Non-priority Spousal Visa Timeline

Are you referring to this?

https://contact-ukvi.homeoffice.gov.uk/app/visa_application/checkvisastatus

Has that ever worked for anyone? I've tried the GWF number, the IHS number. Nothing seems to work.

It used to indicate when a decision had been made but they fixed it so that it only works, as intended, for in-country applications now.

Business Day 45 - fast approaching 50! I feel like 50 at the moment! 

My wife's application is now at 75 business days. I wonder if anyone has even looked at it.

My wife's application is now at 75 business days. I wonder if anyone has even looked at it.

Have you had any of the generic emails?

My wife received the "not straight-forward" email on 28 September, exactly 2 months to the day since the application arrived in Sheffield. Since then nothing. I've called the call centre 3 times and on the last 2 occasions they've said that they've escalated but I don't know what became of that.

I've been going through spam folders and emails in the belief I've possibly missed something.

I'm now flying out to LA in a few weeks. I had hoped she'd be here by now, before Christmas but it's starting to feel like we'll be waiting 100+ business days.

My wife received the "not straight-forward" email on 28 September, exactly 2 months to the day since the application arrived in Sheffield. Since then nothing. I've called the call centre 3 times and on the last 2 occasions they've said that they've escalated but I don't know what became of that.

I've been going through spam folders and emails in the belief I've possibly missed something.

I'm now flying out to LA in a few weeks. I had hoped she'd be here by now, before Christmas but it's starting to feel like we'll be waiting 100+ business days.

Have they requested any additional info from you?  Usually the not straight forward email indicates that a document was missed in the original application submission.  Do you want to post a list of what you included in the application to see if it looks like something is missing?

Have they requested any additional info from you?  Usually the not straight forward email indicates that a document was missed in the original application submission.  Do you want to post a list of what you included in the application to see if it looks like something is missing?

I thought the "not straight-forward" email was a delaying tactic due to them having made no progress in 2 months, what with the massive backlog. If it was related to missing material, I would have thought they would request it.

Included in the application was:
1. UKVI application
2. Appendix 2

My stuff:
1. Letter from work proving I earn above the financial requirements (I'm well above it)
2. 12 months of payslips and 3 years of P60s (all printed off as my company does everything online)
3. 3 months of bank statements to back up the payslips
4. Property deeds of apartment
4. Mortgage Statement (original and copy)
5. Utilities bills, council tax bill. Original and copies
6. Notified passport.

Relationship details
1. Marriage certificate from California
2. Relationship documentation including mostly Facebook chat.
3. Photographs dating back to 2013.

My wife:
1. Cover letter detailing her status in the US
2. South American passport. She lives in LA. Old passport as well.
3. US driving license, social security, bank statement
4. Rental and Employment evidence
5. IELTS result

The only thing I can think of is that she was applying for residency in the US and that has been dragging on. I contemplated moving to the US, but with the new presidency, I thought her application would just be stalled forever.

What category did you apply under?

The minimum required bank statements are six.  Category A is 6 months bank statements and six payslips (validated as correct and true by employer if printed off).  Category B is 12 months bank statements and 12 payslips.

The not straight forward email isn’t standard.

What category did you apply under?

The minimum required bank statements are six.  Category A is 6 months bank statements and six payslips (validated as correct and true by employer if printed off).  Category B is 12 months bank statements and 12 payslips.

The not straight forward email isn’t standard.

I applied under category A. If I didn't supply enough bank statements then that is my fault. And everything in my firm is done online. I did not realize I had to get accompanying signed-off HR letter with that.

If these are the main reasons, why is no-one from UKVI telling us? I'm willing to do anything to expedite this but UKVI has gone into radio silence.

I applied under category A. If I didn't supply enough bank statements then that is my fault. And everything in my firm is done online. I did not realize I had to get accompanying signed-off HR letter with that.

If these are the main reasons, why is no-one from UKVI telling us? I'm willing to do anything to expedite this but UKVI has gone into radio silence.

Here's the info on payslips:

(bb) Payslips must be:
(i) original formal payslips issued by the employer and showing the employer’s name; or
(ii) accompanied by a letter from the employer, on the employer’s headed paper and signed by a senior official, confirming the payslips are authentic;

and on bank statements:

(a) Bank statements must:
(i) be from a financial institution regulated by the appropriate regulatory body for the country in which that institution is operating.
(ii) not be from a financial institution on the list of excluded institutions in Appendix P of these rules.
(iii) in relation to personal bank statements be only in the name of:
(1) the applicant’s partner, the applicant or both as appropriate; or
(2) if the applicant is a child the applicant parent’s partner, the applicant’s parent or both as appropriate; or
(3) if the applicant is an adult dependent relative, the applicant’s sponsor or the applicant, unless otherwise stated.
(iv) cover the period(s) specified.
(v) be:
(1) on official bank stationery; or
(2) electronic bank statements which are either accompanied by a letter from the bank on its headed stationery confirming that the documents are authentic or which bear the official stamp of the issuing bank on every page.

Both are from the specified evidence document here.  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-fm-se-family-members-specified-evidence

Could be worth getting the additional bank statements together and a letter from your company, in case they ask for them.

Hopefully they will ask for the documents.  Unfortunately there are no guarantees.   

Thank you for this information. This is not good news, to say the least.

As if on cue, my wife just got another email from UKVI.

"As we have previously advised, the processing of this application has not been straightforward. We cannot give a time scale for when a decision will be made, however, please be assured that we are continuing to work on the application and will make a decision as soon as we are able to."

I phoned the UKVI and asked for more information. I also asked whether some documentation was missing. The person said she could not provide that information. Also, due to being previously escalated, this email would have been from the escalation team, so we cannot escalate any further. We just have to wait now.

I phoned the UKVI and asked for more information. I also asked whether some documentation was missing. The person said she could not provide that information. Also, due to being previously escalated, this email would have been from the escalation team, so we cannot escalate any further. We just have to wait now.

The number you can call doesn't have access to anything unfortunately.

Don't be totally discouraged, sometimes they let things like this slide and request the missing info.  Fingers crossed!   

I phoned the UKVI and asked for more information. I also asked whether some documentation was missing. The person said she could not provide that information. Also, due to being previously escalated, this email would have been from the escalation team, so we cannot escalate any further. We just have to wait now.

Maybe you can get the local MP to find out on you're behalf? Hopefully you should be alright, if they request anything from you they will let you know.