UKVCAS Super Priority Service

[Luni]

Updates from me:

"Something for you" cards from Royal Mail and Dx: 15 January 2019
Letter/BRP collected/redelivered: 16 January 2019
Asked a couple of questions to my caseworker via email, and she replied quite quickly within 30 minutes.

Context of my application:
SET(O) under Tier 2
Online application: 1 Dec 2018
Biometric: 1 Dec 2018, Super-Priority Service at Manchester Central Library
Numerous escalations to UKVI contacts, writing to complaints & general enquiry emails, calling Sopra Steria to confirm that my application/biometrics are correctly submitted
Email decision: 11 January 2019


In my Tier 2 stay, I had 3 different employers and travelled a lot (mostly short business travels in EU though) and I don't think my application was treated as a "complicated" case at all- although I had always been mindful that I had to apply for ILR and have been filing every single detail about my Home Office and HMRC records (like Permit numbers, decision letters with case references, P60s...)

In my opinion, writing to an email to the complaints team or complain via your MP is the most effective way to put some pressure on your case.

Make sure that you've received a case number by automated email after your application submission. I received an acknowledgement email on the following working day with a case number, although it was addressing to my old names and saying the application is within 6 months' standard.

I agree, but how did you contact your case worker?

[CR001]

Just one question please, on what number did you reach the HO? may you share it here please?

Thanks and good luck

The number has been posted many many times. Read through the last few pages of the thread.

[ecu-daba]

Hi All:

This is my final update as thankfully everything has been processed and resolved for my ILR application.
To sum up:

- Biometrics appointment on 26th November 2018

- Escalated 5 times and received multiple generic e-mails (It will take 6 months, application within service standards etc)

- On 20th December I submitted an official complaint with a full breakdown ( dates, names emails) etc also demanding a refund.

- ILR confirmation e-mail received on 9th January. 6 1/2 weeks late !

- BRP card arrived on 16th January, delivered by DX.

- An hour after my BRP was delivered, I received an automatic refund for £610 directly into my credit card.

THE HO just hit a massive backlog during the transition process onto the new system. The worst delays are for those who applied on November which is my case. They do not seem to be processing the application in order as they are divided into teams within the HO. They HO had no other resource but to issue full refunds. Ironically , the refund took way faster to process than anything else. I believe they just want to to get delayed applications fully processed and refunded on a priority basis to avoid further communications/escalations/complaints. Sadly ,those who applied in November happened to do so at the worst possible time going by the updates on this thread. Best of luck to those who are still waiting since November.

[pinam]

Hello,

I am still waiting for the decision on my ILR application. I finally requested my MP to escalate my case 2 days ago and received an email from MP's office that they have escalated my case with Home office. I have also emailed to home office on their complaint email id about my case. My bio-metric appointment was on 14th December'18. It was a straight forward application through Tier 2 SET(O).

What your experience about home office complaint email id? Did anyone receive decision quickly on their application after emailing to home office? The automated reply says that home office aim to reply within 20 working days which means I will have to wait until February.

Dear Pinam, I submitted on the 14th of Dec as well. Which centre did you present to? I did that at Glasgow

I applied in Birmingham Sopra Steria Centre.

[Timothy Tao]

@docshami and @madihaali_304

I guess the only thing we can do now is to wait for our MP chasing our case.

At least we should be able to get a letter directly from the caseworker saying some "complex case" thing. Then we can just ask what kind of complexity/additional check requires him/her more than 30 working days to check.

[nim_t]

Hi guys,
i am about to submit SET LR online application. however i only get standard service option at the final payment page. but i see some of you guys had super priority service. may i know how did you apply for SET lR using super priority service?
really appreciate your help

[dilse4srk]

Hi guys,
i am about to submit SET LR online application. however i only get standard service option at the final payment page. but i see some of you guys had super priority service. may i know how did you apply for SET lR using super priority service?
really appreciate your help

HI

Once you are on the final check checklist, you will get two services

Standard
and new super priority service
once you select that, you will be asked to pay 3018 and once the payment is completed then you will be redirected to sopra site to book appointment. It will be helpful if you could share a screenshot of your current application screen

[FarooqShah86]

hello All

just got this reply from UKVI contact centre

Dear Mr Shah,


Thank you for contacting UKVI Contact Centre.

