Zak_K wrote:
Well, perhaps it just depends on the mood of the Immigration officer. Obviously they state a 3 month processing time, however my solicitor has said he has had cases back within 10 days. Nevertheless it's sensible to be modest.
Personally, I'll be travelling to Pakistan on Sunday, and hopefully lodge my application for next Wednesday. I'm only going for 3 weeks though, so hopefully my wife will be coming over soon after myself.
Anyways my duas are with you bro, take it easy.
Zak.
My wife went to the application centre in Lahore today, she was in there a total of 4 hours and was exhausted at the end of it!
The folks who processed her application told her "to expect a reply in 25 to 30 days". OK not lightning quick but at least the it's now 25-30 and not the 60 days they were quoting in January. Inshallah thing are better now.
A couple of things I want to share with the group:
If you have presented your application in a file/document holder etc THEY WILL remove all the papers. You are best to secure all the papers together without a folder or removable clip.
The staff WILL try and make you hurry and exit, don't listen to them. My wife had to re-organise her paper work after they messed it up. Tell your wife/husband to take their time - do not rush because they say so. They will not sympathise and don't really care that this is a life-changing issue. However if you stand your ground (be firm but polite) they will let you get on with it.
Make sure you include two document Indexes in the file listing IN ORDER all the paper work in the file. One should be for the sponsors paper work and the other for the applicant. Mark them up clearly e.g. Index of Sponsor Documents.
My wife was told that she had to submit a duplicate of the whole file!!! This was not mentioned anywhere and to be honest I am not sure if it is really required. Create a duplicate of your file, photocopy everything including the photographs (yes really, they asked her to do that!). To make things simple the sponsor should create duplicate of their documents and send the "real" file and the "duplicate". My wife was told the "real" one goes Abu Dabi/Dubai the other to Islamabad.
Take spare passport photos with you.
I'm sure I have forgotten something, if I remember I will update this post.
I hope you find this information helpful, if you do please make dua for us.
