Any updates from recent applicants?

Oh that's fantastic! Are you talking about the actual visa? It's usually overnighted or definitely within 2 days. Did they send an email?

That's Fantastic Ben1989 ... CONGRATULATIONS ....

Seriously, it looks like processing has picked up and they are moving right along now .... Such great news for all of us !!!


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Thanks guys! What a difference changing to priority made! Hoping all you guys get yours soon!

Hmmm that's fast! We're thinking of taking a risk and booking a flight for a week on Saturday! J Colton (what s star) has said we got approved, and the visa will be issue in the next few days to be dispatched the end of the week.

Hi all.

We got approved today!!!! So happy/relieved!

How long does it generally take from dispatch to arrival in the US

How fast it is returned will be based on the method you chose on your waybill.  If you chose overnight, it'll be the next day, etc.

Congratulations!

FutureMrsHandy - I do think they put the applications that switched to priority at the very top of the priority pile. Ben1989 and I both heard very quickly after switching to priority, while people on the other thread I follow who applied as priority in the first place before me haven't heard yet.

Ben1989 - how do you know that yours was approved? My email just said "a decision has been made.." Now I'm nervous!!! The package is 1.32 lbs - I thought I remembered reading that if you're approved, they don't return your documents to you. 1.32 lbs is quite heavy

FutureMrsHandy - I do think they put the applications that switched to priority at the very top of the priority pile. Ben1989 and I both heard very quickly after switching to priority, while people on the other thread I follow who applied as priority in the first place before me haven't heard yet.

Ben1989 - how do you know that yours was approved? My email just said "a decision has been made.." Now I'm nervous!!! The package is 1.32 lbs - I thought I remembered reading that if you're approved, they don't return your documents to you. 1.32 lbs is quite heavy

All the generic emails say a decision has been made - they don't tell you what the decision is, although in most cases it's an approval. All documents should be returned to you as long as you included copies of them. The only documents they are supposed to keep are the application and any letters addressed to the consulate.

Oh good - thank you ksand!

Sarah083, let's hope so!!! Lol
What was your timeline like?

And a lot of people who have been approved have gotten their entire packets back, copies and all, so I wouldn't be worried if I were you (: especially if your application was straightforward and had no complications, you should be in the clear (:


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How fast it is returned will be based on the method you chose on your waybill.  If you chose overnight, it'll be the next day, etc.

Congratulations!

Thanks KFDancer!

We just supplied a FedEx international waybill with the return address and account number. We left the rest blank and attached a post-it note just requesting they fill in the rest 

Ben1988, when you upgraded to priority, when did you get the email saying it was moved to the front of the queue? And then when did you get your "decision" email?
Just curious to see how long I may be waiting from today because today it was moved to the front of the queue... (:


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Also, does it being moved to the head of the queue mean it's been assigned to an ECO for processing?


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Now I'm nervous!!! The package is 1.32 lbs - I thought I remembered reading that if you're approved, they don't return your documents to you. 1.32 lbs is quite heavy

I read that as well, but I got back EVERYTHING I sent ... All pay slips, all original documents, all letters from my hubby, myself, his mum & my mom, pictures etc. AND every single copy of everything I made/sent ...

In hindsight, I'm now wondering if that's what triggered the trouble I went through... I prepaid for the return package based on the weight of the envelope, my passport, all my original documents (including paper clips) and a small stack of miscellaneous papers just to play it safe. But it turned out that my return package was a lot heavier then I guess-ta-mated ...

I guess what I'm trying to say is ... I don't think they are "uniform" in this process ... There is no set standard on what they do.. Best thing to do is read the boards and go from there ...

I'm so grateful I found this site, and have met (online) all those who I have been talking with ... I know once all our visa's have been approved, we will all move on and away from this particular topic, but I hope that I come across other topics you all are involved in... Talking with others that are going through the same situations always makes it so much easier ... So ... Thanks Everyone for sharing your experiences, knowledge, advice, & kind words... I would have been so lost without you ....
 


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Thanks for the reassurance, everyone!

FutureMrsHandy, here's our timeline:

Country applying from: USA
Type of visa applied for: Spouse Settlement (not priority, then upgraded to priority)
Date documentation was received by UK Border Agency office: April 5th, 2014
Upgraded to priority: April 17th
Decision email: April 29th
Date your visa was received: Waiting

I upgraded to priority the afternoon of Thursday the 17th. Friday and Monday were bank holidays for Easter, so it didn't get officially updated to priority until the 22nd. So, one week exactly! And it was even quicker for Ben1989!

NMF921 I completely agree! This site is just so wonderful!(:

Btw! I just found a one way ticket on sky scanner for only $711 for Friday, the 16th through a site called Hop2... I'm a bit wary of booking through sites I'm not familiar with lol any input?
Not to mention in worried I might not get my things back to me in time! Do you think a priority application would get processed and returned within 2 and a half weeks?


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Sarahb083 oh awesome! Thanks for that!(: I'm just trying to get a rough estimate of how long I'll be waiting to get processed now that I've been upgraded because I can't decide if I should risk purchasing tickets!!! Lol I dot want the cost to skyrocket as it usually does when you least expect it


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