FedEX may have LOST my passports and application!

Hi all,

I have had some pretty terrible luck with my application.

I only had certified copies with me (no originals at all) and was advised by a lawyer that I must have originals and it would save time and money to send my whole application to my partner in the UK and have him add the original documents then send to Sheffield next day.

I did my biometrics on Thursday then shipped everything to my partner's parents' house on Friday. His Saint of a mother is going to put it all together for me.

In some horrible twist of fate, my package that was supposed to arrive by 12pm on MONDAY is still stuck at "Clearance in progress" with FedEx!!

I have called at least ten times to try to light a fire under someone, but apparently it is all down to UK customs.

Assuming they haven't completely lost it, I have read that I have five days from biometrics to send my application in. I have also read that I have two weeks to send it in. Both timeframes were given in official government places. I paid for the helpline, and they said always assume things are in business days.

Too much information - going crazy in the middle of the night. Just want to know how long I actually have to get my application to Sheffield from the date of my biometrics!

Don't know if it makes a difference, but my appointment was for the 8th, and I walked in on the 3rd.

Thank you.

You have 5 days to MAIL the application from biometrics.  So if you had mailed the package directly to Sheffield it wouldn't have been an issue.  But since the postmark won't count until your partner mails it, it will likely be late.

BUT - we haven't seen anyone have an issue submitting their package late.  Someone this summer's package was sent about a month after biometrics and they were fine. 

I wouldn't worry.

And definitely a bummer, these things happen with USPS and Royal Mail - Not with FedEx!

Just to add, it doesn't sound lost - just delayed.  It's having to be inspected by Customs for some reason.  As soon as it's cleared, it'll be on it's way again.

Thank you! Fingers crossed everything is sorted quickly!

In some horrible twist of fate, my package that was supposed to arrive by 12pm on MONDAY is still stuck at "Clearance in progress" with FedEx!!

I have called at least ten times to try to light a fire under someone, but apparently it is all down to UK customs.

And definitely a bummer, these things happen with USPS and Royal Mail - Not with FedEx!

Weird that this happened with FedEx!  It's not usually an issue with any of the shipping companies (DHL, FedEx or UPS). Their customs is much faster than USPS or Royal Mail usually takes a few days with those two.

It does take quite a few hours to get through customs though with the couriers, it just depends on the volume they have for how long it takes.

 my package that was supposed to arrive by 12pm on MONDAY is still stuck at "Clearance in progress" with FedEx!!

If I were you, I would see if you can at least get your money back from Fedex for not delivering when they said they would.

Thanks guys. It has said "Clearance in progress" since Saturday night. One of the many people I spoke to used the phrase "Your package was left behind at customs" at one point... Awesome!

I would have argued for my money back already, but my Dad has a huge FedEX discount, so I only paid $30 for next day shipping. Trying to remember how quickly priority applications are being processed and stay calm.

Update! The trace agent finally spoke to someone in UK customs who said it was taking so long because they opened the package to inspect if every document was legal. WHAT?!?

Hopefully it will be cleared today and delivered tomorrow. I hope nothing is missing or out of order...

Update! The trace agent finally spoke to someone in UK customs who said it was taking so long because they opened the package to inspect if every document was legal. WHAT?!?

Hopefully it will be cleared today and delivered tomorrow. I hope nothing is missing or out of order...

I've heard of that happening (rarely).  Due to the passport.  But I wouldn't worry.  A US passport is being sent to the UK to the UKVI for a visa.  Nothing out of the ordinary!