Settlement Visa from India : Timeline

[GeetL]

Hi Geetl. . Yes I've emailed them, but you know how vague they are..They just say wait few days..Did your cousin have an interview as well?

I know it's hard but try and be patient for another day or so, you've waited all this time. Logically if they were going to reject it, you probably would have known by now so let's hope it's a positive outcome. No he didn't but he waited a long time.

[heyheyheyguys]

Thanks geetl for your words of encouragement

[sid939245]

Hi Geetl/Hey3Guys

As you both had attended interviews, is it particularly to determine the relationship or is it related to the whole application?

[GeetL]

Hi Geetl/Hey3Guys

As you both had attended interviews, is it particularly to determine the relationship or is it related to the whole application?

Hi Sid,

Based on my husband's feedback, he said most of it was to determine our relationship is genuine. I have a list of questions we had gone through in order to prepare him for the interview that you may find useful. He was asked about 60% of these questions and his interview was an hour long. I know hey3guys interview was much shorter with very few questions.

Opening Questions:
What is your full name please?
Do you speak English Fluently?
In what language do you wish to be interviewed in?
Please tell me right away if you do not understand anything
Are you fit and well to be interviewed today?
Who completed your application form?
Are you satisfied that all your answers in the application form are correct?

Visa Related Questions
Is this your first application for a UK Visa?
Have you ever applied for a visa to another country?
Have you ever been refused a visa?
Is this your first visit overseas?
Is this your first and only passport?
How long do you intend to stay in the United Kingdom?
Why do you want to go to the UK?
I suppose if I grant you a visa, you will be looking forward to a good life in the UK?
Would you still have married your partner if you could not live in the UK?
What will you do if this visa is refused?

Meeting Questions:
When did you first meet your partner?
How did you meet your partner?
Did you stay with him when you met?
So how long did you live with him or stay with him?
Did he write or call you, How have you communicated?
When did you receive your first letter from him or how long have you been chatting?
Do you have any photos to show me?
When did your partner propose to you?
Did you ask your partner to marry you?

Family Question:
Has either of you been married before?
Do you have any children?
Does your partner have any children from a previous relationship?
Where are your children now?
Does your partner support them?
So if we granted you a visa today, and you fly to UK and live with your partner, what will happen to your children?
Do you have any relatives in the UK?
Who does your partner live with?

Occupation Questions:
What qualifications do you have?
What work experience do you have?
Have you ever worked overseas before?
Where does your partner work?
What does your partner work as?

Accommodation Questions:
Where do you live?
Where will you live?
Do you know if it’s ok for your partner to have a second person living in his home?
Why should you live in the UK?
When did you decide to live in the UK?
Did you agree to marry your partner only if you could live in the UK?

Financial Questions:What does your partner do for a job?
Do you know how much money he earns?
Does he send you any money for your expenses?
How much does he send and how often does he send it?
Do you think that your partner is capable of taking good care of you and your children (if any)?
Does your partner support England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland or Wales National Soccer teams?

General Questions:
What religion is your partner?
Can you name some of your partner’s friends?
What are your partners hobbies what does he do in his spare time?
What do you have in common with each other?
Why did you marry him?
What do you like most about him?
What are the real reasons that you married him?
How do you feel about the differences in your cultures?
Have you understood all the questions?
Do you have anything else to add?

I can't remember the site website for this information but I remember saving them when we were first searching for the basics of what to do, what to expect when applying for a visa etc. Hope this helps somewhat.

[sid939245]

HI Geetl,

That's a really good post and thank you for the information.

As for my wife she sent an update for status today and she just got an email again saying:

We understand that you would like to know about the current status of your
visa application. I have tracked the status (GWFXXXXXXXXX and date of birth
XX/XX/XXXX) and found that there are no current updates. This could be
because the details that you have provided above are incorrect.

If the information provided is incorrect then please provide the 9-digit
GWF number and the date of birth of the applicant.

Alternatively, if the information you have provided is correct, please
provide the following information so we can escalate your case:-
Type of escalation:
Full name of applicant:
Application number (GWFxxxxxxxxx):
Date of birth of applicant:
Date of application:
Place of application ( City and Country ):
Type of Visa applied:
Nationality:
Passport Number:
Reason:

So I have sent them another email with details to escalate the issue. Hopefully we'll get to know something soon.