The appropriate team are aware and are dealing with your request. UKVI hope to action your request as soon as possible.



Can anyone relate to this? Is this good or bad? gives me some hope that someone is actually looking into my case!

[nim_t]

Thank you for the reply. i choose the new service but i do not get super priority service. i have attached screenshots



regards
nim

Hi guys,
i am about to submit SET LR online application. however i only get standard service option at the final payment page. but i see some of you guys had super priority service. may i know how did you apply for SET lR using super priority service?
really appreciate your help

HI

Once you are on the final check checklist, you will get two services

Standard
and new super priority service
once you select that, you will be asked to pay 3018 and once the payment is completed then you will be redirected to sopra site to book appointment. It will be helpful if you could share a screenshot of your current application screen

[Timothy Tao]

Never got this kind of email. It looks like a different version of the generic email replies but what is the format of the sender's email?

If it is firstname.lastname@xxx then it could be a caseworker which is good news. If not, then another useless generic reply.

hello All

just got this reply from UKVI contact centre

Dear Mr Shah,


Thank you for contacting UKVI Contact Centre.

The appropriate team are aware and are dealing with your request. UKVI hope to action your request as soon as possible.



Can anyone relate to this? Is this good or bad? gives me some hope that someone is actually looking into my case!

[vibe123]

Thank you for the reply. i choose the new service but i do not get super priority service. i have attached screenshots



regards
nim

Hi guys,
i am about to submit SET LR online application. however i only get standard service option at the final payment page. but i see some of you guys had super priority service. may i know how did you apply for SET lR using super priority service?
really appreciate your help

HI

Once you are on the final check checklist, you will get two services

Standard
and new super priority service
once you select that, you will be asked to pay 3018 and once the payment is completed then you will be redirected to sopra site to book appointment. It will be helpful if you could share a screenshot of your current application screen

Seems like they are dealing with backlogs and hence disabled Super priority service !

[dilse4srk]

Thank you for the reply. i choose the new service but i do not get super priority service. i have attached screenshots



regards
nim

Hi guys,
i am about to submit SET LR online application. however i only get standard service option at the final payment page. but i see some of you guys had super priority service. may i know how did you apply for SET lR using super priority service?
really appreciate your help

HI

Once you are on the final check checklist, you will get two services

Standard
and new super priority service
once you select that, you will be asked to pay 3018 and once the payment is completed then you will be redirected to sopra site to book appointment. It will be helpful if you could share a screenshot of your current application screen

yes as vibe said, this could be one of the reasons that they have revoked super priority service for some time due to lots of complaints going to them. You are on correct screen, once you select this as you did, you will be presented with payment option and then re direction. if you are not in a hurry i would suggest you wait for few days, it might be fixed soon or log back in again. I didnt see this screen

[initpidzero]

Hi guys,
i am about to submit SET LR online application. however i only get standard service option at the final payment page. but i see some of you guys had super priority service. may i know how did you apply for SET lR using super priority service?
really appreciate your help

Has anyone experienced this with Set(O) as well or is it just specific to SET( LR)? I am about to send my application but I want to do with super priority only.

[kchakrabarty]

Thank you for the reply. i choose the new service but i do not get super priority service. i have attached screenshots



regards
nim

Hi guys,
i am about to submit SET LR online application. however i only get standard service option at the final payment page. but i see some of you guys had super priority service. may i know how did you apply for SET lR using super priority service?
really appreciate your help

HI

Once you are on the final check checklist, you will get two services

Standard
and new super priority service
once you select that, you will be asked to pay 3018 and once the payment is completed then you will be redirected to sopra site to book appointment. It will be helpful if you could share a screenshot of your current application screen

yes as vibe said, this could be one of the reasons that they have revoked super priority service for some time due to lots of complaints going to them. You are on correct screen, once you select this as you did, you will be presented with payment option and then re direction. if you are not in a hurry i would suggest you wait for few days, it might be fixed soon or log back in again. I didnt see this screen

This is quite worrying, as I am applying for SET(M) for my wife by end of this week. What options do I have if I don't get the 'Super Priority Service' option (once I reach that stage)? Can I abandon the online application and approach a solicitor instead, will it be any quicker via a solicitor?

