Schedule And Appointment

[chiang mai]

We've submitted an online application for Settlement and at the end of the application process the system tells us that we must now schedule an appointment online - the VFS site asks for the category of visa but only offers "General" from a drop down menu, if that is selected and you enter further details it returns by saying there are no appointments available in June and it doesn't off any subsequent months!

Does anyone have any idea what the situation is regarding booking an appointment? Is it practical just show up and apply without an appointment?

Thanks in advance

[ThaiVisaExpress]

Just turn up pull a ticket out and join the Que.

[chiang mai]

Just turn up pull a ticket out and join the Que.

I was afraid you were going to say that! Thanks.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

Unless you want to wait for an appointment.

[chiang mai]

On a slightly different aspect: I recall reading that a small percentage of Settlement Visa applications are confirmed in a short period of time, regardless of normal waiting times and volumes. Presumably there are some applications that are very straight forward and despite a series of mandatory and standard checks they can be endorsed quickly. Is that the case or is it urban myth?

[7by7]

Urban myth.

Applications are processed in the order they are received. Most applications are straightforward and can be processed quickly, once they've reached the head of the queue. A small minority, however, for various reasons require further checks such as a phone interview, face to face interview or referral to the Home Office.

The biggest factor in determining processing time is when one applies. I know of people who applied at a quiet time and received their visa within 5 working days; there is even a post on here somewhere from someone saying they got it next day! At other times it's taken as much as 3 months, occasionally more. The trick is knowing when it's a quiet time, and I've not worked out how to do that yet. Although March/April seems best avoided if possible as they appear to receive lots of , possibly student, applications then.

Moral; plan ahead and allow plenty of time. Better to get it earlier than expected rather than later, I'd have thought. Remember one can always ask for the start date to be postdated for up to three months.

[chiang mai]

Urban myth.

Applications are processed in the order they are received. Most applications are straightforward and can be processed quickly, once they've reached the head of the queue. A small minority, however, for various reasons require further checks such as a phone interview, face to face interview or referral to the Home Office.

The biggest factor in determining processing time is when one applies. I know of people who applied at a quiet time and received their visa within 5 working days; there is even a post on here somewhere from someone saying they got it next day! At other times it's taken as much as 3 months, occasionally more. The trick is knowing when it's a quiet time, and I've not worked out how to do that yet. Although March/April seems best avoided if possible as they appear to receive lots of , possibly student, applications then.

Moral; plan ahead and allow plenty of time. Better to get it earlier than expected rather than later, I'd have thought. Remember one can always ask for the start date to be postdated for up to three months.

Thanks for that 7B7, it does make sense. I've yet to see anywhere on any of the forms we've filled out a required start date for the visa. There's a box that asks about intended travel date, are they two of the same, that being the case I may need to change what we've written?

[7by7]

Yes, that's the one. However, this can be overlooked by the ECO, so you should request it in the sponsor's letter as well and when the visa is received; check it immediately; mistakes cannot be rectified later.

Remember that if the visa is postdated, it cannot be used until that date.

To be honest, though, most people don't really need to do this. A spouse visa is valid for 27 months, and one only needs to have been in the UK for 24 months to be time qualified for ILR. This should, in normal circumstances, allow people enough time to wind up their affairs and make travel arrangements etc. and still be able to meet the 24 month requirement.

Edit:

Should add that if applying as a fiance, this is only valid for 6 months; so postdating it may be desirable as you must make sure that you have enough time for the wedding and subsequent FLR application before it expires.

Further edit;

Added the above whilst you were typing the below. Maybe not applicable to you, but could help others reading this.

Edited June 19, 2010 by 7by7

[chiang mai]

Yes, that's the one. However, this can be overlooked by the ECO, so you should request it in the sponsor's letter as well and when the visa is received; check it immediately; mistakes cannot be rectified later.

Remember that if the visa is postdated, it cannot be used until that date.

To be honest, though, most people don't really need to do this. A spouse visa is valid for 27 months, and one only needs to have been in the UK for 24 months to be time qualified for ILR. This should, in normal circumstances, allow people enough time to wind up their affairs and make travel arrangements etc. and still be able to meet the 24 month requirement.

Thanks again, we're going to be cheeky and submit papers next week whilst asking for a 1 August date, we're quite relaxed however if it takes much longer for the approvals but it would be good to be settled before winter rolls around.

[NanLaew]

The wife went online and submitted her UK visit visa application last night. You are correct when you say that the only visa option selectable when making the appointment is 'General' but it looked like the whole of July was available, apart from the 1st and 2nd. She booked for the 7th July.

The OP was posted mid- June so maybe they should log in again ASAP and book the appointment for July. I think you can always reschedule the appointment up to 3 times before they kick you off the system.

[Mercury]

The system seems fine to me though a whole batch of dates from the end of June to the first week in July just disappeared and were never available or so it seemed !