Any updates from recent applicants?

I just wish priority was not an option except in extenuating circumstances. I have the money, I could afford it, it just seemed a waste until now when it's now going to cost me more and more money to wait.
I understand the impatience, believe me. I did this once before while waiting for my husband to get approved to move to the U.S. It just is so frustrating to feel forced to purchase the priority to even have a chance at getting it back, lol
Every month is another month of health insurance, maintaining a business while trying to liquidate it and supplies for that, and uncertainty. We are ordering less in supplies because we don't want a huge pile at the end but paying almost double this way. So much crazy extra expense.
But after waiting since May, it's a bit of a puzzle to decide if we should upgrade as it could come through in a week or two anyway.
I said nothing, just ranted.  Congrats rainyday I hope it's approved!

WE JUST GOT THE DECISION EMAIL!!!

Okay, so timeline:

Applied on 1st June
Biometrics 4th June
Visa Sent to Sheffield June 10th
Visa Arrived June 12th
Email Acknowledgement June 12th.
Realised we forgot to include passport pictures June 14th and sent them same day with covering letter and GWF#
Pictures Arrived June 16th.
Applied for Priority July 8th
Visa Decided July 10th

Yesterday we buckled and purchased priority and the return courier airbill (since we've sold our house so I wanted the docs returned to our forwarding address with a relative).   Today we got an email from Sheffield claiming that priority must be purchased before submitting the documents(see below).

I have emailed VFS global to ask their advice: I'd recommend others wait to hear what happens before potentially wasting $500-$700 like we might have done.  The incompetence in this whole process is staggering.



email from donotreply@hgs-ukvi.co.uk:

Dear XXXXXXX,

Thank you for contacting UK Visas and Immigration international enquiry
service.

With regards to your query ,  the applicant must purchase the user
services(Priority service, SMS text service, Couriered back service) before
submission of document at visa application centre.

We strongly recommend not to book prepaid travel and accommodation before
receiving the visa.

For any further details, or should you need to contact us again please
refer to our website at https://ukvi-international.faq-help.com/, select
appropriate country, click next and then select “E-Mail form” and
complete as instructed. We will aim to come back to you within 1 day.

Kind regards,
XXXXX

UK Visas and Immigration International Enquiry Service

We would like to invite you to participate in a brief survey about the
service you received from us to identify strengths and opportunities for
improvements.

http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/S/130335JPJLG

Thank you in advance for your time.

WE JUST GOT THE DECISION EMAIL!!!

Okay, so timeline:

Applied on 1st June
Biometrics 4th June
Visa Sent to Sheffield June 10th
Visa Arrived June 12th
Email Acknowledgement June 12th.
Realised we forgot to include passport pictures June 14th and sent them same day with covering letter and GWF#
Pictures Arrived June 16th.
Applied for Priority July 8th
Visa Decided July 10th

spudguy did you paid for priority service? Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yesterday we buckled and purchased priority and the return courier airbill (since we've sold our house so I wanted the docs returned to our forwarding address with a relative).   Today we got an email from Sheffield claiming that priority must be purchased before submitting the documents(see below).

I have emailed VFS global to ask their advice: I'd recommend others wait to hear what happens before potentially wasting $500-$700 like we might have done.  The incompetence in this whole process is staggering.



email from donotreply@hgs-ukvi.co.uk:

Dear XXXXXXX,

Thank you for contacting UK Visas and Immigration international enquiry
service.

With regards to your query ,  the applicant must purchase the user
services(Priority service, SMS text service, Couriered back service) before
submission of document at visa application centre.

We strongly recommend not to book prepaid travel and accommodation before
receiving the visa.

For any further details, or should you need to contact us again please
refer to our website at https://ukvi-international.faq-help.com/ [nofollow] , select
appropriate country, click next and then select “E-Mail form” and
complete as instructed. We will aim to come back to you within 1 day.

Kind regards,
XXXXX

UK Visas and Immigration International Enquiry Service

We would like to invite you to participate in a brief survey about the
service you received from us to identify strengths and opportunities for
improvements.

http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/S/130335JPJLG [nofollow]

Thank you in advance for your time.

This is very strange. We've been waiting since the 12th June and heard nothing. We emailed Sheffield on Wednesday after paying for Priority (so yes, sdt99) and at 10am UK time today, we got an email saying it's been decided. We never got confirmation of Priority at all, should we try to get a refund? Or did it go through without acknowledgement.

Yesterday we buckled and purchased priority and the return courier airbill (since we've sold our house so I wanted the docs returned to our forwarding address with a relative).   Today we got an email from Sheffield claiming that priority must be purchased before submitting the documents(see below).

I have emailed VFS global to ask their advice: I'd recommend others wait to hear what happens before potentially wasting $500-$700 like we might have done.  The incompetence in this whole process is staggering.



email from donotreply@hgs-ukvi.co.uk:

Dear XXXXXXX,

Thank you for contacting UK Visas and Immigration international enquiry
service.

