Has anyone received their letter since the rules changed

[tier1researcher]

I applied on the 28th of September

I just wanted to find out if we should expect to wait longer for applications because of the rule change that happened on the 1st of October.

I ask this because I imagine there would have been a lot more applications in September by people trying to get their application in before the change of rules.

[CR001]

What rule change are you referring to?

[tier1researcher]

ohh sorry this just affects people applying to tech nation. From the 1st of October they required 3 letters of recommendation instead of 2. They also reduced the options for fast track

[confuseddesi123]

Hey tier1researcher

I have applied on 25 September and still waiting for the endorsement letter. You are correct there must be loads of application because of the third recommendation letter rule change.

Please keep us posted if you happen to hear from Tech Nation or home office and I will do the same.

When did you receive URN?

Cheers!

[adventure-capitalist]

I submitted my Tech Nation application on Sept 30th (one day before the aforementioned Tech Nation rule-change) from inside the UK. I received a letter of endorsement on Oct 15th. I applied for Stage 2 that same day on Oct 15th and gave biometrics in Croydon on Oct 17th. Now I am not so patiently waiting!

[tier1researcher]

Hey tier1researcher

I have applied on 25 September and still waiting for the endorsement letter. You are correct there must be loads of application because of the third recommendation letter rule change.

Please keep us posted if you happen to hear from Tech Nation or home office and I will do the same.

When did you receive URN?

Cheers!

confuseddesi123 I received my URN on the 3rd of October. You?

Yes I'll keep you updated, Thank you

[tier1researcher]

I submitted my Tech Nation application on Sept 30th (one day before the aforementioned Tech Nation rule-change) from inside the UK. I received a letter of endorsement on Oct 15th. I applied for Stage 2 that same day on Oct 15th and gave biometrics in Croydon on Oct 17th. Now I am not so patiently waiting!

@adventure-capitalist congratulations, that's fantastic news. How was the stage 2 application? Did you use the fast track?

[adventure-capitalist]

I submitted my Tech Nation application on Sept 30th (one day before the aforementioned Tech Nation rule-change) from inside the UK. I received a letter of endorsement on Oct 15th. I applied for Stage 2 that same day on Oct 15th and gave biometrics in Croydon on Oct 17th. Now I am not so patiently waiting!

@adventure-capitalist congratulations, that's fantastic news. How was the stage 2 application? Did you use the fast track?

Hi tier1researcher, the stage 2 application was fairly basic admin when compared with completing the Tech Nation requirements. I did not use the fast track I didn't really think I met all the conditions. I applied under the Exceptional Promise sub-category.

[tier1researcher]

I submitted my Tech Nation application on Sept 30th (one day before the aforementioned Tech Nation rule-change) from inside the UK. I received a letter of endorsement on Oct 15th. I applied for Stage 2 that same day on Oct 15th and gave biometrics in Croydon on Oct 17th. Now I am not so patiently waiting!

@adventure-capitalist congratulations, that's fantastic news. How was the stage 2 application? Did you use the fast track?

Hi tier1researcher, the stage 2 application was fairly basic admin when compared with completing the Tech Nation requirements. I did not use the fast track I didn't really think I met all the conditions. I applied under the Exceptional Promise sub-category.

adventure-capitalist Thanks for the heads up about stage 2. Oh sorry I meant did you fast track your stage 2 application because you said you submitted your biometrics on the 17th of November

[adventure-capitalist]

I submitted my Tech Nation application on Sept 30th (one day before the aforementioned Tech Nation rule-change) from inside the UK. I received a letter of endorsement on Oct 15th. I applied for Stage 2 that same day on Oct 15th and gave biometrics in Croydon on Oct 17th. Now I am not so patiently waiting!

@adventure-capitalist congratulations, that's fantastic news. How was the stage 2 application? Did you use the fast track?

