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UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

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michali
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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by michali » Thu Nov 22, 2018 1:10 am

loupiol wrote:
Wed Nov 21, 2018 5:05 pm
Hi all,

Few updates, last weekend I got a letter with the decision.

It's POSITIVE. I am now settled!
Hiccup: the letter came without the BRP.

I am now waiting for the BRP to arrive.
This was also a bit messy.

They use DX and they don't tell you when the package will arrive.
It must be signed for (for obvious reasons). They tried sending it to me but I wasn't home.
Rescheduling is done online or by phone. You can either have it resent for free but must be at the location all day time slot 9am-5pm or pay an extra GBP 7 to have it sent in the morning or in the pm at your work location.
I can't take time off work again, so paid another GBP 7... *sigh*

@michali, how did your meeting go?

By the way, on my acceptance letter, it clearly stipulates in bold letters that one must not travel outside the UK without the BRP...

I hope my experience helps everybody. Let you know if I get the BRP smoothly.
I missed this and have just gone online to send you a message! Great news! My husband's application is not for a few months but I want to feel knowledgable and comfortable with the process! One question I am asking is 'can you edit your application form as long as you have not paid and submitted it? Or is it that once you have completed a section, you cannot go back and make changes?' Once again, congratulations!

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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by bizman » Thu Nov 22, 2018 6:47 am

Of ourselves you can Edith an application if not yet submitted.
Bizman

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michali
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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by michali » Thu Nov 22, 2018 9:39 am

bizman wrote:
Thu Nov 22, 2018 6:47 am
Of ourselves you can Edith an application if not yet submitted.
Thank you!

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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by loupiol » Thu Nov 22, 2018 9:40 pm

michali wrote:
Thu Nov 22, 2018 1:10 am
loupiol wrote:
Wed Nov 21, 2018 5:05 pm
Hi all,

Few updates, last weekend I got a letter with the decision.

It's POSITIVE. I am now settled!
Hiccup: the letter came without the BRP.

I am now waiting for the BRP to arrive.
This was also a bit messy.

They use DX and they don't tell you when the package will arrive.
It must be signed for (for obvious reasons). They tried sending it to me but I wasn't home.
Rescheduling is done online or by phone. You can either have it resent for free but must be at the location all day time slot 9am-5pm or pay an extra GBP 7 to have it sent in the morning or in the pm at your work location.
I can't take time off work again, so paid another GBP 7... *sigh*

@michali, how did your meeting go?

By the way, on my acceptance letter, it clearly stipulates in bold letters that one must not travel outside the UK without the BRP...

I hope my experience helps everybody. Let you know if I get the BRP smoothly.
I missed this and have just gone online to send you a message! Great news! My husband's application is not for a few months but I want to feel knowledgable and comfortable with the process! One question I am asking is 'can you edit your application form as long as you have not paid and submitted it? Or is it that once you have completed a section, you cannot go back and make changes?' Once again, congratulations!
yes as long as you haven't paid you can amend the sections.
however once you paid you can't back at all! you need to ask for a refund and start over...

I GOT IT today even though they were one hour late delivering.

@michali, thanks so much and I hope it all goes smoothly for you and your husband.

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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by michali » Thu Nov 22, 2018 10:34 pm

Thank you! Enjoy your settlement!

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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by DysonCat » Mon Nov 26, 2018 10:37 pm

loupiol wrote:
Thu Nov 15, 2018 7:34 pm
kayden636 wrote:
Tue Nov 13, 2018 11:09 am
can you take extra doucoment like a cover note etc and give ukvcsa to upload ?
Hi everyone,

Sorry for keeping everyone waiting. Work has been very busy.
I paid for super priority service which I think is the new expedited decision?
Unfortunately, it was not a next day decision... :(

I just got an email saying "A decision has been made, you will hear from us in 3-5 business days".
I am still waiting :?: tomorrow will be day 4 since the appointment!
I am a little stressed out because this e-mail is not clear. They don't say if it's yes or no...

I will try and answer each post one by one.

@Kayden636, yes you can take extra documents to upload. There's an "Others" section, Education section (that is not in the checklist...).
So I added my degree and a proof of address.