I have 2 further questions as well:

1. Bank statements - To evidence our relationship, I want to show bank statements for 6 accounts (3 in my name, 3 in my wife's name). I get online statements every month. I have also obtained a letter from the bank authenticating my online bank statements. Can you please advise, what is the best way to upload them online, a) Should I just attach the individual files, my worry is that there will be lots of them and in spite of mentioning in a covering letter, the caseworker may get confused Or b) Should I print all the statements that I plan to upload, scan them, and then upload them as a single file?

2. Home Office contact number - As I said in the beginning, I am worried about not getting the 'Super Priority Service' option. Can UKVI be able to tell me whether for SET(M), this service has been disabled as well? I found a contact number from the UKVI website, however it says the number does not exist. The number that I found is 0300 123 2241. Is there any other alternative number?

I would like to apologise in advance to the moderators, if the topics in my post have been discussed before. I have trawled through several pages, but could not find the answers that I was looking for. Hence, the reason for this post.

I would be very grateful if someone can help me with my queries.

[shashankverma6]

Thank you for the reply. i choose the new service but i do not get super priority service. i have attached screenshots



regards
nim

HI

Once you are on the final check checklist, you will get two services

Standard
and new super priority service
once you select that, you will be asked to pay 3018 and once the payment is completed then you will be redirected to sopra site to book appointment. It will be helpful if you could share a screenshot of your current application screen

yes as vibe said, this could be one of the reasons that they have revoked super priority service for some time due to lots of complaints going to them. You are on correct screen, once you select this as you did, you will be presented with payment option and then re direction. if you are not in a hurry i would suggest you wait for few days, it might be fixed soon or log back in again. I didnt see this screen

This is quite worrying, as I am applying for SET(M) for my wife by end of this week. What options do I have if I don't get the 'Super Priority Service' option (once I reach that stage)? Can I abandon the online application and approach a solicitor instead, will it be any quicker via a solicitor?

I have 2 further questions as well:

1. Bank statements - To evidence our relationship, I want to show bank statements for 6 accounts (3 in my name, 3 in my wife's name). I get online statements every month. I have also obtained a letter from the bank authenticating my online bank statements. Can you please advise, what is the best way to upload them online, a) Should I just attach the individual files, my worry is that there will be lots of them and in spite of mentioning in a covering letter, the caseworker may get confused Or b) Should I print all the statements that I plan to upload, scan them, and then upload them as a single file?

2. Home Office contact number - As I said in the beginning, I am worried about not getting the 'Super Priority Service' option. Can UKVI be able to tell me whether for SET(M), this service has been disabled as well? I found a contact number from the UKVI website, however it says the number does not exist. The number that I found is 0300 123 2241. Is there any other alternative number?

I would like to apologise in advance to the moderators, if the topics in my post have been discussed before. I have trawled through several pages, but could not find the answers that I was looking for. Hence, the reason for this post.

I would be very grateful if someone can help me with my queries.

1. You can combine PDFs of the statements and submit this online, under 'Financial Proof' as a single file

2. In addition to the Super Priority Service, you can opt for 'Out of hours service'. I personally did the same. To give you an idea, I submitted the online application on the 11th of Jan. Using 'Out of Hours', go the appointment for Jan 16th (7 am). Got approval email Jan 16th (4PM)

[kchakrabarty]

Thank you for the reply. i choose the new service but i do not get super priority service. i have attached screenshots



regards
nim

yes as vibe said, this could be one of the reasons that they have revoked super priority service for some time due to lots of complaints going to them. You are on correct screen, once you select this as you did, you will be presented with payment option and then re direction. if you are not in a hurry i would suggest you wait for few days, it might be fixed soon or log back in again. I didnt see this screen

This is quite worrying, as I am applying for SET(M) for my wife by end of this week. What options do I have if I don't get the 'Super Priority Service' option (once I reach that stage)? Can I abandon the online application and approach a solicitor instead, will it be any quicker via a solicitor?

