uk spouse visa on hold :(

[taffet87]

Looking at the Pak and India timeline threads - it looks like there is some movement and some approvals / decisions have started to come through after a bit of a lull

[pixelrage09]

Settlement Visa (Spouse) Timeline

Application submit spouse visa (Online) : 06/02/2017 (standard)
Biometrics enrolled at VFS ahemdabad, India: 06/02/2017
Supporting documents sent to Sheffield on : 07/02/2017
Online application confirmation by UKVI : 06/02/2017
Supporting documents received back from Sheffield on :08/02/2017
Sponsor contacted by UKVI - yes
Interview done by UKVI: N/A
Application not straight forward email : 04/05/17
Contacted with 'decision made' : No e-mail received as yet , but according to the UKVI Inside UK Tracker it says 05/06/2017 Decided
Contacted for Collection : no
Collection made : passport delivered at home. By 14/06/17

Visa granted from 13/06/17

HI PCP. Very happy for you.

The below info is for everyone whos breaking their heads over calling and emailing UKVI.

I have applied from India under category F- non priority. There is no reason why my application should take this much time but it is so.
My spouse called the UKVI and asked for an upate to which the only response was that the application has gone through processing stage and is yet to reach the decision making centre. I have read the posts on this forum and its clear that we all have been given different information at different times with no sign of progress. (least in my case). When i had called for a status check I was told that its awaiting decision but this time when my spouse called it had gone through processing stage.
So we asked what are the steps to get a decision- This entire call was a 40 minute call
1) Once application is made a VAF number is generated post which the documents are expected.
2) Once documents are received the VAF number is allocated to an ECO and documents are processed as in copies are taken and files are arranged (this stage itself has taken approx 3 months for me)
3) Then another officer checks the records and sends it to the decision making center where the case is evaluated
4) After the case is evaluated it goes to the commissioner for approval.

It was confirmed on the call that there are backlogs and the checks have become very strict. Also there were internal changes. My spouse spoke with the agent and the manager at the call centre who provided this information and also said that he has given a lot information than he should.
Also the case not straigtforward email is a standard email that goes to appicants who havent heard from them in 60 working days.
The suprising part is none of queries were resolved on email but they sent us emails for all our pending queries stating that we have resolved your query.

Thats all for now..

Good detective work there mate! Are you at the "awaiting a decision" stage? We just received an email from UKVI telling us that our status is "awaiting a decision" since 10th-May.

So, from what you've been told, is it good to assume that our files are waiting to be sent to the decision making center or the commissioner for approval?

[Neosprin]

@NeoSprin
Do you mind sharing if you attached SA302 with your application under Category F? I applied in the same category that will be helpful for me. Thanks

No i havent attached SA302. I have only given last one years bank statements, P60 for last 2 years along with VAF4A and sponsorship declaration form.

So u didnt receive supreme court mail!!

Hi Gwf001,
I havent received the supreme court email but when i enquired about my status on email i received the case not straight forward email on the same day. so its a bit strange that they responded within minutes that they wont be able to decide within the set timeline.

[Neosprin]

Settlement Visa (Spouse) Timeline

Application submit spouse visa (Online) : 06/02/2017 (standard)
Biometrics enrolled at VFS ahemdabad, India: 06/02/2017
Supporting documents sent to Sheffield on : 07/02/2017
Online application confirmation by UKVI : 06/02/2017
Supporting documents received back from Sheffield on :08/02/2017
Sponsor contacted by UKVI - yes
Interview done by UKVI: N/A
Application not straight forward email : 04/05/17
Contacted with 'decision made' : No e-mail received as yet , but according to the UKVI Inside UK Tracker it says 05/06/2017 Decided
Contacted for Collection : no
Collection made : passport delivered at home. By 14/06/17

Visa granted from 13/06/17

HI PCP. Very happy for you.

The below info is for everyone whos breaking their heads over calling and emailing UKVI.