@michali, they will scan everything (every single passport page even if it's 100000 pages) don't worry! You paid for this service, they have to do it for you. I don't know if they need the sponsor passport. Is it in your document checklist?
I didn't apply with my spouse who is European and doesn't need this but if you are applying with your spouse, the center will upload all your pages. Again, you paid for this!!

Keep you posted :? and I am going to stay hopeful!
Hi there

I attended my Sopra appointment last Tuesday and paid for the super priority service. It is now Monday (4 working days after my Sopra appointment) and I still haven’t received an email saying decision has been made. How many days did it take them to email you saying the decision has been made?

My experience at the Sopra centre was disastrous. It was their first day running it and staff were not familiar with the system leading to long delays. To make things worse the scanner broke down so there was no way they could scan the documents for us. I ended up having to scan them with my phone app and upload during the appointment (this includes the hundreds of pages of passport stamps)! Other people had to go to and find a computer elsewhere to scan theirs! Also, the printout from the application form actually doesn’t specify what kind of supporting documents one needs to upload online: the sky is your limit!

My worry is that given I had to upload the files myself using my phone they were not arranged in good order: it didn’t help that my phone’s battery was almost dead whilst I was desperately trying to scan the documents on it! Not sure if this would have discounted the validity of my application :(

I spent FIVE hours that day in total, with no decision in hand, having paid more than what it used to at the old premium centres. I feel just ever so slightly cheated...

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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by bizman » Tue Nov 27, 2018 4:44 am

This is not good experience, I just hope all this teething stage pass quickly, it’s not encouraging at all.
Bizman

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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by SanelaBH » Tue Dec 04, 2018 4:42 pm

Hi everyone , just wanted to share our ( my husband's spouse ILR application ) experience with Super Priority service in London Premium centre . His appointment was on Saturday ( 01.12. 2018 ) at midday , we found the service was fast and quite pleasant stress free experience . He received an email from the home office today ( 04.01.2018 ) to say that his application was successful and that he will recieve his decision letter and BRP in due course . We assume this means it will be here in few days .
Best luck to you all

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michali
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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by michali » Wed Dec 05, 2018 7:19 pm

Congratulations! You seem to have received confirmation earlier than many others!

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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by nayeem27 » Fri Dec 07, 2018 12:58 pm

Dear all

Please kindly help me who have already applied for FLR (M) through Sopra Steria (New Service)
My Visa will be expired on 08 Feb 19 , I'm planning to apply 28 days before which is about 14 Jan 19.

My question is if I submit application today (07 Dec 18) or tomorrow (08 Dec 18) after paying (Visa Fees + IHS), which one would be my application date ? Today (07 Dec 18) ? or the date when I will book an appointment for Bio-metric & show document evidences?

There is no clear instruction from UKVI or Sopra Steria...

If anyone could help that would be greatly appreciated..

Kind Regards
Nayeem

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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by bizman » Fri Dec 07, 2018 4:49 pm

Why are you in a hurry. Wait until it’s the required time by law before you submit your application, you can however fill alll aspects required
Bizman

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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by nayeem27 » Fri Dec 07, 2018 5:04 pm

Many thanks biman for your info, but can you please confirm which one is called application date ? Will it be submit date online or biometric appointment date ???

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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by Ancestor » Fri Dec 07, 2018 9:34 pm

nayeem27 wrote:
Fri Dec 07, 2018 5:04 pm
Many thanks biman for your info, but can you please confirm which one is called application date ? Will it be submit date online or biometric appointment date ???
My understanding is that the application date is the day you submit and pay.

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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by swskum » Sat Dec 08, 2018 1:35 am

nayeem27 wrote:
Fri Dec 07, 2018 12:58 pm
Dear all

Please kindly help me who have already applied for FLR (M) through Sopra Steria (New Service)
My Visa will be expired on 08 Feb 19 , I'm planning to apply 28 days before which is about 14 Jan 19.

My question is if I submit application today (07 Dec 18) or tomorrow (08 Dec 18) after paying (Visa Fees + IHS), which one would be my application date ? Today (07 Dec 18) ? or the date when I will book an appointment for Bio-metric & show document evidences?

There is no clear instruction from UKVI or Sopra Steria...

If anyone could help that would be greatly appreciated..