[GeetL]

HI Geetl,

That's a really good post and thank you for the information.

As for my wife she sent an update for status today and she just got an email again saying:

We understand that you would like to know about the current status of your
visa application. I have tracked the status (GWFXXXXXXXXX and date of birth
XX/XX/XXXX) and found that there are no current updates. This could be
because the details that you have provided above are incorrect.

If the information provided is incorrect then please provide the 9-digit
GWF number and the date of birth of the applicant.

Alternatively, if the information you have provided is correct, please
provide the following information so we can escalate your case:-
Type of escalation:
Full name of applicant:
Application number (GWFxxxxxxxxx):
Date of birth of applicant:
Date of application:
Place of application ( City and Country ):
Type of Visa applied:
Nationality:
Passport Number:
Reason:

So I have sent them another email with details to escalate the issue. Hopefully we'll get to know something soon.

You're welcome Sid. We had the same issue - almost 40 days in and we kept getting the same email so I ended up calling them on that silly £1.37 a minute number. They sent me an email requesting some additional information which I sent via the online email form. Later that day I got an email informing me that the application was in progress finally. Depending on how long ago you applied, you may want to do the same.

[Lead123]

Hi Raj
Thanks for your quick response.
I did not find any option in online application and I paid my application fee. Now I am bit worrying about paying IHS fee as we have appointment in next week.
Thanks
Naresh

When did you paid your IHS surcharge, is it before 5th of July or if not i am afraid that you have to pay again as per the information given at http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/India/pdf/UK ... 290615.pdf

How did you paid your surcharge?

-Raj

I think you might have continued with old version of online application which started before 5th of July if my guess is correct.

As per the information given at http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/India/pdf/UK ... 290615.pdf you may need to start new online application where in you will see the option to pay IHS payment as part of the applicaiton itself. Check the information given at above link..

If you have appointment selected has bandwidth to refund, go for refund of application fee and also go for refund the IHS payment also which you paid using the old pattern.

Start a new online application and pay the IHS surcharge as part of the application..

Hi Raj

Thank you for the info. Yes, your guess is correct. I did submitted the older version of application as I was fill the form from on 22nd June. But online application doesn't shown any alert message about the new changes while I was paying. crap....
I applied for refund, never know when and how I can receive my money back as they mentioned 28 days refund policy . I did not received any email confirmation from them regarding refund.
Now I start filling the application again.

[snehal125]

hey all
i would like to give you information about what happen with my UK visa. On my visa stamp the validity date is from 17/6 to 17/7. I got email about my decision on 7/7. so the visa was already given on 17/6 but they email me at 7/7 which is ridiculous for me as there is less time for me to go there during my validity period.I am happy that i will be with my wife now but this situation has happen with me.Also vfs has not send any message inspite of activating its USER PAY Service.

[Lead123]

Hi

When we hold Masters degree qualification which was taught in English you do not need a SELT. But do we need to provide UK noric certificate. (is our degree certificate should certify by them?)

Thanks

[heyheyheyguys]

They are really taking things slow...60 days up!

[GeetL]

They are really taking things slow...60 days up!

I'm so sorry to hear you haven't had a response today, I was thinking about you earlier hoping you did! I would suggest calling them or emailing them for an update, I know it's expensive to call but looking at Snehal's response, you may already have the visa and they haven't informed you yet which would mean you may need to travel very soon after you get all your documents back so it would be worth calling to see if they can speed things up. It maybe your file is stuck with the vfs office as I think once the BHC have made a decision they send the file to the vfs office to then send back to you. I hope you wake up to some positive news tomorrow fingers crossed. We are hoping for positive news too now.

[heyheyheyguys]

No..I email them almost everyday...They just keep saying wait for few more days..

[GeetL]

No..I email them almost everyday...They just keep saying wait for few more days..

It's tough, I didn't have much luck via email so I just called them. Hopefully soon. Which vfs office did you apply through and which BHC office did you have your interview at?

[heyheyheyguys]

I just emailed them..They said I might be called for a second interview...I was highly suspicious at my interview being 5 mind long...thought the ECO didn't do his job properly..

[GeetL]

I just emailed them..They said I might be called for a second interview...I was highly suspicious at my interview being 5 mind long...thought the ECO didn't do his job properly..

Well the relief is knowing that it's not you, there must have been some internal issues there. At least you know what to expect in the interview this time. Hope the turnaround is quick for you. It's been such a long wait!