I have applied from India under category F- non priority. There is no reason why my application should take this much time but it is so.
My spouse called the UKVI and asked for an upate to which the only response was that the application has gone through processing stage and is yet to reach the decision making centre. I have read the posts on this forum and its clear that we all have been given different information at different times with no sign of progress. (least in my case). When i had called for a status check I was told that its awaiting decision but this time when my spouse called it had gone through processing stage.
So we asked what are the steps to get a decision- This entire call was a 40 minute call
1) Once application is made a VAF number is generated post which the documents are expected.
2) Once documents are received the VAF number is allocated to an ECO and documents are processed as in copies are taken and files are arranged (this stage itself has taken approx 3 months for me)
3) Then another officer checks the records and sends it to the decision making center where the case is evaluated
4) After the case is evaluated it goes to the commissioner for approval.

It was confirmed on the call that there are backlogs and the checks have become very strict. Also there were internal changes. My spouse spoke with the agent and the manager at the call centre who provided this information and also said that he has given a lot information than he should.
Also the case not straigtforward email is a standard email that goes to appicants who havent heard from them in 60 working days.
The suprising part is none of queries were resolved on email but they sent us emails for all our pending queries stating that we have resolved your query.

Thats all for now..

Good detective work there mate! Are you at the "awaiting a decision" stage? We just received an email from UKVI telling us that our status is "awaiting a decision" since 10th-May.

So, from what you've been told, is it good to assume that our files are waiting to be sent to the decision making center or the commissioner for approval?

Thanks Pixel..
I am at yet to be sent to the decision making centre
awaiting a decision means it is at the decision making centre.
you might get lucky. a few decisions have come through in a few days.
do keep posted on your progress.
best of luck!

[rini18mk]

Is there anybody who is over 24 weeks of submitting application and still did not receive any news yet? I have received on-hold mail whereas there is no reason my application should out on hold, m husband's income is way more than minimum threshold. This is my 25th week and I still have no clue about my application.My passport is with them since 21st Dec, when I made application. This is so frustrating and mentally agonising. Can anyone suggest what can I do? Application made from VFS KOLKATA.

[hus7876]

Is there anybody who is over 24 weeks of submitting application and still did not receive any news yet? I have received on-hold mail whereas there is no reason my application should out on hold, m husband's income is way more than minimum threshold. This is my 25th week and I still have no clue about my application.My passport is with them since 21st Dec, when I made application. This is so frustrating and mentally agonising. Can anyone suggest what can I do? Application made from VFS KOLKATA.

Have you called or emailed UKVI to ask why your application has not been decided yet? tell them you met the threshold and believe it does not apply to you

Also did you receive any other emails from UKVI such as "case not straight Forward"?

[Miss UK]

Hi Pixelrage09

i applied from Pakistan Lahore on 10 March but still waiting for my result

31st of March we checked status got replied decision made but now

when ever i emailed them with old system i got reply no current updates even we have completed 12 weeks

very tense . dont know what to do

Settlement Visa (Spouse) Timeline

Application submit spouse visa (Online) : 06/02/2017 (standard)
Biometrics enrolled at VFS ahemdabad, India: 06/02/2017
Supporting documents sent to Sheffield on : 07/02/2017
Online application confirmation by UKVI : 06/02/2017
Supporting documents received back from Sheffield on :08/02/2017
Sponsor contacted by UKVI - yes
Interview done by UKVI: N/A
Application not straight forward email : 04/05/17
Contacted with 'decision made' : No e-mail received as yet , but according to the UKVI Inside UK Tracker it says 05/06/2017 Decided
Contacted for Collection : no
Collection made : passport delivered at home. By 14/06/17

Visa granted from 13/06/17

HI PCP. Very happy for you.

The below info is for everyone whos breaking their heads over calling and emailing UKVI.

I have applied from India under category F- non priority. There is no reason why my application should take this much time but it is so.
My spouse called the UKVI and asked for an upate to which the only response was that the application has gone through processing stage and is yet to reach the decision making centre. I have read the posts on this forum and its clear that we all have been given different information at different times with no sign of progress. (least in my case). When i had called for a status check I was told that its awaiting decision but this time when my spouse called it had gone through processing stage.
So we asked what are the steps to get a decision- This entire call was a 40 minute call
1) Once application is made a VAF number is generated post which the documents are expected.
2) Once documents are received the VAF number is allocated to an ECO and documents are processed as in copies are taken and files are arranged (this stage itself has taken approx 3 months for me)
3) Then another officer checks the records and sends it to the decision making center where the case is evaluated
4) After the case is evaluated it goes to the commissioner for approval.

