Uk Settlement

[gypsymoth]

The problem with these figures is that they only show the 'performance' the Embassy achieved over the previous month, they don't give anybody any idea whether the 'pile' of applications is growing, or how far down the pile they are, or how long it will take them to get to the top.

As one or two of us from 'March' will know I have been looking at these figures and the APET reference number we've all been given to see if we can get any idea how long we'll all have to wait. I was going to wait until those of us from March had heard to see if I could get a reasonable way of working out roughly how long everybody might have to wait, but Mays figures suggest we'll have to wait a day or two more than I first thought. And if what Boo says is right and that each ECO is given the applications THIRTY TWO at a time then that further complicates things.

So here's what I've been looking at, and if anybody else has any more information they can throw into the pot we might be able to at least give ourselves a rough idea of how long we'll have to wait.

First of all these are decisions for May not applications. looking at the total decisions since February it looks like they do roughly 1000 per working week (5 days), or about 200 per day, maximum (of all types of visa). They also seem to give more priority to non settlement visas so if those applications increase our settlement visa times suffer, as I think they did a little for Aprils Figures and certainly seem to have done for May's. In February/March they made decisions on 8-9 settlement visas per working day, April was almost 8, but May's is down to 6.5 per working day.

What these figures don't tell us is the total number of applications made, but we have that information ourselves if we want to share it. If you look at the 'APET' number we've been given then the SECOND six digit number is a sequential count of the total number of visa applications made. So by comparing those numbers and the dates we applied we can work out exactly how many APPLICATIONS were made each day/week/month. Firstly that number will tell us if the pile is growing, shrinking or staying the same. I've been in contact with some posters from March and they've told me their six digit number. For example the difference between kennkate and ourselves is 1206 so there were over (they weren't the first and we weren't the last each day) 206 more applications made in that week than the ECO's would process on average. Between us and 30/3 (four working days) there were over 1100, so in those 9 days alone there were over 500 more than they would process in 9days. The settlement visas they appear to be working on at the moment are from that time period so this could explain why the waiting time is increasing. I've seen figures (but I can't remember from where) that said, on average, 8-9% of all visa applications are for settlement visas so,assuming this is right, again we can 'guess' that for every 100 total applications made about 8/9 are for settlement visas, just over one days worth of 'settlement visa decisions' (averaged over the last four months). So again from the APET numbers we could guess roughly how many (working) days/weeks we might have to wait.

Now I realize that a lot of what I've said is just 'average figures' but the APET number does give us an accurate count of the number of applications made so people will at least be able to see how far down the pile they are and whether the pile is shrinking or not, and using that info along with the 'averages' we might be able to give people in April, May, June a rough guide as to how long it might take.

It's up to everybody here if you want to give it a try I'm willing to collate everything...............................or if you think I'm talking rubbish just tell me and I'll shut up.

Have PM'd you with details.

[kate46]

Hi Sumrit I have pm'd you my sons details

[TickTock]

Just been onto the VFS fruit machine and our application is saying "Application Collected" - submitted on 30/03. Nearly choked on my boiled egg. I need to speak to the Mrs ( I'm UK based), as the App was due to posted to her friend in BKK. Got to rush off to Leamington Spa, of all places now, so I'll check back in after lunch with an update.

Apologies if I've done an 'Italian' and barged in on some of the seniors.

[kate46]

Just been onto the VFS fruit machine and our application is saying "Application Collected" - submitted on 30/03. Nearly choked on my boiled egg. I need to speak to the Mrs ( I'm UK based), as the App was due to posted to her friend in BKK. Got to rush off to Leamington Spa, of all places now, so I'll check back in after lunch with an update.

Apologies if I've done an 'Italian' and barged in on some of the seniors.

fingers crossed for you

[TheFiend]

I have just been through the most agonising 24 hours of my life.

When we put together the application I made a couple of errors - entered 1 wrong digit on the wifes mobile number and included bank statements that were printed off the internet, rather than proper bona fide statements. This meant that if they needed to contact us for the "proper" bank statements, or call her in for an interview we were in big trouble.....

Well, yesterday morning I checked the tracking page and it was showing passport ready for collection........

Phoned Mrs Fiend and told her...... OK..... books bus ticket and heads off to Bangkok overnight.... and I start worrying!!!!

I could hardly sleep last night....... then at 13.45 Thai time I get the following SMS

"We lucky I can live UK have visa"

YIPPEE!!!!!!!!

It's been the longest 13 weeks of my life, but the wait is now over......

