Application submitted & biometrics enrolled at: 27/06/2016 & Islamabad. Online application was submitted 18/06/2016
Application forwarded to British High Commission on: 28/06/2016
Application under process at British High Commission on: 02/07/2016
Supporting documents sent to Sheffield on: 08/07/2016
Supporting documents received back from Sheffield on: 19/01/2017
Sponsor contacted by UKVI (if applicable): 15/12/2016 (on the 25th week) – Call came at 5pm, lasted about 10 minutes. It started off with few “security” questions: my date of birth, house address, my wife’s date of birth, where she lives, what date was our marriage (Nikah) and then proceeded to ask specific questions about my employment, essentially, confirming I work where I do. I should point out, my employment changed after I submitted my application (October) and I mentioned this too. Home Office was only concerned with employment at the time I submitted the application.
Contacted with 'decision made’: N/A
Contacted for Collection: 23/01/2017 via email and phone message
Collection made: 24/01/2017
Decision of Application: Approved. Travel date is 28 days from when the decision was made (mid February)
So, in total, it took a total of 30 weeks to make a decision. I would be lying if I said taking this long for a decision to come is the exception and not the norm. Sadly, it’s more and more likely that it will take longer than 12 weeks and quite probably 24 weeks in most cases to receive (even if you paid for priority) a decision. My application was not priority but it was perfect as it could be, and, that’s why I mention this. Also, it’s backed up by when you search for “visa application processing times”, the numbers itself will tell you that not even 80% of spouse visa applications are processed within 24 weeks, and this the number for back in December 2016.
So, the only and the most important advice I can give is make your application as perfect as possible and don’t be disheartened by emails like “your application is not straightforward” or “decision delayed until further enquiries are conducted” or “application yet to be assessed by ECO” because more than likely they just mean the ECO hasn’t really gotten to your application yet. I say this because I received too many of those generic emails. Oh, and I didn’t pay for a lawyer, I did it all by myself. Don't waste money on that.
I came to this forum on September after I sent off my supporting documents. If I had used the link below whilst completing my application, it would have saved me a lot of headache. To make your application perfect as possible, study the link below in depth!
http://www.immigrationboards.com/immigr ... 93554.html
