Original documents not returned

[chiwi]

Hello everyone!

My mum has applied for a visit visa and they have made their decision. My mum recieved her passport and sponsors' docs back however they have not included all of her original documents (apart from passport). She has put her papers for her properties, which is very important. She photocopied everything but when she's had her appointment at VFS they took the original and the copies as well. We are very worried about this.
Can anyone advice me on what to do? Thank you

[Casa]

VFS should have returned the originals to your mother on the day of the appointment once they had made copies.

[chiwi]

VFS should have returned the originals to your mother on the day of the appointment once they had made copies.

My mum said they kept it in one folder and took her originals. What can we do, will they give it back? She can't get those documents again as it was from who knows how many years ago.

[Casa]

I suggest she asks VFS to locate and return the documents.

[chiwi]

I suggest she asks VFS to locate and return the documents.

I have messaged the visa international enquiries and they said I have to wait 3 to 5 days, or even longer while they wait for the relevant department to reply. I'm not sure if they've just completly forgotten to put her original docs in as they returned her sponsors papers and her passport but not included her letter and her docs. Is there a case like this before or is there any chance they'll say it's lost? I have tried to look but I can't seem to find any answer. It makes me so worried and I can't even tell my mum coz she's old and might not handle whatever is goin on with her properties docs

[KatieWills]

My divorce certificate wasn't returned when we applied for hubby's spouse visa. I complained to UKVI :

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisat ... -procedure

And it was located and returned to me.5 months later yes, but at least it was returned.

[chiwi]

My divorce certificate wasn't returned when we applied for hubby's spouse visa. I complained to UKVI :

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisat ... -procedure

And it was located and returned to me.5 months later yes, but at least it was returned.

5 months later? have you raised the issue as soon as you received the rest of your documents? She's sorting the title out for one of the property docs she submitted and she needs it by March otherwise she will be charged a lot. What do you think is the best thing to do? i have contacted the international enquires should i wait for their reply or just raise a complaint now? just so they'll look at this matter faster.

[KatieWills]

Hubby had to apply by post in NZ and the documents were sent to Manilla for processing. Once they sent the other paperwork back and we realised it was missing I sent the complaint email.

It turned out that Manilla sent it to the office where he submitted his biometrics, they tried to deliver it to his NZ address (one month after he had left the country.) They then sent it to the British High Commission in Wellington as it could not be delivered. When we finally tracked down the document's location and spoke to someone about getting it returned there was an earthquake in NZ and the BHC ended up being closed for weeks while the building was made safe!

I'm sure your mum's return of documents will be more straightforward. If I was you I would sent a complaint as well, they can take a few days to reply and you might find you end up having to send one eventually anyway.

[chiwi]

Hubby had to apply by post in NZ and the documents were sent to Manilla for processing. Once they sent the other paperwork back and we realised it was missing I sent the complaint email.

It turned out that Manilla sent it to the office where he submitted his biometrics, they tried to deliver it to his NZ address (one month after he had left the country.) They then sent it to the British High Commission in Wellington as it could not be delivered. When we finally tracked down the document's location and spoke to someone about getting it returned there was an earthquake in NZ and the BHC ended up being closed for weeks while the building was made safe!

I'm sure your mum's return of documents will be more straightforward. If I was you I would sent a complaint as well, they can take a few days to reply and you might find you end up having to send one eventually anyway.

Ok I will do that now. I was gonna wait until they've passed it to the relevant department just to see what they say. I am grateful with the result but can't even be happy as they have not returned the most important documents. I feel tight on my mum just thinking they might say its lost or something as she worked hard for those. Thank you for a bit of reassurance there, I am really worried, I can't even tell my mum coz she might not take it good as she's old.

Really dunno how they left her original documents even her explation letter when they've sent the sponsor's docs and her passport

[KatieWills]

Try not to let the frustration overshadow your happiness. There's not really much more you can do.
File the complaint and look forward to mum's visit, the documents will likely be back before you know it.

[chiwi]

Try not to let the frustration overshadow your happiness. There's not really much more you can do.
File the complaint and look forward to mum's visit, the documents will likely be back before you know it.

Thank you so much. I am worried sick.I can't put my mind at ease since she received her docs and didn't have the originals in, it's been a nightmare since. I can't even book her flight to be honest as she won't go without her docs coz she was planning on bringing it here for me to look after (after she shows it for sorting the titles out).

I've sent the complaint now so I'll just have to wait 20 days, that's a long time but oh well