Kind Regards
Nayeem
Hi nayeem. My wife and I are currently applying for my wife's first extension of leave to remain under the FLR(M) application. We paid on 29 November and she has her appointment on 11 December. My wife's visa is due to expire on 7 Jan 19 so her 28 days begin on 10 December.

The PSC rules before the change to Sopra Steria were such that you could book the appointment online and the date of "submission" for the immigration rules was the date of the appointment. With the Sopra Steria system it is ambiguous and unclear whether "submitted" is when you pay or when you go to the Sopra Steria appointment. In light of this confusion, and no published guidance by the Home Office in respect of any change to the definition of "submitted" for immigration rule purposes, I rang up the Home Office.

The first lady I spoke to said the date of submission was the date you paid for the appointment, and my wife had applied to early and had to withdraw her application with no refund. She then hung up on me... so I rang back. The second person told me that the date of submission was the date of the appointment.

For one, I knew the first lady was incorrect about the refund as I have seen people on the forums getting refunds even when the application was within the country. Secondly, I had received contradictory advice. I then spoke to an immigration lawyer for clarification. He was uncertain as he said the Sopra Steria system was so new he did not know what the rules were. When the Home Office and an immigration lawyer don't know what the rule is, it is evidently unclear. So I wrote to my MP and explained the situation, the urgency for my wife's visa for personal reasons, and the contradiction in the (lack of) definition of "submitted" for the purposes of the immigration rules.

She agreed it was unacceptable to have this uncertainty, and also not acceptable for the Home Office to change the interpretation of "submitted" without published guidance. She spoke to the Home Office and they said to her that our application would be fine. We are going to have our Sopra Steria appointment on 11 Dec and I will let you know how it goes. If we are successful then the interpretation is clear - you can pay for your application before the 28 days starts so long as you go to your appointment during the 28 day period. Regardless of the situation though, if you can avoid applying early and just wait until you are in the 28 day period, that would be easier (assuming you have no urgent need for the visa, unlike we do as we are flying back to my wife's country for Christmas as her mum is ill).

I have also submitted a FOI request so their response on this matter is public - to reduce the uncertainty out there at the moment. https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... ng-1274844 is the link. Although it doesn't have the answer yet, by the second week of January it should have been responded to.

I'm trying my best to clear this up for everyone and hopefully I will be able to provide you some further clarity in the next week (give or take!).

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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by bizman » Sat Dec 08, 2018 11:33 am

nayeem27 wrote:
Fri Dec 07, 2018 5:04 pm
Many thanks biman for your info, but can you please confirm which one is called application date ? Will it be submit date online or biometric appointment date ???
Application date is the date you submit your application and make payment.
Bizman

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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by bizman » Sat Dec 08, 2018 11:37 am

swskum wrote:
Sat Dec 08, 2018 1:35 am
nayeem27 wrote:
Fri Dec 07, 2018 12:58 pm
Dear all

Please kindly help me who have already applied for FLR (M) through Sopra Steria (New Service)
My Visa will be expired on 08 Feb 19 , I'm planning to apply 28 days before which is about 14 Jan 19.

My question is if I submit application today (07 Dec 18) or tomorrow (08 Dec 18) after paying (Visa Fees + IHS), which one would be my application date ? Today (07 Dec 18) ? or the date when I will book an appointment for Bio-metric & show document evidences?

There is no clear instruction from UKVI or Sopra Steria...

If anyone could help that would be greatly appreciated..

Kind Regards
Nayeem
Hi nayeem. My wife and I are currently applying for my wife's first extension of leave to remain under the FLR(M) application. We paid on 29 November and she has her appointment on 11 December. My wife's visa is due to expire on 7 Jan 19 so her 28 days begin on 10 December.

The PSC rules before the change to Sopra Steria were such that you could book the appointment online and the date of "submission" for the immigration rules was the date of the appointment. With the Sopra Steria system it is ambiguous and unclear whether "submitted" is when you pay or when you go to the Sopra Steria appointment. In light of this confusion, and no published guidance by the Home Office in respect of any change to the definition of "submitted" for immigration rule purposes, I rang up the Home Office.

The first lady I spoke to said the date of submission was the date you paid for the appointment, and my wife had applied to early and had to withdraw her application with no refund. She then hung up on me... so I rang back. The second person told me that the date of submission was the date of the appointment.