Hi tier1researcher, the stage 2 application was fairly basic admin when compared with completing the Tech Nation requirements. I did not use the fast track I didn't really think I met all the conditions. I applied under the Exceptional Promise sub-category.

adventure-capitalist Thanks for the heads up about stage 2. Oh sorry I meant did you fast track your stage 2 application because you said you submitted your biometrics on the 17th of November

No, I reaffirm that I did not fast track the application. And let the record show that I submitted biometrics on the 17th of October. I did pay a small fee for an out of hours appointment if that's what you mean?

My reasons for doing so are that I didn't want to take time off work to travel to Croydon anyways as that's not exactly what I consider to be a relaxing holiday destination... Furthermore, I wanted to get it scheduled and done with so that I can concentrate on other matters.

As soon as I submitted Stage 2 (from inside the UK), one of the requirements was to make an appointment through the Sopra Steria portal, Croydon is the least furthest away facility for me. The application wizard guides you through the entire process; part of the process is making an appointment for biometrics.

I hope this helps? Now I will try to forget about it for several weeks.

[tier1researcher]

adventure-capitalist oh sorry if I caused any offence, the word I was looking for wasn't fast track, it was priority service (https://www.gov.uk/faster-decision-visa-settlement). Although, after looking at your answer I see that you did not. Yes it does help, thank you very much

[adventure-capitalist]

adventure-capitalist oh sorry if I caused any offence, the word I was looking for wasn't fast track, it was priority service (https://www.gov.uk/faster-decision-visa-settlement). Although, after looking at your answer I see that you did not. Yes it does help, thank you very much

Don't worry! No offense taken! I'd rather be clear and be mistaken for curt, than too ambiguous and therefore unhelpful.

[confuseddesi123]

Hey,

I am still awaiting to hear from Tech Nation.

My timelines so far:
Application Submitted - 25 September 2019
URN Received - 10 October 2019

I am surprised how adventure-capitalist received the results in 16 days. Unless applied to stage 1 as fast-track. Apologies to ask this question again as it is unclear.

It makes me nervous that I have still not heard anything from Tech Nation.

@adventure-capitalist did you apply both stages 1 and 2 on your own or did you seek legal advise? I want your opinion as it will help me understand how easy the stage 2 process is? Can I do it without legal advise?

Thank you in advance!

[adventure-capitalist]

Hey,

I am still awaiting to hear from Tech Nation.

My timelines so far:
Application Submitted - 25 September 2019
URN Received - 10 October 2019

I am surprised how adventure-capitalist received the results in 16 days. Unless applied to stage 1 as fast-track. Apologies to ask this question again as it is unclear.

It makes me nervous that I have still not heard anything from Tech Nation.

@adventure-capitalist did you apply both stages 1 and 2 on your own or did you seek legal advise? I want your opinion as it will help me understand how easy the stage 2 process is? Can I do it without legal advise?

Thank you in advance!

Hi there confuseddesi123. I swear I did not apply for fast track at any stage. Furthermore, I did everything on my own with no legal advice. The stage 2 application is online, and fairly straight forward, at least when compared to the endorsement application.

It is possible for applicants to submit the stage 2 application without legal advice, however, as to whether or not this is the right course of action for you, is a decision you must make for yourself alone.

I can't explain the mysteries of the inner-workings of the Home Office. Fingers crossed you hear back soon!

[confuseddesi123]

Hey adventure-capitalist,

Thank you for the information shared!

Trust me it has made few things clear in my head as I feel a little confidence in applying stage 2 on my own.

Another stupid question, do you have to give away your passport? And do you need to give away your current BRP which is valid for your stay in the UK?

Any idea when you apply from within the UK, you will get Visa on your passport and within 10 days you need to collect BRP? I am asking because I will be applying within the UK.

Cheers

[CR001]

Hey adventure-capitalist,

Thank you for the information shared!

Trust me it has made few things clear in my head as I feel a little confidence in applying stage 2 on my own.

Another stupid question, do you have to give away your passport? And do you need to give away your current BRP which is valid for your stay in the UK?