I have 2 further questions as well:

1. Bank statements - To evidence our relationship, I want to show bank statements for 6 accounts (3 in my name, 3 in my wife's name). I get online statements every month. I have also obtained a letter from the bank authenticating my online bank statements. Can you please advise, what is the best way to upload them online, a) Should I just attach the individual files, my worry is that there will be lots of them and in spite of mentioning in a covering letter, the caseworker may get confused Or b) Should I print all the statements that I plan to upload, scan them, and then upload them as a single file?

2. Home Office contact number - As I said in the beginning, I am worried about not getting the 'Super Priority Service' option. Can UKVI be able to tell me whether for SET(M), this service has been disabled as well? I found a contact number from the UKVI website, however it says the number does not exist. The number that I found is 0300 123 2241. Is there any other alternative number?

I would like to apologise in advance to the moderators, if the topics in my post have been discussed before. I have trawled through several pages, but could not find the answers that I was looking for. Hence, the reason for this post.

I would be very grateful if someone can help me with my queries.

1. You can combine PDFs of the statements and submit this online, under 'Financial Proof' as a single file

2. In addition to the Super Priority Service, you can opt for 'Out of hours service'. I personally did the same. To give you an idea, I submitted the online application on the 11th of Jan. Using 'Out of Hours', go the appointment for Jan 16th (7 am). Got approval email Jan 16th (4PM)

Hi Shashank,

Thanks for your response.

1. I tried combining pdfs using Adobe Acrobat Pro. However, the pdfs are encrypted. Hence, I am unable to combine them. I spoke with the bank as well, however they can't give me the password for removing the security from the file. I also tried printing to pdf. However, that did not work either because of the encrypted security. Just for information, I bank with NatWest. How were you able to combine pdf statements? Any other suggestions please?

2. How can you opt for the 'Out of hours service'? Did you apply for SET(M) as well? Is this one of the options available when I make the application? How much extra did you have to pay?

Regards,

KChakrabarty

[FarooqShah86]

Never got this kind of email. It looks like a different version of the generic email replies but what is the format of the sender's email?

If it is firstname.lastname@xxx then it could be a caseworker which is good news. If not, then another useless generic reply.

hello All

just got this reply from UKVI contact centre

Dear Mr Shah,


Thank you for contacting UKVI Contact Centre.

The appropriate team are aware and are dealing with your request. UKVI hope to action your request as soon as possible.



Can anyone relate to this? Is this good or bad? gives me some hope that someone is actually looking into my case!

No it’s not from a specific email address. Just the UKVIcontact email. Hopefully someone can relate and let us know the timeline after receiving an email like that! ?

[vibe123]

yes as vibe said, this could be one of the reasons that they have revoked super priority service for some time due to lots of complaints going to them. You are on correct screen, once you select this as you did, you will be presented with payment option and then re direction. if you are not in a hurry i would suggest you wait for few days, it might be fixed soon or log back in again. I didnt see this screen

This is quite worrying, as I am applying for SET(M) for my wife by end of this week. What options do I have if I don't get the 'Super Priority Service' option (once I reach that stage)? Can I abandon the online application and approach a solicitor instead, will it be any quicker via a solicitor?

I have 2 further questions as well:

1. Bank statements - To evidence our relationship, I want to show bank statements for 6 accounts (3 in my name, 3 in my wife's name). I get online statements every month. I have also obtained a letter from the bank authenticating my online bank statements. Can you please advise, what is the best way to upload them online, a) Should I just attach the individual files, my worry is that there will be lots of them and in spite of mentioning in a covering letter, the caseworker may get confused Or b) Should I print all the statements that I plan to upload, scan them, and then upload them as a single file?

