UK Visa Settlement Processing Time

How are you all so sure that its because of the priority service that a decision on your application is being delayed?

My partner submitted his app in Lima where it was forward to New York and the whole thing was dealt with within 10 days.  There is no priority service for South America and visas from the majority of South America (main exception is Brazil) are sent to New York for processing.

I agree an email to Visa Complaints probably won't do you any harm.  If anything, it does alert the manager of the problem application pile awaiting to be looked at.

Maybe you only have a few specialist ECO's that look at the difficult cases.  Some people have said on here already that their case is not straightforward.  There may not be enough "specialist" ECO's to look at the non-straightforward cases.....

I think the complaint will work.

May I then ask what date that was submitted as surely a case from South America should take longer than our application that ticked all the right boxes?

I am just a bit confused and annoyed if that was submitted in the same time frame.

Hi there

14 September - Submitted Biometrics in Lima
22 September - Email stating "Your UK visa has been issued"

That as to be a wind up.....

May I then ask what date that was submitted as surely a case from South America should take longer than our application that ticked all the right boxes?

I am just a bit confused and annoyed if that was submitted in the same time frame.

There is oviously a problem with your app somehow.  It should not take this long if everyone applying after you is being seen to.  I imagine the entry clearance manager gets reports daily on the apps outstanding as he or she will be pushed to make sure they perform well in regards to processing times.  They probably don't want apps sitting around either.

No doubt there will be a time when all the apps are processed in the UK.  (As I think they should be!!) to give our economy a bit of a boost for employment.

That as to be a wind up.....

No wind up but I imagine since they are dealing with South America where Spanish is predominantly spoken, they will have teams who deal only with South America.  In fact I can almost be sure of this.

If you look at Lima, Peru - They had 3 settlement apps in August. 

I think they have teams working on South America and teams working on North America.

Just the way the cookie crumbles....

Thanks for making all of us feel better... I don't think it is your place to say there is something wrong with any of our applications to be quite honest. Your comments have only set us on edge even more, I'm sure.

How are you all so sure that its because of the priority service that a decision on your application is being delayed?
.....
Maybe you only have a few specialist ECO's that look at the difficult cases.  Some people have said on here already that their case is not straightforward.  There may not be enough "specialist" ECO's to look at the non-straightforward cases.....

I think the complaint will work.

I'm not sure. I'm just saying what it appears to be. If someone can tell me otherwise, that would be super. And my application is straightforward.

And its not others place to say that apps from the USA should be prioritised ahead of South America.

The NY British Consulate is not a US government agency...they are a British consulate working for the majority of the Americas to process visa applications for the UK.

My comments on this board were to highlight that you are all going down the wrong route.....priority service is not causing the delay to your applications as evidenced by the quick turnaround of my partners app.

And its not others place to say that apps from the USA should be prioritised ahead of South America.

This was not implied, what was implied was that specialist section or not I am sure that they are able to deal with both applications so why should they wait less time? I am sure the fee is the same, so why isn't the service?

I'm not sure. I'm just saying what it appears to be. If someone can tell me otherwise, that would be super. And my application is straightforward.

Like I said - The complaint email will get someone looking at it.  People hate complaining.  Even better....get your sponsor to complain to his MP.  Point the MP to UK-Yankee where people are being approved almost daily ahead of your own app which you consider to be straightforward.

Personally I get so paranoid about these things I would have complained 15 - 20 days ago!!

Hello Kathrynhabibti, that email was spot on!! Job well done! Let's hope the consulate is empathetic!


MrsColgan, I cannot believe you had paid $4000.00 for 4 applications!!! Talk about being expensive!!! It would have cost an extra $1200.00 for priority for your family.  I bet you  didn't think you needed it since the processing times state that almost all applications are processed within 30 business days (6 weeks)   ?

Now on to processing day 44. If I do not hear something by Friday my weekend will be sad  .  

Dukespecial, how ya doing?

This was not implied, what was implied was that specialist section or not I am sure that they are able to deal with both applications so why should they wait less time? I am sure the fee is the same, so why isn't the service?

Nobody other than a past ECO can tell us how they operate and what drives them.  We just do not know.  I'm only assuming they work in teams and maybe the teams are split into countries.  No one knows. 

You are right, the fee is the same other than the fact they have one place in the whole of Peru where you can do your biometrics which is in the capital Lima so if your stuck on border in a small town...you have to fly and pay around £200 to get there for your biometrics.

My heart does go out to everyone on here waiting.

Being impatient is not in the rules so have no fear of complaining if you genuinely have a problem and feel hard done by.

Dukespecial, how ya doing?

I hope you do hear something by Friday, it would be simply wrong if nobody here did!

44 days is just ridiculous for you and in light of the new statistics, this information and everything else to go with it I am feeling slightly sick.

I really would like to send another complaint now but alas guess I should refrain.

feel hard done by.

Does not even begin to describe it right now, but thank you for posting the timeline, really shed some light on things!

Okay your heart goes out to all of us waiting... but you are telling all of us we did everything wrong? Plus making some of us worry more? Contradiction much? Anyways, tomorrow is a new day! Hopefully one of us gets their email!