Settlement Gold Premium Service Appointment

Honesty is ALWAYS the way to go.  But you did get very lucky twice.  A different IO either day and you could have a very different story.  Glad it’s all worked out for the best!  Just be sure to not use the NHS.

As a tourist or when I return with a settlement visa? I have yearly travel insurance that covers me as a tourist. Not that I ever use it.

I’m surprised that customs would think we would jeopardise the ability to obtain a settlement visa by over staying a tourist visa, that would be incredibly short sighted!

So I guess the jury is out on the Gold service? Paying for priority seems very unfair to me, I’m surprised they even allow this service. Although I guess it is still cheaper overall than the £4500 I paid for Australia residency. Gah, I’m trying not to stress out, but separating people for 3 months + is just cruel. 

Honesty is ALWAYS the way to go.  But you did get very lucky twice.  A different IO either day and you could have a very different story.  Glad it’s all worked out for the best!  Just be sure to not use the NHS.

As a tourist or when I return with a settlement visa? I have yearly travel insurance that covers me as a tourist. Not that I ever use it.

I’m surprised that customs would think we would jeopardise the ability to obtain a settlement visa by over staying a tourist visa, that would be incredibly short sighted!

So I guess the jury is out on the Gold service? Paying for priority seems very unfair to me, I’m surprised they even allow this service. Although I guess it is still cheaper overall than the £4500 I paid for Australia residency. Gah, I’m trying not to stress out, but separating people for 3 months + is just cruel. 

Don’t use the NHS (without paying) as a tourist.  It could lead to a refusal of the ettlrment visa.  You’ll pay the NHS surcharge with your visa application and are able to use it when you have your spouse visa.   

I think the whole jury would recommend priority and NOT the gold service.

Why would I ever use the NHS free of charge? They let you know in advance if your treatment will cost money. The law is pretty clear about it.

So in general paying for Priority is definitely worth it? They get processed faster than regular?

Don’t use the NHS (without paying) as a tourist.  It could lead to a refusal of the ettlrment visa.  You’ll pay the NHS surcharge with your visa application and are able to use it when you have your spouse visa.   

I think the whole jury would recommend priority and NOT the gold service.

Why would I ever use the NHS free of charge? They let you know in advance if your treatment will cost money. The law is pretty clear about it.

So in general paying for Priority is definitely worth it? They get processed faster than regular?

Priority is usually worth it, but there are always a few mysterious slow priority decisions. You're still at the mercy of UKVI no matter what you choose. This is a good time of year to apply though.

The NHS comment is because many don't realise they need to pay the NHS, and not all NHS staff realise they need to bill you. You have to be proactive to ensure you pay all your bills or it could potentially affect your visa approval. It's worth being aware of!

Sent from my Pixel C using Tapatalk

I think priority being worth it is dependant on the time of year. Last year because of a glitch with vfs  I couldnt get my priority. Worked out though because I applied in January and it took a week from the date my documents were received in Sheffield to holding my visa in my hands. It’s a total chancing game. February if I remember last year wasn’t much more than a week or two non priority and a few days priority!

Just checking in here - still no email. Counting from the day after I got my documents received email and the UK bank holidays, I'm at 20 business days. I was quoted 4 - 6 weeks several times by VFS and this Thursday will mark 5 weeks. Here's hoping they get it done in that time. I never imagined it would take this long or that I'd be hoping it would ONLY take the crazy maximum they quoted me.

Based on what the service has been like for me so far, and what I've received in exchange for the extra $600 over what I would have paid with standard priority, I would absolutely not recommend anyone using the Gold Premium Service.

Just checking in here - still no email. Counting from the day after I got my documents received email and the UK bank holidays, I'm at 20 business days. I was quoted 4 - 6 weeks several times by VFS and this Thursday will mark 5 weeks. Here's hoping they get it done in that time. I never imagined it would take this long or that I'd be hoping it would ONLY take the crazy maximum they quoted me.

Based on what the service has been like for me so far, and what I've received in exchange for the extra $600 over what I would have paid with standard priority, I would absolutely not recommend anyone using the Gold Premium Service.

I'm sorry dani !!! Hopefully it will be soon !!!

