UK Visa Settlement Processing Time

hmmmm i thought i had read somewhere to include all of your paperwork, and then a photocopy of it behind it.... maybe i'm wrong?  i would like not to since it's doubled the weight of my package, but if it will speed up the process for the consulate i'll deal with it. any thoughts?

We also sent photocopies of all documents, as read on the UKBA website http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/vafs/vafsdocschecklist/

I'm not qualified to comment on how important that step is, though, so hopefully someone will come along soon who is

Wait, they keep you old passport?

Wait, they keep you old passport?

No they don't.

The only items that the Consulate will keep is your application, your biometrics sheet and any letters that are addressed to the ECO or provided in support of your application.

All other items, including originals, will be returned to you. If they are not then you need to email the Consulates complaints email and request that your original documentation be returned to you as they do own a photocopier and can make their own if they need them.

We also sent photocopies of all documents, as read on the UKBA website http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/vafs/vafsdocschecklist/

I'm not qualified to comment on how important that step is, though, so hopefully someone will come along soon who is

that must have been where i saw it, thanks sylviakahlo

ajanjig, didn't you mention your package being 3 or 3.5 pounds? holy moly, mine is 4.5 with photocopies of everything in it!! yours would have been massive with copies!! 

Wait, they keep you old passport?

i don't think they would, i think they just keep everything addressed to them... although that doesn't seem to be the case 100% of the time. i hope they don't, i'm sending my current passport, a certified copy of my husband's current passport, but i'm sending his old expired passport as well since it has all of the stamps in it.

Thanks!

This is the first time I'm hearing about the photocopies. Please tell me I am not screwed for not providing copies. I'm about to have a breakdown.

did you include a photocopy of everything? i think that's why my binder weighs so much... it kind of scares me, maybe i'm overdoing it and they're going to look at my binder and hate me!!!   

I made photocopies for myself just incase the package got lost and I had to mail it again however everything else was originals or certified copies (like my fiancees passport made a color copy and had it certified).  My binder was huge...had to put it in a 1.5 inch binder that fit VERY tightly.  And everything I had was good to go because I just got the approval email.  

I did put things in plastic sleeves and create a table of contents for the consulate to find easy but that was just something I read that someone did to help...not a requirement.  Hope this helps

This is the first time I'm hearing about the photocopies. Please tell me I am not screwed for not providing copies. I'm about to have a breakdown.

We didn't include photocopies and it didn't seem to be a problem. On the VAF4A form document checklist it only says to provide originals (which I guess includes certified copies).

Andy

I think everyone says to make photocopies for their own use just in case the package gets lost in the mail...then you can send the photocopies. 

Ajanjig breathe...don't have a breakdown...your approval will come . 

did you include a photocopy of everything? i think that's why my binder weighs so much... it kind of scares me, maybe i'm overdoing it and they're going to look at my binder and hate me!!!   

I did something similar, just with like a canvassy folder type thing that had 12 plastic pockets in it (6 double sided ones I believe)... I had 9 sections in total for what I submitted, and I put the cover letter in there as well.
1. Application-specific documents (biometrics, priority receipt, application, etc, which by the way, i almost forgot to sign since i was in such a rush to get it out).
2. ID stuff: passports / birth certificate
3. Employment docs (probably unncessesary but I included reference letters and also letters of employment from every cruise ship i worked on in the last three years since they corroborated my international travel)
4. financial docs, bank statements etc
5. accommodation details: tenancy agreement and a letter from my landlords saying I am allowed to stay there and that we have the option to renew our lease in feb
6. travel documents: all itineraries from all the cruise ships i've worked on, along with spreadsheets detailing all the times i've left the country, and a separate one for the UK.  also included a receipt for the flight I have booked in October
7. marriage certificate/confirmation of giving notice and the like
8. documents about my relationship, mainly skype histories, snapshots of gmails, all of our international travel we've done to see one another including our trip to cancun with both our names on it, and photos throughout the relationship and at the wedding.
9. all the stuff my wife provided.

at the front of each page, I made up a separate page that said SECTION 1: APPLICATION or whatever, and then listed in bullet points what was included in each section.  I tried to be as thorough as I needed to be.  I just didn't include any photocopies. 

For everyone still waiting:

What business/working day are you on, priority or non-priority, and with which consulate? Just curious.

I'm on day 12, non-priority, with the NY consulate.

My visa says settlement spouse/cp KOL required and states 0 dependents.

My childrens visas say TO ACC MOTHER/CYR

What does this mean?

Thanks! Sorry for the ignorance!

My visa says settlement spouse/cp KOL required and states 0 dependents.

My childrens visas say TO ACC MOTHER/CYR

What does this mean?

Thanks! Sorry for the ignorance!

I have to go pick my visa's up from the UPS station tomorrow but did you apply for any children to go with you??  Just curious because I have my daughter that I applied for and got the approval.  I hope my visa states I have 1 dependent!??  We will see tomorrow

I did apply for visas for my 3 children and they were granted which is why I am confused about the 0 dependents!

Hmmm, yea that would worry me...well I when I pick my visa up tomorrow at 3pm Eastern time I will post what they put on mine because I have my 4 year old daughter coming with me.