So here is the updated list! TickTock updated as well!

tlusername 04/3 granted 15/5 - 10weeks 2 days

AnyaDharu 09/3 granted 19/5 - 10weeks 1 day

Tango7 10/3 granted 12/5 - 9weeks

Johnson83 11/3 granted 22/5 10 weeks 2 days

chanthas 12/3 granted 25/5 10 weeks 4 days

Gypsymoth 13/3 granted 25/5 10 weeks 3 days

Friend Boo ILE 16/3 granted 18/06 13 weeks 3 days

Kennkate 17/3 granted16/06 13 weeks 1 day

Chewy 18/3

TheFiend 20/3 granted 18/6 12 weeks 6 days

Sumrit 24/3 (RTD 10/4)

Merangue 25/3 Granted 03/06 10 weeks

fluidfusion 27/3 (RTD 8/4)

TickTock 30/3 (RTD 23/5) ????? 19/6 11 weeks 4 days

George & Dragon 30/03

Delboy 30/3 (RTD 25/4 ?)

Borodave 01/4

JasonThai 02/4 (RTD 5/6)

Mrburb 03/4

feasantplukka 03/4 (RTD 16/6)

Muaylaosfalang 03/4 (RTD 02/5)

Kate46 (son) 08/4 (RTD 14/6)

AndyJoy 08/4 (RTD 1/5)

Marcjaiyenyen 08/4 Applied in Jamaica (RTD 30/5)

scotland 22/4

CinnamonRoll 29/4 (RTD 24/5)

Rolypies 29/4 (RTD 14/5) - Granted 10/06/09 6 weeks

Castor83 (RTD 01/7)

nelson111 04/5

alanr 07/5

true blue 14/5 (RTD 01/7)

spot 15/5

ajsp9 02/6

[CinnamonRoll]

Just been onto the VFS fruit machine and our application is saying "Application Collected" - submitted on 30/03. Nearly choked on my boiled egg. I need to speak to the Mrs ( I'm UK based), as the App was due to posted to her friend in BKK. Got to rush off to Leamington Spa, of all places now, so I'll check back in after lunch with an update.

Apologies if I've done an 'Italian' and barged in on some of the seniors.

Hey, woohoo!! really good news, congrats guys....keep us update...

[feasantplukka]

ooooooooooohhhhh its gettin exciting, love to see all the visa's granted, means I'm moving closer, but wot about Chewy! he must be wondering wots happening to his application or mabye he has it and is out celebrating

[CinnamonRoll]

I have just been through the most agonising 24 hours of my life.

When we put together the application I made a couple of errors - entered 1 wrong digit on the wifes mobile number and included bank statements that were printed off the internet, rather than proper bona fide statements. This meant that if they needed to contact us for the "proper" bank statements, or call her in for an interview we were in big trouble.....

Well, yesterday morning I checked the tracking page and it was showing passport ready for collection........

Phoned Mrs Fiend and told her...... OK..... books bus ticket and heads off to Bangkok overnight.... and I start worrying!!!!

I could hardly sleep last night....... then at 13.45 Thai time I get the following SMS

"We lucky I can live UK have visa"

YIPPEE!!!!!!!!

It's been the longest 13 weeks of my life, but the wait is now over......

So here is the updated list! TickTock updated as well!

tlusername 04/3 granted 15/5 - 10weeks 2 days

AnyaDharu 09/3 granted 19/5 - 10weeks 1 day

Tango7 10/3 granted 12/5 - 9weeks

Johnson83 11/3 granted 22/5 10 weeks 2 days

chanthas 12/3 granted 25/5 10 weeks 4 days

Gypsymoth 13/3 granted 25/5 10 weeks 3 days

Friend Boo ILE 16/3 granted 18/06 13 weeks 3 days

Kennkate 17/3 granted16/06 13 weeks 1 day

Chewy 18/3

TheFiend 20/3 granted 18/6 12 weeks 6 days

Sumrit 24/3 (RTD 10/4)

Merangue 25/3 Granted 03/06 10 weeks

fluidfusion 27/3 (RTD 8/4)

TickTock 30/3 (RTD 23/5) ????? 19/6 11 weeks 4 days

George & Dragon 30/03

Delboy 30/3 (RTD 25/4 ?)