2. Home Office contact number - As I said in the beginning, I am worried about not getting the 'Super Priority Service' option. Can UKVI be able to tell me whether for SET(M), this service has been disabled as well? I found a contact number from the UKVI website, however it says the number does not exist. The number that I found is 0300 123 2241. Is there any other alternative number?

I would like to apologise in advance to the moderators, if the topics in my post have been discussed before. I have trawled through several pages, but could not find the answers that I was looking for. Hence, the reason for this post.

I would be very grateful if someone can help me with my queries.

1. You can combine PDFs of the statements and submit this online, under 'Financial Proof' as a single file

2. In addition to the Super Priority Service, you can opt for 'Out of hours service'. I personally did the same. To give you an idea, I submitted the online application on the 11th of Jan. Using 'Out of Hours', go the appointment for Jan 16th (7 am). Got approval email Jan 16th (4PM)

Hi Shashank,

Thanks for your response.

1. I tried combining pdfs using Adobe Acrobat Pro. However, the pdfs are encrypted. Hence, I am unable to combine them. I spoke with the bank as well, however they can't give me the password for removing the security from the file. I also tried printing to pdf. However, that did not work either because of the encrypted security. Just for information, I bank with NatWest. How were you able to combine pdf statements? Any other suggestions please?

2. How can you opt for the 'Out of hours service'? Did you apply for SET(M) as well? Is this one of the options available when I make the application? How much extra did you have to pay?

Regards,

KChakrabarty

You can only opt for out of hour services if you pay for super priority. I am not 100 % sure but this is my understanding. You can call UKVCAS and ask them if Super priority is suspended ?

[kchakrabarty]

This is quite worrying, as I am applying for SET(M) for my wife by end of this week. What options do I have if I don't get the 'Super Priority Service' option (once I reach that stage)? Can I abandon the online application and approach a solicitor instead, will it be any quicker via a solicitor?

I have 2 further questions as well:

1. Bank statements - To evidence our relationship, I want to show bank statements for 6 accounts (3 in my name, 3 in my wife's name). I get online statements every month. I have also obtained a letter from the bank authenticating my online bank statements. Can you please advise, what is the best way to upload them online, a) Should I just attach the individual files, my worry is that there will be lots of them and in spite of mentioning in a covering letter, the caseworker may get confused Or b) Should I print all the statements that I plan to upload, scan them, and then upload them as a single file?

2. Home Office contact number - As I said in the beginning, I am worried about not getting the 'Super Priority Service' option. Can UKVI be able to tell me whether for SET(M), this service has been disabled as well? I found a contact number from the UKVI website, however it says the number does not exist. The number that I found is 0300 123 2241. Is there any other alternative number?

I would like to apologise in advance to the moderators, if the topics in my post have been discussed before. I have trawled through several pages, but could not find the answers that I was looking for. Hence, the reason for this post.

I would be very grateful if someone can help me with my queries.

1. You can combine PDFs of the statements and submit this online, under 'Financial Proof' as a single file

2. In addition to the Super Priority Service, you can opt for 'Out of hours service'. I personally did the same. To give you an idea, I submitted the online application on the 11th of Jan. Using 'Out of Hours', go the appointment for Jan 16th (7 am). Got approval email Jan 16th (4PM)

Hi Shashank,

Thanks for your response.

1. I tried combining pdfs using Adobe Acrobat Pro. However, the pdfs are encrypted. Hence, I am unable to combine them. I spoke with the bank as well, however they can't give me the password for removing the security from the file. I also tried printing to pdf. However, that did not work either because of the encrypted security. Just for information, I bank with NatWest. How were you able to combine pdf statements? Any other suggestions please?

2. How can you opt for the 'Out of hours service'? Did you apply for SET(M) as well? Is this one of the options available when I make the application? How much extra did you have to pay?

Regards,

KChakrabarty

You can only opt for out of hour services if you pay for super priority. I am not 100 % sure but this is my understanding. You can call UKVCAS and ask them if Super priority is suspended ?

