November Timeline

For refugees to join UK settled persons? Is that what appendix 4 is?

Nope, for our marriage visa.  It was questions about our relationship.  They included a link in the email to it. 

Nope, for our marriage visa.  It was questions about our relationship.  They included a link in the email to it. 

But that should be Appendix 2, not Appendix 4. I'm hoping it was just a typo in the email and they did actually link you to Appendix 2.

Appendix 2 is the second half of the spousal visa application form

Appendix 4 is for family members of refugees applying for asylum in the UK

This is Appendix 2, which is what you submit for a spousal visa:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/270484/VAF4A-Appendix2.pdf

But that's Appendix 2, not Appendix 4. I'm hoping it was just a typo in the email and they did actually link you to Appendix 2.

Appendix 2 is the second half of the spousal visa application form

Appendix 4 is for family members of refugees applying for asylum in the UK

This is Appendix 2, which is what you submit for a spousal visa:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/270484/VAF4A-Appendix2.pdf

Yes, that's it.  I suppose they made a mistake, as I copied and pasted the relevant part of the email above.    But now they have that form from us so hopefully we'll hear something anytime soon...

Yes, that's it.  I suppose they made a mistake, as I copied and pasted the relevant part of the email above.    But now they have that form from us so hopefully we'll hear something anytime soon...

Yeah, seems like it was just a mistake - they've contacted people to ask for Appendix 2 before, but this is the first I've ever heard of Appendix 4 .

Hope you get a decision soon .

Yeah, seems like it was just a mistake - they've contacted people to ask for Appendix 2 before, but this is the first I've ever heard of Appendix 4 .

Hope you get a decision soon .

Thanks! Me too! 

It is good to know others who applied about the same time non priority have not heard yet.  We would have done priority but years ago I was refused a student visa--my record was expunged by the immigration officer's manager at Heathrow later as it was actually a mistake in my school's paperwork, but the priority payment screen says to not do it if you have previously been refused a visa.  Hopefully we'll all hear something soon!  Reading around it seems like January is better than December.

Thanks! Me too! 

It is good to know others who applied about the same time non priority have not heard yet.  We would have done priority but years ago I was refused a student visa--my record was expunged by the immigration officer's manager at Heathrow later as it was actually a mistake in my school's paperwork, but the priority payment screen says to not do it if you have previously been refused a visa.  Hopefully we'll all hear something soon!  Reading around it seems like January is better than December.

Ah, actually, you could have done priority processing - you may well have already received your visa by now if you had.

They tell you not to use priority if you have had a previous refusal because they can't guarantee that a decision will be made quickly and they don't want to deal with people complaining about the timescale.

However, all priority processing means is that your application gets put to the front of the processing line when it arrives in Sheffield... before they even know whether you have had a refusal before or not.

So, using priority just means they will open and get to your application faster than not using it. Once they have opened it, it may take a bit longer to process if they need to ask for more documents (i.e. Appendix 2) or if you have had a refusal, but you will already have shaved off a couple of weeks of waiting time before they get to it by using the priority.

Ah, actually, you could have done priority processing - you may well have already received your visa by now if you had.

They tell you not to use priority if you have had a previous refusal because they can't guarantee that a decision will be made quickly and they don't want to deal with people complaining about the timescale.

However, all priority processing means is that your application gets put to the front of the processing line when it arrives in Sheffield... before they even know whether you have had a refusal before or not.

So, using priority just means they will open and get to your application faster than not using it. Once they have opened it, it may take a bit longer to process if they need to ask for more documents (i.e. Appendix 2) or if you have had a refusal, but you will already have shaved off a couple of weeks of waiting time before they get to it by using the priority.

There's not much I can do about that now, though, I suspect.

It's been over 7 weeks so hopefully we're in the home stretch of waiting.

Another concern I have. I applied from Canada and as I have before with visitor visas o provided the officers my passport size photos. This is my first settlement application and they told me I didn't need to supply these. And they didn't take them even though i gave them. Could this be a problem for me?

Another concern I have. I applied from Canada and as I have before with visitor visas o provided the officers my passport size photos. This is my first settlement application and they told me I didn't need to supply these. And they didn't take them even though i gave them. Could this be a problem for me?

I believe the process is slightly different in Canada as you apply at a processing center and they take your biometrics, etc., there on the day, correct?  I imagine they know what they are doing.  Just like the appendix, they would contact you if they needed a photo.  They wouldn't refuse over there (whereas they could have refused without the appendix - and have before).  I wouldn't lose any sleep!

Thank you

I believe the process is slightly different in Canada as you apply at a processing center and they take your biometrics, etc., there on the day, correct?  I imagine they know what they are doing.  Just like the appendix, they would contact you if they needed a photo.  They wouldn't refuse over there (whereas they could have refused without the appendix - and have before).  I wouldn't lose any sleep!

hi im new here been reading all sorts of forums. Is there anyone on this timeline that applied in november non priority and has received a response?

Hi! I also applied in November nonpriority and have been going nuts waiting and waiting for any news.
Our was completed Nov 21
Biometrics Nov 23
Received on Nov 25
And no news since then ☹️

We knew things would slow down because of Christmas and new year but we still hoped to hear back soon. We're going absolutely insane not knowing if they've at least started to review the application.

Have you tried to track it?

Hi! I also applied in November nonpriority and have been going nuts waiting and waiting for any news.
Our was completed Nov 21
Biometrics Nov 23
Received on Nov 25
And no news since then ☹️

We knew things would slow down because of Christmas and new year but we still hoped to hear back soon. We're going absolutely insane not knowing if they've at least started to review the application.

Have you tried to track it?

Yes, I have actually. But nothing. Was going to give it another week before I tried to email the enquiry service centre. I mean I know it's a long shot but I'd feel some relief in at least knowing it's being reviewed.
Have you tried contacting them yet?

We knew things would slow down because of Christmas and new year but we still hoped to hear back soon. We're going absolutely insane not knowing if they've at least started to review the application.

Processing an application takes about two hours max.  So once they start processing, they are virtually done!

Honestly I think they'll catch up the backlog next week or so.  I don't think you guys have long to wait.  Though this year's summer backlog took a bit longer to catch up, so possibly into the following week.

Processing an application takes about two hours max.  So once they start processing, they are virtually done!

Honestly I think they'll catch up the backlog next week or so.  I don't think you guys have long to wait.  Though this year's summer backlog took a bit longer to catch up, so possibly into the following week.

Thank you! Here's hoping that's the case 🤞🏽