Sheffield Visa Section - EEA FAMILY PERMIT

diwakar85 wrote:Guys do you know that international enquiry emailhelp service is not free anymore

customers who contact UK Visas and Immigration by email will be charged £5.48

Hi there,

Yes that's correct - the service is outsourced so they introduced those charges to cover costs.

Hi Sidkapure,

I've also had a very similar experience, well my husband applied on the 24th March, had biometrics on the 31st and I rang last week and was told they couldn't find the application, this is now in the process of being escalated (I'm fuming!)

Today is the 43rd working day since the bio metrics.

Thanks,
Ammara

sidkapure wrote:While doing status check via UKVI International Inquiry Email, i got this reply.

"With regards to your query, please be advised that your case has been now
escalated (Ref. 12345). We are now waiting for a feedback and you will be
duly informed about the response we receive immediately after we get it."

Earlier that, when I was calling they said there are no updates because you probably recently submitted your application. Waiting for 9th week now.

Did anyone had similar experience?

Regards

Sid Kapure.

Hi gays.
I am also facing the same problm.i applied on 27 feb 2017.and still waiting for decision.checked status and they reply that no update.then sent for escalation on 17 may.they said that they will reply within 3 working day.but still i am waiting for reply.now mail for checking status is not free i paid 5.48 pound and mail them again and got a reply that we will respond within 2 working days.if its urgent you can call us.know 2 days have been passed but they do not reply.uffff.such a bad experience

Hi Ammara and Raheela,

I think a lot of people have been waiting for long time now. When they say 98% of cases done in 6 weeks is definitely bogus.
When I phoned them they said that we are still under the 12 weeks of service agreements hence it looks like they have not even started looking in our files.

I am super stressed as well waiting for my visa. Sitting on the 11th week.

Please post here if you managed to get hold of anything at least we will feel better if some of us managed to get their visa.
A positive sign is all we need.
Good Luck All.
Regards

Sid Kapure

Hi,
I applied an EEA family permit as to accompany my wife to the UK for a few days in July.

I submitted all the files and finger prints taken on 29th, May. I applied in China where you can pay a priority fee if you are in a rush, So I did pay almost 200 pounds and was told that it would take 3-5 working days to process. So it has been 10 working days since and I shall be getting my passport back tomorrow by post.

In the visa center, i was told that normally it takes 10-15 days for the visa process, but now it seemed to me the 200 pound was such a waste to be honest, where are you guys applying and why it takes up to that long anyways?

I am just hoping when I get my passport, it is a refusal letter attached. wish me luck and hope you will all get it soon.

w

sidkapure wrote:Hi Ammara and Raheela,

I think a lot of people have been waiting for long time now. When they say 98% of cases done in 6 weeks is definitely bogus.
When I phoned them they said that we are still under the 12 weeks of service agreements hence it looks like they have not even started looking in our files.

I am super stressed as well waiting for my visa. Sitting on the 11th week.

Please post here if you managed to get hold of anything at least we will feel better if some of us managed to get their visa.
A positive sign is all we need.
Good Luck All.
Regards

Sid Kapure

Hi sid
Its veey strange.5 people in my family applied for the same visa in same circumstances when i applied.all of them get visa within 2 weeks.one of them get in one month.but i am waiting.approximtly 4 months are going to complete.the most irretating thing is that we could not contact them in any way.and calling them is just wast of time.

Raheela samar wrote:Hi sid
Its veey strange.5 people in my family applied for the same visa in same circumstances when i applied.all of them get visa within 2 weeks.one of them get in one month.but i am waiting.approximtly 4 months are going to complete.the most irretating thing is that we could not contact them in any way.and calling them is just wast of time.

Hi Raheela,

I think you should drop an email to UKVI Complaints at complaints@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Tell them it has been very very urgent you need your passport now and make up some story that someone's sick (matter of life and Death) And tell them how you are so desperate, anxiety has taken over and getting in to depression and the stress is affecting your normal working life.

Using these hard words once I managed to claim £1200 compensation from them as they rejected my visa wrongly. So I think this will work. They take 2 weeks around to answer you back but seeing this urgency they might speed up. I know its a hassel to do all this but with UKVI if you don't chase they will think its not important and will keep you waiting.

Good Luck and let us know how it is going.

Hi,

So after I spend a decent amount of money trying to contact them and escalating the "lost" application I received all of the documents at MY address in the UK that were submitted with the application form, obviously not including the husband's passport.

My guess is my husband will receive an email in the next few days (fingers crossed) to come and collect his passport.

Has this happened to anyone else? please can you speak up if so?

I really do hope there's no refusal letter waiting for him.