Just checking in here - still no email. Counting from the day after I got my documents received email and the UK bank holidays, I'm at 20 business days. I was quoted 4 - 6 weeks several times by VFS and this Thursday will mark 5 weeks. Here's hoping they get it done in that time. I never imagined it would take this long or that I'd be hoping it would ONLY take the crazy maximum they quoted me.

Based on what the service has been like for me so far, and what I've received in exchange for the extra $600 over what I would have paid with standard priority, I would absolutely not recommend anyone using the Gold Premium Service.

Just saw that @Dani1983 posted so I figured I ought to check in as well. No email here either. We both had our Gold appointments on the same day, albeit on opposite coasts, so I'm on the same timeline.

Starting to feel like gold might have actually slowed down the process, especially if we were lumped into a pile with non-US applications. They quoted me 6 weeks and I'm hoping that turns out to be accurate.

The one redeeming factor is that I was able to keep my passport, and we were able to come to the UK together for Christmas, sorting out a flat and some interviews. I fly back to Maryland on Friday - still hoping I haven't screwed anything up by being here whilst the application is being processed.

Just saw that @Dani1983 posted so I figured I ought to check in as well. No email here either. We both had our Gold appointments on the same day, albeit on opposite coasts, so I'm on the same timeline.

Starting to feel like gold might have actually slowed down the process, especially if we were lumped into a pile with non-US applications. They quoted me 6 weeks and I'm hoping that turns out to be accurate.

The one redeeming factor is that I was able to keep my passport, and we were able to come to the UK together for Christmas, sorting out a flat and some interviews. I fly back to Maryland on Friday - still hoping I haven't screwed anything up be being here whilst the application is being processed.

If you are renting a flat be prepared to not be allowed on the lease. We're hunting now and all agents have been clear I need proof of address in the UK before I can fill out an app with them, even though our qualifying for the place is with my husband's income and credit alone.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

If you are renting a flat be prepared to not be allowed on the lease. We're hunting now and all agents have been clear I need proof of address in the UK before I can fill out an app with them, even though our qualifying for the place is with my husband's income and credit alone.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

@margo we didn't have any issues, though employment referencing took a bit longer because of the bank holidays. Honestly, we had a much harder time just finding a landlord that would allow our cat! We both officially signed the lease today and are moving  in tomorrow... I gave them my US address & passport. For referencing purposes, I printed off a copy of my mortgage statement - to prove that I'm a homeowner and therefore can't provide a US landlord reference. I have a job in the US but they said just to notate that I'm unemployed for now. It all went through without a hitch. We're dealing with a property management company for a city centre high-rise, so I don't know how it might have been with an individual landlord. That said, I'd expect it to be easier if we were dealing with them one-on-one rather than through a bureaucracy? Perhaps we just got lucky?

@margo we didn't have any issues, though employment referencing took a bit longer because of the bank holidays. Honestly, we had a much harder time just finding a landlord that would allow our cat! We both officially signed the lease today and are moving  in tomorrow... I gave them my US address & passport. For referencing purposes, I printed off a copy of my mortgage statement - to prove that I'm a homeowner and therefore can't provide a US landlord reference. I have a job in the US but they said just to notate that I'm unemployed for now. It all went through without a hitch. We're dealing with a property management company for a city centre high-rise, so I don't know how it might have been with an individual landlord. That said, I'd expect it to be easier if we were dealing with them one-on-one rather than through a bureaucracy? Perhaps we just got lucky?

Oh that was lucky from what I've seen here plus the newer laws meant to keep illegal immigrants out of rental units.

Sent from my Pixel C using Tapatalk

Oh that was lucky from what I've seen here plus the newer laws meant to keep illegal immigrants out of rental units.

Sent from my Pixel C using Tapatalk

Yes, it is now illegal to rent to someone who does not have permission, in the form of the correct visa, to live in the U.K.

Yes, it is now illegal to rent to someone who does not have permission, in the form of the correct visa, to live in the U.K.

We rented from a lovely couple in November who were totally willing to allow me to be on the lease but because I'd read here that it was illegal, I asked if it would be ok to just get the letter of permission and alter the lease once I have my visa.

We rented from a lovely couple in November who were totally willing to allow me to be on the lease but because I'd read here that it was illegal, I asked if it would be ok to just get the letter of permission and alter the lease once I have my visa.

I would have done the same.