Borodave 01/4

JasonThai 02/4 (RTD 5/6)

Mrburb 03/4

feasantplukka 03/4 (RTD 16/6)

Muaylaosfalang 03/4 (RTD 02/5)

Kate46 (son) 08/4 (RTD 14/6)

AndyJoy 08/4 (RTD 1/5)

Marcjaiyenyen 08/4 Applied in Jamaica (RTD 30/5)

scotland 22/4

CinnamonRoll 29/4 (RTD 24/5)

Rolypies 29/4 (RTD 14/5) - Granted 10/06/09 6 weeks

Castor83 (RTD 01/7)

nelson111 04/5

alanr 07/5

true blue 14/5 (RTD 01/7)

spot 15/5

ajsp9 02/6

excellent news, I really am happy for you guys. Congrats Mr.&Mrs. Today we all got really good news from our members..woooooohooooo.

[sumrit]

Thats great news Fiend And my first prediction spot on

And the same for you ticktock, good luck, but you must have cheated, I predicted next week

I'll blame it on Boo saying that the ECO's get the applications 32 at a time, you were on the top of the pile and I bet we're at the bl**dy bottom

Edited June 19, 2009 by sumrit

[kennkate]

Good work Embassy Looks like you found another gear

One more will do Nicely Come on Chewy were are you. Lets get you away

Congrats to Tick Tock And The Fiend Party Time is in order

Dont wory Tick Tock 100% pass rate. We wont let you spoil it

[rolypie]

Congratulations thefiend and tick tock.!

Two in one day what a bonus!!!!!!!!

[TheFiend]

tlusername 04/3 granted 15/5 - 10weeks 2 days

AnyaDharu 09/3 granted 19/5 - 10weeks 1 day

Tango7 10/3 granted 12/5 - 9weeks

Johnson83 11/3 granted 22/5 10 weeks 2 days

chanthas 12/3 granted 25/5 10 weeks 4 days

Gypsymoth 13/3 granted 25/5 10 weeks 3 days

Friend Boo ILE 16/3 granted 18/06 13 weeks 3 days

Kennkate 17/3 granted16/06 13 weeks 1 day

Chewy 18/3

TheFiend 20/3 granted 18/6 12 weeks 6 days

Sumrit 24/3 (RTD 10/4)

Merangue 25/3 Granted 03/06 10 weeks

fluidfusion 27/3 (RTD 8/4)

TickTock 30/3 (RTD 23/5) ????? 19/6 11 weeks 4 days

George & Dragon 30/03

Delboy 30/3 (RTD 25/4 ?)

Borodave 01/4

JasonThai 02/4 (RTD 5/6)

Mrburb 03/4

feasantplukka 03/4 (RTD 16/6)

Muaylaosfalang 03/4 (RTD 02/5)

Kate46 (son) 08/4 (RTD 14/6)

AndyJoy 08/4 (RTD 1/5)

Marcjaiyenyen 08/4 Applied in Jamaica (RTD 30/5)

scotland 22/4

CinnamonRoll 29/4 (RTD 24/5)

Rolypies 29/4 (RTD 14/5) - Granted 10/06/09 6 weeks

Castor83 (RTD 01/7)

nelson111 04/5

alanr 07/5

true blue 14/5 (RTD 01/7)

spot 15/5

ajsp9 02/6

[sumrit]

The Fiend, just reread your post about the bank statements, are you saying they asked for originals?

I'm getting worried now. I'm living in Thailand and printed my bank statements off the net, I don't get a paper copy anyway and I don't know if I could apply for them to be sent here.

My wifes had three tourist visas already and each time I've used statements printed from the net and the Embassy have never queried it before.

Nobody from the Embassy has contacted us either, and they've got my wifes number, my number and the house number. I don't think I could have got all three wrong.

[TheFiend]

The Fiend, just reread your post about the bank statements, are you saying they asked for originals?

I'm getting worried now. I'm living in Thailand and printed my bank statements off the net, I don't get a paper copy anyway and I don't know if I could apply for them to be sent here.

My wifes had three tourist visas already and each time I've used statements printed from the net and the Embassy have never queried it before.

Nobody from the Embassy has contacted us either, and they've got my wifes number, my number and the house number. I don't think I could have got all three wrong.

I read somewhere that they needed "originals" and not ATM or internet printed ones. But it seems as though internet printed are acceptable. Saying as though more on more people are going paperless then they must be ok with them.

Hope you here something soon - looks as though they are starting to make headway through the big pile of applications.

Looking at booking our flights this morning.... Looks as though I can't get a airmiles reward flight until 1st July, but the wife says "now have visa ok for wait for see you...." Good thing about is that it gives me some time to tidy up the house!!!!

