Visa Issue

[ShugNorris]

I know it takes longer to process Settlement Visas and we submitted the application on the 30th December.

On the tracker, and sms service from vfs-uk it says

"30th December, you're application has been forwarded to the embassy"

I'm just wondering, is this the normal message? I was sort of expecting something along the lines of, "Application under review"

It's not much of a tracker if it just tells you you've submitted it and getting it back? I'm just a little confused.

Not heard a word from the embassy nor vfs-uk.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

-Shug

[CharlieB]

I know it takes longer to process Settlement Visas and we submitted the application on the 30th December.

On the tracker, and sms service from vfs-uk it says

"30th December, you're application has been forwarded to the embassy"

I'm just wondering, is this the normal message? I was sort of expecting something along the lines of, "Application under review"

It's not much of a tracker if it just tells you you've submitted it and getting it back? I'm just a little confused.

Not heard a word from the embassy nor vfs-uk.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

-Shug

The online tracker is pretty much hopeless imo. I went to Thailand for 2 weeks to submit my wife's application. We submitted in the first week and had a phone interview after a couple of days. We then monitored the site for the second week so we could go pick up the passport if the status changed as my wife lived in Khon Kaen and they don't do a courier service there. The status never changed until after I got back home on the sunday...and it said the visa had been received back on the Thursday. So it was at least 3 days out of date.

They normally take 1 to 2 weeks to process the applications. I wouldn't worry at the moment as the process may have been interrupted by New Year holidays and your application may have been ok'ed and sent back, but the site may not have been updated. Has your Mrs tried phoning them up?

[philrtw]

That is the normal message after the application has been sent to the embassy, my wife put an application in on 22nd December. She got a SMS & the online tracker was updated to say the application was back & ready for collection Yesterday. So you are well within the normal time period which seems to be 3-15 working days. That is all the tracker does tell you, that the application has been sent & recieved from the embassy.

Did your Mrs choose to recieve SMS messages to tell her the updates ? sometimes the tracker can be out of service I've noticed too.

[ShugNorris]

Ah ok, yeah we got the sms service but I was just concerned, I don't believe there is anything to worry about but I'm just impatient... It would be nice to know if something was going on! Did your misses get a phone call from the embassy at all?

I was referring to the whole tracker system really (sms and online)... It seems quite pathetic, "err, yeah, you gave the application to us and we actioned it.... yeah it's been actioned you can have it back....." did I pay for that? lol

Here's assuming she'll get it back with the right result!

Just missed the application centre before it closed on the 23rd so we'll be a day or two behind you both so you've given me some hope!

Anyway, congrats and thanks!

CharlieB, thanks also

- Shug

[7by7]

This is, unfortunately, the way the UKBIA works, even for in UK applications (ILR etc.).

The people that deal with the application wont speak or otherwise have contact with applicants; the excuse being that they are too busy processing applications to do so.

Those that do speak to applicants don't know anything other than the application is in the queue to be dealt with or it has been dealt with and returned.

I can see the logic to this, but it is very frustrating! Those that have the information wont talk to you; those that will talk to you don't have the information!

BTW, when the passport etc. is returned to the VAC it will be in a sealed envelope and neither the VAC staff nor the tracking system will know the result. All you'll be told is that the passport is back at the VAC awaiting collection.

Edited January 14, 2009 by 7by7

[ShugNorris]

BTW, when the passport etc. is returned to the VAC it will be in a sealed envelope and neither the VAC staff nor the tracking system will know the result. All you'll be told is that the passport is back at the VAC awaiting collection.

haha, it figures... My wife is from Trang so will have to go to Surat Thani to collect it when it is returned. I'm quite sure there would at least be an interview or a phone call asking questions before they reject it? Haven't had either yet...

It was just a rant anyways !

Cheers bud

- Shug

[davidxl]

I put my wife's settlement visa application in on 17th December, and tracker showed that status that until it got returned to VFS on 13th Jan. Chances are it's been granted as it fulfilled the requirements, but wont find out 'til Monday as we are still honeymooning on Koh Chang until then. Hope this gives you and idea of the current average processing times and good luck for your success .

[philrtw]

Wife collected it Yesterday, & the visa has been granted valid from 12th Jan, so hopefully you wont have long to wait for yours too. She had no phonecall or interview.