Priority Spouse Visa FALL Timeline (Oct-Dec)

Hi everyone,

I am attending my biometrics appointment this Friday, March 9th and I would like to purchase the priority settlement package, but I'm not sure where to find it.  Do I go to the VFS Global site and purchase it from there?

Yes, you do - it's here:
https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/usa/user_pay_services.html#Settlement-priority-visa-service

When you go to purchase it, you need to select:
United States of America
SETTLEMENT
Sheffield.

Then make sure you purchase Settlement Priority Processing for $793. You can also purchase your shipping labels at the same time.

I know I should include it in the envelope that I ship, but just want to be sure I'm purchasing it from the right place.

Make sure you read through the instructions in the link just above - you need to place the receipt on the very top of the documents, and also write SETTLEMENT PRIORITY SERVICE in very large letters on the outermost packaging, so that it is seen immediately upon arrival in Sheffield.

So today is BD 29 since the “not straightforward” email 45 overall.....my question is this, and forgive me if I’ve asked it before, but what “additional checks” as we’ve been told by Sheffield are outside of their Dept takes 6 working weeks in this day and age!!!!! It really is unbelievable.

Hi everyone,

I am attending my biometrics appointment this Friday, March 9th and I would like to purchase the priority settlement package, but I'm not sure where to find it.  Do I go to the VFS Global site and purchase it from there?

I know I should include it in the envelope that I ship, but just want to be sure I'm purchasing it from the right place.

Thank you!

You need to choose settlement priority service here.

https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/usa/user_pay_services.html

Don't forget to mark the outside of the package as instructed.

Is it possible to start a new thread for Winter Timelines (Jan-Mar)?

Is it possible to start a new thread for Winter Timelines (Jan-Mar)?

We tend to try to keep everything in one thread... so despite the title, it's easier if everyone just posts their timelines here (hence the reason why we're still all posting in the so-called Oct-Dec thread).

Maybe one of the mods can edit the topic title to take out the 'FALL' and 'Oct-Dec' part.

We tend to try to keep everything in one thread... so despite the title, it's easier if everyone just posts their timelines here (hence the reason why we're still all posting in the so-called Oct-Dec thread).

Maybe one of the mods can edit the topic title to take out the 'FALL' and 'Oct-Dec' part.

Gotcha, thanks

So this is in my signature but here it is:

Priority Settlement Spouse Visa
Married: 2013 in Massachusetts, USA
Applied from: Colorado, USA
Priority: Yes
Online Application: 24 February 2018
Biometrics: 27 Feb 2018
Documents Posted to UK: 28 Feb 2018
UPS Notice Received in Sheffield: 02 Mar 2018

I have not received a confirmation from Sheffield that they've received my documents (aka a giant box). I did however get a reminder email to post my documents! (I have copied and pasted the email without personal info below). I realize that the process takes a while even if one has paid for priority service (due to quantity as well as the weather!) but hoping I get a generic "received" response soon.

My husband & son (both British citizens) leave for the UK in two weeks, so it'll be a lonesome wait. 

Your online application has been received at the UK Decision Making Centre.  Your application is currently being prepared for consideration by an Entry Clearance Officer.

If you have made a Settlement application (except for applications lodged in USA and Canada): you must ensure that your UK sponsor has sent all relevant supporting documentation to the UK Decision Making Centre in Sheffield.  The documents should be arranged in this order: application form and relevant Appendix* (See below); English language evidence; relationship documents; maintenance documents; accommodation documents.   If documents are not received a decision will be taken on the basis on the information that has been provided.

If you have already had your supporting documents scanned in at the Visa Application Centre, or if you have already sent them in to us, please ignore the request for documents.

Please note that UKVI aims to complete all Visit Visa applications within 15 working days and all Settlement Visa applications within 12 weeks of the application date.  If it is not possible to complete your application within this timeframe a member of our team will contact you to explain why.

If you have paid for Priority Service, your application will be placed in front of the queue and assessed ahead of other non-priority visa applications.  As indicated in the terms of service, the amount paid for the priority service, as well as the visa fees, is not refundable if the visa application is refused or if the decision is delayed.

We regret that we are unable to respond to enquiries asking about the status of any application.  Any status enquiry should be made to the international enquiry service, details of which are on the GOV.UK website.  Staff at Embassies, visa processing centres and visa application centres cannot assist with visa enquiries.  You may also wish to view the current processing times for applications made in your country.

A further email will be sent to you to confirm when your application has been assessed and dispatched.  If your application was made in a Visa Application Centre, the staff there will contact you when your documents are ready – please do not attend the Centre until you are requested to do so.

Please note that you are advised not to purchase flight tickets until you have secured a visa for travel to the UK.

*List of Appendices:
Appendix 1 - Children / Other Dependants
Appendix 2 - Spouse / Partner
Appendix 4 - Pre-flight family members of Refugees
Appendix 5 - Access Rights to Child

Further information is also available on the UK visas and immigration website.