[Boo]

Congrats the The Fiend & tick tok. Looks liek whatever the hold up has (hopefully) be cleared & the rest of the marchers will come through next week

[kate46]

Congratulations to you both hopefully some news soon for Chewy and Sumrit

[borodave]

Congratulations thefiend and tick tock, the troops are marching on

[PeterHThai]

Hello I have been following this thread virtually daily for the last 2 months as my wife applied for a UK settlement visa on 19th March, but I didn't think I had anything new to add to the discussion. Today I have something to say as my wife's visa was approved after 13 weeks and 1 day. Obviously I am over the moon. To everyone else still waiting keep the faith and try to keep smiling. Chewy and Sumrit I am sure your time will come soon. All the best to everyone who has posted on the thread.

I think the list should now look like this with me included.

tlusername 04/3 granted 15/5 - 10weeks 2 days

AnyaDharu 09/3 granted 19/5 - 10weeks 1 day

Tango7 10/3 granted 12/5 - 9weeks

Johnson83 11/3 granted 22/5 10 weeks 2 days

chanthas 12/3 granted 25/5 10 weeks 4 days

Gypsymoth 13/3 granted 25/5 10 weeks 3 days

Friend Boo ILE 16/3 granted 18/06 13 weeks 3 days

Kennkate 17/3 granted16/06 13 weeks 1 day

Chewy 18/3

PeterHThai 19/3 granted 19/6 13 weeks 1 day

TheFiend 20/3 granted 18/6 12 weeks 6 days

Sumrit 24/3 (RTD 10/4)

Merangue 25/3 Granted 03/06 10 weeks

fluidfusion 27/3 (RTD 8/4)

TickTock 30/3 (RTD 23/5) ????? 19/6 11 weeks 4 days

George & Dragon 30/03

Delboy 30/3 (RTD 25/4 ?)

Borodave 01/4

JasonThai 02/4 (RTD 5/6)

Mrburb 03/4

feasantplukka 03/4 (RTD 16/6)

Muaylaosfalang 03/4 (RTD 02/5)

Kate46 (son) 08/4 (RTD 14/6)

AndyJoy 08/4 (RTD 1/5)

Marcjaiyenyen 08/4 Applied in Jamaica (RTD 30/5)

scotland 22/4

CinnamonRoll 29/4 (RTD 24/5)

Rolypies 29/4 (RTD 14/5) - Granted 10/06/09 6 weeks

Castor83 (RTD 01/7)

nelson111 04/5

alanr 07/5

true blue 14/5 (RTD 01/7)

spot 15/5

ajsp9 02/6

[Merangue]

Congrats to TickTock, Fiend and PeterHThai. Good to see some movement finally.

Now we are going to have to root for Chewy, Sumrit and fluidfusion who are the next 3 on the list. With a bit of luck we should see something early next week.

[sumrit]

Congratulations PeterHThai. Perhaps now you're finally here in the madhouse you should join in with the rest of us, you never know you might like it

[kennkate]

Congratulations PeterHthai wellcome aboard.

Every time we get a Result on here it gives the folks a Lift and at 13 weeks you certainly need to see results.

Come On Chewy Chewy Chewy I certainly want to see you OFF this list of waiting folk before I go home

I think it's a fair bet, You have to be odds on. for the next result.

[ajsp9]

Big congratulations to TickTock, Fiend and PeterHThai.

I'm still bottom of the pile and looking at the above, have probably another 10 weeks wait. Never mind, I can enjoy teh English summer

[gypsymoth]

I have just been through the most agonising 24 hours of my life.

When we put together the application I made a couple of errors - entered 1 wrong digit on the wifes mobile number and included bank statements that were printed off the internet, rather than proper bona fide statements. This meant that if they needed to contact us for the "proper" bank statements, or call her in for an interview we were in big trouble.....

Well, yesterday morning I checked the tracking page and it was showing passport ready for collection........

Phoned Mrs Fiend and told her...... OK..... books bus ticket and heads off to Bangkok overnight.... and I start worrying!!!!

I could hardly sleep last night....... then at 13.45 Thai time I get the following SMS

"We lucky I can live UK have visa"

YIPPEE!!!!!!!!

It's been the longest 13 weeks of my life, but the wait is now over......

