UKVCAS Super Priority Service

[allyf]

If you go to Google and search for "financial times visa", you'll find the story.

The journalist says there are people waiting "up to a week" for a 24hr decision, I tweeted her to tell her it's MUCH worse than that!

Maybe we can get some traction now...negative PR can work wonders!

Exactly. I’ve already sent my solicitor much feedback on the matter to date...with more to follow. I have no doubt I’ll be getting more irate as the days pass after this appointment tomorrow with SS. Happy Christmas to us all!

[allyf]

There are a few documents I am not sure which section to add them to on Sopra website.

1) I am using UK Degree for proof of English language, do I add this to Education Section? YES
2) Property Inspection Report, Residence in the UK or Other Section? WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT? PROOF OF ADDRESS? THEN YES UNDER RESIDENCE
3) Passport Photos, Other Section? YOU DONT NEED PASSPORT PHOTOS!
4) Tenancy Agreement, Other Section? WHAT PURPOSE?
5) Cover Letter, this is something that should be at the top of documents, wont this be lost under Other Section? I PUT COVER LETTER UNDER MANDATORY
6) Marriage Certificate, Other Section? YES OTHER
7) Do we have to upload Document Checklist with ticks? I JUST UPLOADED THE FULL APP FORM UNDER MANDATORY

Thank you

Answers in CAPS...

[ianone]

There are a few documents I am not sure which section to add them to on Sopra website.

1) I am using UK Degree for proof of English language, do I add this to Education Section? YES
2) Property Inspection Report, Residence in the UK or Other Section? WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT? PROOF OF ADDRESS? THEN YES UNDER RESIDENCE
3) Passport Photos, Other Section? YOU DONT NEED PASSPORT PHOTOS!
4) Tenancy Agreement, Other Section? WHAT PURPOSE?
5) Cover Letter, this is something that should be at the top of documents, wont this be lost under Other Section? I PUT COVER LETTER UNDER MANDATORY
6) Marriage Certificate, Other Section? YES OTHER
7) Do we have to upload Document Checklist with ticks? I JUST UPLOADED THE FULL APP FORM UNDER MANDATORY

Thank you

Answers in CAPS...

Thanks Allyf for answering my query.

Regarding Tenancy Agreement and Property Inspection Report, we were told by legal advisor to add them, not for proof of residence but for showing we have a Tenancy Agreement and the residence is not over crowded. Even though I have read in this forum that Report is only required when you are sharing. Whereas, in our case we are not sharing, it is just me and my wife.

I was confused whether to add the form or not, I think it is better to be safe.

Some people in this thread or another mentioned that they added photos for just in case. (Not sure what to do about this)

[allyf]

There are a few documents I am not sure which section to add them to on Sopra website.

1) I am using UK Degree for proof of English language, do I add this to Education Section? YES
2) Property Inspection Report, Residence in the UK or Other Section? WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT? PROOF OF ADDRESS? THEN YES UNDER RESIDENCE
3) Passport Photos, Other Section? YOU DONT NEED PASSPORT PHOTOS!
4) Tenancy Agreement, Other Section? WHAT PURPOSE?
5) Cover Letter, this is something that should be at the top of documents, wont this be lost under Other Section? I PUT COVER LETTER UNDER MANDATORY
6) Marriage Certificate, Other Section? YES OTHER
7) Do we have to upload Document Checklist with ticks? I JUST UPLOADED THE FULL APP FORM UNDER MANDATORY

Thank you

Answers in CAPS...

Thanks Allyf for answering my query.

Regarding Tenancy Agreement and Property Inspection Report, we were told by legal advisor to add them, not for proof of residence but for showing we have a Tenancy Agreement and the residence is not over crowded. Even though I have read in this forum that Report is only required when you are sharing. Whereas, in our case we are not sharing, it is just me and my wife.

I was confused whether to add the form or not, I think it is better to be safe.

Some people in this thread or another mentioned that they added photos for just in case. (Not sure what to do about this)

If you were advised to add maybe just put it under OTHER
As for photos, again there is no harm to add them if you have them

[ianone]

There are a few documents I am not sure which section to add them to on Sopra website.

1) I am using UK Degree for proof of English language, do I add this to Education Section? YES
2) Property Inspection Report, Residence in the UK or Other Section? WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT? PROOF OF ADDRESS? THEN YES UNDER RESIDENCE
3) Passport Photos, Other Section? YOU DONT NEED PASSPORT PHOTOS!
4) Tenancy Agreement, Other Section? WHAT PURPOSE?
5) Cover Letter, this is something that should be at the top of documents, wont this be lost under Other Section? I PUT COVER LETTER UNDER MANDATORY
6) Marriage Certificate, Other Section? YES OTHER
7) Do we have to upload Document Checklist with ticks? I JUST UPLOADED THE FULL APP FORM UNDER MANDATORY

Thank you

Answers in CAPS...

