**** COVID19 and UKVCAS Appointments **** (ONLY discuss here)

[debrancherenzym]

any SET(M)s over 120 days still waiting? I feel like with the current COVID situation, the 6 month time line might not be fulfilled

[stargal87]

Got my approval!!!! Best of luck everyone


Applied for ILR Route : Set (O) - Tier 2 General
Date application sent : 21/09/2020
Type of application : Standard application
Payment debited: 21/09/2020
Documents uploaded : 24/09/2020
Email re biometric reuse / IDV app: Not received
Access granted to IDV app: No access given
Date Biometrics Enrolled: 12 October 2020
Decision Letter received: 19 October 2020
BRP Card Received: waiting

[mesn]

Hi Guys,

I am looking for a bio appointment [currently booked for Sunderland]. UKVCAS update says the following Service Points will be open today but I still see no slots. They just asked me to keep checking frequently on Twitter. Let me know if you are able to see/book for these two centres, please.

Coventry w/c 19 October
Llandudno w/c 19 October

[gn0me]

Hi Everyone,

I have a Tier 1 Exceptional talent visa and previously had a Tier 2 General. In total I've been in the UK for over a 5 years already. I've applied for ILR and have an appointment in Croydon on 2nd of November. I've uploaded all documents online, but a lot of these documents I have only in PDFs, like bank statements, payslips, etc. Should I still print them and bring on my appointment or it is enough that I've uploaded them? Thanks for clarification.

Andrei

[Toxic]

Hi Guys,

I am still waiting on my decision.
Applied on 14th April
IDV submission on 28th August.

Contacted HO last week and they said I will receive an update in 10 working days.

Contacted my local mp through their email today.

Waiting for a response.

Any suggestions or ideas to escalate further?

[debrancherenzym]

Hi Guys,

I am still waiting on my decision.
Applied on 14th April
IDV submission on 28th August.

Contacted HO last week and they said I will receive an update in 10 working days.

Contacted my local mp through their email today.

Waiting for a response.

Any suggestions or ideas to escalate further?

I think you will hear back in 10 working days, whenever home office have said they will come back in 10 working days, I think they have with a decision.

Hopefully you can hear back soon.

[Emp35]

Hi all,

Seems app submission is moving faster now

[ajitu92]

Hi all,

Seems app submission is moving faster now

This is nothing new. It's the same line UKVCAS have been parroting for a while now.

[Emp35]

Oh my bad. Not sure why they keep saying it, if it’s inaccurate

[Emp35]

Hi Everyone,

I have a Tier 1 Exceptional talent visa and previously had a Tier 2 General. In total I've been in the UK for over a 5 years already. I've applied for ILR and have an appointment in Croydon on 2nd of November. I've uploaded all documents online, but a lot of these documents I have only in PDFs, like bank statements, payslips, etc. Should I still print them and bring on my appointment or it is enough that I've uploaded them? Thanks for clarification.

Andrei

May be worth taking it just in case. Just for clarification, where you in the tier 2 for 5 years or tier 1 is included in your 5 years?

[anaskamal1992]

Just got my decision today, although it was for FLRM.

Timeline is as follows:

Submitted application online: 15th September.
Received email that not eligible for IDV: 22nd September.
Submitted biometrics in person: 5th October.
Received covid delay email: 11th October.
Received decision: Today (19th October).

Surprised at how fast they made the decision, although I was switching from discretionary leave (2.5 years) to FLRM so it may have been a factor, albeit pleased and thankful.

[ajitu92]

Oh my bad. Not sure why they keep saying it, if it’s inaccurate

No worries, no harm done. There is no evidence that it is not accurate either, to be honest. The bottleneck could be (and probably is) on UKVI's end rather than UKVCAS.

[Emp35]

Oh fair enough. That would make sense.

[butchikMD]

Hi Guys,

I am still waiting on my decision.
Applied on 14th April
IDV submission on 28th August.

Contacted HO last week and they said I will receive an update in 10 working days.

Contacted my local mp through their email today.

Waiting for a response.

Any suggestions or ideas to escalate further?

We have the same application date, IDV was on 3rd Sep though and had personal appointment on 7th Oct. I have chased HO as well last week right after the 6th month mark. On 3/10 working days and have not heard anything yet. I’ve given up with my local MP, either it takes them ages to reply or not reply at all. I want to wake up from this nightmare already!

[debrancherenzym]

Hi Guys,

I am still waiting on my decision.
Applied on 14th April
IDV submission on 28th August.

Contacted HO last week and they said I will receive an update in 10 working days.

Contacted my local mp through their email today.

Waiting for a response.

