Any updates from recent applicants?

An extra two frigging weeks?! Guess it could be a little faster now if they use electronic systems rather than snail mail.

Yeah, as I said though, it's been difficult to gauge how quickly the applications are really taking at the moment. It also depends on each individual application - they are all different.

Knowing our luck it will take ages anyway even tho the reasons for the Visitor Visa refusal were really simple.

Currently we have seen straightforward priority applications being processed in 4 days, so if you are using priority, you could just be looking at it taking a couple of weeks rather than just a couple of days.

The majority of the waiting time for a visa is the application sitting in line, waiting to be picked up and processed - so using priority service will cut out the waiting time.

The reason they don't recommend that you use the service if you have refusals or convictions is because they can't guarantee how long it will take once they start processing it - if it's a really complicated application (multiple convictions or a really bad immigration history), it's likely to take a while to go through everything, but a less complex one won't take so long to decide.

Sigh. My wife is not well and with nobody to take care of her in the US I need to get her here asap 

I didn't say it would take forever, just maybe a bit longer than an application without a refusal - you said that the application should be arriving in Sheffield today and that you've done priority? In that case, I would hope you might get a decision in the next couple of weeks .

Yeah, as I said though, it's been difficult to gauge how quickly the applications are really taking at the moment. It also depends on each individual application - they are all different.

Currently we have seen straightforward priority applications being processed in 4 days, so if you are using priority, you could just be looking at it taking a couple of weeks rather than just a couple of days.

The majority of the waiting time for a visa is the application sitting in line, waiting to be picked up and processed - so using priority service will cut out the waiting time.

The reason they don't recommend that you use the service if you have refusals or convictions is because they can't guarantee how long it will take once they start processing it - if it's a really complicated application (multiple convictions or a really bad immigration history), it's likely to take a while to go through everything, but a less complex one won't take so long to decide.

I didn't say it would take forever, just maybe a bit longer than an application without a refusal - you said that the application should be arriving in Sheffield today and that you've done priority? In that case, I would hope you might get a decision in the next couple of weeks .

Ok thanks ksand24 - just hard not to get impatient after our previous refusal and 6 months of prep.

Yes the application was delivered to Sheffield around 10am today.

I guess I'll hope for a timescale of 2-3 weeks, and pray for the visa to be granted this time.

I haven't got any updates yet for my application yet. I had applied around end of April. I am still in two minds to use priority services. If what I have read and understand from various forums the priority service only helps in getting your application to jump ahead of the queue & get ready for Visa officer's attention than in that case more than 6 weeks have passed so I hope my application should be now with the Visa officer. Does it make sense for me to go for priority service than?
 One thing that I am concerned with this new process is the 30 day validity period. How can someone wrap up their life within few days from the point they get visa to enter UK. I am still working and I will not put my papers till I know my application has been approved and then start winding up. Sorry I am risk averse person :-P in situation like this. I have bills to run and can't afford to be out of job without knowing what happens to my application. More frustrating is that there is no way you can know the status of your application till they send you an email..which means you are entirely at their mercy.
 Did anybody got approval so far without using priority services?

Hi,
I am trying to string together everyone's timelines...but I figured I might just ask.

those of you who have upgraded to priority service and have since received their visa decision..how long did it take from emailing your priority receipt to actually having your visa decision?

I am thinking of upgrading...

I upgraded to priority on July 9 (no confirmation email of upgrade)
got the decision made email on July 14
Spouse Settlement visa in my hands on July 16

So total 7 days (including the weekend) from my upgrade to my visa in my hands Good luck!

I'm moving on Friday! Can't wait to start this exciting chapter!  I'll let you all know about retrieving my BRP, seems fairly straight forward.



 

Wow congrats!!
Okay I may do it. I just email my receipt to the email they provide and then they search for my app and match it to the receipt?

I upgraded to priority on July 9 (no confirmation email of upgrade)
got the decision made email on July 14
Spouse Settlement visa in my hands on July 16

So total 7 days (including the weekend) from my upgrade to my visa in my hands Good luck!

I'm moving on Friday! Can't wait to start this exciting chapter!  I'll let you all know about retrieving my BRP, seems fairly straight forward.

How do you upgrade to priority?? I'm staying with my parents and it's driving me crazy while I wait?!?

To upgrade you have to go to the VSF site: http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/usa/user_pay_services.html [nofollow] , pay for priority and then email your receipt to Sheffield (Settlement) visasheffield@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

In the email heading be sure you enter your GWF# and VAF# as well as PRIORITY UPGRADE.  I didn't receive any confirmation of my upgrade but it seems some people on here did.

Wishing you a speedy answer!

So I posted a whine a little while ago and then deleted it because I felt stupid always complaining.
Like magic, when I accepted the situation at hand, I got the email. 


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  So I have a quick question for those that have applied already.  I sent my documents last Monday via courier and received the email that my visa was in processing on Friday.  This was a priority application.  Just now I received an email saying that a decision had been made and another with the tracking number for my documents.  Is it typical for them to simply state a decision was made without informing you of the outcome?  Also is it a good sign that it was processed so quickly?  I'm assuming it is as they never queried anything, just a bit nervous and hoping someone who knew better could offer some reassurance. Thanks

  So I have a quick question for those that have applied already.  I sent my documents last Monday via courier and received the email that my visa was in processing on Friday.  This was a priority application.  Just now I received an email saying that a decision had been made and another with the tracking number for my documents.  Is it typical for them to simply state a decision was made without informing you of the outcome?  Also is it a good sign that it was processed so quickly?  I'm assuming it is as they never queried anything, just a bit nervous and hoping someone who knew better could offer some reassurance. Thanks

That's a great sign!  The decision made email and the tracking info is all you will receive from them.  Now the hardest part...waiting for your package to arrive!  Good luck!

s it typical for them to simply state a decision was made without informing you of the outcome?  Also is it a good sign that it was processed so quickly?  I'm assuming it is as they never queried anything, just a bit nervous and hoping someone who knew better could offer some reassurance. Thanks

Yes, it is normal for them to only state 'a decision has been made' - it's a standard email and everyone gets the same one.

When the settlement visas were processed in NYC, they would send an email telling you whether the visa had been approved or refused, but when they started processing them in Sheffield, the email that UKVI Sheffield sent just said 'a decision has been made'.

And yes, it's a good sign - if an application is straightforward with no issues, it will generally take less time to be processed, because they can just tick the boxes and issue the visa. If there's a risk of refusal, they will spend more time on the documents, looking into them in detail before they make a decision.

To upgrade you have to go to the VSF site: http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/usa/user_pay_services.html, pay for priority and then email your receipt to Sheffield (Settlement) visasheffield@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk


In the email heading be sure you enter your GWF# and VAF# as well as PRIORITY UPGRADE.  I didn't receive any confirmation of my upgrade but it seems some people on here did.

Wishing you a speedy answer!

I am about to get retrospective priority today. I gave them my original packages ups tracking number, my GWF application number and put my full name and what type of applicant I am. As well as the relevant subject line. What is a VAF#??

A VAF number is given in the confirmation email that the UKVI Sheffield Office sends when they have received your application. The number is in the subject line and it should start by saying 'Your Visa Application: VAF ######'


I am now a proud member of the upgrade club. After having similar sentiments of spudguy, I also paid for the priority service after submitting my application in June.

Good luck to everyone who is waiting.

 

I got an AWB number and never a VAF number on do bought priority. Does it make a difference? They dont specifically ask for a VAF number on the instructions?

I sent the AWB number to them. Just upgraded though and I feel a bit better!!