Thanks Allyf for answering my query.

Regarding Tenancy Agreement and Property Inspection Report, we were told by legal advisor to add them, not for proof of residence but for showing we have a Tenancy Agreement and the residence is not over crowded. Even though I have read in this forum that Report is only required when you are sharing. Whereas, in our case we are not sharing, it is just me and my wife.

I was confused whether to add the form or not, I think it is better to be safe.

Some people in this thread or another mentioned that they added photos for just in case. (Not sure what to do about this)

If you were advised to add maybe just put it under OTHER
As for photos, again there is no harm to add them if you have them

Thank you Allyf, you have been really helpful.

Best of luck with your appointment. I hope everything goes smoothly.

[Saddy2018]

put it under "Other", yes. I really don't think those categories are THAT important, just an organisational tool to help both you and the caseworker. Plenty of people have uploaded everything in one category and others, like me, tried to use logical filtering but the caseworker will see everything anyway.

Thanks for clarifying this. I also just spoke to the lawyer who had been helping me with my application..had to interrupt her while she was on vacation..!!...she didn’t say this part was required on the new application. However, I will still go ahead and add it in there regardless because with my luck HO will be asking for it..!

Hi Allyf,

I have my appointment tomorrow as well. I saw your comment regarding the declaration and consent form. I must say it is mandatory even with new application service. These forms are accessible just before you go to the payment section.

I am puzzled regarding upload sections on Sopra website, it seems they have not provided much guideline on where to upload each document. I was wondering if you could let me know how you have uploaded your documents.

P.S. My application is for FLRM.

Thank you

I've applied for Student Visa through new system but I didn't get any option for consent form or so. Did anyone applied for student extension under super priority service? and what's their timeline ?

[allyf]

Answers in CAPS...

Thanks Allyf for answering my query.

Regarding Tenancy Agreement and Property Inspection Report, we were told by legal advisor to add them, not for proof of residence but for showing we have a Tenancy Agreement and the residence is not over crowded. Even though I have read in this forum that Report is only required when you are sharing. Whereas, in our case we are not sharing, it is just me and my wife.

I was confused whether to add the form or not, I think it is better to be safe.

Some people in this thread or another mentioned that they added photos for just in case. (Not sure what to do about this)

If you were advised to add maybe just put it under OTHER
As for photos, again there is no harm to add them if you have them

Thank you Allyf, you have been really helpful.

Best of luck with your appointment. I hope everything goes smoothly.

You too! Best of luck!

[badhodor]

How to reach out to the FT people?
I have been waiting since 1st December!!!

Wrote to MP - No response
Complained to their complaints email - No response
Escalated 3 times - Standard email that it is within service standards

No communication whatsoever!!!

The article doesn't capture how bad it actually is!!!!

[oldmankensey]

How to reach out to the FT people?
I have been waiting since 1st December!!!

Wrote to MP - No response
Complained to their complaints email - No response
Escalated 3 times - Standard email that it is within service standards

No communication whatsoever!!!

The article doesn't capture how bad it actually is!!!!

This is the article writer's twitter:
Social media weblink removed by moderator

[badhodor]

How to reach out to the FT people?
I have been waiting since 1st December!!!

Wrote to MP - No response
Complained to their complaints email - No response
Escalated 3 times - Standard email that it is within service standards

No communication whatsoever!!!

The article doesn't capture how bad it actually is!!!!

This is the article writer's twitter:
social media link removed by moderator

I found her email on her twitter handle, as I don't use twitter I am going to email her the whole story of my suffering at the hands of HO's joke of this super priority service. Let's hope HO does something about it

[ianone]

How to reach out to the FT people?
I have been waiting since 1st December!!!

Wrote to MP - No response
Complained to their complaints email - No response
Escalated 3 times - Standard email that it is within service standards

No communication whatsoever!!!

The article doesn't capture how bad it actually is!!!!

This is the article writer's twitter:
social media link removed by moderator

I found her email on her twitter handle, as I don't use twitter I am going to email her the whole story of my suffering at the hands of HO's joke of this super priority service. Let's hope HO does something about it

Maybe add a link to the post which shows the list of when people applied and still haven't received any communication? Best of luck!

[manish7490]

My experience of new online application system and new appointment system with Sopra Steria.

1. My Tier 2 General was issued on 16th Jan, 2014 so i am eligible to apply from 19th Dec,2018, 28 days criteria. I submitted my application on 19th Dec, opted for Super Priority Service and paid £3018.

2. At the end of payment i was taken to page which directs you to Sopra Steria website, it asks to create online account and then documents can be uploaded and appointment can be booked.

