Any updates from recent applicants?

Alright, all you curious people...this message is coming to you from baggage reclaim in Heathrow! We've arrived and had no problem coming in on second passport. They only asked how long we were staying and the date. In and through border control no problem. Not even the slightest question about a visa application.


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That takes very strange guts to do that! At least you're through.

Decision made email!


Submitted Application Online - June 12, 2015
Biometrics Taken - June 16, 2015
Sent Documents to Sheffield (NON-PRIORITY) - Around 24th of June
Received Acknowledgment - July 1, 2015
Paid for Retrospective Priority and Emailed Sheffield the Receipt - August 4, 2015
'Case Escalated' - August 14, 2015
Decision Made - August 19, 2015

Working Days Since Application was Submitted: 48 (not including holidays)
Working Days Since Application was Acknowledged: 36 (not including holidays)
Working Days Since Retrospective Priority Upgrade: 12

The email address is:

VisaSheffield@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

That is the actual email address for Sheffield and the only place you will get accurate information about your visa application (though you aren't really supposed to know about or use it unless they contact you first).

I would explain that you were told by the service centre that your visa has been processed but you've heard nothing more and would like to enquire about the status of your application.


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Thank you for all of your insight and knowledge- it's been very helpful.  Oddly enough, at 6:15 AM my time in the US, I recieved the "actual" decision has been made email from the Sheffield office.  How crazy is that?!
It has left Sheffield and is now traveling to Illinois (to me!)

I have many mixed emotions... Hoping for a happy and positive result. 

Hi everybody, I'm new here. Just thought I would add my situation to the topic as me and my fiance (Fiance visa) as anxiously awaiting like everyone else.

Submitted Application: 6/17/15
Biometrics Taken: 6/26/15
Documents Shipped: 6/27/15
Documents Arrival: 7/11/15 (Not priority)

I got an e-mail the same day as the confirmation requesting a courier number. I e-mailed them with the information (Which was included in the Cover letter) and never heard back so I assume the issue was fixed? This is actually our second time applying for the fiance visa. We were denied in January because our savings were in bonds and didn't realize we had to liquidate them into our bank account. (DOH!)

The last time we applied (In late December 2014), we got the decision e-mail 4 days after confirmation that they had received the documents! Thus we were not prepared for how long it is taking to process this visa this time. We have a fly out date of September 27th, but I have to find a place to live for a disabled parent that I am helping support, so I am extremely anxious to hear something soon so I can begin the process. Finding this forum has really helped with my anxiety and I am grateful for it.

Happy dance tonight in NY! I received my visa today

Congratulations!! I'm so happy to hear that the people in Sheffield actually have a soul, and you'll get additional time with your mother-in-law <3

That takes very strange guts to do that! At least you're through.

You're right, it did take guts and some serious determination...clearly my American side...but we made it...for all those who said it couldn't be done. I hope it traverses a new possible way for others to visit loved ones should they choose in this daunting process.

Still no news, by the way...45 days...but who's counting...!?

I will let y'all know if this affected my application. That will be telling the factor if it's truly viable and how well connected the systems are (which I suspect are not...given so many arms of government do not talk or communicate with each other as people might suspect).

One note, my passport they currently have for my settlement visa is a brand new passport that I have never traveled on. Therefore there is no record of it with the border agency. They didn't even notice I was traveling on my second passport.

Additionally, its really nice to be here! Now to contend with the jetlag....

Myself...10 month old...German Shepherd and all of our earthly belongings in the span of 72 hours. I almost collapsed at the airport when we got off the plane. 9 hours of baby and not much help coupled with little sleep was exhausting with her diaper bag and my laptop bag as well.

We took the EU entrance since my daughter is a UK citizen and that helped speed things up. I almost jumped with joy when we got through. Gave me enough to drive over. Finally we made it to the baggage reclaim where I loaded her into her stroller so I could get the rest (which luckily came out first), then the two cases (50 lbs each), her pack n play (loaded with diapers in the empty spaces!), her carseat and then her diaper bag and my laptop bag. Unloaded baby and folded up her stroller, picked her up and dug deep to go out to the waiting area with her in one while pushing the trolley with the other to find my husband.

What a day...exhausted...19 weeks pregnant. We made it!

Congratulations!! I'm so happy to hear that the people in Sheffield actually have a soul, and you'll get additional time with your mother-in-law <3

They don't have a soul! 

Thank you for all of your insight and knowledge- it's been very helpful.  Oddly enough, at 6:15 AM my time in the US, I recieved the "actual" decision has been made email from the Sheffield office.  How crazy is that?!
It has left Sheffield and is now traveling to Illinois (to me!)

I have many mixed emotions... Hoping for a happy and positive result.

Ugh!! I'm so sorry you're still waiting!! I keep checking.   



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Glad you finally got the decision made emails, brynny23 and arc_sw5 . Fingers crossed that you got your visas .

Glad you finally got the decision made emails, brynny23 and arc_sw5 . Fingers crossed that you got your visas .

Thanks!

If it's denied, is there an amount of time we have to wait before we can apply again?

If it's denied, is there an amount of time we have to wait before we can apply again?

No, you can re-apply right away, but it does depend on the reason for refusal as to whether you should re-apply or not.

For example, if it's just a case that meet all the requirements, but you didn't include all the required documents, then you can just rectify this by adding the extra documents and then reapply as soon as you're ready.

However, if it was refused because you don't actually meet the requirements for the visa, then there's no point in re-applying right away because you still won't meet the requirements and it will just be refused again. So you would need to wait until you know you definitely do meet them before you re-apply.

No, you can re-apply right away, but it does depend on the reason for refusal as to whether you should re-apply or not.

For example, if it's just a case that meet all the requirements, but you didn't include all the required documents, then you can just rectify this by adding the extra documents and then reapply as soon as you're ready.

However, if it was refused because you don't actually meet the requirements for the visa, then there's no point in re-applying right away because you still won't meet the requirements and it will just be refused again. So you would need to wait until you know you definitely do meet them before you re-apply.

Understood. Thanks!

Still no updates on my visa. They sure do love taking their time! Must be all those tea breaks!


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I caved and upgraded to priority. Got an email today requesting copy of sponsor's birth certificate or passport as evidence of British citizenship. I feel like that was a rather critical thing to leave out, I dont remember seeing that on the list of required documents, but I guess its something that would fairly obviously be needed. More waiting now, but at least I finally have some indication its being looked at.

Fiance settlement visa:
Received by Sheffield July 7 2015
Upgraded to priority and emailed receipt Monday Aug 17
Email requesting evidence of sponsor British citizenship Friday Aug 21
Scanned copy of fiance's passport emailed Friday Aug 21

I caved and upgraded to priority. Got an email today requesting copy of sponsor's birth certificate or passport as evidence of British citizenship. I feel like that was a rather critical thing to leave out, I dont remember seeing that on the list of required documents, but I guess its something that would fairly obviously be needed. More waiting now, but at least I finally have some indication its being looked at.

Fiance settlement visa:
Received by Sheffield July 7 2015
Upgraded to priority and emailed receipt Monday Aug 17
Email requesting evidence of sponsor British citizenship Friday Aug 21
Scanned copy of fiance's passport emailed Friday Aug 21

It's odd that birth certificate would do as that's only a piece of what's required to obtain a British passport.