I could be overthinking, but I think and hope that is it accepted, otherwise they should be sending all of the documents back to the husband (in pakistan) in order to reapply again?

or they could just be the pain they are known as being!!

Timeline Below:

Application Submitted online : 24th March 17
Bio-Metrics taken: 30th March 17
Received "not straightforward" email around : 14th April 17
Documents Received : 10th June 17

I'm fuming about how long it has taken, when the processing times on the gov website says 82% within 15 working days! (totally bullshit)

Thanks

sidkapure wrote:

Raheela samar wrote:Hi sid
Its veey strange.5 people in my family applied for the same visa in same circumstances when i applied.all of them get visa within 2 weeks.one of them get in one month.but i am waiting.approximtly 4 months are going to complete.the most irretating thing is that we could not contact them in any way.and calling them is just wast of time.

Hi Raheela,

I think you should drop an email to UKVI Complaints at complaints@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Tell them it has been very very urgent you need your passport now and make up some story that someone's sick (matter of life and Death) And tell them how you are so desperate, anxiety has taken over and getting in to depression and the stress is affecting your normal working life.

Using these hard words once I managed to claim £1200 compensation from them as they rejected my visa wrongly. So I think this will work. They take 2 weeks around to answer you back but seeing this urgency they might speed up. I know its a hassel to do all this but with UKVI if you don't chase they will think its not important and will keep you waiting.

Good Luck and let us know how it is going.

Hi Ammara

That sounds odd - I think they usually send all docs together with the passport.

But to give you some positive light, when my husband applied for the first time in India back in January the decision was made within a week and it was rejected - and all documents alongside passport and refusal letter were sent to my husband in India.

Since you have received your documents in the UK that could mean it has been accepted hopefully. All the best!!

Did you chase them often with calls? - Just to know whether I should be doing the same since its been 56 working days.

Keep us updated about the decision please.

My timeline is very similar to yours so hoping to hear back soon!!

Hi Zuly, I think it is definitely worth calling them to give them a little push because this escalation thing is happening with lot of people I think.

When I called them they had no idea where my application and then they said they have now escalated my case and someone is looking to it.

Emails and calls are both chargeable now hence you better call and sound desperate for your visa.

I am sitting on my 11th week actually. Still waiting.

Good Luck. Do post any updates.


Regards

Sid Kapure.

sidkapure wrote:Hi Zuly, I think it is definitely worth calling them to give them a little push because this escalation thing is happening with lot of people I think.

When I called them they had no idea where my application and then they said they have now escalated my case and someone is looking to it.

Emails and calls are both chargeable now hence you better call and sound desperate for your visa.

I am sitting on my 11th week actually. Still waiting.

Good Luck. Do post any updates.


Regards

Sid Kapure.

Hi Sid,

Thanks for the advice - I called HO and the advisor said she escalated the process for someone to see it and should hear back within 10 working days. I should have called earlier - I kept on waiting for the 60 working days timescale!

Anyways, I shall keep you updated !

Hi Everyone


I am facing a similar issue, i applied for eea family permit on 31st march 2017 via VFS Global New Delhi India. Its been more than 2 months and they haven't processed our application yet. I received same email about delay because our application is not straightforward . I sent them an email after paying the fee to update my application status today. Did anyone receive Family permit after waiting for this long ?

Hi Zuly,

I always thought they would send everything together too, oh well.

Well my husband had signed up to a service at the visa application center in pakistan which gives him updates when anything happens in pakistan, and he received a text this morning saying the 'proccessed visa application was received on 13/6/17'.

I was about to type up that he should have an email telling him to pick up his passport soon, but I just picked up my phone to a message from the husband saying he's got the email, so I should know tomorrow about the decision (In Shal Allah it will be accepted).

Thanks for the wishes.

I will update you all once I know.

I would recoment emailing them rather than calling them, they chat crap on the phone, they told me they couldnt find my application, yet I have all the documents back and the husband is going to collect his passport tomorrow.

They have not only started charging for email but also changed the way the calling system works.

I had called them before they started charging for email and I was asked for my card details and I was charged at the end according to how long the call was ( at the rate of £1.37 pm), I then rang once it changed, and they take £20 before you talk to anyone, and then refund you based on how long the call was.

Good luck to everyone!

Thanks

Zuly1820 wrote:Hi Ammara

That sounds odd - I think they usually send all docs together with the passport.

But to give you some positive light, when my husband applied for the first time in India back in January the decision was made within a week and it was rejected - and all documents alongside passport and refusal letter were sent to my husband in India.

Since you have received your documents in the UK that could mean it has been accepted hopefully. All the best!!

Did you chase them often with calls? - Just to know whether I should be doing the same since its been 56 working days.

Keep us updated about the decision please.