3. The only appointments available to any center around me was at Croyden and fortunately it was free. So i booked for 23rd Dec, 12pm slot, very unusual for them to open on Sunday. In the meantime i uploaded all the documents online.

4. Reached the centre, very friendly staff, they directed me to do bio metrics at one of the stations and then I was asked to go to one of the desks for document checking. The staff checked only the documents as per Home office list in the application checklist although i uploaded so many others too.

5. After viewing all the documents, the staff submitted my full application to home office.

6. Lets see if Home office respond within 24 hours as promised timeline of super priority service... keep you posted.

[Saninsts]

FT reports this Visa outsourcing service puts applicants at risk of deportation. Home Office pilot scheme may face legal challenge from immigration lawyers.

[allyf]

Hi all,
Had Sopra Steria appointment this morning...was very quick and seamless. The staff were all very helpful and efficient (or trying to be as they all wanted to leave by noon today). I made sure all my documents were good quality on their screen..i had to ask the agent to turn the screen over so I could see everything. I had uploaded a couple documents in the wrong sections, so she proceeded to re-scan and upload them for me..I asked her what she was doing with the duplicate scan which were in the wrong sections..she advised she wasn’t going to remove and leave in there too..think I preferred that anyway so that she didn’t accidentally remove something that shouldn’t have been. At first I thought I shouldn’t be letting her mess around with my folders, but I asked her to show me each item one by one just to ensure everything was in the right sections (and nothing was deleted!) She did ask me if I was comfortable with everything before she pressed SEND. Overall easy and efficient appointment finished in 20 mins. The agent even went as far to say everyone who has applied with super priority were receiving their decision within a few days..appreciated her optimism but really just wanted to roll my eyes!! Now I just wait ....

[ianone]

Hi all,
Had Sopra Steria appointment this morning...was very quick and seamless. The staff were all very helpful and efficient (or trying to be as they all wanted to leave by noon today). I made sure all my documents were good quality on their screen..i had to ask the agent to turn the screen over so I could see everything. I had uploaded a couple documents in the wrong sections, so she proceeded to re-scan and upload them for me..I asked her what she was doing with the duplicate scan which were in the wrong sections..she advised she wasn’t going to remove and leave in there too..think I preferred that anyway so that she didn’t accidentally remove something that shouldn’t have been. At first I thought I shouldn’t be letting her mess around with my folders, but I asked her to show me each item one by one just to ensure everything was in the right sections (and nothing was deleted!) She did ask me if I was comfortable with everything before she pressed SEND. Overall easy and efficient appointment finished in 20 mins. The agent even went as far to say everyone who has applied with super priority were receiving their decision within a few days..appreciated her optimism but really just wanted to roll my eyes!! Now I just wait ....

Hey Allyf,

I had my appointment as well.

I had my appointment time as 11am, but I went at 10.35am they registered my right away as they wanted to finish early. Finished at 11.20am.

Mine took around 45mins as I had to do my biometrics twice due to system not scanning the passport properly.

I made the mistake of not checking all the files on the screen. The girl working on 1st desk just checked the mandatory docs. They also checked marriage certificate and bank statement as I had some issues uploading them.

Apart from that she didn't check anything else. When I mentioned that to ensure it is being submitted as super priority. They showed it was being submitted as super priority but they can't say if I will get answer within 24hours. Which contradicts to what they told you.

Now it's a waiting game...

[Saddy2018]

My timeline for tier-4 (student visa) visa extension using super priority service;

Applied online (new service): 17 Dec 2018 (Monday)

Bio-metric & docs check at Sopera: 24 Dec 2018 at 10:00am (today) at Glasgow, Scotland.

Decision: received decision via email at 12:07 am (visa granted).

It took less than 2 hours to decide my case and issue visa.

I’m pretty impressed with Sopera service, my appointment time was 10:00 but I went there at 9;45 and whole process took less than 30 min (including wait). First they call me for biometric and pic and it took only 2-3 min and then ask me to wait for docs check, and then within 10 min then call me for docs check, as I’ve already uploaded scan docs prior to visit, it was easy job for them. Just they checked that docs were submitted in good format but they did scan all pages of passport. It took around 10 min or so, and then I was free to go.

Whilst coming back to home from Glasgow, I received email from Sheffield visa office that my visa is granted and I’ll be receive letter and BRP soon...

