UK Settlement Visa-10 day Priority Service Available in Malaysia

[rededge]

Thought it was worth sharing that we just obtained by Wife’s UK Settlement Visa in 9 days using the Priority Service in Malaysia. It was around 400 quid extra mind you, but decided it was better than sitting around not knowing for 3 months. Wife is Thai, but we live in KL due to my work, so she has a Malaysia Dependent Pass meaning we could apply from here with no issues.

We only found out there was a priority service when we got to VFS in KL to submit application, nothing on website and had to pay cash with the application,no credit cards accepted.

Not sure why Thailand does not offer a priority service, its clearly possible, would be a cash generator for UKVI, must be a lot more Settlement Visa applications from Thailand than here.

Anyway a great result for us and thanks to everyone who posts good advice especially 7by7, really helped us have the right documents and evidence in the application.

[wooloomooloo]

Can't argue with that, rededge. If a priority service was available when I married my wife in LOS five years ago and subsequently applied for her settlement a week later, I would have stumped up an extra £400 as well. My wife was obviously quite stressed with the not knowing after about five weeks, which was understandable. I'd have paid for her to have easier life.

[durhamboy]

Actually I'm a bit suspicious of this. Why is it available in Malaysia and not other countries such as Thailand? Why is it not advertised on the website? Why cash only? Was a receipt given?

The cynic in me suggests that this could be "under the table" payments to speed up an application. That is, ensure it goes to the top of the pile. VACs shouldn't do this. Could even be in collusion with embassy staff.

I'd be happy for someone to prove me wrong although I have to say that I do not generally like premium services as in my opinion they often result in a reduced standard of service to the regular service. I also don't like VACs much either.

[rededge]

As far as I could tell this was all above board

1. We were given a proper printed receipt from VFS

2. The application was stamped with Priority in large red letters-not very subtle if under the table

3. UK Visa's in Malaysia are sent to Manila for processing so collusion between VFS and Embassy staff would be hard.

I do agree that premium service could mean worse regular service, exactly the reason we opted for it, once I saw they offered a priority service felt we would be waiting the full 90 days for a decision otherwise.

[durhamboy]

Fair enough rededge. Thanks for that. As you say, seems to be above board. As I said, I'm not personally in favour of it as it must push other applicants further down the queue but, as you say, it's a personal choice. A bit strange that there is one system in one country and another system elsewhere.

[7by7]

This service for settlement visas is available in other countries, e.g. the USA, but not all; yet.

In Thailand it is currently only available for certain non settlement visas. See here.

It is not unusual for UKVI to trial such systems in a few countries before rolling them out world wide.

[durhamboy]

Thanks 7by7.

I don't blame people using priority premium services if they can afford it.

However, in my opinion, it is the thin end of the wedge. Why should it take 90 days to make a decision when it probably takes less than an hour for an ECO to reach a decision when s/he picks up the file? This is especially so nowadays because there is no interview and virtually everything is a tick box exercise.

There was a time (about 15 years ago I think) when decisions were being made within a couple of weeks.

I get the distinct feeling that UKVI are happy for ECOs to take the max. 90 days so more and more people opt for the premium service thereby making more money for the Exchequer.

Edited August 13, 2015 by durhamboy

[7by7]

Although UKVI do (or did, I can't find it now) recommend allowing 90 working days for a settlement visa to be processed, the latest figures show that, in Bangkok at least, 60% are being done within 30.

A few years ago I was told by an ex ECO that each application takes between 10 and 15 minutes to be processed once it has reached the 'top of the pile.' I assume that with the extra checks due to the financial requirement it now takes a bit longer; but probably not much.

He also told me that non settlement visas are prioritised over settlement ones as those applicants usually have more time restraints on their date of travel than a settlement applicant.

Of course, as I'm sure you realise, the main factor in processing times is demand. ECOs can only process so many applications per day, and the more applications they have to process the longer each will take to reach the top of that pile.

My wife and daughter applied 15 years ago, and from memory their applications took around 2 months, same as now; most of that awaiting an interview as most (all?) settlement applicants and many non settlement ones were interviewed in those days. Obviously, interviewing applicants takes more time, and so as most applicants are not interviewed these days that speeds the whole process up.

I agree with you that a paid for priority service is in many ways unfair; however were we applying for UK settlement now I, personally, would not pay the extra as two months is not that long a wait when you are planning the rest of your lives together.

The visa fee and NHS supplement make it expensive enough as it is; why give the government an extra £400 (probably more as doubtless they charge for it in USD!) on top of that?

I'm sure some people, like the OP, will use it; but I think most will share my opinion.

My main concern with a paid for priority service is with visits.

It used to be that if someone had an urgent, compassionate reason for visiting the UK, death of a relative for example, then they could request their visit visa application be prioritised, which in most cases it would be; for free.

Now, presumably, they have to pay the fee for this!

[7by7]

the latest figures show that, in Bangkok at least, 60%* are being done within 30.

*Typo alert!

That should be 96%!