last minute questions & final document checklist

I’m surprised they’re even giving you an order of documents, to be honest, because usually they don’t tell you what order to put the documents in until you get the email from Sheffield telling you they have the documents!!!


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Just for reference, the order stated on the biometrics sheet is:

Proof of Residence
Financial Documents
Proof of Sponsorship
Stamped Biometrics Receipt
UPS Return Shipping Label

It was printed in branch and stamped.

I believe his are stamped too, I will double check but I think I saw they were stamped


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You are good then, nothing to worry about.

I'm here worried that my package went to wrong address. I might pay the £5.xx on Monday for a confirmation.

I used the address on the form given to me at biometrics. So I am not sure.

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I didn't even verify the address... Just sent the label I got from VFS. I assume they'll know where it should go if the address is incorrect. I saw that as of Oct 31st they are giving the option Of scanning the documents yourself and submitting them to Sheffield. If that wasn’t such a new process and someone had had success with that already, I would have much rather have gone that way because I trust myself scanning more than I do some random stranger in New York.

Just for reference, the order stated on the biometrics sheet is:

Proof of Residence
Financial Documents
Proof of Sponsorship
Stamped Biometrics Receipt
UPS Return Shipping Label

Yeah, that’s not the order that Sheffield requests, or the order that has been used for the last 10+ years.

I don’t even know what they mean by those sections (like, what’s ‘proof of residence’? Do they mean your passport? And what’s ‘proof of sponsorship’? Your sponsor’s documents, or your accommodation and relationship evidence?... it makes no sense to me).

The barcode dividers on the VFS site are in pretty much the same order that we always recommend, which is:

[Priority receipt and shipping label... as these are checked first]
Applicant Documents (including passport and biometrics sheet)
Sponsor Documents
Finances
Accommodation
Relationship


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Yeah, that’s not the order that Sheffield requests, or the order that has been used for the last 10+ years.

I don’t even know what they mean by those sections (like, what’s ‘proof of residence’? Do they mean your passport? And what’s ‘proof of sponsorship’? Your sponsor’s documents, or your accommodation and relationship evidence?... it makes no sense to me).

The barcode dividers on the VFS site are in pretty much the same order that we always recommend, which is:

[Priority receipt and shipping label... as these are checked first]
Applicant Documents (including passport and biometrics sheet)
Sponsor Documents
Finances
Accommodation
Relationship


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I am not that worried about it because I figured that if they were out of order it could be anyone’s fault including the scanners… They have to realize that when it’s touched multiple hands before it gets to them Anything could’ve happened causing them to be out of order.

I didn't even verify the address... Just sent the label I got from VFS. I assume they'll know where it should go if the address is incorrect. I saw that as of Oct 31st they are giving the option Of scanning the documents yourself and submitting them to Sheffield. If that wasn’t such a new process and someone had had success with that already, I would have much rather have gone that way because I trust myself scanning more than I do some random stranger in New York.

I didnt print my label from vfs because they didnt have a group rate on there. I only used it for the return labels.

Its ridiculous to me that they do not accommodate family applications. (With shipping or even the forms..there should be a family version to the appendix 2)

My husband said he would call but I told him the call would be expensive. It's better to just email.

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I am not that worried about it because I figured that if they were out of order it could be anyone’s fault including the scanners… They have to realize that when it’s touched multiple hands before it gets to them Anything could’ve happened causing them to be out of order.

Yeah, exactly - chances are, everything will be moved around and reorganised anyway, so as long as everything is sent in a sensible, organised pile, the order shouldn’t be an issue.

I didnt print my label from vfs because they didnt have a group rate on there. I only used it for the return labels.

Its ridiculous to me that they do not accommodate family applications. (With shipping or even the forms..there should be a family version to the appendix 2)

VFS used to accommodate up to 4 applications in one package, with just the one return shipping label (but still 4 separate priority purchases), but then they decided last year that the applications all had to have separate shipping labels (and that they had to be in separate packages, though everyone still sent them all together) - just a money-making scheme, really.

My husband said he would call but I told him the call would be expensive. It's better to just email.

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The email is almost as expensive as the call - used to be free, but they charge about £6 per email now.

A complete waste of money though, since they are just a random call centre nowhere near UKVI and don’t have access to your application anyway - they are known for giving bad and incorrect advice.

I NEVER advise calling them. As long as you know your application was delivered, it WILL be processed - you just have to be patient and try to put it to the back of your mind.



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Did you get it stamped, signed and dated?

