Info Sheet Received at Biometrics

I haven't seen this posted on here yet so I thought I'd share the information sheet that was given to me at my biometrics appointment today. It looks like it came into effect when they switched to sending them to NY. Here's the full text (emphasis is in the original):

Front:

Effective 10 September 2018

Applying for a UK Visa or Nationality
Once you have provided your biometric information at a US Department of Homeland Security Application Support Center (ASC), these are the steps you need to take to submit your application to UKVI.

Please note that the instructions below refer to all categories of UK Visa Applications.

To note: ASC employees cannot answer questions about UK visa or nationality processes

Visa Applications
The ASC provides you with a biometric confirmation receipt. You have 5 days from your appointment to mail the following documents to UK Visas and Immigration:

• Your original valid passport or travel document.
• Photocopies of any supporting documents you are submitting with your application. Please ensure that all documents are copied on standard US Letter sized paper to enable them to be read both electronically and when printed by the recipient.
• Supporting documents should be photocopies and organized in the following order:
• Proof of residence - Please do not send your original US permanent resident card or EADs - we will accept copies
• Financial Documents
• Proof of sponsorship (e.g. letter from employer, sponsor in UK
• The biometric receipt you had stamped at your visit to the ASC
• A UPS return shipping label purchased using this link:
• www.vfsglobal.co.uk/ShoppingCart/Pages/Authorization.aspx
• Please note that we will only accept UPS return shipping labels.

Mail your application and supporting documents to the following address:

VFS Services USA Inc.
UKVI Scanning Hub
750 3rd Avenue,
Suite 946
New York, NY 10017

-------

The back just has basic information about the priority service & contact info for UKVI. I can post that text in full if anyone wants.

Thank you very much for this!  Interesting that after all this, they just want photocopies.  This definitely changes things.

How much is the shipping?  I am having trouble navigating the link.

Thank you very much for this!  Interesting that after all this, they just want photocopies.  This definitely changes things.

How much is the shipping?  I am having trouble navigating the link.

I don't know. I was looking at that last night and it's contradictory. It fist says

.Photocopies of any supporting documents you are submitting with your application.

That implies to me that you are to send original documents with the photocopies.

But then it says this

Supporting documents should be photocopies and organized in the following order:

Which unless it is a typo and should read photocopied instead of photocopies, contradicts the first statement.

Not like UKVI to be confusing! 

But I would still send the originals until/unless we know otherwise.

Thank you very much for this!  Interesting that after all this, they just want photocopies.  This definitely changes things.

How much is the shipping?  I am having trouble navigating the link.

Shipping was $70 round trip - which was a nice surprise!

I don't know. I was looking at that last night and it's contradictory. It fist says
 

That implies to me that you are to send original documents with the photocopies.

But then it says this
 Which unless it is a typo and should read photocopied instead of photocopies, contradicts the first statement.

Not like UKVI to be confusing! 

But I would still send the originals until/unless we know otherwise.

I went back and forth on this a million times before I sent mine off yesterday. In the end, we decided that “please send photocopies” meant to ONLY send copies (because they will be scanning them to Sheffield) so that’s what I did. I also put a note in my cover letter that I sent only copies per this info sheet and am happy to provide the originals if necessary.

I’ll report back on if that’s what they actually meant once I get my decision. Fingers crossed!

I've been watching this on a group on FB. One of the resident gurus over there actually did reach out to the UKVI and received this reply:

 All applications should be sent to the following address for processing:

VFS Services USA Inc.
UKVI Scanning Hub
750 3rd Avenue,
Suite 946
New York, NY 10017

· Photocopies are fine.

· A4 or US letter size – either is fine.

I'm going to be curious to watch how the new process works for turn around time etc. Hubby and I can't apply until end of April next year, so if this helps speed things up, I'm all happy for it. Plus, if there is no need to send the originals, less chance of them getting lost.

I've been watching this on a group on FB. One of the resident gurus over there actually did reach out to the UKVI and received this reply:

 All applications should be sent to the following address for processing:

VFS Services USA Inc.
UKVI Scanning Hub
750 3rd Avenue,
Suite 946
New York, NY 10017

· Photocopies are fine.

· A4 or US letter size – either is fine.

I'm going to be curious to watch how the new process works for turn around time etc. Hubby and I can't apply until end of April next year, so if this helps speed things up, I'm all happy for it. Plus, if there is no need to send the originals, less chance of them getting lost.

I got the same letter at biometrics. I ended up spending $40 and like an hour shrinking things from my partner and sent both the originals and copies. I overkilled, but hey, when you're forking over so much money, it makes sense.

I got the same letter at biometrics. I ended up spending $40 and like an hour shrinking things from my partner and sent both the originals and copies. I overkilled, but hey, when you're forking over so much money, it makes sense.

Always better to be safe than sorry. 

Always better to be safe than sorry. 

Agreed. I'd rather pay $40 and waste an hour than pay all that money on the application again and have to wait longer to be with my SO!

Agreed. I'd rather pay $40 and waste an hour than pay all that money on the application again and have to wait longer to be with my SO!

And the less you have to worry about, the better! 

It always sucks being on the cusp of a major change like this.

Another update (and clarification) found in the FB group I'm in:

for those who might be interested, the new application process where copies can be submitted seems to be underpinned by a change hidden away in the Immigration Rules update that came out last week. This allows copies to be accepted rather than originals. However, this seems to only be where the guidance specifically mentions this - e.g. US citizens applying from the US. I wouldn't rely on it in all applications such as visa extensions in the UK until further guidance specific to that pathway is published

Here is the link to the changes. This item can be found under  paragraph 7.13
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/747688/Explanatory-memorandum-HC1534-Print.pdf