For one, I knew the first lady was incorrect about the refund as I have seen people on the forums getting refunds even when the application was within the country. Secondly, I had received contradictory advice. I then spoke to an immigration lawyer for clarification. He was uncertain as he said the Sopra Steria system was so new he did not know what the rules were. When the Home Office and an immigration lawyer don't know what the rule is, it is evidently unclear. So I wrote to my MP and explained the situation, the urgency for my wife's visa for personal reasons, and the contradiction in the (lack of) definition of "submitted" for the purposes of the immigration rules.

She agreed it was unacceptable to have this uncertainty, and also not acceptable for the Home Office to change the interpretation of "submitted" without published guidance. She spoke to the Home Office and they said to her that our application would be fine. We are going to have our Sopra Steria appointment on 11 Dec and I will let you know how it goes. If we are successful then the interpretation is clear - you can pay for your application before the 28 days starts so long as you go to your appointment during the 28 day period. Regardless of the situation though, if you can avoid applying early and just wait until you are in the 28 day period, that would be easier (assuming you have no urgent need for the visa, unlike we do as we are flying back to my wife's country for Christmas as her mum is ill).

I have also submitted a FOI request so their response on this matter is public - to reduce the uncertainty out there at the moment. https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... ng-1274844 is the link. Although it doesn't have the answer yet, by the second week of January it should have been responded to.

I'm trying my best to clear this up for everyone and hopefully I will be able to provide you some further clarity in the next week (give or take!).
Thanks Swskum
Bizman

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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by nayeem27 » Sat Dec 08, 2018 11:50 am

Dear Swskum

Many thanks for kind and elaborate information, I am so glad that I was seeking answer in this group. Your situation is exactly same as mine. It's such a shame for the sophisticated home office for publishing a new portal without any guidance... (Maybe they wanted us to hire solicitors , although solicitors are also uncertain)

However, I have already paid IHS because I couldn't able to predict what will come after IHS payment. Although I haven't paid my Visa fees yet because I got same answer from home office when I called yesterday and incompetent people replied from previous experience.

Please kindly let me know what will happen after 11 dec 18.

Again a big thanks 😊😊😊

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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by swskum » Wed Dec 12, 2018 10:15 pm

Just so you know, I received an email today, the day after my wife's appointment at the premium lounge in London, confirming the granting of my wife's further leave to remain (extension under FLR(M) route). We will receive the mail with the BRP in due course it said. Quick and efficient.

By the way, we paid for our application and appointment before the last 28 days of my wife's visa although we had the biometric appointment in the 28 day period.

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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by swskum » Wed Dec 12, 2018 11:02 pm

nayeem27 wrote:
Sat Dec 08, 2018 11:50 am
Dear Swskum

Many thanks for kind and elaborate information, I am so glad that I was seeking answer in this group. Your situation is exactly same as mine. It's such a shame for the sophisticated home office for publishing a new portal without any guidance... (Maybe they wanted us to hire solicitors , although solicitors are also uncertain)

However, I have already paid IHS because I couldn't able to predict what will come after IHS payment. Although I haven't paid my Visa fees yet because I got same answer from home office when I called yesterday and incompetent people replied from previous experience.

Please kindly let me know what will happen after 11 dec 18.

Again a big thanks 😊😊😊
Hey Nayeem, yes it's good to have someone else in the same boat!

See my post just above this - we got the leave to remain granted! From discussion I had with my MP, who spoke to the Home Office, she said the Home Office said they would show a level of leniency for people who apply before the last 28 day period. What the Home Office said to her - and I wouldn't rely on this too much -was that the 28 day period was designed so that people didn't apply ridiculously too early and have two overlapping visas for a long time (whether that is technically correct I query but besides the point!).

Now I don't know what to make of this, but what I would say is where you can avoid it, try not to apply more than 28 days before the beginning of the 28 days (i.e. no earlier than 56 days before the current visa runs out). I think at that point they may get stricter - although it is hard to tell.But applying a week earlier than the beginning of your last 28 day period is probably OK.

On timing, if you have paid for your IHS, that's fine, as you haven't paid for the appointment itself. Hold off on paying for the application (and the appointment you then have to book on the Sopra Steria page) until nearer 14 January. I think your application will be absolutely fine so far, at least know there is a degree of flexibility.