It was confirmed on the call that there are backlogs and the checks have become very strict. Also there were internal changes. My spouse spoke with the agent and the manager at the call centre who provided this information and also said that he has given a lot information than he should.
Also the case not straigtforward email is a standard email that goes to appicants who havent heard from them in 60 working days.
The suprising part is none of queries were resolved on email but they sent us emails for all our pending queries stating that we have resolved your query.

Thats all for now..

Good detective work there mate! Are you at the "awaiting a decision" stage? We just received an email from UKVI telling us that our status is "awaiting a decision" since 10th-May.

So, from what you've been told, is it good to assume that our files are waiting to be sent to the decision making center or the commissioner for approval?

[pixelrage09]

@Neosprin,

I will sure will keep you updated and you let me know as well since we both are in the same "awaiting a decision" boat. Did they give u a timeframe as to how long you have been on "awaiting a decision"? We have had this status since 10th May so it's been over a month for us.

I'm really thinking of calling UKVI and asking them how long it takes to go from "awaiting a decision" to "decided".

@Miss UK,

It's unlikely that you applied early March and got a decision end of March due to the extremely high volume of cases that HO is dealing with now. Perhaps you meant to say your file has been assigned to an ECO?

[Miss UK]

No i didn't get any decisions yet i believe they sent us wrong email that decisions has been made in late march.
Even now they didn't recognized my GWF....... NUMBER

@Neosprin,

I will sure will keep you updated and you let me know as well since we both are in the same "awaiting a decision" boat. Did they give u a timeframe as to how long you have been on "awaiting a decision"? We have had this status since 10th May so it's been over a month for us.

I'm really thinking of calling UKVI and asking them how long it takes to go from "awaiting a decision" to "decided".

@Miss UK,

It's unlikely that you applied early March and got a decision end of March due to the extremely high volume of cases that HO is dealing with now. Perhaps you meant to say your file has been assigned to an ECO?

[Raj86]

Has anyone got there visa???
Who also received the hold msg....
Just to get an idea.....

Hi Raj
Have u applied from Ahmedabad too?? And have u received the hold email

Hello bittu11 Yh I have Applied from Ahmedabad ...
Nd yh got a hold msg too Nd that's all no other msg from there
But I don't have any problems at allllll I mean no income problem or tax or child or anything so idk what to do
This is my 22nd week wbu???

[rini18mk]

Is there anybody who is over 24 weeks of submitting application and still did not receive any news yet? I have received on-hold mail whereas there is no reason my application should out on hold, m husband's income is way more than minimum threshold. This is my 25th week and I still have no clue about my application.My passport is with them since 21st Dec, when I made application. This is so frustrating and mentally agonising. Can anyone suggest what can I do? Application made from VFS KOLKATA.

Have you called or emailed UKVI to ask why your application has not been decided yet? tell them you met the threshold and believe it does not apply to you

Also did you receive any other emails from UKVI such as "case not straight Forward"?

I tried calling but to no avail, they are unable to provide any solution. I received two mails , one in March and another in May end, both having same contents- visa on hold, application not straight forward. The second mail said my passport will be returned.Is there any way to find out what's going on really? How long can they legally hold my passport?

[Ish21]

Hi, im on the same boat too, its been 24 days today my husband submitted his biometric on 11th May 2017 sent documents on the 15th and after 2 weeks we checked the status on our application and they said yet to be assesed by an ECO. 2 days ago i called them up and they said its awaiting for a decision to be made and i have done priority the guy over the phone said it can still take up 90days for a decision to be made so im not sure... they havent sent me no email or anything since iv submitted my paperwork so worried dont know how long they will take

[SimonS]

Hi, im on the same boat too, its been 24 days today my husband submitted his biometric on 11th May 2017 sent documents on the 15th and after 2 weeks we checked the status on our application and they said yet to be assesed by an ECO. 2 days ago i called them up and they said its awaiting for a decision to be made and i have done priority the guy over the phone said it can still take up 90days for a decision to be made so im not sure... they havent sent me no email or anything since iv submitted my paperwork so worried dont know how long they will take

I would not worry. A few priority applications have been granted this week and they have taken on average 40-45 days to complete the process. We finished day 37 today on priority and have had exactly the same responses as you when enquiries have been made.

