November Timeline

I received my visa today!!!!!

Finally! Congratulations!!!

I received my visa today!!!!!

So this is my final timeline:
Online application filed middle of October (can't remember the date, but we needed to do it earlier rather than later so we could get our preferred date for biometrics--my local one fills up quickly)
Biometrics November 9
Married November 12
Application package sent November 13
Application Received in Sheffield November 17 (confirmation by FedEx, I never got an email from Sheffield confirming)
Missing appendix asked for and received November 19
Decision made email January 26
Visa received January 30!!

I gave my notice at work and we're thinking I'll try for an overnight flight on February 14.  I was scheduled for a paid vacation day that day anyway so that's technically my last day, even though I'm not working.

many, many congrats!

Thanks all! I'm over the moon!

I just wanted to add my wife's case for those still waiting, I've been browsing this forum for some time to help keep sane. She finally received her visa on Monday we first applied for 'visitor for marriage' visas in 2011/12, got rejected twice so got married in the US in 2013 and have spent the last few years making sure all our paperwork was in order and that we met all the requirements, so glad we'll finally be together, good luck to everybody else still waiting!

Online Application Submitted: 1st November 2016
Biometrics Appointment: 9th November 2016
Documents Sent: 16th November 2016
Documents Acknowledged in Sheffield: 22nd November 2016
Decision Made Email: 27th January 2017
Visa Received: 30th January 2017

All these decision made emails are giving me hope. I received acknowledgement that my application had reached Sheffield on Nov. 29th so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll hear soon! Although I applied as the spouse of a member of HM Forces which has slightly different application. There are probably a few more things to look into with that.

All these decision made emails are giving me hope. I received acknowledgement that my application had reached Sheffield on Nov. 29th so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll hear soon! Although I applied as the spouse of a member of HM Forces which has slightly different application. There are probably a few more things to look into with that.

Actually all applications are treated the same and have the same requirements (and documents), it's just that your visa may be issued for a different length of time (based on your spouse's military contract), rather than 33 months.

In fact, spouses of HM Forces visas used to have less requirements than regular spousal visas... there wasn't even a financial requirement for them until a couple of years ago, but then they decided to bring them in line with all the other spousal visas.

I She finally received her visa on Monday we first applied for 'visitor for marriage' visas in 2011/12, got rejected twice so got married in the US in 2013 and have spent the last few years making sure all our paperwork was in order and that we met all the requirements, so glad we'll finally be together, good luck to everybody else still waiting!

Oh boy, your result is extra special then. Congratulations!!!

Non-priority marriage visa
Date recieved email: Dec 18th
Decision made email: Jan 30the
Passport with sticker in hand: Feb. 1st

That was the worst torture I have ever experienced waiting for this visa process to be over, but finally will be on my way to England in a couple weeks.

Non-priority marriage visa
Date recieved email: Dec 18th
Decision made email: Jan 30the
Passport with sticker in hand: Feb. 1st

That was the worst torture I have ever experienced waiting for this visa process to be over, but finally will be on my way to England in a couple weeks.

Woohoo!  Glad your wedding plans can continue as planned.

So happy to say that I finally received my visa approval tonight! Thank you all so much for the advice and support, it really helped me out through this difficult process. Now all I'm worried about is giving my notice at work and rushing to pack, as I've only got a couple of weeks to leave!!  (Was in such a hurry to get my visa and now the hard part of saying goodbye to friends and family is here)
So the dates for my non priority application are as follows:
Application submitted: 21 Nov 16
Biometrics completed: 23 Nov 16
Application received email: 25 Nov 16
Decision made email: 28 Jan 17
Visa approval received: 1 Feb 17

Good luck to the rest of you that are in the process of applying or still waiting for your approvals 

So happy to say that I finally received my visa approval tonight!

They are pouring in now!    Congratulations!! 

15 Nov 2016 sent package to Sheffield
17 Nov got receipt email
2 Feb 2017 I have my visa in my hand and ready to make flight. 
Thanks to all help from this forum especially ksand.

Congrats to everyone and safe travels!

Actually all applications are treated the same and have the same requirements (and documents), it's just that your visa may be issued for a different length of time (based on your spouse's military contract), rather than 33 months.

In fact, spouses of HM Forces visas used to have less requirements than regular spousal visas... there wasn't even a financial requirement for them until a couple of years ago, but then they decided to bring them in line with all the other spousal visas.

I just meant that there was some extra documentation required to prove his employment in the forces and obviously this needs to be verified and reviewed. Several letters from his superiors stating length of service, etc. And there was a bit of an issue with his married quarters. He wasn't allowed to move in until they saw my visa, but I needed the address and the paperwork for the application.

Congrats to everyone and safe travels!

Heyy did you hear anything back yet?


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