My timeline is very similar to yours so hoping to hear back soon!!

Hi Ammara,

That's great news ! Really hope you get it

Yea they changed the way calls are charged and I didn't particularly find the adviser any knowledgeable or useful. I'll wait the 10 working days before I chase it up again! My dream of having the husband over in time for Eid is gone - so frustrating!

But oh well nothing we can do really!

All the best - looking forward to hear some good news from you tomorrow InshAllah

ammara_talhi wrote:Hi Zuly,

I always thought they would send everything together too, oh well.

Well my husband had signed up to a service at the visa application center in pakistan which gives him updates when anything happens in pakistan, and he received a text this morning saying the 'proccessed visa application was received on 13/6/17'.

I was about to type up that he should have an email telling him to pick up his passport soon, but I just picked up my phone to a message from the husband saying he's got the email, so I should know tomorrow about the decision (In Shal Allah it will be accepted).

Thanks for the wishes.

I will update you all once I know.

I would recoment emailing them rather than calling them, they chat crap on the phone, they told me they couldnt find my application, yet I have all the documents back and the husband is going to collect his passport tomorrow.

They have not only started charging for email but also changed the way the calling system works.

I had called them before they started charging for email and I was asked for my card details and I was charged at the end according to how long the call was ( at the rate of £1.37 pm), I then rang once it changed, and they take £20 before you talk to anyone, and then refund you based on how long the call was.

Good luck to everyone!

Thanks

Zuly1820 wrote:Hi Ammara

That sounds odd - I think they usually send all docs together with the passport.

But to give you some positive light, when my husband applied for the first time in India back in January the decision was made within a week and it was rejected - and all documents alongside passport and refusal letter were sent to my husband in India.

Since you have received your documents in the UK that could mean it has been accepted hopefully. All the best!!

Did you chase them often with calls? - Just to know whether I should be doing the same since its been 56 working days.

Keep us updated about the decision please.

My timeline is very similar to yours so hoping to hear back soon!!

Hi,

After the sickening 10 weeks wait, I'm pleased to say that my husband got his EEA family permit this morning!


I hope he's here for eid!

Thanks for all the help everyone by posting your stories here!

I guess I will be back soon for some more guidance regarding the residence card application (i'll take a break from this paperwork for now )

Here is my timeline:
Application Submitted online : 24th March 17
Bio-Metrics taken: 30th March 17
Received email saying Sheffield is studying the application around: 5th April 17
Received "not straightforward" email around : 14th April 17
Documents Received : 10th June 17 ( at sponsors UK address, me)
Received Email for passport collection : 13th june 17
Passport collected with Visa: 14th June 17

All the best Zuly and everyone else!

Thanks again,

Ammara

Zuly1820 wrote:Hi Ammara,

That's great news ! Really hope you get it

Yea they changed the way calls are charged and I didn't particularly find the adviser any knowledgeable or useful. I'll wait the 10 working days before I chase it up again! My dream of having the husband over in time for Eid is gone - so frustrating!

But oh well nothing we can do really!

All the best - looking forward to hear some good news from you tomorrow InshAllah

ammara_talhi wrote:Hi Zuly,

I always thought they would send everything together too, oh well.

Well my husband had signed up to a service at the visa application center in pakistan which gives him updates when anything happens in pakistan, and he received a text this morning saying the 'proccessed visa application was received on 13/6/17'.

I was about to type up that he should have an email telling him to pick up his passport soon, but I just picked up my phone to a message from the husband saying he's got the email, so I should know tomorrow about the decision (In Shal Allah it will be accepted).

Thanks for the wishes.

I will update you all once I know.

I would recoment emailing them rather than calling them, they chat crap on the phone, they told me they couldnt find my application, yet I have all the documents back and the husband is going to collect his passport tomorrow.

They have not only started charging for email but also changed the way the calling system works.

I had called them before they started charging for email and I was asked for my card details and I was charged at the end according to how long the call was ( at the rate of £1.37 pm), I then rang once it changed, and they take £20 before you talk to anyone, and then refund you based on how long the call was.

Good luck to everyone!

Thanks

Zuly1820 wrote:Hi Ammara

That sounds odd - I think they usually send all docs together with the passport.

But to give you some positive light, when my husband applied for the first time in India back in January the decision was made within a week and it was rejected - and all documents alongside passport and refusal letter were sent to my husband in India.

Since you have received your documents in the UK that could mean it has been accepted hopefully. All the best!!

Did you chase them often with calls? - Just to know whether I should be doing the same since its been 56 working days.

Keep us updated about the decision please.

My timeline is very similar to yours so hoping to hear back soon!!