What is the contact number for UKVCAS? I can't find it on the thread, i mentioned a telephone number in my post but when I called it said the 'the number you called is not valid'.

Also, any other advise regarding combining bank statements or any other relevant advice regarding this will be very useful.

[preet8899]

yes as vibe said, this could be one of the reasons that they have revoked super priority service for some time due to lots of complaints going to them. You are on correct screen, once you select this as you did, you will be presented with payment option and then re direction. if you are not in a hurry i would suggest you wait for few days, it might be fixed soon or log back in again. I didnt see this screen

This is quite worrying, as I am applying for SET(M) for my wife by end of this week. What options do I have if I don't get the 'Super Priority Service' option (once I reach that stage)? Can I abandon the online application and approach a solicitor instead, will it be any quicker via a solicitor?

I have 2 further questions as well:

1. Bank statements - To evidence our relationship, I want to show bank statements for 6 accounts (3 in my name, 3 in my wife's name). I get online statements every month. I have also obtained a letter from the bank authenticating my online bank statements. Can you please advise, what is the best way to upload them online, a) Should I just attach the individual files, my worry is that there will be lots of them and in spite of mentioning in a covering letter, the caseworker may get confused Or b) Should I print all the statements that I plan to upload, scan them, and then upload them as a single file?

2. Home Office contact number - As I said in the beginning, I am worried about not getting the 'Super Priority Service' option. Can UKVI be able to tell me whether for SET(M), this service has been disabled as well? I found a contact number from the UKVI website, however it says the number does not exist. The number that I found is 0300 123 2241. Is there any other alternative number?

I would like to apologise in advance to the moderators, if the topics in my post have been discussed before. I have trawled through several pages, but could not find the answers that I was looking for. Hence, the reason for this post.

I would be very grateful if someone can help me with my queries.

1. You can combine PDFs of the statements and submit this online, under 'Financial Proof' as a single file

2. In addition to the Super Priority Service, you can opt for 'Out of hours service'. I personally did the same. To give you an idea, I submitted the online application on the 11th of Jan. Using 'Out of Hours', go the appointment for Jan 16th (7 am). Got approval email Jan 16th (4PM)

Hi Shashank,

Thanks for your response.

1. I tried combining pdfs using Adobe Acrobat Pro. However, the pdfs are encrypted. Hence, I am unable to combine them. I spoke with the bank as well, however they can't give me the password for removing the security from the file. I also tried printing to pdf. However, that did not work either because of the encrypted security. Just for information, I bank with NatWest. How were you able to combine pdf statements? Any other suggestions please?

2. How can you opt for the 'Out of hours service'? Did you apply for SET(M) as well? Is this one of the options available when I make the application? How much extra did you have to pay?

Regards,

KChakrabarty

You can probably ask your bank to print it off for you may be?
Then you can scan and upload them.
Otherwise you can upload them individually with proper naming.
Other members can reflect more on this.

[shashankverma6]

yes as vibe said, this could be one of the reasons that they have revoked super priority service for some time due to lots of complaints going to them. You are on correct screen, once you select this as you did, you will be presented with payment option and then re direction. if you are not in a hurry i would suggest you wait for few days, it might be fixed soon or log back in again. I didnt see this screen

This is quite worrying, as I am applying for SET(M) for my wife by end of this week. What options do I have if I don't get the 'Super Priority Service' option (once I reach that stage)? Can I abandon the online application and approach a solicitor instead, will it be any quicker via a solicitor?

I have 2 further questions as well:

1. Bank statements - To evidence our relationship, I want to show bank statements for 6 accounts (3 in my name, 3 in my wife's name). I get online statements every month. I have also obtained a letter from the bank authenticating my online bank statements. Can you please advise, what is the best way to upload them online, a) Should I just attach the individual files, my worry is that there will be lots of them and in spite of mentioning in a covering letter, the caseworker may get confused Or b) Should I print all the statements that I plan to upload, scan them, and then upload them as a single file?

