Non-priority Spousal Visa Timeline

Everything is processed in Sheffield, we think US are processed separately from the rest of the world as US processing is much faster.

That's not true - Sheffield only processed applications from around 20-30 countries (though back in January it was only around 5-10 countries).

Applications from other countries are processed around the world.

For example,
- applications made in Bolivia, Peru, Chile are processed in Bogota, Colombia
- Applications made in Brazil are processed in Rio de Janeiro.
- Applications made in Singapore are processed in Manila.


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That's not true - Sheffield only processed applications from around 20-30 countries (though back in January it was only around 5-10 countries).

Applications from other countries are processed around the world.

For example,
- applications made in Bolivia, Peru, Chile are processed in Bogota, Colombia
- Applications made in Brazil are processed in Rio de Janeiro.
- Applications made in Singapore are processed in Manila.


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Do you know why there was the change this year?

Do you know why there was the change this year?

Not sure - I guess they're trying to streamline the applications more so there's more consistency.

We just noticed they were announcing that various countries would move their processing to Sheffield earlier this year - some changed to Sheffield on Jan 1st,  some Feb 1st, some March 1st, and I just saw that New Zealand applications were moved to Sheffield on April 24th 2017.

Also, for many countries, it's only settlement visas that are processed in Sheffield... while all other visa types are processed elsewhere (New York for US applications, Auckland for NZ applications, etc.).


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Additionally, having had a quick look at the spreadsheet, I can see that the last NP decision/approval was sent on 8th July 2017... and we have not seen any activity for NP applicants so far... would be good to hear updates from those that have also received any decisions after this date to help understand the time frames.

Hey, still nothing on my end, although that being said, I sent two applications to be processed. One for me and one for my son who is not biologically related to my husband. Not sure if mine is not counted as a "straight forward" case, but I did assume it might take a little longer than the standard application.

Not much I can do anyways besides just wait...

Do you know why there was the change this year?

Singapore used to send our applications to Manila, but this year it changed to Sheffield.

Apparently the change happened because of corruption in the local embassies, where people resorted to bribery to get their documents. By bringing the process to Sheffield they have more control over it and can tighten guidelines if necessary. But this is merely hearsay, so take it with a pinch of salt! Seems plausible to me though!

That's not true - Sheffield only processed applications from around 20-30 countries (though back in January it was only around 5-10 countries).

Applications from other countries are processed around the world.

For example,
- applications made in Bolivia, Peru, Chile are processed in Bogota, Colombia
- Applications made in Brazil are processed in Rio de Janeiro.
- Applications made in Singapore are processed in Manila.


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Yes you are absolutely right about South American applications being processed in South America - this had slipped my mind as we have so few forum participants from there.

However, Singapore applications have been processed in Sheffield since about April.
I understand Manilla is no longer processing applications.

However, Singapore applications have been processed in Sheffield since about April.
I understand Manilla is no longer processing applications.

Ah, I didn't realise that - according to VFS Global for Singapore they are still processed in Manila.



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Ah, I didn't realise that - according to VFS Global for Singapore they are still processed in Manila.

All cool. I should have said "for the purposes of these timelines+logs, applications are almost entirely processed in Sheffield". 
I am wondering about Australian applications as I have seen several processed in about 30BD.

This is the official statement for why they moved:

The change has been introduced by UK Visas and Immigration as part of its commitment to continuously improve performance and maintain excellent customer service. It will benefit sponsors of customers applying from [these countries] to settle in the UK, as it will mean that they will be able to submit supporting documents within the UK, and have them returned to them in a much shorter timeframe.

This is the official statement for why they moved:

The change has been introduced by UK Visas and Immigration as part of its commitment to continuously improve performance and maintain excellent customer service. It will benefit sponsors of customers applying from [these countries] to settle in the UK, as it will mean that they will be able to submit supporting documents within the UK, and have them returned to them in a much shorter timeframe.

That's weird, because it's the applicant who has to submit the documents, not the sponsor...My husband had to courier the documents to me from the UK, then the visa centre couriered them back to Sheffield as part of the application...

That's weird, because it's the applicant who has to submit the documents, not the sponsor...My husband had to courier the documents to me from the UK, then the visa centre couriered them back to Sheffield as part of the application...

