Any updates from recent applicants?

Right now the international package resolution center isn't sure where my package is. It was never scanned in once it entered the country (if it entered the country).  So it's strange that it says it's still awaiting clearance.  They are trying to locate it in Philadelphia and if they can't, they will have to put a trace on it from the UK end. 

Right now the international package resolution center isn't sure where my package is. It was never scanned in once it entered the country (if it entered the country).  So it's strange that it says it's still awaiting clearance.  They are trying to locate it in Philadelphia and if they can't, they will have to put a trace on it from the UK end. 

Any news Alixandrite?

Speaking of updates, have you heard anything about your visa, Chdennis?

Speaking of updates, have you heard anything about your visa, Chdennis?

Sadly no, and it's driving me crazy.

I was just thinking, I've only got the email that says that the application has been recieved at the visa office and is being prepared by a clearance officer. Is that the confirmation email?

I was just thinking, I've only got the email that says that the application has been recieved at the visa office and is being prepared by a clearance officer. Is that the confirmation email?

Yes that is what we got the same day as the application arrived at Sheffield.  The next email will be the one saying a decision has been made on your application..  I hope you get good news soon..

Yes that is what we got the same day as the application arrived at Sheffield.  The next email will be the one saying a decision has been made on your application..  I hope you get good news soon..

thanks! I hope so too, I've been going a bit nuts waiting. Haha.

Any news Alixandrite?

Finally after sitting in Castle Donnington for 4 nights, then in Stansted for a night, I got it yesterday!!!!  We are approved!  I was actually quite surprised to see the entire application returned, including copies, no letter or anything, just the visa glued into my passport.  I guess they scan everything sent to them for their records. 

Next step, get the cat's paperwork in order.

Finally after sitting in Castle Donnington for 4 nights, then in Stansted for a night, I got it yesterday!!!!  We are approved!  I was actually quite surprised to see the entire application returned, including copies, no letter or anything, just the visa glued into my passport.  I guess they scan everything sent to them for their records. 

Next step, get the cat's paperwork in order.

Congratulations!  So glad they were able to track it down!  Besides my application, they did take my expired biometric resident permit from my T2 ICT, but I expected that since I didn't know if I was supposed to return it at the end of that visa.

Chdennis, I have my fingers crossed for you!  Hopefully you get it soon.  I noticed that they made my visa valid starting on 6 Feb (even though on the application I put 28 Feb as my intended arrival date), earlier than when I received the 'a decision has been made' email.  So hopefully they have already made a decision, they just haven't sent the email and the package

Yay Alixandrite!! I'm really happy for you!

Heather, I hope so! I've never been a patient person, so this is currently driving me nuts. Haha.

Finally after sitting in Castle Donnington for 4 nights, then in Stansted for a night, I got it yesterday!!!!  We are approved!  I was actually quite surprised to see the entire application returned, including copies, no letter or anything, just the visa glued into my passport.  I guess they scan everything sent to them for their records. 

Next step, get the cat's paperwork in order.

Congrats... so glad you got it all sorted out.  I too was surprised to see they returned everything. The information I sent for our accomidation was not even looked at it was still pined together and had my post-it note attached to the front indicating what it was.  Everything else had been unpined and was all mixed up.  I thought there would ave been a letter outlining the rules of the visa and what you need to do in 33 months to extend the visa.

Congrats... so glad you got it all sorted out.  I too was surprised to see they returned everything. The information I sent for our accomidation was not even looked at it was still pined together and had my post-it note attached to the front indicating what it was.  Everything else had been unpined and was all mixed up.  I thought there would ave been a letter outlining the rules of the visa and what you need to do in 33 months to extend the visa.

Yes, I had the same feeling about the application returned.  It was a jumble... nothing pinned together.

So I don't know how much I've messed up the future with my plan to arrive in the UK on around May 24. It's been my understanding that I have 3 months 28 days after the visa was issued to enter the UK.  Am I making that up?

Yes, I had the same feeling about the application returned.  It was a jumble... nothing pinned together.

So I don't know how much I've messed up the future with my plan to arrive in the UK on around May 24. It's been my understanding that I have 3 months 28 days after the visa was issued to enter the UK.  Am I making that up?

What date is on your visa? We had put on the application that we wanted to travel on April 20 and they made the visa valid from April 13. We cant use it until that date so my understanding is that the visa is valid for 33 months from the date is is valid. So as long as we enter the UK before July 12 we would still be ok for FLR(M) 2 1/2 years after we enter.  I am hoping that is right!!

While you can enter the UK at any time during the 33 months, if you leave it more than 3 months and 28 days, your future FLR(M) visa may expire before you can qualify to apply for ILR.

If that happens you would have to apply for an extra FLR(M), at a cost of probably over £1000 by then, to make up the difference in the time between your visa expiring and you being able to qualify for ILR.

So, it's up to you whether you would be willing to apply for an extra visa in 5 years' time because you left it more than 3 months and 28 days.

If you don't want to have to shell out all that extra money for it, then you should enter the UK within 3 months and 28 days of Feb 6th.

Could anyone please help me with the contact email address or ph no. for Sheffield for the confirmation that they have received the application.

We have received the confirmation from USPS that the application has been delivered (12th February 2015) but we have not received any confirmation from Sheffield that they have received the application.