Any suggestions or ideas to escalate further?

We have the same application date, IDV was on 3rd Sep though and had personal appointment on 7th Oct. I have chased HO as well last week right after the 6th month mark. On 3/10 working days and have not heard anything yet. I’ve given up with my local MP, either it takes them ages to reply or not reply at all. I want to wake up from this nightmare already!

UKVI takes 20 working days to respond to MP escalation as I have raised it with my MP as well, 20 working days will be over on Wednesday for me

[alibaba2234]

I have received my BRP decision email today (successful). I want share details of my case, hopefully it give our society here some additional insight:

Insight:
1. You can register application with UKVI for ILR (LR) before you qualify for the ILR (LR). As long as you qualify on the day of biometric appointment, you should be fine.
2. You shouldn't expect and communication from UKVI or UKVCAS from the day of biometric submission.
3. My 1st date of entry to the UK (2 Sept 10) is blurred and the stamp is illegible. I submit print-out of my flight ticket that day and I received no further query from UKVI.
4. Biometric reuse: I have no idea why I was not selected for reuse. I am a lone application (no dependant, no lawyer was used). I submit my biometric in 2015 for Tier 4, 2016 for Tier 2 Visa, 2019 for Tier 2 visa extension; so home office had plenty of my biometric already. All application mentioned were lone application).


My timeline ILR (LR):
1st entry to UK: 2/Sept/2010
1st date to qualify for ILR (LR): 5/Aug/2020

5/Jul: Created UKVI account
5/Jul: Register with UKVCAS (did not click submit document to UKVI button)
7/Aug: Biometric appointment (in-person)
19 /Oct: decision email received (successful)
BRP received: awaiting.

Note:
No email or any form of communication from UKVI or UKVCAS from biometric appointment to 19 Oct
No email communication from UKVI or UKVCAS from 5/Jul to 7/Aug except register confirmation email and email asking me to book biometric appointment.

[917700]

I have received my BRP decision email today (successful). I want share details of my case, hopefully it give our society here some additional insight:

Insight:
1. You can register application with UKVI for ILR (LR) before you qualify for the ILR (LR). As long as you qualify on the day of biometric appointment, you should be fine.
2. You shouldn't expect and communication from UKVI or UKVCAS from the day of biometric submission.
3. My 1st date of entry to the UK (2 Sept 10) is blurred and the stamp is illegible. I submit print-out of my flight ticket that day and I received no further query from UKVI.
4. Biometric reuse: I have no idea why I was not selected for reuse. I am a lone application (no dependant, no lawyer was used). I submit my biometric in 2015 for Tier 4, 2016 for Tier 2 Visa, 2019 for Tier 2 visa extension; so home office had plenty of my biometric already. All application mentioned were lone application).


My timeline ILR (LR):
1st entry to UK: 2/Sept/2010
1st date to qualify for ILR (LR): 5/Aug/2020

5/Jul: Created UKVI account
5/Jul: Register with UKVCAS (did not click submit document to UKVI button)
7/Aug: Biometric appointment (in-person)
19 /Oct: decision email received (successful)
BRP received: awaiting.

Note:
No email or any form of communication from UKVI or UKVCAS from biometric appointment to 19 Oct
No email communication from UKVI or UKVCAS from 5/Jul to 7/Aug except register confirmation email and email asking me to book biometric appointment.

Thanks for sharing this information. Can I ask when did your first visa was granted? My solicitor did mention there is a grey area which is not very clear. We can submit the application based on the date of issue of visa rather than the date of entry. I decided to wait because each caseworker is different.

[ajitu92]

I have received my BRP decision email today (successful). I want share details of my case, hopefully it give our society here some additional insight:

Insight:
1. You can register application with UKVI for ILR (LR) before you qualify for the ILR (LR). As long as you qualify on the day of biometric appointment, you should be fine.
2. You shouldn't expect and communication from UKVI or UKVCAS from the day of biometric submission.
3. My 1st date of entry to the UK (2 Sept 10) is blurred and the stamp is illegible. I submit print-out of my flight ticket that day and I received no further query from UKVI.
4. Biometric reuse: I have no idea why I was not selected for reuse. I am a lone application (no dependant, no lawyer was used). I submit my biometric in 2015 for Tier 4, 2016 for Tier 2 Visa, 2019 for Tier 2 visa extension; so home office had plenty of my biometric already. All application mentioned were lone application).


My timeline ILR (LR):
1st entry to UK: 2/Sept/2010
1st date to qualify for ILR (LR): 5/Aug/2020

5/Jul: Created UKVI account
5/Jul: Register with UKVCAS (did not click submit document to UKVI button)
7/Aug: Biometric appointment (in-person)
19 /Oct: decision email received (successful)
BRP received: awaiting.