Congratulations Ammara, so glad for you - you were in my duas yesterday

Haha definitely have a break from all this visa drama and enjoy your time with the hubby!

All the best!

Zuly1820 wrote:Congratulations Ammara, so glad for you - you were in my duas yesterday

Haha definitely have a break from all this visa drama and enjoy your time with the hubby!

All the best!

That's nice of you, thanks

Good Luck with your application, please do post on here when you hear back, I will keep an eye out!

Can anyone help. Going off my nut here. Waiting for EEA1 for my wife. Did bio in Madrid, in April and flying out end of June. I know, foolish, cutting it so tight, but anyway, here we are. Phoned Sheffield today and got it escalated. They say 48 hours for a response but can’t imagine it will be ‘oh yes, all fine, with you tomorrow’ It will surely take weeks still. If no passport before we fly we are well and truly UTTERLY screwed. As in on the street. Does anyone know a) where the passport is (Madrid or Sheffield) and b) how fast we can get it back?

honglefresh wrote:Can anyone help. Going off my nut here. Waiting for EEA1 for my wife. Did bio in Madrid, in April and flying out end of June. I know, foolish, cutting it so tight, but anyway, here we are. Phoned Sheffield today and got it escalated. They say 48 hours for a response but can’t imagine it will be ‘oh yes, all fine, with you tomorrow’ It will surely take weeks still. If no passport before we fly we are well and truly UTTERLY screwed. As in on the street. Does anyone know a) where the passport is (Madrid or Sheffield) and b) how fast we can get it back?

Hi,

is your wife still in Madrid?

When did you get it escalated?

I got my husband's application escalated and I received all the supporting documents submitted with the application within 10 days at my UK address.

The passport along with all the documents goes to Sheffield, the new process ( im saying new because as far as I know im the only one whose documents got send to the UK) sends the documents to UK address if any, and the passport goes back to where the application was made.

unfortunately there's no way to fast track an application.

Hope this helps.

Hi Ammara!
congratulations for the good news .could please share if u do not mind
where did you submit the application ?did you send the supporting documents from Uk or applicant submitted on the day of finger prints and application submission day ?

Kind Regards
Eid Mubarak in Advanced

Hello Everyone,

I have applied for Non-Settlement spouse visa and on
7th April I gave my biometric. My husband is a EEA
national and is residing in UK from last 4yrs. I'm yet awaiting the reply.

We have escalated the matter last week i.e on 7th Jun
But no response received yet. I have applied for the 1st time
from Mumbai VFS.

Dear Ammara and other friends,

Ammara, I am really happy to hear that you have received the EEA Family permit and wish you loads of love & happiness and EID Mubarak. (you got your gift

I am writing on behalf of my husband. We applied for his EEA visa from Bangalore, India by VFS global. Following are the info

Application online - 22nd April,17
Bio-metrics - 27th April,17
Received email - 28th April,17 (reached Sheffield office, UK)
Straight forward email - 16th May, 17

Till now we haven't heard anything back from them. However, I did call them on 6th June and they said it would be 15 working days. But as of now, no response yet. We are planning to write them an email. What do you think ??

As you have also mentioned that you received some documents, if you could kindly advise what doc. did you receive at your UK address because my husband's all doc. were scanned and he was asked to give bio-metrics on the same day.

We are very eagerly waiting on the results

Please if you could give me some suggestions. I await hearing from you or anybody else.

Love Heena

Thanks Heena and Tufail101, eid mubarak to you too.

@Tufail, my husband submitted all of the documents in islamabad, pakistan, everything including the supporting documents were submitted by my husband in islamabad.

We submitted the application online on the 24th of March and booked the bio metric appointment for the 30th, due to most of the documents being my documents from here(UK).

@Heena, there's not much you can do in terms of finding out about the application, I did several times and all I got told was that it is being processed, they never told me what was going on, they are really useless with the amount of information they give you.

I would suggest calling them when it has been well over the time it is meant to take, I would follow the guidelines given on the link below.

https://www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times

When I rang them I refered back to those times and said that it's unacceptable bla bla bla, I did have a very well deserved rant at them!


Wish you both the best of luck!

Thanks Ammara,
i had the same process for my wife .
she submitted all documents in vfs Islamabad .
i applied 3rd time as was refused twice and got reply with in 2 weeks both times .i did not get any of my document back here in Uk .
Ammara you said u got some document back in uk what were those ?
did HO contact you about the application as i was contacted once in my 2nd application .

Regards

Hi ammara,
can u give me the fon number?because my husband called them and they said that they could not tell any thing more then that is written on their website.i escalated my application on 17 may but do not get any responce.still wait for their decision.and one more thing,my all documents were submitted onlineon the biomatric day here in madrid spain.
thanks in advance