Update from UKVCAS more sites reopening

Just found this update on their site:-

https://www.ukvcas.co.uk/flash-message-detail?flashmessageId=56249


Service Point Status

Updated: 12 June 2020

Service Points are being re-opened when it is safe and measures are in place to protect customers and staff. This means that initially we can only offer our service at a reduced number of locations, and at a lower capacity than usual.

Where public health and travel restrictions remain in place, or other requirements are not met, UKVCAS will not resume services at this time. We understand that this may affect your booking and that it may not be possible for you to attend an appointment at one of the open sites.

We appreciate your continued patience during these unprecedented times. We appreciate that some customers may be disappointed that their regional or local service points are not re-opening at this time. Please be assured, that we will be reviewing the new approach regularly to assess when we are able to open more appointments and additional appointments for all customers.

The following Service Points will re-open on the 22nd June:

Belfast
Cardiff Bay
Edinburgh
Glasgow


Still not able to get an appointment for new applications but hopefully we will be able to make an appointment soon.

Thanks for the update I filed in May so I imagine I wont be able to book an appointment yet hope we can soon has there been any mention of when you would be able to book an appointment if you filed after closures? I have looked just wanted to make sure I havent missed anything

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Thanks for the update I filed in May so I imagine I wont be able to book an appointment yet hope we can soon has there been any mention of when you would be able to book an appointment if you filed after closures? I have looked just wanted to make sure I havent missed anything

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No there is no mention of when new appointments will be made available, just that people with cancelled appointments will get an email to rebook. we are in the same position as you we applied in May after the close down so we have to just keep checking everyday. My Husband has a 96 year old father back in the US and we would have done priority so we would be able to travel a short notice but as that option is no longer available we have to hope they open up appointments soon and that there is not to long a backlog and of course that nothing happens to his Dad in between!
 

No there is no mention of when new appointments will be made available, just that people with cancelled appointments will get an email to rebook. we are in the same position as you we applied in May after the close down so we have to just keep checking everyday. My Husband has a 96 year old father back in the US and we would have done priority so we would be able to travel a short notice but as that option is no longer available we have to hope they open up appointments soon and that there is not to long a backlog and of course that nothing happens to his Dad in between!

If anything does happen, please make sure your MP is aware. They can help push through the application on compassionate grounds.

I'm in the May group too, patiently waiting and hoping the centre in Reading opens. I don't think I'd be able to drive to the next closest one without public toilets available and safe to use. I almost fainted waiting for the vet today because they no longer let you park in their lot and have no seating for the crowd outside waiting for their pets. Had a lovely 40 min sit on pavement with ants! Definitely getting a lightweight camping chair for the future.

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If anything does happen, please make sure your MP is aware. They can help push through the application on compassionate grounds.

I'm in the May group too, patiently waiting and hoping the centre in Reading opens. I don't think I'd be able to drive to the next closest one without public toilets available and safe to use. I almost fainted waiting for the vet today because they no longer let you park in their lot and have no seating for the crowd outside waiting for their pets. Had a lovely 40 min sit on pavement with ants! Definitely getting a lightweight camping chair for the future.

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Is there a timeline for people who filed in May? That we could follow to see how the process is going for everyone I remember there was one in 2017 when I applied for the first visa to move here that was helpful

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Is there a timeline for people who filed in May? That we could follow to see how the process is going for everyone I remember there was one in 2017 when I applied for the first visa to move here that was helpful

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We don’t have any recent timelines at all at the moment, since no visas have been processed for the last 3 months.

The centres are only just opening now and only people who booked biometrics appointments in February and March can currently rebook their appointments, so a timeline for May wouldn’t mean anything right now.

I think the best we can do is start keeping track of visa application processing for people who applied before the centres closed in March, then work our way through the months as UKVI get through the backlog.

We have seen one approval so far, which was robinsnc’s FLR(M) application:
Online application submitted: Feb 21st
Biometrics (rescheduled 3 times): June 2nd
Approval email: June 11th


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It's great that we have so many eyes on the UKVCAS centres. And a timeline would be really helpful!
I submitted online on April 15 and on May 27 I received one (slightly strange) email saying that my online application had been received. The email subject line is "Spouse of a Settled Person" and it reads as follows:

Thank you for your Spouse of a Settled Person application.
Due to operational constraints relating to COVID-19 we have been unable to process the application within service standard. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. We will aim to process your client's application as soon as possible.
 Kind regards,
 M**** A****
 AO Caseworker¿ FLR(M)
Marriage & Family Casework
Visas & Citizenship, UK Visas & Immigration

Has anyone else who submitted post-lockdown received such a email? In this post, I have blocked out the full sender's name, as I'm not sure it's considered appropriate to post people's actual names on this site. This email reads a little awkwardly and I even wondered briefly about its authenticity as the email 'sender' was not UKVI but simply was the person's name. Note that it refer to 'your client's application' when in fact it is my own application.
In any event,  I will post any further updates and look forward to seeing others' progress.

It would be nice to receive an email to confirm that they have our application, but sadly I think it will be many months before we hear anything. I was hoping that once the UKVCAS centers reopened it would be possible to at lease get the biometrics done so at least we would be in the queue to get the applications processed. As with everything to do with immigration we just need a lot of patience.

It would be nice to receive an email to confirm that they have our application, but sadly I think it will be many months before we hear anything. I was hoping that once the UKVCAS centers reopened it would be possible to at lease get the biometrics done so at least we would be in the queue to get the applications processed. As with everything to do with immigration we just need a lot of patience.

I have seen from some other resources people are receiving emails that were filed around end of March early April asking for documents regarding their application as it seems UKVI doesnt have access to scanned documents till the biometrics are done.

 My husband and I have thought to catch up on all the backlog they may just go over the main parts like if the relationship is legitimate and if the financial requirements are met. If both are good they may put it to the side for approval upon biometrics being received to make quicker decisions. This is just our own speculation but based on what I have heard this seems like something they may be doing but like I said just speculating not 100% is just what we thought.

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I have seen from some other resources people are receiving emails that were filed around end of March early April asking for documents regarding their application as it seems UKVI doesnt have access to scanned documents till the biometrics are done.

I submitted my application at the end of March and can confirm I just received an email today asking for some documents as part of an “interim assessment”, whatever that is supposed to mean.

They requested for my marriage cert, degree cert (language requirement), and documentary evidence that my sponsor and I have lived together for the last 2 years. Fairly straightforward!

Two notes:

It looks like UKVCAS centres are accepting new appointment applications starting June 22...

I submitted on April 15 and a couple weeks later I uploaded all my docs. Today I got the Home Office email saying they have the application but can't access the documents until the biometric centres re-open. Meanwhile, they asked me to send my marriage certificate and our two years of evidence of residing at the same address. Done.

So, things are moving... 

Does anyone know if I can take pictures of the documents to upload? I don't have access to a scanner as of course everyone is working from home. Would pictures from my phone be good enough?

Does anyone know if I can take pictures of the documents to upload? I don't have access to a scanner as of course everyone is working from home. Would pictures from my phone be good enough?

There are a lot of scanning apps, I've used geniusscan. My printer thankfully has a scanner.

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I'm not sure if you can photograph docs for the uploaded files, but you definitely can if they ask for docs by email. This is what their email to me said: "we now require you to scan or clearly photograph and email the below documentation..."

But they also say they can't accept large files, so one needs to make sure a photo file isn't too big. They do however let you split you docs across more than one email if files are large.

Hope this helps.

if you are using iphone of ipad use camscanner from store.it is good app even you can compress big pdf file.