On the IHS - are you aware that the government is increasing the IHS amount to a (quite honestly outrageous) larger amount? They are doubling it, so what was £200 per year is now £400 per year etc. That means £1000 for the FLR(M) extension rather than £500. I am not sure what that will mean for your IHS given you have paid for it. I have done a little bit of digging for you. The progress of the order bringing into force the larger IHS payment shouldn't come into force until the earliest 10 January at the moment (and that assumes it is formalised tomorrow which is unlikely!). In any event, 10 January is only 4 days before your 28 day period. Given this, if I were you I would be minded to pay for my full application and book my appointment in early January (a week early), and worry more on the timing of the IHS increase than the worry of applying early, so you can ensure you save yourself an extra IHS payment of £500. You can see the status of the current order here: https://beta.parliament.uk/statutory-in ... s/qN5SIpKr. It is waiting to become law and then 28 days from the day it becomes law the increased fees will come into effect.

So to summarise - what you have done so far is fine, I'd recommend given the change to the IHS that you guys pay for your app and book your biometric appointment at the beginning of the second week of Jan (if the order goes through in the next week), or pay for your app and book your biometric appointment on 14 Jan (if they don't approve the order increasing IHS by 17 Dec)!

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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by sarapatel » Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:04 pm

swskum wrote:
Wed Dec 12, 2018 11:02 pm
nayeem27 wrote:
Sat Dec 08, 2018 11:50 am
Dear Swskum

Many thanks for kind and elaborate information, I am so glad that I was seeking answer in this group. Your situation is exactly same as mine. It's such a shame for the sophisticated home office for publishing a new portal without any guidance... (Maybe they wanted us to hire solicitors , although solicitors are also uncertain)

However, I have already paid IHS because I couldn't able to predict what will come after IHS payment. Although I haven't paid my Visa fees yet because I got same answer from home office when I called yesterday and incompetent people replied from previous experience.

Please kindly let me know what will happen after 11 dec 18.

Again a big thanks 😊😊😊
Hey Nayeem, yes it's good to have someone else in the same boat!

See my post just above this - we got the leave to remain granted! From discussion I had with my MP, who spoke to the Home Office, she said the Home Office said they would show a level of leniency for people who apply before the last 28 day period. What the Home Office said to her - and I wouldn't rely on this too much -was that the 28 day period was designed so that people didn't apply ridiculously too early and have two overlapping visas for a long time (whether that is technically correct I query but besides the point!).

Now I don't know what to make of this, but what I would say is where you can avoid it, try not to apply more than 28 days before the beginning of the 28 days (i.e. no earlier than 56 days before the current visa runs out). I think at that point they may get stricter - although it is hard to tell.But applying a week earlier than the beginning of your last 28 day period is probably OK.

On timing, if you have paid for your IHS, that's fine, as you haven't paid for the appointment itself. Hold off on paying for the application (and the appointment you then have to book on the Sopra Steria page) until nearer 14 January. I think your application will be absolutely fine so far, at least know there is a degree of flexibility.

On the IHS - are you aware that the government is increasing the IHS amount to a (quite honestly outrageous) larger amount? They are doubling it, so what was £200 per year is now £400 per year etc. That means £1000 for the FLR(M) extension rather than £500. I am not sure what that will mean for your IHS given you have paid for it. I have done a little bit of digging for you. The progress of the order bringing into force the larger IHS payment shouldn't come into force until the earliest 10 January at the moment (and that assumes it is formalised tomorrow which is unlikely!). In any event, 10 January is only 4 days before your 28 day period. Given this, if I were you I would be minded to pay for my full application and book my appointment in early January (a week early), and worry more on the timing of the IHS increase than the worry of applying early, so you can ensure you save yourself an extra IHS payment of £500. You can see the status of the current order here: https://beta.parliament.uk/statutory-in ... s/qN5SIpKr. It is waiting to become law and then 28 days from the day it becomes law the increased fees will come into effect.

So to summarise - what you have done so far is fine, I'd recommend given the change to the IHS that you guys pay for your app and book your biometric appointment at the beginning of the second week of Jan (if the order goes through in the next week), or pay for your app and book your biometric appointment on 14 Jan (if they don't approve the order increasing IHS by 17 Dec)!
Dear Swskum, Did you upload documents using the Sopra Steria service? If you did, may I ask, when using the upload service, if I can upload a single PDF file with multiple pages or only 1 Page per PDF file. For example I will be uploading all the pages of my passport. Can I upload 1 PDF with all 28 passport pages OR separate 28 PDF documents?

