April Timeline

I feel like they must input the decisions into some system and when the system updates it auto-generates emails that get sent out some X number or hours or days later, and that's why some applicants get emails over weekends or holidays. I also wonder if an ECO inputs the email address into the system incorrectly, that may be why some people just never get the emails and the package just shows up...but who knows...trying to make sense from nonsense.

Believe it or not, ECOs can choose to work weekends or bank holidays.

Believe it or not, ECOs can choose to work weekends or bank holidays.

It surprises me that anyone would though...

It surprises me that anyone would though...

Weekends usually no, but with a backlog, some do come in on bank holidays.

P.S.  I keep re-reading the two emails I received today.  One was the decision made email, and the other the shipping email with tracking number.  I keep looking at them to make sure I didn't just dream it.  I have dreamed on multiple occasions that the email arrived, only to discover it hadn't.

So weird - I've had those dreams too! And last night I kept waking up every hour or two to check my phone lol 

Weekends usually no, but with a backlog, some do come in on bank holidays.

My husband has chosen to work on bank holidays in the past as it frees up an extra day of holiday for him.

Where are people finding their options for a refund for IHS? I don't have that option on my visa4uk portal??

Yes -- I'm curious about this, too. Didn't someone say that if you log in, you can see a "IHS refund" option somewhere, and that it disappears if your application is successful?

When I log in to my application, I can't click anything except "view application". It lists the visa fee, 1833 pounds, and below THAT it says "request refund". Is this the thing that should have disappeared, or is that separate?  Trying not to needlessly worry, but I'm so good at it...

Hey everybody this form has really helped me a lot. I'm still waiting to hear back. I live in south Florida sent of my    Settlement spouse visa and  paid for the priority service  on April 19th  received a confirmation email  from Sheffield on the 24th of April and still waiting I know they say not to book a flight until you hear back.  But I was very optimistic and booked my flight  two weeks from when I sent my visa off.  Therefore I had to change my flight twice already. I have a flight to leave  June 8th but still waiting to hear. I miss my husband and I feel like I'm on line in Disney world  patiently waiting it's nice to know I'm not the only one. Thanks for this form. Good luck everybody. Fingers crossed 

Yes -- I'm curious about this, too. Didn't someone say that if you log in, you can see a "IHS refund" option somewhere, and that it disappears if your application is successful?

When I log in to my application, I can't click anything except "view application". It lists the visa fee, 1833 pounds, and below THAT it says "request refund". Is this the thing that should have disappeared, or is that separate?  Trying not to needlessly worry, but I'm so good at it...
 

Yes, I said that. It was a rumor making the rounds on the forums when the IHS first came in. 
I didn't get the chance to try out the theory because we were in the UK already when IHS started.
You will be the one to officially disprove it. 

If you click on view payment, the request a refund is there.

Ah -- so the "request refund" within "view payment" is the IHS fee that is being referred to? The "view payment" button is only referring to the visa payment of 1833 -- there is a button above "view payment" that states "IHS payment completed."

For reference:

Main menu:

  Application Completed
  Declaration Signed
  BRP Collection Location
  View Appointment
  IHS Payment Completed
  View Payment
  Print Application

Within "View Payment" -->

6. Visa Application Fee
This is a summary of the cost of this application, which you have already paid:

Visa Fee:   USD    1833.00
Postage Fee:   USD    0.00
Total*:   USD    1833.00

*Total rounded to nearest whole number
7. Request Refund
Request Refund  Print Completed Visa Application

Ah -- so the "request refund" within "view application" is the IHS fee that is being referred to?

Correct. I wouldn't put any validity in it disappearing if your application is approved tho.

Correct. I wouldn't put any validity in it disappearing if your application is approved tho.

Fair enough.

Just gonna add, but I don't think that what you guys are saying is correct -- UKVI says:

"IHS Refunds
You don’t need to do anything to get an IHS refund - it’s automatically paid to the account or card
you paid with.
You’ll get a full IHS refund if:
 you paid twice
 your visa application is refused
 you withdraw your visa application"

https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/refunds

It seems more likely that the refund button is related to the application fee -- if you pay the online fee and don't attend biometrics and want a refund (isn't that the one instance where a visa application fee refund is possible?) I imagine that's what you click.

So, I phone up UKVI for an update earlier today, I provided our GWF number and also the name/date of birth.. the guy I spoke to said there's no record of it on their system (?!). He kinda fobbed me off by suggesting I check the progress on visa4uk, but this just states 'Complete' and not much else.. So stressed and upset right now.. I've now emailed them in the hope that he just typed the GWF number in wrong. Can anyone suggest anything? Feeling completely held to ransom by this utter car-crash of a system!

So, I phone up UKVI for an update earlier today, I provided our GWF number and also the name/date of birth.. the guy I spoke to said there's no record of it on their system (?!). He kinda fobbed me off by suggesting I check the progress on visa4uk, but this just states 'Complete' and not much else.. So stressed and upset right now.. I've now emailed them in the hope that he just typed the GWF number in wrong. Can anyone suggest anything? Feeling completely held to ransom by this utter car-crash of a system!

How did you send your application? If it was by a tracked method and it has been signed for, you know that they do have it. 

Just gonna add, but I don't think that what you guys are saying is correct -- UKVI says:

"IHS Refunds
You don’t need to do anything to get an IHS refund - it’s automatically paid to the account or card
you paid with.
You’ll get a full IHS refund if:
 you paid twice
 your visa application is refused
 you withdraw your visa application"

https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/refunds

It seems more likely that the refund button is related to the application fee -- if you pay the online fee and don't attend biometrics and want a refund (isn't that the one instance where a visa application fee refund is possible?) I imagine that's what you click.

It was an urban myth, a rumor, please forget I mentioned it!