"Non-straightforward case" email from Sheffield - spousal visa

Hi all,

Last week we heard from our MP's office that they checked our case and there were no red flags indicating our application should take longer than the usual 12 weeks to process. Today marks the start of my 12th week since the application was submitted and I got the dreaded email stating: "Unfortunately, the processing of your application has not been straightforward and we will be unable to decide your application within our customer service targets."

So, as far as I understand, they've now bought themselves unlimited time to get back to me. Is this correct? Does anyone have any experiences with this?

I was able to get a second, limited-validity US passport, which should arrive this week. I would like to at least get myself to Europe to be closer to my partner. We've heard conflicting info about whether or not it is wise for me to travel/leave the US.

Can anyone tell me the process for actually receiving a non-priority spousal visa from a logistical perspective? Do I have to physically check in somewhere in the US to get my passport back? Or is all my paperwork mailed back to me? I want to travel to be closer to my partner, but if there's some regulatory or logistical constraint that would cause further delays in the receipt of my visa...well, I don't want to risk it.

This really sucks.

Yes, they are buying themselves time but sometimes the decision comes not long after the  not straight forward email.

You can travel to Europe with your other passport but you will need to be at the address that you recorded on your application in order to receive your package as that is where it'll be sent once Sheffield is finished with it.

Yes, they are buying themselves time but sometimes the decision comes not long after the  not straight forward email.

You can travel to Europe with your other passport but you will need to be at the address that you recorded on your application in order to receive your package as that is where it'll be sent once Sheffield is finished with it.

Thanks for the quick response and the slight ray of hope.

Do I have to be in person myself (as in show some sort of ID) to receive the package? Or can anyone be there to sign for it? Frankly, even if I was in the country, I'm trying to minimize my time at my US mailing address, which is my parents' house. It's in a rural part of the world, and I prefer to be in a city with friends. So I possibly wouldn't have been home anyway.

Thanks for the response, and the slight ray of hope.

Do I have to be in person myself (as in show some sort of ID) to receive the package? Or can anyone be there to sign for it? Frankly, even if I was in the country, I'm trying to minimize my time at my US mailing address, which is my parents' house. It's in a rural part of the world, and I prefer to be in a city with friends. So I possibly wouldn't have been home anyway.

Sign up for UPS My Choice - it will let you know when packages are shipped to you at that address. Once you get notification that it's shipped, you can change the delivery to a pick up instead and usually are able to go pick up from a hub or a UPS store.

Sign up for UPS My Choice - it will let you know when packages are shipped to you at that address. Once you get notification that it's shipped, you can change the delivery to a pick up instead and usually are able to go pick up from a hub or a UPS store.

That's a good tip. But still, is it a requirement that it's literally me picking it up, or can I authorize someone else to pick it up?  I don't want to screw things up by not being in the country (because I have a second US passport).

That's a good tip. But still, is it a requirement that it's literally me picking it up, or can I authorize someone else to pick it up?  I don't want to screw things up by not being in the country (because I have a second US passport).

UPS usually leaves it without requiring a signature. I've not heard of anyone in the last year or so actually signing for their package.

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If what you are asking - without just asking - is "Can someone else sign for my passport and ship it to me in a different country?"

Yes, but there's risk involved.  As long as they are mailing it to you in a third country and you'll use THAT passport to enter the UK, it won't be a problem.

If what you are asking - without just asking - is "Can someone else sign for my passport and ship it to me in a different country?"

Yes, but there's risk involved.  As long as they are mailing it to you in a third country and you'll use THAT passport to enter the UK, it won't be a problem.

Ok, thanks. I definitely am not 100% excited about the idea of having my regular passport shipped to a third country, but also, it's looking like "any day now" could go on indefinitely for my application.

Where will you go and where will you stay?  The logistics could get hard...

Where will you go and where will you stay?  The logistics could get hard...

We were considering the Republic of Ireland, since my partner is in Northern Ireland and could come down to see me easily. I'd stay with a friend in Dublin. However, we did hear that it's possible I could get turned away by Irish immigration, given that I have an active UK visa application and whatever limitations exist with reciprocal immigration agreements between the UK and Ireland.

Otherwise, it would be somewhere in continental Europe. I have family in Germany as one option.

What logistical concerns would you have (beyond the prospect of my regular passport being lost in the mail to me)?

I would 100% avoid Ireland.  That's the only country you need to avoid.

Editing to add:

The reason I would avoid it is because there is no passport control between the UK and Ireland and UK authorities won't know if you remained in Ireland or continued onto the UK.  When you go to apply for your next visa, it could be considered deception which could result in a ban. 

I know it's really really tough, but anyway you can just wait it out in the USA?  I know it's awful....  but it really is a short time in the grand scheme of things...

So, as far as I understand, they've now bought themselves unlimited time to get back to me. Is this correct? Does anyone have any experiences with this?

Yes, I received a not straightforward email on 24th November 2017. Still waiting for a response.

I would 100% avoid Ireland.  That's the only country you need to avoid.

Editing to add:

The reason I would avoid it is because there is no passport control between the UK and Ireland and UK authorities won't know if you remained in Ireland or continued onto the UK.  When you go to apply for your next visa, it could be considered deception which could result in a ban. 

I know it's really really tough, but anyway you can just wait it out in the USA?  I know it's awful....  but it really is a short time in the grand scheme of things...

Thanks, I truly appreciate the real-talk advice. I'm just starting to get a bit miserable, feeling like my time spent here is pointless. Plus, I'm trying not to wear out my welcome with my wonderful friends who host me, so I'm bouncing around from week to week.

Yes, I received a not straightforward email on 24th November 2017. Still waiting for a response.

That's terrible. I'm so sorry to hear it!

I would go back to the MP and update them.  Tell them you are now told the application is not straight forward and you want to know why - as you haven't had any requests for any additional information, have no convictions or prior overstays, etc.  Hopefully you can get an answer or better yet, they'll just process your visa.