[allyf]

Hi all,
Had Sopra Steria appointment this morning...was very quick and seamless. The staff were all very helpful and efficient (or trying to be as they all wanted to leave by noon today). I made sure all my documents were good quality on their screen..i had to ask the agent to turn the screen over so I could see everything. I had uploaded a couple documents in the wrong sections, so she proceeded to re-scan and upload them for me..I asked her what she was doing with the duplicate scan which were in the wrong sections..she advised she wasn’t going to remove and leave in there too..think I preferred that anyway so that she didn’t accidentally remove something that shouldn’t have been. At first I thought I shouldn’t be letting her mess around with my folders, but I asked her to show me each item one by one just to ensure everything was in the right sections (and nothing was deleted!) She did ask me if I was comfortable with everything before she pressed SEND. Overall easy and efficient appointment finished in 20 mins. The agent even went as far to say everyone who has applied with super priority were receiving their decision within a few days..appreciated her optimism but really just wanted to roll my eyes!! Now I just wait ....

Hey Allyf,

I had my appointment as well.

I had my appointment time as 11am, but I went at 10.35am they registered my right away as they wanted to finish early. Finished at 11.20am.

Mine took around 45mins as I had to do my biometrics twice due to system not scanning the passport properly.

I made the mistake of not checking all the files on the screen. The girl working on 1st desk just checked the mandatory docs. They also checked marriage certificate and bank statement as I had some issues uploading them.

Apart from that she didn't check anything else. When I mentioned that to ensure it is being submitted as super priority. They showed it was being submitted as super priority but they can't say if I will get answer within 24hours. Which contradicts to what they told you.

Now it's a waiting game...

Yes I’m sure it was the same girl who was helping. She was the only female from what I could see. She was overly optimistic with me, but probably she just started her shift and was in a better mood. I too had issues with the biometrics kiosk..it wasn’t taking my photo or fingerprint. So the girl did it all at her desk. I made sure to see she got my fingerprints properly too, just cant trust anyone!

[ianone]

My timeline for tier-4 (student visa) visa extension using super priority service;

Applied online (new service): 17 Dec 2018 (Monday)

Bio-metric & docs check at Sopera: 24 Dec 2018 at 10:00am (today) at Glasgow, Scotland.

Decision: received decision via email at 12:07 am (visa granted).

It took less than 2 hours to decide my case and issue visa.

I’m pretty impressed with Sopera service, my appointment time was 10:00 but I went there at 9;45 and whole process took less than 30 min (including wait). First they call me for biometric and pic and it took only 2-3 min and then ask me to wait for docs check, and then within 10 min then call me for docs check, as I’ve already uploaded scan docs prior to visit, it was easy job for them. Just they checked that docs were submitted in good format but they did scan all pages of passport. It took around 10 min or so, and then I was free to go.

Whilst coming back to home from Glasgow, I received email from Sheffield visa office that my visa is granted and I’ll be receive letter and BRP soon...

That's super quick decision! Congrats.

Maybe it's because it is a student visa?

[ianone]

Hi all,
Had Sopra Steria appointment this morning...was very quick and seamless. The staff were all very helpful and efficient (or trying to be as they all wanted to leave by noon today). I made sure all my documents were good quality on their screen..i had to ask the agent to turn the screen over so I could see everything. I had uploaded a couple documents in the wrong sections, so she proceeded to re-scan and upload them for me..I asked her what she was doing with the duplicate scan which were in the wrong sections..she advised she wasn’t going to remove and leave in there too..think I preferred that anyway so that she didn’t accidentally remove something that shouldn’t have been. At first I thought I shouldn’t be letting her mess around with my folders, but I asked her to show me each item one by one just to ensure everything was in the right sections (and nothing was deleted!) She did ask me if I was comfortable with everything before she pressed SEND. Overall easy and efficient appointment finished in 20 mins. The agent even went as far to say everyone who has applied with super priority were receiving their decision within a few days..appreciated her optimism but really just wanted to roll my eyes!! Now I just wait ....

Hey Allyf,

I had my appointment as well.

I had my appointment time as 11am, but I went at 10.35am they registered my right away as they wanted to finish early. Finished at 11.20am.

Mine took around 45mins as I had to do my biometrics twice due to system not scanning the passport properly.

I made the mistake of not checking all the files on the screen. The girl working on 1st desk just checked the mandatory docs. They also checked marriage certificate and bank statement as I had some issues uploading them.

Apart from that she didn't check anything else. When I mentioned that to ensure it is being submitted as super priority. They showed it was being submitted as super priority but they can't say if I will get answer within 24hours. Which contradicts to what they told you.

Now it's a waiting game...

Yes I’m sure it was the same girl who was helping. She was the only female from what I could see. She was overly optimistic with me, but probably she just started her shift and was in a better mood. I too had issues with the biometrics kiosk..it wasn’t taking my photo or fingerprint. So the girl did it all at her desk. I made sure to see she got my fingerprints properly too, just cant trust anyone!

It's true can't trust anyone as any mistake they make wouldn't affect your application not them.

In my case they asked me to go back to kiosk to do it all over again.

[mil10cv]

hi anyone got contact numner to escalate the case for superiority waiting six days now for a decision.