yeah you go Gilean! This is the most unbearable wait ever. Day 35 I think today is. I really hope at least one of us hears something by the end of the day. : /

I'm really curious about these priority applications, specifically how long/how many times we non-priority folks are passed over in favor of them before someone decides to look at our applications? I guess what I'm asking is, what's the cutoff? If priority applications are constantly pushed to the front of the line, how and when will ours ever get completed?

Yeah you go Gilean! This is the most unbearable wait ever. Day 35 I think today is. I really hope at least one of us hears something by the end of the day. : /

This is our Day 35 too...with LA consulate - this time last week they phoned john about a number allegedly missing from the form and told him to sit tight(he mentioned he may need to move again as he was staying with friends) and that they were working to resolve things quickly...I'm not sure I think a week is speedy tho - and still no word...! Sorry to sound off- I;m sick of sounding relentlessly cheerful to all the queries at work etc!!! Hang in there everyone! and it would be good to know how they treat these priority applications since some people have them in literally a few days... so much for transparent government processes..

Sorry to sound off- I;m sick of sounding relentlessly cheerful to all the queries at work etc!!! Hang in there everyone! and it would be good to know how they treat these priority applications since some people have them in literally a few days... so much for transparent government processes..

At the risk of sounding selfish, I'm kind of tired of people asking about it; as if I'd be hiding it when I do get it, you know? And the constant suggestions to "call them and ask, there has to be a way you can do that" and the explaining YET AGAIN that I CAN'T.

With your second point... I just don't see how they can keep pushing us back. How does that work? Are they trying to everyone to have to pay an extra $300 just for them to do the job that they're supposed to be doing?

This wait is ridiculous!! I still cannot believe that I have waited 43 days and yet the priorities have had answers in 2 days!!! Only leads me to believe that the consulate has not even looked at mine yet!!!!! And the wait continues...

I agree, it is really ridiculous now. Priority applications take 3 or 4 days to be done, so obviously ours would be the same. And yes, when do they finally realise that 12 weeks is their standard and they need to reach to the bottom of the pile so they can say they keep to their standards? Seeing as only weekdays count, 45 days is technically 9 weeks...they need to get a move on!

USA, States: CT,DC,DE,GU,MA,MD,ME,NC,NH,NJ,NY,PA,PR, RI,SC,VA,VI, VT & WV
Visits Visas   2 days   3 days   5 days   10 days   15 days   30 days   60 days   90 days   120 days   Total decisions made
Premium Visit (more than 6 months)   59%   63%   68%   98%   100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   191
General Visit (6 months or less)   33%   42%   56%   95%   97%   99%   100%   100%   100%   342
Business Visit (6 months or less)   61%   66%   76%   100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   127
Family Visit (6 months or less)   27%   33%   51%   94%   98%   99%   100%   100%   100%   231
Transit (6 months or less)   41%   41%   76%   94%   100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   17
Other Visit (6 months or less)   36%   42%   56%   95%   98%   100%   100%   100%   100%   69
Points Based System Visas   2 days   3 days   5 days   10 days   15 days   30 days   60 days   90 days   120 days   Total decisions made
PBS Tier 1   72%   75%   77%   90%   94%   98%   100%   100%   100%   96
PBS Tier 2   85%   89%   95%   100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   349
PBS Tier 4   28%   30%   47%   86%   95%   99%   99%   100%   100%   1408
PBS Tier 5   69%   74%   83%   95%   99%   100%   100%   100%   100%   104
Other Non Settlement Visas   2 days   3 days   5 days   10 days   15 days   30 days   60 days   90 days   120 days   Total decisions made
Student   100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   2
EEA Family Permits   64%   76%   94%   100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   17
Other Non-Settlement   39%   43%   66%   89%   93%   97%   100%   100%   100%   48
Settlement Visas   2 days   3 days   5 days   10 days   15 days   30 days   60 days   90 days   120 days   Total decisions made
Settlement   51%   53%   53%   73%   86%   94%   100%   100%   100%   52
The above data is for all decisions made in August 2010

The new times posted for NY. If those times are true most of us should have our visa's already....? I agree. I am getting pissed now too. Way to hold up everyone's life for an extra 300.00. Mind you I had 4 apps in so we paid over $4000.00!!!!

I think we should all collaborate into sending one complaints email, if not to achieve anything just to feel better!

I too was shocked seeing those stats, but pretty much every last one of those settlements were priority done within 3 days of being received. I really don't see the common sense behind the way they are being processed.

We got our visa through Chicago 38 days in and I'm convinced it was because I emailed the complaints asking ( very politely) if there was any chance it would be processed by the weekend because of wedding plans. Jesse got the approval notice 24 hours later.

It could be worth a shot!!  I don't think it hurt us any, probably just got someone to pick it up and look at it.

I've got my fingers crossed for all of you still waiting, I know how painful it is and yes I agree with you all when you say the priority process is unfair. At the very least there should be an option to allow you to pay the extra after submission of the application.

Hang on in there because trust me there is no feeling like it when you get that email

I pray that they do not make me wait to the 12th week just to keep up with their standard processing time. I have been thinking a lot: Maybe the consulate has put non-priorities into a pile, and will not pick them up to a certain day, say week 12 or day 55 just to meet their standards. All us non-priorities can do is wait and we cannot make any enquiry on our applications until 60 days has passed (week 12)! What do you all think?

I think we should all collaborate into sending one complaints email, if not to achieve anything just to feel better!

I too was shocked seeing those stats, but pretty much every last one of those settlements were priority done within 3 days of being received. I really don't see the common sense behind the way they are being processed.

I sent a complaint email!!!!! Hopefully it does something and YES it does make me feel a little bit better!

My email:

Hello,
I am writing to ask if there is chance that my visa will be processed by this weekend? I am currently on business day 43 since receiving confirmation of receipt of my application. My wedding is planned for November 6 (venue and officiant booked) and according to the register office I do need to be in the country by October 13 at the latest in order to meet the residence and notice requirement; additionally, I need to have enough notice to book my flight.

I am very concerned about - and frankly, saddened by - the priority service applications seeming to take over the entire approval process. I am on a message board that discusses, among other things, the visa processing time. It's very disheartening to see people in the late 30- through mid-40-day range still waiting, while new applications are turned around in less than a week, when the standards for priority applications are up to 15 business days; it seems as though the priority applications get to greatly exceed standards, while non-priority ones are pushed to the ends of them. There does not seem to be any cutoff for when we will be processed, if new priorities are constantly pushed ahead of us as soon as they're received at the Consulate.

I very much hope that I do not have to push my wedding date back, however at this point I just wish I would hear something about my application so I can reassess my plan if needed. Is there any news I can hear on my application?

With thanks and best regards,
Kathrynhabibti