Any idea when you apply from within the UK, you will get Visa on your passport and within 10 days you need to collect BRP? I am asking because I will be applying within the UK.

Cheers

You don't get a visa vignette in your passport. You only get a brp card.

[adventure-capitalist]

Hey adventure-capitalist,


Another stupid question, do you have to give away your passport? And do you need to give away your current BRP which is valid for your stay in the UK?

Any idea when you apply from within the UK, you will get Visa on your passport and within 10 days you need to collect BRP? I am asking because I will be applying within the UK.

Cheers

Every page of your passport, and your BRP will be scanned at your biometrics appointment with Sopra Steria. You also have to upload scans of your BRP, Passport and endorsement letter to Sopra Steria prior to the appointment. I did not have to mail anything anywhere.

In theory, you don't need the entry visa vignette sticker, because you are already in the UK so I presume they will just mail a new BRP, if successful.

[confuseddesi123]

Hey adventure-capitalist,


Another stupid question, do you have to give away your passport? And do you need to give away your current BRP which is valid for your stay in the UK?

Any idea when you apply from within the UK, you will get Visa on your passport and within 10 days you need to collect BRP? I am asking because I will be applying within the UK.

Cheers

Every page of your passport, and your BRP will be scanned at your biometrics appointment with Sopra Steria. You also have to upload scans of your BRP, Passport and endorsement letter to Sopra Steria prior to the appointment. I did not have to mail anything anywhere.

In theory, you don't need the entry visa vignette sticker, because you are already in the UK so I presume they will just mail a new BRP, if successful.

Hi adventure-capitalist
Could you please share from whom did you get the endorsement letter? Is it Tech Nation or Home Office?
Thanks and Regards

[adventure-capitalist]

Hi adventure-capitalist
Could you please share from whom did you get the endorsement letter? Is it Tech Nation or Home Office?
Thanks and Regards

Hi there, Tech Nation send a letter of endorsement to the Home Office. Then you receive a letter from the Home Office saying that they have received a letter of endorsement from Tech Nation and that you can apply for Stage 2. Mine came as an attachment to an email.

[tier1researcher]

Hi adventure-capitalist, Did you have to submit the letter the home letter gave you when you completed your stage 2 application?

[adventure-capitalist]

Hi adventure-capitalist, Did you have to submit the letter the home letter gave you when you completed your stage 2 application?

Hello again, I don't think so. I do remember uploading the letter as part of the required documents for the biometrics appointment with Sopra Steria. In theory, they should already have it on file, but then again, in theory they should already have my fingerprints and photograph on file too...

The Sopra Steria interface stated that I was required to bring the letter to the biometrics appointment, but they didn't seem too interested in the hard copy. They were too busy scanning in every page of my passport.

However, also be warned that the site seems to indicate that if you don't upload your required documents correctly when you make the biometrics appointment, that they will charge you an additional fee of GBP 45 for a "document scanning" service.

[confuseddesi123]

Hi adventure-capitalist, Did you have to submit the letter the home letter gave you when you completed your stage 2 application?

Hey tier1researcher,
When did you receive your endorsement letter? Could you please share your timeline?
Submitted Application:
Received URN:
Received Endorsement Letter:

Cheers!

[tier1researcher]

Submitted Application: 28th October

URN Received: 03rd October

Endorsement Letter: 28th October

18 Working days but I didn't use the fast-track option

[confuseddesi123]

Hey tier1researcher

Congratulations on the endorsement letter!
Did you take apply for stage 2?
Do you know if there is an option of priority or fast track for stage 2 only? Or any guidelines available online?
I am gathering all these information for the future!
Cheers...

[tier1researcher]

Hi Confuseddesi123,

Thank you very much. Yes there's a priority service for stage 2 (https://www.gov.uk/faster-decision-visa-settlement). They also talk about it in the guidance for the Tier 1 exceptional talent visa