The good news is decisions are being made and they appear to be coming generally in order of biometrics date. Bad news is, 40 -45 days seems to be the priority timeline to decision and they are currently working on applications from April.

[pixelrage09]

Hi, im on the same boat too, its been 24 days today my husband submitted his biometric on 11th May 2017 sent documents on the 15th and after 2 weeks we checked the status on our application and they said yet to be assesed by an ECO. 2 days ago i called them up and they said its awaiting for a decision to be made and i have done priority the guy over the phone said it can still take up 90days for a decision to be made so im not sure... they havent sent me no email or anything since iv submitted my paperwork so worried dont know how long they will take

I would not worry. A few priority applications have been granted this week and they have taken on average 40-45 days to complete the process. We finished day 37 today on priority and have had exactly the same responses as you when enquiries have been made.

The good news is decisions are being made and they appear to be coming generally in order of biometrics date. Bad news is, 40 -45 days seems to be the priority timeline to decision and they are currently working on applications from April.

Simon,

Did you receive a similar "awaiting a decision" email when contacting UKVI for status update?

[SimonS]

Hi Pixel,

sorry, I meant the "not yet assigned to ECO" response and "not heard anything since documents submitted" My last email enquiry was Wednesday last week (paid) still no reply. Very frustrating. I'm assuming the "no reply" means awaiting decision which is why they have not bothered to get back to me.

For information, I told them not to send any generic responses and asked for a specific reply to my wifes application and exactly where it is in the process which they are required to provide by their service standards. Disappointing to see that now they do not adhere to any service standard even when challenged! Can't even reply to an email within a week, never mind 2 days. Still, guess this just confirms that all the replies they send are generic BS.

[Misskatie]

So has anyone who got the Supreme Court hold email had a result yet?

[pixelrage09]

Hi Pixel,

sorry, I meant the "not yet assigned to ECO" response and "not heard anything since documents submitted" My last email enquiry was Wednesday last week (paid) still no reply. Very frustrating. I'm assuming the "no reply" means awaiting decision which is why they have not bothered to get back to me.

For information, I told them not to send any generic responses and asked for a specific reply to my wifes application and exactly where it is in the process which they are required to provide by their service standards. Disappointing to see that now they do not adhere to any service standard even when challenged! Can't even reply to an email within a week, never mind 2 days. Still, guess this just confirms that all the replies they send are generic BS.

Hi Simon,

It's ridiculous that you have to pay 5.48 freaking quid for an update and on top of that they don't even give you an update within their promised 2 day window.

At this point, I'm honestly starting to think that UKVI and HO don't even care anymore and are just throwing human rights and their SLA out the window. They don't even care about all the spouses/children/dependents staying away from their family; and it is just another number for them. I can't even begin to tell you just how frustrating it is spending your first year of marriage away from your spouse.

It's no wonder then that the HO is the most judicially reviewed government body in the UK according to this article: https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/home- ... AE.twitter

[Ish21]

Hi Pixel,

sorry, I meant the "not yet assigned to ECO" response and "not heard anything since documents submitted" My last email enquiry was Wednesday last week (paid) still no reply. Very frustrating. I'm assuming the "no reply" means awaiting decision which is why they have not bothered to get back to me.

For information, I told them not to send any generic responses and asked for a specific reply to my wifes application and exactly where it is in the process which they are required to provide by their service standards. Disappointing to see that now they do not adhere to any service standard even when challenged! Can't even reply to an email within a week, never mind 2 days. Still, guess this just confirms that all the replies they send are generic BS.

Hi Simon,

It's ridiculous that you have to pay 5.48 freaking quid for an update and on top of that they don't even give you an update within their promised 2 day window.

