IDV App Info - for Applications Reusing Biometrics

I agree. Some news for app users would be appreciated.


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Just for the sake of clarity, the appointments are for biometrics/scanning, they are not interviews as such. 

For timeline purposes, we:

-applied 7 April
-had BRPs "expire" 7 May
-received invitation to use the app 7 September
-finished uploading documents / photos through the app on 14 September

I’ll add my timeline too —

Visa type: FLR(M), switching from a student visa:

Submitting application: 15 August
Invited to use app: 9 September
Submitted docs and IDV: 16 September

UKVCAS update posted today (interestingly a slightly different version of this went up last night which I happened upon. The date of the 21st for normal operations was stated without caveats in that but patently they had cause to rethink ...). I bolded the line regarding updates for app users. We applied April 12th, got the app invite on 22nd August and submitted the next day.


Updated: 19 September 2020

This update covers:

UKVCAS Service update

    Registered with UKVCAS in September
    Update about the IDV app

Return to our pre-COVID service

Finding the right appointment for you

Safe and secure UKVCAS Service Points

UKVCAS Service Update

Registered with UKVCAS in September

If UKVCAS received your application on or before 11 September 2020 you should have received an email inviting you to either book a UKVCAS appointment or to download and use the IDV app.

This week, we have sent out ‘Urgent Reminder’ emails to all customers who have been invited to either book a UKVCAS appointment or use the IDV app over the last few months but haven’t yet done so.

    Please check your email in box and either book an appointment or use the IDV app as soon as possible.

If UKVCAS received your application on or after 12 September 2020, please continue to check this page for updates. We will refresh this page next week to let you know when you can book a UKVCAS appointment or use the IDV app.

Update about the IDV app

The IDV app has been successfully rolled out over the last four weeks to deal with the delays caused by COVID-19. We are now fully up to speed and are submitting more than 10,000 applications each day to UKVI.

All eligible customers who registered with UKVCAS up to 11 September 2020 should have received an invitation from us to download and use the IDV app.

After you have submitted your application on the IDV app, all supporting information is sent to UKVI within 24 hours.

    UKVCAS cannot provide any status updates about your application once it has been submitted to UKVI.
    The unprecedented impacts of COVID-19 has meant that UKVI have been unable to maintain their usual service standards for all applications made in the UK.
    UKVI understands that this means some applicants are waiting longer for a decision.
    UKVI will send updates to customers with an application in progress over the next 2 weeks to let you know what’s happening with your application. Please be reassured that your immigration status is not affected while your application is in progress.
    If you urgently need a decision about your visa, please contact UKVI here

Return to our pre-COVID service

Following the changes to our service caused by Covid-19, we are planning to return to our normal ways of working soon. This will mean that customers will be able to book an appointment as soon as they register with UKVI/UKVCAS.

We were planning to do this on 21 September 2020, but we are still working on final testing with UKVI. We’ll keep you posted about when this will happen, so keep checking this service status.

Great that they’ve updated, unfortunately some of it is as clear as mid. What about IDV app users who opted instead for in-person? Will we not get a progress update on our application? They make it seem from the organisation of the page and where the info was placed this is only for those who applied via the app. 

Great that they’ve updated, unfortunately some of it is as clear as mid. What about IDV app users who opted instead for in-person? Will we not get a progress update on our application? They make it seem from the organisation of the page and where the info was placed this is only for those who applied via the app. 

The people going to in person appointments seem to be getting decisions within a couple weeks. I'm at the point that I want to file a formal complaint regarding this new app process because its caused a huge crash in my mental health and I am having panic attacks thinking about having to go through it again in two years. This country is just cruel.

The people going to in person appointments seem to be getting decisions within a couple weeks. I'm at the point that I want to file a formal complaint regarding this new app process because its caused a huge crash in my mental health and I am having panic attacks thinking about having to go through it again in two years. This country is just cruel.

I keep trying to remind myself of the long 9 month wait my husband experienced to get his U.S. fiancé visa. It hasn’t fully helped because I’m so stressed.

I did an in-person on 10th September but heard nothing yet. It’s only been a week but feels like a year. I opted out after my invite out of frustration.

I hope everyone starts getting some movement 

Other applicants on another forum have ended up booking an appointment even when using the app to submit biometrics and they've had decisions back within a week or two.

This process has shown just what a mess everything is in, we can't do much other than wait & keep each other sane. Please hang in there, hopefully we will see some real momentum in decision made applications

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Hello Guys

I was under the impression that the applications were being processed in date order. I have noticed on the timeline forum many applications being processed and biometrics done after we had done ours and these people have already got there approval and application granted. Anyone know why this may be the case if they are supposed to be working in date order?

Many Thanks

They were working in date order but it seems since this app was released and everyone was sent the invite in date order after that it feels its been a free for all with who gets decisions I have been seeing people on a fb group im in getting decisions back from July and August! I applied May 24th.

I am hoping everyone in April and May hear soon as I feel it slowly crippling me mentally I keep trying to not think about it but I cant help it.

Hope your all doing ok just gotta keep holding on hopefully we all hear back soon as its been terrible and we all deserve some peace of mind.

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Yes, agreed, some news would be good. The seeming randomisation of approval order has done nothing for nerves. We applied third week of June, uploaded everything, got the app invite towards the end of August, and finalised everything the next day.

I hope you guys get a response soon also .

We applied in mid July and submitted ours on 1st September . I’m seeing people on the timelines applying in August, submitting 10th and 14th September and have already got an answer.

Just seems a tad unfair for people like yourselves who actually applied back in May.

Fingers crossed a decision is made for us all soon!

Good luck guys

It just dawned on me that they are probably trying to improve their statistics for applications approved within the service standard. I'm writing my MP in the morning to express concern if this is the case, as well as once again letting them know the extreme stress this is causing since we have to go through it again in two years.

It just dawned on me that they are probably trying to improve their statistics for applications approved within the service standard. I'm writing my MP in the morning to express concern if this is the case, as well as once again letting them know the extreme stress this is causing since we have to go through it again in two years.

Yea I thought of that last night as well while venting realised their probably trying to make their statistics look better and people who have already been waiting so long arent being rushed anymore which doesnt seem right.

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