Any updates from recent applicants?

Between us all, UKVI is getting quite the windfall from priority fees. Sent mine in with priority processing two days ago. Best of luck to us all!


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May I ask what your process was? Mine:

1. Track current application.
2. Add Priority
3. Pay
4. Email the .pdf to: UKVI.Feedback.usa@vfshelpline.com with the subject: Request for Retrospective priority visa service – GWF#########

Have you heard anything back?

Hi spudguy, I haven't heard anything back yet. I took my materials to the ups store on Monday afternoon, so it hasn't even been a full 48 hours yet - I'm not sweating it yet; just hope my stuff is on a plane for Sheffield by now!

My process was that when it came time to mail my documents, I went on the vfsglobal site and purchased 2-way shipping and the priority service at the same time. I paid $778 total in one shot. I printed out the receipt and included it in my package. I also wrote "SHEFFIELD- PRIORITY PROCESSING" in sharpie on the outer envelope. Hopefully I'm good to go.


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Ah okay, so this wasn't upgrading an existing application? I'm just trying to figure out if I need to post this in or if I can email it.

Yeah, I didn't upgrade; I did it at the outset. I'm not sure what's best to do in your case for the upgrade - sorry! Maybe do both? Can't hurt to cover all the bases. Good luck!


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I made a very foolish mistake and resigned from my job before applying. But how was I supposed to know it would pan out this way? Based on the website's processing times (which turned out not to be be very helpful) and others' timelines on here then, I thought this would be a much quicker process. I resigned when I did because I didn't want to spend my last few weeks in America tied down to my job. I applied at the end of May.

Well, I'm a good few weeks in now and my application might be delayed slightly further thanks to an error made by UKVI, I'm not sure (see UKVI mistake post). Being a few weeks in, I'm unsure if upgrading to priority is worth it at this point. Then again, I'm highly considering applying for temporary/summer jobs right now, with things so up in the air. I simply can't afford to be out of work this long, and for all I know it could be anywhere from a couple weeks to a couple more months before I get the visa. All this uncertainty has me feeling a bit dejected.

I'm just trying to figure out if I need to post this in or if I can email it.

They've been asking me to email missing documents, so my guess was that email was the best way, though it probably wouldn't hurt to mail a paper copy as well. I emailed this address though:
visasheffield@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

I got a canned response to one saying they wouldn't reply if it was a question already answered by the canned email. No personalized response to the upgrade.

Yes, I hope someone is getting a nice bonus or overtime pay off all our extra fees!

I made a very foolish mistake and resigned from my job before applying. But how was I supposed to know it would pan out this way? Based on the website's processing times (which turned out not to be be very helpful) and others' timelines on here then, I thought this would be a much quicker process. I resigned when I did because I didn't want to spend my last few weeks in America tied down to my job. I applied at the end of May.

Well, I'm a good few weeks in now and my application might be delayed slightly further thanks to an error made by UKVI, I'm not sure (see UKVI mistake post). Being a few weeks in, I'm unsure if upgrading to priority is worth it at this point. Then again, I'm highly considering applying for temporary/summer jobs right now, with things so up in the air. I simply can't afford to be out of work this long, and for all I know it could be anywhere from a couple weeks to a couple more months before I get the visa. All this uncertainty has me feeling a bit dejected.

Hugs,  I understand completely, well except for when they mixed yours up. That was awful and hopefully they'll expedite because of it.  I am feeling the same.

I wonder how many people are being asked to email missing documents!  What documents were all of you "missing"?  I was told the day my app was acknowledged via email that I hadn't enclosed return shipping, which I had.

We were also asked for return shipping information which we had also included.
We are also very stressed as me and our daughter are flying July 25th, and we now have to arrange a new health insurance policy for our wife starting Aug 1st in case she's not able to fly before the end of July.

I'm furious that UKVI posts such misleading times.   It's not rocket science to update it weekly: or just don't show processing times at all if they are off by a factor of 2.

4. Email the .pdf to: UKVI.Feedback.usa@vfshelpline.com with the subject: Request for Retrospective priority visa service – GWF#########

Have you heard anything back?

I just upgraded, and sent the pdf to this email and also sent a general inquiry in on the website email form.  I really shouldn't spend the money, but if it takes 15 working days from now then maybe I'll know by August which was when I originally hoped.

June 13th Married
June 14th Applied online
June 18th Biometrics
June 22nd Documents signed in Sheffield
July 2 Email acknowledging receipt
July 8 Paid for Priority Service

I feel like I want to call them later today too just to make sure they get the thing and it isn't forgotten about for three weeks.

   I'm just so antsy.  And so ready to be done and there.  Must be like what the two week wait feels like for all of our ladies trying to get pregnant at work!

Hugs,  I understand completely, well except for when they mixed yours up. That was awful and hopefully they'll expedite because of it.  I am feeling the same.

Thanks. Good luck to you too. It does help knowing that I'm not the only one going through all this right now. Yeah, it was completely unacceptable. Even my husband, who is definitely the optimistic one out of us two, is frustrated now based on UKVI's error with my application and the undetermined wait time for the visa.

We were also asked for return shipping information which we had also included.
We are also very stressed as me and our daughter are flying July 25th, and we now have to arrange a new health insurance policy for our wife starting Aug 1st in case she's not able to fly before the end of July.

I'm furious that UKVI posts such misleading times.   It's not rocket science to update it weekly: or just don't show processing times at all if they are off by a factor of 2.

Agreed! If the insurance is cobra or you have a cobra plan available at a job either of you recently left,  you can typically wait to pay until the 15th of the month you need coverage for.
We don't have our flight planned yet but without a definite answer, we are really struggling with our business. We can't fully liquidate our business until we know for sure, same with our home. I still am wondering whether we will get the vignette and BRP or the 33 mo stamp as we applied before the roll out.

I'm furious that UKVI posts such misleading times.   It's not rocket science to update it weekly: or just don't show processing times at all if they are off by a factor of 2.

Or, if it's  seasonal, they could include data from the same time period last year.

I have been debating whether to upgrade to the priority... It seems like most of you are, which means if mine stays, I could be further on the bottom of the pile.  I am trying to stay as positive as possible, but can't seem to! 

I called the phone service to see if there was anything else I needed to do to make sure they know I submitted a retroactive payment for Priority upgrade.  He was less than helpful.

I told them Sheffield acknowledged receipt of my documents on 2 July and that I submitted my Priority payment today, and wanted to see if there was anything else I needed to do so it doesn't get forgotten about and I didn't waste money.

He thought I hadn't shipped anything in and was sending things to New York.

I told him, no, it is settlement in Sheffield, would you like my GWF number?

He said I won't have one until they receive my documents.

I said I've had a number, they have my documents in Sheffield since 2 July.  I just need to know if there is another email I need to send this PDF receipt of upgraded payment to so it isn't neglected.  I told him I sent in a query on the website automated system and sent it to UKVI.Feedback.usa@vfshelpline.com .

He said there is no one I can talk to to make sure things are received.  I asked how am I supposed to know that I didn't waste money for no reason?  He said I can't, and kept thinking I was going in person to New York City.

That was a wasted 10 minute conversation. 


Anyone on here - is there anything else I can do to make sure the change of status will actually be received?  I don't care if they start my 15 days from tomorrow, that's fine I get it.  But I just don't want them to forget about it for 15 working days and then move it to the Priority pile.   Just emailed it to visasheffield@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk too.