So here is the updated list! TickTock updated as well!

tlusername 04/3 granted 15/5 - 10weeks 2 days

AnyaDharu 09/3 granted 19/5 - 10weeks 1 day

Tango7 10/3 granted 12/5 - 9weeks

Johnson83 11/3 granted 22/5 10 weeks 2 days

chanthas 12/3 granted 25/5 10 weeks 4 days

Gypsymoth 13/3 granted 25/5 10 weeks 3 days

Friend Boo ILE 16/3 granted 18/06 13 weeks 3 days

Kennkate 17/3 granted16/06 13 weeks 1 day

Chewy 18/3

TheFiend 20/3 granted 18/6 12 weeks 6 days

Sumrit 24/3 (RTD 10/4)

Merangue 25/3 Granted 03/06 10 weeks

fluidfusion 27/3 (RTD 8/4)

TickTock 30/3 (RTD 23/5) ????? 19/6 11 weeks 4 days

George & Dragon 30/03

Delboy 30/3 (RTD 25/4 ?)

Borodave 01/4

JasonThai 02/4 (RTD 5/6)

Mrburb 03/4

feasantplukka 03/4 (RTD 16/6)

Muaylaosfalang 03/4 (RTD 02/5)

Kate46 (son) 08/4 (RTD 14/6)

AndyJoy 08/4 (RTD 1/5)

Marcjaiyenyen 08/4 Applied in Jamaica (RTD 30/5)

scotland 22/4

CinnamonRoll 29/4 (RTD 24/5)

Rolypies 29/4 (RTD 14/5) - Granted 10/06/09 6 weeks

Castor83 (RTD 01/7)

nelson111 04/5

alanr 07/5

true blue 14/5 (RTD 01/7)

spot 15/5

ajsp9 02/6

Happy happy joy joy!!!

Congratulations to you both. oh, and TickTock and Mrs + PeterHThai and Mrs (hadn't read all the posts) I bet you never could imagine that ***** tracker saying anything different, eh? Then there's the wait for the final result - but it's over, and real life is just begining.

Edited June 19, 2009 by gypsymoth

[TickTock]

Thanks everybody and thumbs up too for Fiend and PeterH ( Note: if there are any other 'lurkers' out there, join in, its much more fun and it might mean ajsp gets off the bottom of the list ). Sumrit your prediction was close enough for me, as they say nobody gets fired for delivering ahead of schedule .

Spoke to the Mrs and she knows less than what I do . Still she had a good day out at Big C. As mentioned, she has asked for the application to be forwarded to her friend's house in Bangkok. So, back to the waiting game. Don't know whether it will be sent via Courier? Do posties work on Saturday? Feels like Monday......which should be the day we say Cheerio to Chew, Sumrit and FF.

Have a good weekend.

[spot]

Congratulations to those who have so far had success. I hope the wait isn't too long for the rest in the queue...

Just a quick question: How many waiting here have a joint child (Thai/Brit) who will also travel to the UK if the mother is granted a visa?

Hi Spot, yeah I have a son 50/50 10mnth old now not seen him for 8wks, he has dual passports British/Thai, it really pisses me off that I have not yet been able to bond with my son due to this waiting game we are all enduring,

good luck for today chaps!

congrates K&K you lucky so & so

Do you think it would do any good getting in touch and reminding them that we will have to transport a small child (ours will be around 20-21 months), and baby seats have to be booked, sometimes well in advance? 12 weeks will be getting into the holiday season...

I will be travelling back to Bangkok from the UK for a short time just to help bring back my son on the flight.

I know we all have been waiting, and no one deserves to wait any less or longer than anyone else, but do you think they will give any consideration to the above?

Congratulations gypsymoth & Ticktock!

[JASON THAI]

WOW really great news today that makes it 5 for the week, I am sure Chewy will get his early next week or might have it already ? as I can not see a post from him today, it looks like about 13 weeks wait apart from TickTock how did you do it ? as you should have been 1 or 2 weeks later, but I don't mind as they might start Aprils applications next week, best of lucks to all next week lets see if we can beat 5

[true blue]

congrats,to ticktock,and fiend,best of luck for the future,starting to get a bit nervous myself now.at this rate wont be long.

[drink75]

Congrats to everyone who got theirs this week and well done embassy!

Keep it up for next week and I'll be over the moon!

Sumrit's guessed Friday for us, really don't mind if it goes the same way as Tick Tock!

[chewy22]

ooooooooooohhhhh its gettin exciting, love to see all the visa's granted, means I'm moving closer, but wot about Chewy! he must be wondering wots happening to his application or mabye he has it and is out celebrating

Nothing for us today

[chewy22]

I am self-employed with my own shop and small Internet business. I get some tax credits at the moment but will probable get non in the next tax year. I think I may have put that I don’t get benefits on the application form do you think this will be a problem. I am very worried now that something is wrong.