2. Home Office contact number - As I said in the beginning, I am worried about not getting the 'Super Priority Service' option. Can UKVI be able to tell me whether for SET(M), this service has been disabled as well? I found a contact number from the UKVI website, however it says the number does not exist. The number that I found is 0300 123 2241. Is there any other alternative number?

I would like to apologise in advance to the moderators, if the topics in my post have been discussed before. I have trawled through several pages, but could not find the answers that I was looking for. Hence, the reason for this post.

I would be very grateful if someone can help me with my queries.

1. You can combine PDFs of the statements and submit this online, under 'Financial Proof' as a single file

2. In addition to the Super Priority Service, you can opt for 'Out of hours service'. I personally did the same. To give you an idea, I submitted the online application on the 11th of Jan. Using 'Out of Hours', go the appointment for Jan 16th (7 am). Got approval email Jan 16th (4PM)

Hi Shashank,

Thanks for your response.

1. I tried combining pdfs using Adobe Acrobat Pro. However, the pdfs are encrypted. Hence, I am unable to combine them. I spoke with the bank as well, however they can't give me the password for removing the security from the file. I also tried printing to pdf. However, that did not work either because of the encrypted security. Just for information, I bank with NatWest. How were you able to combine pdf statements? Any other suggestions please?

2. How can you opt for the 'Out of hours service'? Did you apply for SET(M) as well? Is this one of the options available when I make the application? How much extra did you have to pay?

Regards,

KChakrabarty

1. That seems strange. I also bank with Natwest. I just went online, and pulled the statements online, which didnt have any password on it.

2. Like others have mentioned, the 'Out of Hours' service, is only available to 'Super Priority Service'. So if you do go that route, you should be able to get it. Also, another suggestion, I have is, scanning services are included in your take the 'Super Priority Service', so if you can't get the statements uploaded, you can always ask them to upload the specific ones for you

[kchakrabarty]

This is quite worrying, as I am applying for SET(M) for my wife by end of this week. What options do I have if I don't get the 'Super Priority Service' option (once I reach that stage)? Can I abandon the online application and approach a solicitor instead, will it be any quicker via a solicitor?

I have 2 further questions as well:

1. Bank statements - To evidence our relationship, I want to show bank statements for 6 accounts (3 in my name, 3 in my wife's name). I get online statements every month. I have also obtained a letter from the bank authenticating my online bank statements. Can you please advise, what is the best way to upload them online, a) Should I just attach the individual files, my worry is that there will be lots of them and in spite of mentioning in a covering letter, the caseworker may get confused Or b) Should I print all the statements that I plan to upload, scan them, and then upload them as a single file?

2. Home Office contact number - As I said in the beginning, I am worried about not getting the 'Super Priority Service' option. Can UKVI be able to tell me whether for SET(M), this service has been disabled as well? I found a contact number from the UKVI website, however it says the number does not exist. The number that I found is 0300 123 2241. Is there any other alternative number?

I would like to apologise in advance to the moderators, if the topics in my post have been discussed before. I have trawled through several pages, but could not find the answers that I was looking for. Hence, the reason for this post.

I would be very grateful if someone can help me with my queries.

1. You can combine PDFs of the statements and submit this online, under 'Financial Proof' as a single file

2. In addition to the Super Priority Service, you can opt for 'Out of hours service'. I personally did the same. To give you an idea, I submitted the online application on the 11th of Jan. Using 'Out of Hours', go the appointment for Jan 16th (7 am). Got approval email Jan 16th (4PM)

Hi Shashank,

Thanks for your response.

1. I tried combining pdfs using Adobe Acrobat Pro. However, the pdfs are encrypted. Hence, I am unable to combine them. I spoke with the bank as well, however they can't give me the password for removing the security from the file. I also tried printing to pdf. However, that did not work either because of the encrypted security. Just for information, I bank with NatWest. How were you able to combine pdf statements? Any other suggestions please?

2. How can you opt for the 'Out of hours service'? Did you apply for SET(M) as well? Is this one of the options available when I make the application? How much extra did you have to pay?

Regards,

KChakrabarty

1. That seems strange. I also bank with Natwest. I just went online, and pulled the statements online, which didnt have any password on it.