[bhangra]

Date of Application in VFS Center: 22/05/15
VFS Center: Chandigarh
Received at High Commission on: 25/05/15
Under Processing Start Date on: 01/07/15
Visa Category: Settlement (spouse)
Any interview date: No
Sent to blue dart/ VFS center:
Visa Approval Status: APPROVED 07/07/15

[sv345]

Hi,
I am in process of filling form for my wife and daughter's visa.

In the process I need to fill Appendix 1 of VAF 4a form (child under 18).

My daughter is 09 months old and therefore I have answered Q 1.8 as NO (are you able to care for yourself) due to age.
Now to fill Q 1.9-1.17

(eg
why your current care arrangements cannot continue to meet your need;
Is the care you need still available in the country where you are living;
Please provide reasons why no other person, in your country of residence, can provide you with the care you require.;
Is the care you need affordable in the country where you are living;
Could your UK sponsor or another close relative/person pay for your care arrangements in the country where you are living?;
Please provide details of how your UK sponsor intends to satisfy your care needs in the UK.
)

I am not sure what the visa officer will try to guess from these Question. Anyone experinced and with granted visa, please could you help me with these?
Thanks

[sv345]

Can I please also ask if the form SU07 :

'need to be submitted in original (signed and send by courier/post to India)'
OR
'can it be scanned after signing to send my email and a printout be submitted'?

Thankyou !

[VJ143]

Date of Application in VFS Center : 20 May, 2015
VFS Center : Chennai
Received at High Commission on : 26 May,2015
Visa Category : Settlement (child)
Any interview date : No interview.
Received 'not straignt forward mail' on : 11 June 2015
Received 'Pay IHS' mail on : 11 June 2015
IHS Paid on : 11 June 2015
IHS refunded- not required : 22 June 2015
Sent VFS center : 23 June 2015
Passport collected on: : 24 June 2015
Visa Approval Status: : Approved
Total time take : 35 days ( 25 working days)

we are so happy that we got the VISA so quick !!!

Lessons learned - When you receive ' your case is not straightforward' mail , don't worry.
have a watertight application to get it done quickly

Congrats VJ143.

That's really quick. I have applied for my Wife settlement on 18th May but at VFS hyderabad but still waiting. Hopefully we get the decision quickly as well.

Hi All,
Recently we have received a visa for our baby. Visa type mentioned as 'Settlement to join parent(s)'.

Date of Application in VFS Center : 22 May, 2015
VFS Center : Pune
Received at High Commission on : 22 May,2015
Visa Category : Settlement (child)
Any interview date : No interview.
IHS Paid on : (advance before application) 18 May 2015
IHS refunded- not required : NA
Sent VFS center : 1 July 2015
Passport collected on: : 3 July 2015
Visa Approval Status: : Approved
Total time take : 30 working days


60K IHS fee is paid and we have not received any refund. I am confuse with UKVI policy. On what basis, other members are getting refund for IHS?

Can anyone advise on this please

when we received the VISA, they have given it only based on my Mrs VISA expiry date - which is in Jan 16. So it made sense that they refunded it since we may apply for naturalisation when we apply here

[sid939245]

Hi Geetl/HeyHeyHeyguys

Any updates on your visas???

[Raju1]

Any update on your side, Sid?

-Raj

[sid939245]

Any update on your side, Sid?

-Raj

Last week I sent a request for status and they replied with the message I have tracked the status (GWFxxxxxxxx and date of birth xx/xx/xxxx) and found that there are no current updates. This could be because the details that you have provided above are incorrect.

So I have escalated the issue on Tuesday and haven't had any response from them. (With the information you have provided, we have now escalated this case to the relevant department who will investigate your case and will be back in contact as soon as possible.)

It's 8 weeks till now (39 Business Days), don't know when we get it...

[heyheyheyguys]

Got it

[prasanthece]

Submitted Settlement Visa Wife
Vfs office - Hyderabad
Visa type: Settlement Spouse Visa
Date of application: 18-June-2015
Biometrics done : 18-June-2015
Application received at Chennai: 22-June-2015

Awaiting decision...

[Raju1]

Vfs office - Hyderabad
Visa type: Settlement Spouse Visa
Date of application: 06-July-2015
Biometrics done : 06-July-2015
Application received at Chennai: 07-July-2015

Awaiting decision...