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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by CateS » Mon Dec 17, 2018 11:20 am

Thanks for all the information given on this thread.

So far, I have paid for a NTL to BRP service, hoping to book an appointment at Norwich as soon as possible. Despite it stated that the Norwich service centre is available for booking at the UKVCAS portal, I have been trying to book since last week, but it showed there is no appointment available. I believe the appointment schedule is not available yet. Anyone has any idea when it will be up? The timeline showed that it should be ready in early Dec for Norwich.

On another note, the consent form for Home Office to do further verification,how do I submit? Do i upload at the UKVCAS website? And under which section of the upload documents?

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Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by nayeem27 » Mon Dec 17, 2018 2:21 pm

swskum wrote:
Wed Dec 12, 2018 11:02 pm
nayeem27 wrote:
Sat Dec 08, 2018 11:50 am
Dear Swskum

Many thanks for kind and elaborate information, I am so glad that I was seeking answer in this group. Your situation is exactly same as mine. It's such a shame for the sophisticated home office for publishing a new portal without any guidance... (Maybe they wanted us to hire solicitors , although solicitors are also uncertain)

However, I have already paid IHS because I couldn't able to predict what will come after IHS payment. Although I haven't paid my Visa fees yet because I got same answer from home office when I called yesterday and incompetent people replied from previous experience.

Please kindly let me know what will happen after 11 dec 18.

Again a big thanks 😊😊😊
Hey Nayeem, yes it's good to have someone else in the same boat!

See my post just above this - we got the leave to remain granted! From discussion I had with my MP, who spoke to the Home Office, she said the Home Office said they would show a level of leniency for people who apply before the last 28 day period. What the Home Office said to her - and I wouldn't rely on this too much -was that the 28 day period was designed so that people didn't apply ridiculously too early and have two overlapping visas for a long time (whether that is technically correct I query but besides the point!).

Now I don't know what to make of this, but what I would say is where you can avoid it, try not to apply more than 28 days before the beginning of the 28 days (i.e. no earlier than 56 days before the current visa runs out). I think at that point they may get stricter - although it is hard to tell.But applying a week earlier than the beginning of your last 28 day period is probably OK.

On timing, if you have paid for your IHS, that's fine, as you haven't paid for the appointment itself. Hold off on paying for the application (and the appointment you then have to book on the Sopra Steria page) until nearer 14 January. I think your application will be absolutely fine so far, at least know there is a degree of flexibility.

On the IHS - are you aware that the government is increasing the IHS amount to a (quite honestly outrageous) larger amount? They are doubling it, so what was £200 per year is now £400 per year etc. That means £1000 for the FLR(M) extension rather than £500. I am not sure what that will mean for your IHS given you have paid for it. I have done a little bit of digging for you. The progress of the order bringing into force the larger IHS payment shouldn't come into force until the earliest 10 January at the moment (and that assumes it is formalised tomorrow which is unlikely!). In any event, 10 January is only 4 days before your 28 day period. Given this, if I were you I would be minded to pay for my full application and book my appointment in early January (a week early), and worry more on the timing of the IHS increase than the worry of applying early, so you can ensure you save yourself an extra IHS payment of £500. You can see the status of the current order here: https://beta.parliament.uk/statutory-in ... s/qN5SIpKr. It is waiting to become law and then 28 days from the day it becomes law the increased fees will come into effect.

So to summarise - what you have done so far is fine, I'd recommend given the change to the IHS that you guys pay for your app and book your biometric appointment at the beginning of the second week of Jan (if the order goes through in the next week), or pay for your app and book your biometric appointment on 14 Jan (if they don't approve the order increasing IHS by 17 Dec)!
Hello Swskum

A big thanks you friend for your kind help, I had so much confusion but everything has cleared now after your details explanation. Sorry for late Thanksss..

I will monitor IHS Matter and others online, you are such a gentleman .. :-)

That's the benefit of virtual helping hand with real life experiences.

Hope you would have a lovely happy Christmas with lots of fun with families...