2. Like others have mentioned, the 'Out of Hours' service, is only available to 'Super Priority Service'. So if you do go that route, you should be able to get it. Also, another suggestion, I have is, scanning services are included in your take the 'Super Priority Service', so if you can't get the statements uploaded, you can always ask them to upload the specific ones for you

I can view statements online, print them as well. However, when I try to combine them using Adobe Acrobat Pro I get a message saying I can't do so because of encryption to the file. It's strange, how were you able to combine NatWest bank statements? Also, can we pick this up offline, I can message you my mobile number via private message and we can have a chat over the phone if you agree.

Can anyone suggest an alternative to the 0330 number i quoted in my original post? I don't want to call Sopia Steria as theirs is a premium rate number.

[shashankverma6]

I would like to thank everyone on this forum, for helping me through my process. I wanted to give out a couple of details regarding my experience, which may help some people.

Applied by: My wife's firm

Date Application Submitted: Jan 11th

Date Payment deducted: Jan 11th

Date of Appointment: Jan 16th (7am, using out of hours service for £260)

Place of Appointment: Mark Lane, London

Date Confirmation Received: Jan 16th (4PM)

BRP Received - Will update, when I get it.

One additional point, which was a question I had asked earlier on the forum, but didn't get a reply on, was if I should scan the documents or not, as the scanning service is technically included in the package for Super Priority.

I ended up uploading the documents that were downloaded digitally. For, e.g. didn't upload the Passport or the BRP, or the Sponsor Letter from my wife's firm.
My online advice, if you do go the embassy for scanning, is to print out documents, double sided. Their scanners scan blanks, if the document is one sided, and then they have to manually delete the blank scanned pages. The lady who did it for me, did it with a smile at 7 in the morning, but it is painful, so do try and reduce the pain as much as possible.

[shashankverma6]

1. You can combine PDFs of the statements and submit this online, under 'Financial Proof' as a single file

2. In addition to the Super Priority Service, you can opt for 'Out of hours service'. I personally did the same. To give you an idea, I submitted the online application on the 11th of Jan. Using 'Out of Hours', go the appointment for Jan 16th (7 am). Got approval email Jan 16th (4PM)

Hi Shashank,

Thanks for your response.

1. I tried combining pdfs using Adobe Acrobat Pro. However, the pdfs are encrypted. Hence, I am unable to combine them. I spoke with the bank as well, however they can't give me the password for removing the security from the file. I also tried printing to pdf. However, that did not work either because of the encrypted security. Just for information, I bank with NatWest. How were you able to combine pdf statements? Any other suggestions please?

2. How can you opt for the 'Out of hours service'? Did you apply for SET(M) as well? Is this one of the options available when I make the application? How much extra did you have to pay?

Regards,

KChakrabarty

1. That seems strange. I also bank with Natwest. I just went online, and pulled the statements online, which didnt have any password on it.

2. Like others have mentioned, the 'Out of Hours' service, is only available to 'Super Priority Service'. So if you do go that route, you should be able to get it. Also, another suggestion, I have is, scanning services are included in your take the 'Super Priority Service', so if you can't get the statements uploaded, you can always ask them to upload the specific ones for you

I can view statements online, print them as well. However, when I try to combine them using Adobe Acrobat Pro I get a message saying I can't do so because of encryption to the file. It's strange, how were you able to combine NatWest bank statements? Also, can we pick this up offline, I can message you my mobile number via private message and we can have a chat over the phone if you agree.

Can anyone suggest an alternative to the 0330 number i quoted in my original post? I don't want to call Sopia Steria as theirs is a premium rate number.

Hi,

Sure - DM me, and we can chat.

I am not sure about another number mate - I will let other opine.

[Luni]

Just one question please, on what number did you reach the HO? may you share it here please?

Thanks and good luck

The number has been posted many many times. Read through the last few pages of the thread.

Thank you for your response. I went back and found many numbers in relation to many subjects but I am not 100% sure which one is for the HO. May you please share it again so that new users will find it here as well