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I went and checked the original mini statement and it IS stamped and dated from the bank

Yeah, exactly - chances are, everything will be moved around and reorganised anyway, so as long as everything is sent in a sensible, organised pile, the order shouldn’t be an issue.

VFS used to accommodate up to 4 applications in one package, with just the one return shipping label (but still 4 separate priority purchases), but then they decided last year that the applications all had to have separate shipping labels (and that they had to be in separate packages, though everyone still sent them all together) - just a money-making scheme, really.

The email is almost as expensive as the call - used to be free, but they charge about £6 per email now.

A complete waste of money though, since they are just a random call centre nowhere near UKVI and don’t have access to your application anyway - they are known for giving bad and incorrect advice.

I NEVER advise calling them. As long as you know your application was delivered, it WILL be processed - you just have to be patient and try to put it to the back of your mind.



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Yes I know, I absolutely feel like it's a waste also but because of the discussion here about the address #946 or 964...I got a bit worried because I did not even know the address was incorrect in the 1st place.

Yes I found it ridiculous to purchase 3 return labels. I know they had a group rate before but I guess they probably knew of the changes and decided to capitalize.

Maybe I should just be patient and maybe I will get one of those emails about my application being received.

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That incorrect address thing is really annoying me. I'm not worried about the applications going to the wrong place at this point but the fact that it has still not been corrected is inexcusable.

I suggest that everyone submit a formal complaint to VFS.  Bring up everything that has just been discussed.  It just might help the next batch of applicants.

Complaints

VFS Global takes complaints seriously and uses them as an opportunity for continuous improvement of the company and its staff. VFS Global assures you that you will receive a timely response and resolution of your grievance, in accordance with the organization’s complaint handling procedure.
You can submit feedback by selecting either of the following links:
To submit feedback online for first time, use this feedback link.
In the event that the response provided is not satisfactory, use this link to escalate your complaint.

https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/us/en/customer-experience

That incorrect address thing is really annoying me. I'm not worried about the applications going to the wrong place at this point but the fact that it has still not been corrected is inexcusable.

I suggest that everyone submit a formal complaint to VFS.  Bring up everything that has just been discussed.  It just might help the next batch of applicants.

https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/us/en/customer-experience

I agree it’s not acceptable nor are so many other things about this new process. Really, they should have come up with their process and time frame and published this info before rolling it out. It’s totally unacceptable for us to be sending off so much personal documentation and be thinking “gosh I hope it gets there” or “gee, I hope I get confirmation they received my stuff” or “I’ll just make my best guess about what is acceptable documentation”. I know efficiency and government agencies don’t always go hand in hand, but common courtesy dictates that they could at least be good enough to let us know exactly what they need and what their process is. Or am I living in a fantasy world “sigh”


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I agree it’s not acceptable nor are so many other things about this new process. Really, they should have come up with their process and time frame and published this info before rolling it out. It’s totally unacceptable for us to be sending off so much personal documentation and be thinking “gosh I hope it gets there” or “gee, I hope I get confirmation they received my stuff” or “I’ll just make my best guess about what is acceptable documentation”. I know efficiency and government agencies don’t always go hand in hand, but common courtesy dictates that they could at least be good enough to let us know exactly what they need and what their process is. Or am I living in a fantasy world “sigh”


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I actually dont mind the wait but it's all the other stuff that drives me crazy.
1.Did I send the right documents (copies or originals)
2.Did my 'life' arrive at the correct address- literally sent 8 passports.

Plus we arent the only group that's just like sitting ducks nobody knows what's going on and everybody is now paying for that expensive email just to try and get confirmation. This is just an awful process. Atleast before Sheffield was a bit better with the emails.

I did make a complaint using that link, I know it might not do much, but if we all started to complain. Maybe it would be better.

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I actually dont mind the wait but it's all the other stuff that drives me crazy.
1.Did I send the right documents (copies or originals)
2.Did my 'life' arrive at the correct address- literally sent 8 passports.

Plus we arent the only group that's just like sitting ducks nobody knows what's going on and everybody is now paying for that expensive email just to try and get confirmation. This is just an awful process. Atleast before Sheffield was a bit better with the emails.

I did make a complaint using that link, I know it might not do much, but if we all started to complain. Maybe it would be better.

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I’m afraid to complain because my luck someone would remember my name lol . Out she goes for complaining eekk


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I’m afraid to complain because my luck someone would remember my name lol . Out she goes for complaining eekk


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Well if we dont complain, the system wont change.

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That’s true


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