Priority Spouse Visa FALL Timeline (Oct-Dec)

Do they only send the emails on Fridays? Only in the mornings (for those in the US, anyway)
This is just excruciating.

No, they can arrive at any time of the day (or night!), and on any day of the week (even weekends sometimes if they’re really busy)


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When purchasing the Priority processing service there is an option to buy the Round trip courier package as well... What is everyones experience with this?

How does this differ from just purchasing the shipping from UPS directly?

Is it safer to buy it from VFS?   

Is it cheaper to buy it from UPS?  The fee on VFS is over $250.00.  How much does is cost from UPS?


Thank you!

Annie

When purchasing the Priority processing service there is an option to buy the Round trip courier package as well... What is everyones experience with this?

How does this differ from just purchasing the shipping from UPS directly?

Is it safer to buy it from VFS?   

Is it cheaper to buy it from UPS?  The fee on VFS is over $250.00.  How much does is cost from UPS?


Thank you!

Annie

VFS is usually pretty reasonable.  It will all depend on the size of your package how much it will cost.  But $100-$150 each way is the standard range.

And honestly?  UKVI just has an easier time with the prepaid VFS label.  Without they'll often re-ask for billing information - even when it's clearly provided - which can delay the reshipment of the package.

So, I'd buy it.  But that's my 2p.

Most people buy from VFS because it is easier and UKVI are less likely to get confused because they are used to that! Might not be cheaper though.

Is it cheaper to buy it from UPS?  The fee on VFS is over $250.00.

Ah, I’d missed that they’d increased the prices of the courier service.

For info for other people applying, the prices are now:
Return shipping = $155 (up from $141)
Round trip = $265 (up from $227)



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VFS is usually pretty reasonable.  It will all depend on the size of your package how much it will cost.  But $100-$150 each way is the standard range.

And honestly?  UKVI just has an easier time with the prepaid VFS label.  Without they'll often re-ask for billing information - even when it's clearly provided - which can delay the reshipment of the package.

So, I'd buy it.  But that's my 2p.

I wanted to mention in here, it IS possible to provide UKVI with a return label without using VFS. However, I think that this may only be possible with a business account. My company let me use the business account to do my mailing since it was so much cheaper with our negotiated rates and it also let me create a return label from the UK to the US. I wasn't sure if UKVI would use this and when they sent me my tracking info, they sent me a number that didn't exist at all and had use the account number I had provided. I made a record of the original tracking number on the label that I had provided and they did indeed use that and the package is in the US now.

So to sum this up an easy to read list:

• I provided UKVI with a return label created on a business account and ALSO provided an account number in case this label would not work
• UKVI sent me tracking information from the account number I provided, this label did not exist
• I checked the tracking of the actual label from the business account that I provided, this was updated and did work

**I also want to put a giant asterisk by this because I think that this only works in very limited situations depending on the UPS account that you have access to. It won't work for everyone, but it may help some people out.

Yay! Congrats!!!

Just as I wrote that, I got an email!!!!!

You can create a shipping label with out a business account and it would have been cheaper than Vfs, but I used VFS bc of the exact reason below (I was scared sh*t would be messed up). It would have been about $60 cheaper and not worth it at the end of the day.

But the way @bisousdarling I noticed your signature said you got your email yesterday. Congrats!!!!! It’s been a long haul for you. Here’s to hopeful approvals!

I wanted to mention in here, it IS possible to provide UKVI with a return label without using VFS. However, I think that this may only be possible with a business account. My company let me use the business account to do my mailing since it was so much cheaper with our negotiated rates and it also let me create a return label from the UK to the US. I wasn't sure if UKVI would use this and when they sent me my tracking info, they sent me a number that didn't exist at all and had use the account number I had provided. I made a record of the original tracking number on the label that I had provided and they did indeed use that and the package is in the US now.

So to sum this up an easy to read list:

• I provided UKVI with a return label created on a business account and ALSO provided an account number in case this label would not work
• UKVI sent me tracking information from the account number I provided, this label did not exist
• I checked the tracking of the actual label from the business account that I provided, this was updated and did work

**I also want to put a giant asterisk by this because I think that this only works in very limited situations depending on the UPS account that you have access to. It won't work for everyone, but it may help some people out.

I don’t know if this will help anyone or not, but I was always so curious what people’s situations were like and if that had anything to do with the waiting time. If this is pointless to you, just ignore! If I get a denial, I’ll let you know how I bungled it! So here is mine at time of submission:

- married for 19 months, been together for 4 years
- prior permanent residency granted in Australia (same spouse visa category)
- previously married and divorced (a quickie!) - provided divorce decree
- 2 misdemeanors (2006, 2009, no jail time) - I provided court transcripts and an FBI clearance that I had previously had to get for AU immigration
- no children
- financial requirement fulfilled by employment 
- Moved to the U.K. with spouse for 5 months to settle him before returning to the states to apply
- spouse had been working for 5 months at University of Bristol
- worked previous 16 years at a Uni in Australia

Where is my email?! This process just makes me cry.
Do the decisions go out based on the applicant's last name??

Yeah, we’re still waiting too. The flurry of emails makes me hopeful. I’m trying not to stress until it’s been 30 days.

So happy for everyone who is moving along in the process! I hope to join you soon!

I don't hope for my decision email, I hope for the email asking me to pay my kid's IHS fee, cause if they don't ask for that and send the decision email, I know I've probably been rejected or at least she has been...XD So my anxiety is to see that decision email for us lol

I don't hope for my decision email, I hope for the email asking me to pay my kid's IHS fee, cause if they don't ask for that and send the decision email, I know I've probably been rejected or at least she has been...XD So my anxiety is to see that decision email for us lol

That’s an excellent indicator.  But we did have one member not asked to pay but it was an approval.  I assume she’s sorted that now.

Thanks, @ksand24
I know there are many, many people who are well beyond my 23 business days. I'm just not well suited to waiting, having given up the lease on my apartment (because I obviously hope to NOT be there for the next 12 months) and being more than ready to give notice at work. It is very trying to be away from one's significant other during this process, and yet, it's the only way.
Do you think there will be more emails going out soon/early next week maybe? If today was the March flurry, I'm just not feeling optimistic at all. And I'm frightened by February, which seemed quite dismal for decisions. Sigh.

No, they can arrive at any time of the day (or night!), and on any day of the week (even weekends sometimes if they’re really busy)


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Do you think there will be more emails going out soon/early next week maybe? If today was the March flurry, I'm just not feeling optimistic at all. And I'm frightened by February, which seemed quite dismal for decisions. Sigh.

No idea, I'm afraid . There's really no way to predict when emails may arrive.

Question about printing the IHS Receipt/ Payment Confirmation.... 

I do not see an official document to print on the Visa4UK site where I printed my application and biometrics appointment confirmation.  Would printing the email confirmation of the IHS payment made/ received be enough to fill this requirement?


Thanks!