It depends which country you are applying from. In the US, it's as you did, but if you were applying in Pakistan, for example, the applicant would submit their documents in person at their biometrics appointment, and then the sponsor would mail their accompanying documents from inside the UK.

In some countries where you submit the documents at the biometrics, you can use the service where they scan your documents and then electronically send them on to Sheffield, so they don't have to be mailed at all.

Hey, still nothing on my end, although that being said, I sent two applications to be processed. One for me and one for my son who is not biologically related to my husband. Not sure if mine is not counted as a "straight forward" case, but I did assume it might take a little longer than the standard application.

Not much I can do anyways besides just wait...

Ugh sorry you're still going through this Keiki! It doesn't make sense does it for them to ask for payment for your son if they had not already to point of a positive decision. Not that anything much makes sense with it. So there just seems to be no justification for this latest bit of delay. Hope you hear beginning of week and you and your son are reunited with your husband quickly now!

Hey, still nothing on my end, although that being said, I sent two applications to be processed. One for me and one for my son who is not biologically related to my husband. Not sure if mine is not counted as a "straight forward" case, but I did assume it might take a little longer than the standard application.

We are in exactly the same situation as Keiki, and haven't heard yet.

The four phases of UK Spouse Visa Application moods seem to be:

1) Denial. "It can't take long".
2) Anger.  "Those assholes at UKVI". This is when people tend to call the helpline or their MP.
3) Bargaining.  "/crunching data, logging timelines, plotting graphs"
4) Acceptance.   "It will happen".

hahaha! I'm definitely in the third stage. I've got so many numbers running in my head, I feel like I'm back in my Statistics class 

Thought I would post a little update on the developments in our case this week in case it is helpful to anyone or if someone has had a similar experience...?

We are now approximately Day 77 (we received our confirmation email from Sheffield on 4th April 2017 and are now way past the average 60BD processing window).

Following advice given on this forum, I contacted my local MP's office and they have been trying to assist us in getting some answers from Sheffield. They made contact with 2 different people on the MP hotline:-
The first said that UKVI were looking into whether they needed my actual UK passport, rather than just the scanned copy they requested. (This seems unlikely to me as we have been told previously that they have all the necessary documentation for our case.) We have not heard anything further regarding this and no actual request for my passport has arisen.
The second said that "there is a lot more paperwork to go through for our case, and it is more complicated" and would not commit to a timeline. Again this seems strange, as to me our case is really straightforward. We are a legally married couple (one Brit, one American), one biological child born February 2017 who is a dual citizen, no criminal records, job offers awaiting us in UK, and we meet the financial requirements requested.

I also called the helpline again last week, and they have "escalated" our case which should mean an answer within 15BD. Apparently they could have done this after our call at 60BD but we obviously spoke to the wrong person that time because this has only just happened now due to our persistence!

In the meantime we try to stay positive, and calm and hope that there is a light at the end of what feels like a very long, very dark tunnel!

Thought I would post a little update on the developments in our case this week in case it is helpful to anyone or if someone has had a similar experience...?

We are now approximately Day 77 (we received our confirmation email from Sheffield on 4th April 2017 and are now way past the average 60BD processing window).

Following advice given on this forum, I contacted my local MP's office and they have been trying to assist us in getting some answers from Sheffield. They made contact with 2 different people on the MP hotline:-
The first said that UKVI were looking into whether they needed my actual UK passport, rather than just the scanned copy they requested. (This seems unlikely to me as we have been told previously that they have all the necessary documentation for our case.) We have not heard anything further regarding this and no actual request for my passport has arisen.
The second said that "there is a lot more paperwork to go through for our case, and it is more complicated" and would not commit to a timeline. Again this seems strange, as to me our case is really straightforward. We are a legally married couple (one Brit, one American), one biological child born February 2017 who is a dual citizen, no criminal records, job offers awaiting us in UK, and we meet the financial requirements requested.

I also called the helpline again last week, and they have "escalated" our case which should mean an answer within 15BD. Apparently they could have done this after our call at 60BD but we obviously spoke to the wrong person that time because this has only just happened now due to our persistence!

In the meantime we try to stay positive, and calm and hope that there is a light at the end of what feels like a very long, very dark tunnel!

Keep chasing the MP.  A call centre escalation means nothing, sadly.  The "case is not straightforward" seems to be Sheffield's new favourite excuse for delays.