At this point, I'm honestly starting to think that UKVI and HO don't even care anymore and are just throwing human rights and their SLA out the window. They don't even care about all the spouses/children/dependents staying away from their family; and it is just another number for them. I can't even begin to tell you just how frustrating it is spending your first year of marriage away from your spouse.

It's no wonder then that the HO is the most judicially reviewed government body in the UK according to this article: https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/home- ... AE.twitter

Its soo true its really hard staying away from your spouse my husband did the same he paid for the status service and still got no reply, it just hurts every day not hearing anything from them, even paying priority and still nothing is done.

[Ish21]

Hi, im on the same boat too, its been 24 days today my husband submitted his biometric on 11th May 2017 sent documents on the 15th and after 2 weeks we checked the status on our application and they said yet to be assesed by an ECO. 2 days ago i called them up and they said its awaiting for a decision to be made and i have done priority the guy over the phone said it can still take up 90days for a decision to be made so im not sure... they havent sent me no email or anything since iv submitted my paperwork so worried dont know how long they will take

I would not worry. A few priority applications have been granted this week and they have taken on average 40-45 days to complete the process. We finished day 37 today on priority and have had exactly the same responses as you when enquiries have been made.

The good news is decisions are being made and they appear to be coming generally in order of biometrics date. Bad news is, 40 -45 days seems to be the priority timeline to decision and they are currently working on applications from April.

How do you know they are working on april applications ?

[SimonS]

Hi Pixel,

sorry, I meant the "not yet assigned to ECO" response and "not heard anything since documents submitted" My last email enquiry was Wednesday last week (paid) still no reply. Very frustrating. I'm assuming the "no reply" means awaiting decision which is why they have not bothered to get back to me.

For information, I told them not to send any generic responses and asked for a specific reply to my wifes application and exactly where it is in the process which they are required to provide by their service standards. Disappointing to see that now they do not adhere to any service standard even when challenged! Can't even reply to an email within a week, never mind 2 days. Still, guess this just confirms that all the replies they send are generic BS.

Hi Simon,

It's ridiculous that you have to pay 5.48 freaking quid for an update and on top of that they don't even give you an update within their promised 2 day window.

At this point, I'm honestly starting to think that UKVI and HO don't even care anymore and are just throwing human rights and their SLA out the window. They don't even care about all the spouses/children/dependents staying away from their family; and it is just another number for them. I can't even begin to tell you just how frustrating it is spending your first year of marriage away from your spouse.

It's no wonder then that the HO is the most judicially reviewed government body in the UK according to this article: https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/home- ... AE.twitter

I agree with you Pixel and it's an interesting article. Thanks for sharing. I can't imagine how challenging it must be for you. My own situation is stressful and depressing enough.

I'd like to think that there are two sides to every story and that perhaps UKVI try to do their best with limited resources that are pushed to breaking point by cuts in funding. However, it still does not excuse the unnecessary suffering of people who just want to get on with their lives.

As I've said before, the general sense is one of just being cheated. You're given a guidance, you accept it and pay the money then it is simply reneged upon, seemingly without any accountability whatsoever.

Cheers
Simon

[SimonS]

Hi, im on the same boat too, its been 24 days today my husband submitted his biometric on 11th May 2017 sent documents on the 15th and after 2 weeks we checked the status on our application and they said yet to be assesed by an ECO. 2 days ago i called them up and they said its awaiting for a decision to be made and i have done priority the guy over the phone said it can still take up 90days for a decision to be made so im not sure... they havent sent me no email or anything since iv submitted my paperwork so worried dont know how long they will take

I would not worry. A few priority applications have been granted this week and they have taken on average 40-45 days to complete the process. We finished day 37 today on priority and have had exactly the same responses as you when enquiries have been made.

The good news is decisions are being made and they appear to be coming generally in order of biometrics date. Bad news is, 40 -45 days seems to be the priority timeline to decision and they are currently working on applications from April.

How do you know they are working on april applications ?

Hi Ish,

you should read the India and Pakistan timeline threads. You can see from the people who have had decisions and Visas granted, the number of working days from Biometrics and which month the Biometrics were taken. Seems that non-priority are being worked on from end of February and priority from end of March beginning of April.

