Although I don’t think we got a docs received email, just an email to say your application is being prepared by an ECO, which I assume is roughly around the same time.
That IS your documents received email - it's the email from Sheffield confirming that they have your application and therefore can start processing it.
That was on May 13th, although I know docs physically arrived May 2nd. At any rate, we’re probs still around 30 working days at the mo, yea. Hopefully not much longer!!!
Yeah, it can take a while between the documents arriving in the Sheffield mail room and someone actually logging the into the system, therefore triggering the 'documents received' email and starting the processing time count.
Normally though, for a priority application, you will receive the email within a couple of days of the documents arriving. Not sure if the instructions for priority are the same as for US applications, but when you sent it, did you write SETTLEMENT PRIORITY PROCESSING in very large letters on the outermost packaging, and place the priority receipt on the very top of the documents?
They sort documents into priority vs. non-priority as soon as they arrive, before the package is opened, so if you didn't indicate on the outside of the package that it was Priority, it may have been put on the non-priority pile and therefore not opened for a couple of weeks.
If you received your email on May 13th, then you are currently at 23 business days processing time.
However, there is no guarantee that it will be processed in 30 days anyway, and technically, you should not contact UKVI to complain until at least 60 business days have passed.
When you 'called UKVI', you actually talked to a third-party contractor who is nowhere near Sheffield and has no access to your application (all they can do is type your details into their computer and read off what it says, which is usually wrong). They are known for giving incorrect and inaccurate information and don't usually know what they are talking about.
Thank you! I’m trying to stay positive! I suppose if there was a problem they’d ask us for more documents at some point. I’ll give them anything they want! 😂
They may contact you for more documents, but I wouldn't count on it, as they are under no obligation to do so. In recent years, they have been better at contacting the applicant for more information, but they don't always.