Kind regards,

UK Decision Making Centre

So this is in my signature but here it is:

Priority Settlement Spouse Visa
Married: 2013 in Massachusetts, USA
Applied from: Colorado, USA
Priority: Yes
Online Application: 24 February 2018
Biometrics: 27 Feb 2018
Documents Posted to UK: 28 Feb 2018
UPS Notice Received in Sheffield: 02 Mar 2018

I have not received a confirmation from Sheffield that they've received my documents (aka a giant box). I did however get a reminder email to post my documents! (I have copied and pasted the email without personal info below). I realize that the process takes a while even if one has paid for priority service (due to quantity as well as the weather!) but hoping I get a generic "received" response soon.

My husband & son (both British citizens) leave for the UK in two weeks, so it'll be a lonesome wait.

That email you received is your documents received email (I believe, correct me if I'm wrong!). That's all I got too and I believe that your biometrics appointment can sometimes trigger that email to be sent. After having to go through a lot of back and forth with Sheffield, they said that they sent me an email stating that my stuff had been received on November 30th (it hadn't even arrived yet) which is when I got that email.

That email you received is your documents received email (I believe, correct me if I'm wrong!). That's all I got too and I believe that your biometrics appointment can sometimes trigger that email to be sent. After having to go through a lot of back and forth with Sheffield, they said that they sent me an email stating that my stuff had been received on November 30th (it hadn't even arrived yet) which is when I got that email.

Fingers crossed this is it!  Thanks for the reply!

I have not received a confirmation from Sheffield that they've received my documents (aka a giant box). I did however get a reminder email to post my documents! (I have copied and pasted the email without personal info below). I realize that the process takes a while even if one has paid for priority service (due to quantity as well as the weather!) but hoping I get a generic "received" response soon.

You've already received it. The 'post your documents' email IS your confirmation from Sheffield that they have received it.

In most countries, you submit your application in person and then your sponsor mails their documents separately, but in the US, everything is sent together. Therefore, when you get the email to 'post your documents' that's actually your confirmation that they have received your documents.

However, you sent a giant box?! Generally, if the package is more than 1-2 inches thick and weighs more than about 2-3 lbs, you've probably sent too much .

But, as long as you have included all the required documents, you'll be fine, but it may take longer for them to go through all your documents in order to process the visa, as they'll need to wade through all the extra stuff to get to the required documents (the only concern would be if they miss something important because it's hidden amongst all the unimportant documents).

You've already received it. The 'post your documents' email IS your confirmation from Sheffield that they have received it.

In most countries, you submit your application in person and then your sponsor mails their documents separately, but in the US, everything is sent together. Therefore, when you get the email to 'post your documents' that's actually your confirmation that they have received your documents.

However, you sent a giant box?! Generally, if the package is more than 1-2 inches thick and weighs more than about 2-3 lbs, you've probably sent too much .

But, as long as you have included all the required documents, you'll be fine, but it may take longer for them to go through all your documents in order to process the visa, as they'll need to wade through all the extra stuff to get to the required documents (the only concern would be if they miss something important because it's hidden amongst all the unimportant documents).

Thanks!

And yes, we worked with an immigration attorney and the amount of supporting material for cohabitation/genuine relationship was substantial. The cover letter outlines and itemizes every piece of documentation since our relationship began, so it's not just a box full of disorganized paper.

Thanks!

And yes, we worked with an immigration attorney and the amount of supporting material for cohabitation/genuine relationship was substantial. The cover letter outlines and itemizes every piece of documentation since our relationship began, so it's not just a box full of disorganized paper.

How many years are you showing?

You only need 1-2 documents per year to show your relationship. Maybe the first page of your annual tax return and a utility bill from each year... so even if you're showing, say 40 years together, that's still only 40-80 sheets of paper total.

The majority of your evidence will usually be bank statements for the financial requirement, since you have to include every page. Everything else should only require a few sheets of paper.

6 years. Nothing questionable in our history and husband is a US Permanent Resident (so we qualified for that with very little), but took the advice of our immigration attorney and not going to worry about what was sent - I know it wasn't too little!

6 years. Nothing questionable in our history and husband is a US Permanent Resident (so we qualified for that with very little), but took the advice of our immigration attorney and not going to worry about what was sent - I know it wasn't too little!

No worries - the only issue will be that you ended up giving yourselves and the ECO at Sheffield a lot more work to do than was actually needed .

So today is BD 29 since the “not straightforward” email 45 overall.....my question is this, and forgive me if I’ve asked it before, but what “additional checks” as we’ve been told by Sheffield are outside of their Dept takes 6 working weeks in this day and age!!!!! It really is unbelievable.

I’m just two days ahead with BD 47 and BD 31 since the “email” and I ranted to my mother about this exact thing last night over tears. I go over and over the material we sent and can’t comprehend that it’s taken this long when everyone else has been given answers within a few a weeks. Does anyone on here know what usually causes such long delays and how normal is it for priority to wait over the 60BD?