I know that does not give any comfort to people who have been waiting since December. I think all you can do if you are at the maximum stated time is follow it up with your/ your partners MP here in the UK and request specific information as to the reason for the delay. Even if it is Supreme Court judgement, what aspect and why does your application fall under that judgement.

Kind regards
Simon

[mb7891]

Hi, im on the same boat too, its been 24 days today my husband submitted his biometric on 11th May 2017 sent documents on the 15th and after 2 weeks we checked the status on our application and they said yet to be assesed by an ECO. 2 days ago i called them up and they said its awaiting for a decision to be made and i have done priority the guy over the phone said it can still take up 90days for a decision to be made so im not sure... they havent sent me no email or anything since iv submitted my paperwork so worried dont know how long they will take

I would not worry. A few priority applications have been granted this week and they have taken on average 40-45 days to complete the process. We finished day 37 today on priority and have had exactly the same responses as you when enquiries have been made.

The good news is decisions are being made and they appear to be coming generally in order of biometrics date. Bad news is, 40 -45 days seems to be the priority timeline to decision and they are currently working on applications from April.

How do you know they are working on april applications ?

Hi Ish,

you should read the India and Pakistan timeline threads. You can see from the people who have had decisions and Visas granted, the number of working days from Biometrics and which month the Biometrics were taken. Seems that non-priority are being worked on from end of February and priority from end of March beginning of April.

I know that does not give any comfort to people who have been waiting since December. I think all you can do if you are at the maximum stated time is follow it up with your/ your partners MP here in the UK and request specific information as to the reason for the delay. Even if it is Supreme Court judgement, what aspect and why does your application fall under that judgement.

Kind regards
Simon

For those that need to find who your local MP is you can use the below link, much better to write to them than it is to e-mail/phone the new service

http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/

They can contact UKVI on your behalf, and I believe the case workers in MP offices have there own line of enquiry to UKVI

[Neosprin]

@Neosprin,

I will sure will keep you updated and you let me know as well since we both are in the same "awaiting a decision" boat. Did they give u a timeframe as to how long you have been on "awaiting a decision"? We have had this status since 10th May so it's been over a month for us.

I'm really thinking of calling UKVI and asking them how long it takes to go from "awaiting a decision" to "decided".

@Miss UK,

It's unlikely that you applied early March and got a decision end of March due to the extremely high volume of cases that HO is dealing with now. Perhaps you meant to say your file has been assigned to an ECO?

Hi Pixel,

They wont tell you any timelines except for "within standard timeline"

I will surely keep you posted on my progress.

[tarunmsn1981]

Is there anybody who is over 24 weeks of submitting application and still did not receive any news yet? I have received on-hold mail whereas there is no reason my application should out on hold, m husband's income is way more than minimum threshold. This is my 25th week and I still have no clue about my application.My passport is with them since 21st Dec, when I made application. This is so frustrating and mentally agonising. Can anyone suggest what can I do? Application made from VFS KOLKATA.

Hi rini19mk - I have been waiting since 26 weeks (applied on 14th Dec 2016) but till now I have no clue whats happening with my application.I hope they have not lost my wife passport and application.

For me this looks like a clear TRAP. We pay and submit application. They make us to wait and wait and allow us not to contact them directly. But again they need money and then they opened a small inflow hole called as UKVI email & phone paid services.We pay and use these useless services and get nothing.

[tarunmsn1981]

Hi All,

I have completed my wait of 26 weeks today. The HO will continure in sleep mode unless we take some action and put pressure. If we sit like this I am sure will never get any outcome even end of 2017.Is it possible for all us who were waiting for more than 24 weeks get togather at one point either in london or manchester, discuss and meet local MP or any senior/higher authorities, seriously request them to push this forward?

Also I am unable to send private/personal msgs to this forum users. When I tried to send personal/private msg its saying I am not authorised to send private msg. What should I need do if i want send private messages to forum users Pls advise me on this

We can't suffer like that, we need to expose their unproffesionalism and extortion.