Non-priority Spousal Visa Timeline

Can I just check if it’s supposedly 60 business days from receipt of application (email from Sheffield) or is by application or biometrics? Hearing conflicting things!

It depends on the country you are applying from.

In some countries, you submit your documents in person at the biometrics appointment, so the business-day count starts from that day  (the biometrics date).

In the US, you attend biometrics first, then mail your documents after that, so the business-day count has always started from the date you get the confirmation email from Sheffield saying they have your documents... because they can't start processing the application until they actually receive it.

Great thank you. We applied from the US, so looks like 18th September is our starting date.

Hey all,

I thought I would post my timeline to help someone  out.


I applied Postal from within the UK- This was for FLR (m)  renewal.

Application signed for Nov 1st
Payment Taken Nov 3rd.
Biometrics Letter Received Nov 13th.  (dated Nov 9th)
Biometrics Taken on Nov 19th
Approval letter from HO- Nov 24th.


Not sure if it was so speedy because it was just a renewal but either way I am  happy.


Thank you all who answered questions when I was filling out the paperwork. Next step ILR!!!

Hey all,

I thought I would post my timeline to help someone  out.


I applied Postal from within the UK- This was for FLR (m)  renewal.

Application signed for Nov 1st
Payment Taken Nov 3rd.
Biometrics Letter Received Nov 13th.  (dated Nov 9th)
Biometrics Taken on Nov 19th
Approval letter from HO- Nov 24th.


Not sure if it was so speedy because it was just a renewal but either way I am  happy.


Thank you all who answered questions when I was filling out the paperwork. Next step ILR!!!

Thanks for sharing, but this thread is for initial entry clearance applications made outside the UK, which have a completely different application process and timeline compared to FLR(M) applications (i.e. there's no such thing as priority or non-priority for FLR(M) or ILR visas, because the options are 'postal' or 'in-person').

We did have an FLR(M) application timelines thread, but I can't seem to find it at the moment.

I am so excited I might cry!

Steven has received his ‘a decision has been made’ e-mail today - Business Day 49!

We should have the Visa Delivered (whether it’s approved or rejected) on Wednesday.

But, more excitingly, it’s my husband’s birthday day and we are so excited!

I am so excited I might cry!

Steven has received his ‘a decision has been made’ e-mail today - Business Day 49!

We should have the Visa Delivered (whether it’s approved or rejected) on Wednesday.

But, more excitingly, it’s my husband’s birthday day and we are so excited!

Congratulations !

Fingers crossed for an approval .


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Thank you! Is it more likely to be rejected if it’s earlier than the 60 Days?

I’ve seen on other forums there seems to be a delay with non priority, so worried ours is strangely early.

Thank you! Is it more likely to be rejected if it’s earlier than the 60 Days?

I’ve seen on other forums there seems to be a delay with non priority, so worried ours is strangely early.

No, in general, a faster application is more likely to be an approval... because refusals take longer to process, as they will scrutinise the application in more detail, and perhaps do extra checks on it, or refer it to a supervisor.

A straightforward application only takes 1-2 hours to process, so if it's been 49 working days, you're looking at 48 working days of waiting in line and then 1 day for them to process it and send the decision made email

I am so excited I might cry!

Steven has received his ‘a decision has been made’ e-mail today - Business Day 49!

We should have the Visa Delivered (whether it’s approved or rejected) on Wednesday.

But, more excitingly, it’s my husband’s birthday day and we are so excited!

Congrats!!!  I hope it is a big fat yes.    Did you send your docs to NY or sheffield?

I am so excited I might cry!

Steven has received his ‘a decision has been made’ e-mail today - Business Day 49!

We should have the Visa Delivered (whether it’s approved or rejected) on Wednesday.

But, more excitingly, it’s my husband’s birthday day and we are so excited!

Congratulations!!!!! Well done!

Congrats!!!  I hope it is a big fat yes.    Did you send your docs to NY or sheffield?

New York, I think.  I think we were one of the first to go via that route, and it got to Sheffield quickly.

Thank you! Is it more likely to be rejected if it’s earlier than the 60 Days?

I’ve seen on other forums there seems to be a delay with non priority, so worried ours is strangely early.

New York, I think.  I think we were one of the first to go via that route, and it got to Sheffield quickly.

Are you sure?  I really think you would have been the last to apply directly to Sheffield.  The switch happened September 15th and your biometrics were on the 14th... 

Are you sure?  I really think you would have been the last to apply directly to Sheffield.  The switch happened September 15th and your biometrics were on the 14th...

Just looking at your previous posts, DaisyR, and it looks like your package was sent directly to Sheffield, not through New York, because you mention here that the UPS tracking said it arrived in Sheffield:
https://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=90536.msg1251612#msg1251612

I know through following our package, it went to New York first and then onwards to Sheffield. Though this may have just been a postal journey rather than visa or centre.

I know through following our package, it went to New York first and then onwards to Sheffield. Though this may have just been a postal journey rather than visa or centre.

Under the new system, nothing is physically mailed to Sheffield, so if your package made it to Sheffield via UPS, then you scraped in under the old system.

The old system:
- shipping label goes to Sheffield
- package delivered to Sheffield
- Sheffield process the visa using your physical documents
- Sheffield issue the visa and mail your passport and documents back to you in the US

The new system is as follows:
- shipping label goes to an address in New York City
- package is received and opened in New York
- all your documents are scanned by New York and transmitted electronicaly to Sheffield
- New York keeps your passport and documents
- Sheffield process the visa and make the decision
- New York issues the visa and mails the passport and documents back to you (the documents might be mailed back before the visa is processed... not sure how they are working things)