Note:
No email or any form of communication from UKVI or UKVCAS from biometric appointment to 19 Oct
No email communication from UKVI or UKVCAS from 5/Jul to 7/Aug except register confirmation email and email asking me to book biometric appointment.

Congratulations! I'm assuming that you submitted your application on 5th July as well (given that you can't create a UKVCAS account linked to that specific application until you have finished your UKVI application and form). If not, could you please clarify when you did? Best thing would be to update the timeline thread with your details.

[gyanp]

I have received my BRP decision email today (successful). I want share details of my case, hopefully it give our society here some additional insight:

Insight:
1. You can register application with UKVI for ILR (LR) before you qualify for the ILR (LR). As long as you qualify on the day of biometric appointment, you should be fine.
2. You shouldn't expect and communication from UKVI or UKVCAS from the day of biometric submission.
3. My 1st date of entry to the UK (2 Sept 10) is blurred and the stamp is illegible. I submit print-out of my flight ticket that day and I received no further query from UKVI.
4. Biometric reuse: I have no idea why I was not selected for reuse. I am a lone application (no dependant, no lawyer was used). I submit my biometric in 2015 for Tier 4, 2016 for Tier 2 Visa, 2019 for Tier 2 visa extension; so home office had plenty of my biometric already. All application mentioned were lone application).


My timeline ILR (LR):
1st entry to UK: 2/Sept/2010
1st date to qualify for ILR (LR): 5/Aug/2020

5/Jul: Created UKVI account
5/Jul: Register with UKVCAS (did not click submit document to UKVI button)
7/Aug: Biometric appointment (in-person)
19 /Oct: decision email received (successful)
BRP received: awaiting.

Note:
No email or any form of communication from UKVI or UKVCAS from biometric appointment to 19 Oct
No email communication from UKVI or UKVCAS from 5/Jul to 7/Aug except register confirmation email and email asking me to book biometric appointment.

Congratulations! when did you submit your ILR application and paid fees to UKVI. I thought that should be considered as your application date. I submitted my ILR (LR) application on 4th Aug 2020, hence want to check with you.

[gag285]

Does anyone have experience of bringing an infant not named on the application to a Service Point for a biometrics application. I know they say they would not allow anyone not named on the appointment inside on the UKVCAS website but then it also says exceptions apply. I am currently unable to find childcare due to an emergency closure of our nursery. Wanted to know if anyone else has done it to see if that's an option.

[mesn]

Does anyone have experience of bringing an infant not named on the application to a Service Point for a biometrics application. I know they say they would not allow anyone not named on the appointment inside on the UKVCAS website but then it also says exceptions apply. I am currently unable to find childcare due to an emergency closure of our nursery. Wanted to know if anyone else has done it to see if that's an option.

UKVCAS FAQ says "Am I able to bring my children with me to my appointment?
Where possible we ask that children are not brought to appointments unless they are part of the
application. However, all the customers named on the application, including children and babies
must attend your appointment with you. In line with any social distancing measures, children must
remain close to you all times."

Interpretation looks subjective. We have our appointment this Saturday. 2 adults, a 5-year-old - who are on the application and a 1-year-old not on the application. I can let you know about our experience if your appointment is later.

[gag285]

Thank you Navkant. Mine is on Friday so perhaps I might have to let you know. If someone has done it in current conditions, I 'll stop stressing and keep my appointment else I might end up cancelling and rebooking.

[mesn]

Thank you Navkant. Mine is on Friday so perhaps I might have to let you know. If someone has done it in current conditions, I 'll stop stressing and keep my appointment else I might end up cancelling and rebooking.

Oh cool. Worth tweeting them and get a confirmation. Worth trying before the rescheduling which seems a hassle as you don't know when is the next available appointment.

[gag285]

Thank you Navkant. Mine is on Friday so perhaps I might have to let you know. If someone has done it in current conditions, I 'll stop stressing and keep my appointment else I might end up cancelling and rebooking.

Oh cool. Worth tweeting them and get a confirmation. Worth trying before the rescheduling which seems a hassle as you don't know when is the next available appointment.

Exactly, cancelling will be the last option. I have waited 3 weeks to go to this appointment and I know how hard it is to get one around London. I will try to tweet them and also keep trying for emergency childcare.

[gag285]

@Navkant - I just got a response on my tweet and UKVCAS said its ok if you have no other choice. Its a big relief but I will still keep looking for a childcare option. Just letting you know for your appointment on Saturday. Good Luck