Non-priority Spousal Visa Timeline

Member of Parliament!   

The phone centre has no clue and doesn't give accurate info.  An application only takes about two hours to process.  The rest of the time it's waiting for someone to look at it.

Doh! Hahaha! Of course. I guess I can try that. Thanks for the advice.

Hi everyone,

Hi BajanMonique, Thanks for sharing and congratulations on your visa success!   

Thanks so much for your reply! I hope I'm not being really dumb but who do you mean by MP?
We didn't use a lawyer or visa service, but sent all the documentation ourselves.
We called the visa helpline 2 weeks ago and the guy said he can see that they've looked at the application and it is awaiting a decision. I can't tell what can be taking them so long??!!??!!

Member of Parliment.

If you have a UK address, you can enter your postcode into this website: http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/

And it will find the MP for your area.

If you contact them, it should help you get the ball rolling. I'd recommend emailing, calling, and not letting it go until you get some results.

Unfortunately, the call centre is useless. It makes you feel like you're doing something, but you're actually just wasting your money.

Anyway.....WE WERE APPROVED.

Congrats BajanMonique!!! I'm so happy that you got a positive result!!!

Can you check the online tracker

Newbie here (as the badge shows). What is this mythical "tracker" you speak of?

Newbie here (as the badge shows). What is this mythical "tracker" you speak of?

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

You can enter either your GWF or IHS number. Both should be on your emails for the visa and/or IHS receipts.

But clicker beware, it doesn't seem to be updated in a timely fashion (at least not daily).

For example, it showed that a decision had been made once I got the email, which was apparently two days after they made a decision (according to the tracker).

Wow!  Wonderful!

It seem others who paid retroactively and got their decisions were placed in the queue where they would have been had they applied Priority from the start. I'm really hoping this is the case for me. What are the odds of them taking another 25-35 BD to process my application as if it was just submitted ?! I just need my visa in hand by August 7th!

Member of Parliment.

If you have a UK address, you can enter your postcode into this website: http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/

And it will find the MP for your area.

If you contact them, it should help you get the ball rolling. I'd recommend emailing, calling, and not letting it go until you get some results.

Unfortunately, the call centre is useless. It makes you feel like you're doing something, but you're actually just wasting your money.

Thanks again for the advice. We will start calling/emailing first thing tomorrow morning and hopefully that will help.

I also tried checking our GWF number in the tracker (copying and pasting number to make sure it is correct) and it says the number is not recognised.

I have a sinking feeling.... 

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

You can enter either your GWF or IHS number. Both should be on your emails for the visa and/or IHS receipts.

But clicker beware, it doesn't seem to be updated in a timely fashion (at least not daily).

Thank you! Is this only valid for people applying within the UK?

I also tried checking our GWF number in the tracker (copying and pasting number to make sure it is correct) and it says the number is not recognised.

I have a sinking feeling.... 

Me too! Are you applying from outside the UK? It seems the tracker only works for internal applications 

The tracker is only supposed to be for internal applications, but it has been working for overseas applications too.

However, it will say 'number not recognised' until a decision has been made... and then it should update to say that the application has been decided... but, sometimes this doesn't happen until AFTER you have received the official decision made email from Sheffield anyway.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The tracker is only supposed to be for internal applications, but it has been working for overseas applications too.

However, it will say 'number not recognised' until a decision has been made...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ah.. okay, that explains it. Frustrating, but I feel better. At least my app isn't lost in the system!

The tracker is only supposed to be for internal applications, but it has been working for overseas applications too.

However, it will say 'number not recognised' until a decision has been made... and then it should update to say that the application has been decided... but, sometimes this doesn't happen until AFTER you have received the official decision made email from Sheffield anyway.


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Thanks - makes me feel a tiny bit better as well. We are applying from USA. On Day 71 now so we are looking for any silver linings we can find 

Yeah like I said earlier, I got an email last Saturday saying a decision had been made, and I looked at the tracker- AND IT SAID THE DECISION HAD BEEN DATED THREE DAYS EARLIER!

When we first applied, I didn't realize they would email me when a decision was made, so I checked the return shipment number - once or twice a day at first, and only during UK business hours...which has gradually turned into checking it every 15 minutes the entire time I'm awake - even though now I know they'll probably email me first. If watched pots never boil, I may be stuck stateside until Christmas.