With regards to your query ,  the applicant must purchase the user
services(Priority service, SMS text service, Couriered back service) before
submission of document at visa application centre.

We strongly recommend not to book prepaid travel and accommodation before
receiving the visa.

For any further details, or should you need to contact us again please
refer to our website at https://ukvi-international.faq-help.com/, select
appropriate country, click next and then select “E-Mail form” and
complete as instructed. We will aim to come back to you within 1 day.

Kind regards,
XXXXX

UK Visas and Immigration International Enquiry Service

We would like to invite you to participate in a brief survey about the
service you received from us to identify strengths and opportunities for
improvements.

http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/S/130335JPJLG

Thank you in advance for your time.

What email address did you send the priority confirmation to?

The email address 'donotreply@hgs-ukvi.co.uk' is not from Sheffield - that's from the general immigration enquiries people, who as we've discovered here on this thread this week, don't know what they are talking about.

You need to send your priority confirmation email to:
visasheffield@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

and I believe that is the email address they should reply from.

Ksand, we sent the confirmation to visasheffield@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Spudguy, we got our original receipt email June 1st, married 15 years with kids and used cash savings - so should be a simple application

This is very strange. We've been waiting since the 12th June and heard nothing. We emailed Sheffield on Wednesday after paying for Priority (so yes, sdt99) and at 10am UK time today, we got an email saying it's been decided. We never got confirmation of Priority at all, should we try to get a refund? Or did it go through without acknowledgement.

Past experience of upgrading after submitting, would be that you would not be notified of the priority upgrade (9 times out of 10 anyway).

We applied for my spouse visa online on May 15
Biometrics appointment on May 18th
Paid round trip service through VFS global supporting docs arrived in Sheffield on May 22
Acknowledgment email fro Sheffield office on May 28 and absolutely nothing after that?!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We applied for my spouse visa online on May 15
Biometrics appointment on May 18th
Paid round trip service through VFS global supporting docs arrived in Sheffield on May 22
Acknowledgment email fro Sheffield office on May 28 and absolutely nothing after that?!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wouldn't worry.  A lot of people have upgraded to priority this week and that is why they are getting their decisions.  I honestly wouldn't upgrade at this point and just sit tight.  I know it's frustrating when everyone around you is getting their visas.  You've waited to long to fork out that dough!

spudguy- your priority must have accounted for because my application (non priority) was acknowledged June 9th and I've heard nothing since.

I keep going back and forth whether I should try and upgrade.  I'm in a bind because I'm supposed to let my job know before the start of the school year in August. (I'm a teacher). Any suggestions?

Does anyone have suggestions on whether I should try to upgrade? Or if I continue waiting,

Does anyone have suggestions on whether I should try to upgrade? Or if I continue waiting,

Seems like those of us who upgraded have gotten a really fast  decision, so maybe wait a week or two and if you still haven't  heard, then go for it. Plus, that's  a lot of money  just to make the hiring process  easier for your school. I'm  sure they'll  be fine with slightly  shorter notice.

I just wish priority was not an option except in extenuating circumstances....Congrats rainyday I hope it's approved!

Thanks! Me too!

And I completely  agree. Even though I'm completely  paying my way through  the system I still see that it's ridiculous  how bias this is toward those with money. From the financial  requirements of income, to how much easier it is to prove cash savings, to the high cost of visas, shipping, and upgrades, that I already lead a privileged  life is now buying  me an opportunity  that is no where near feasible  for so many people.

To be clear, I'm not saying the fees aren't  justified by the man hours involved, nor am I saying that everyone  in this process is mega - wealthy,  just that it is expensive  and favors those with money.

OMG Y'all.

They've made a decision and posted my documents today.

I retroactively upgraded to the Priority on Wednesday.  So that was like 2 days.  I had to charge it, but knowing in July is going to be worth it in the longer run I think, especially since my car registration expires and the lease is up in August.  I've pretty much exhausted all my money with this and just want to be done and over there.  Pulling rabbits out of hats!

Looks like they got it, just didn't tell me.

So timeline is;

June 13th: Married
June 14th: Applied online
June 18th: Biometrics and posted documents
June 22nd: Sheffield signed for paperwork
July 2nd: Got email acknowledgement
July 8th:  Retroactively upgraded to Priority
July 10th: Email with decision and documents shipped

OMG Y'all.

They've made a decision and posted my documents today.

I retroactively upgraded to the Priority on Wednesday.  So that was like 2 days.

Looks like they got it.

Woo hoo! They seem to rocking the late upgrades.

I agree with others that the priority system is wrong - it's a two tier system.

I'm so depressed right now.   Spent the priority money and UKVI have refused to take the upgrade and VFSGlobal have not responded to my email.

My father has weeks to live, and I'm about to become a single parent in the UK with my spouse of 15 years stuck in the US.