Best wishes.
Nayeem

seansilva
Newbie
Posts: 38
Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 10:44 am
Location: Kingston Upon Thames

Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by seansilva » Mon Dec 17, 2018 6:24 pm

sarapatel wrote:
Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:04 pm
swskum wrote:
Wed Dec 12, 2018 11:02 pm
nayeem27 wrote:
Sat Dec 08, 2018 11:50 am
Dear Swskum

Many thanks for kind and elaborate information, I am so glad that I was seeking answer in this group. Your situation is exactly same as mine. It's such a shame for the sophisticated home office for publishing a new portal without any guidance... (Maybe they wanted us to hire solicitors , although solicitors are also uncertain)

However, I have already paid IHS because I couldn't able to predict what will come after IHS payment. Although I haven't paid my Visa fees yet because I got same answer from home office when I called yesterday and incompetent people replied from previous experience.

Please kindly let me know what will happen after 11 dec 18.

Again a big thanks 😊😊😊
Hey Nayeem, yes it's good to have someone else in the same boat!

See my post just above this - we got the leave to remain granted! From discussion I had with my MP, who spoke to the Home Office, she said the Home Office said they would show a level of leniency for people who apply before the last 28 day period. What the Home Office said to her - and I wouldn't rely on this too much -was that the 28 day period was designed so that people didn't apply ridiculously too early and have two overlapping visas for a long time (whether that is technically correct I query but besides the point!).

Now I don't know what to make of this, but what I would say is where you can avoid it, try not to apply more than 28 days before the beginning of the 28 days (i.e. no earlier than 56 days before the current visa runs out). I think at that point they may get stricter - although it is hard to tell.But applying a week earlier than the beginning of your last 28 day period is probably OK.

On timing, if you have paid for your IHS, that's fine, as you haven't paid for the appointment itself. Hold off on paying for the application (and the appointment you then have to book on the Sopra Steria page) until nearer 14 January. I think your application will be absolutely fine so far, at least know there is a degree of flexibility.

On the IHS - are you aware that the government is increasing the IHS amount to a (quite honestly outrageous) larger amount? They are doubling it, so what was £200 per year is now £400 per year etc. That means £1000 for the FLR(M) extension rather than £500. I am not sure what that will mean for your IHS given you have paid for it. I have done a little bit of digging for you. The progress of the order bringing into force the larger IHS payment shouldn't come into force until the earliest 10 January at the moment (and that assumes it is formalised tomorrow which is unlikely!). In any event, 10 January is only 4 days before your 28 day period. Given this, if I were you I would be minded to pay for my full application and book my appointment in early January (a week early), and worry more on the timing of the IHS increase than the worry of applying early, so you can ensure you save yourself an extra IHS payment of £500. You can see the status of the current order here: https://beta.parliament.uk/statutory-in ... s/qN5SIpKr. It is waiting to become law and then 28 days from the day it becomes law the increased fees will come into effect.

So to summarise - what you have done so far is fine, I'd recommend given the change to the IHS that you guys pay for your app and book your biometric appointment at the beginning of the second week of Jan (if the order goes through in the next week), or pay for your app and book your biometric appointment on 14 Jan (if they don't approve the order increasing IHS by 17 Dec)!
Dear Swskum, Did you upload documents using the Sopra Steria service? If you did, may I ask, when using the upload service, if I can upload a single PDF file with multiple pages or only 1 Page per PDF file. For example I will be uploading all the pages of my passport. Can I upload 1 PDF with all 28 passport pages OR separate 28 PDF documents?
Please do a single PDF file with multiple pages, I did the same and the UKVCAS staff accepted without any issues. You can use the same when its come to grouping other documents. Ex: P60s, Referee Declaration..etc. The file size should be less than 6 MB.

CateS
Newly Registered
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2018 10:23 am
Singapore

Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by CateS » Tue Dec 18, 2018 10:55 am

This sounds like a silly question but can anyone tell me where do I upload Home office check consent letter at the UKVCAS upload document section? Or do I just submit to the staff at service centre?

Thanks

seansilva
Newbie
Posts: 38
Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 10:44 am
Location: Kingston Upon Thames

Re: UKVI Digital Changes, No PEO/PSCs from October 2018?

Post by seansilva » Tue Dec 18, 2018 2:09 pm

CateS wrote:
Tue Dec 18, 2018 10:55 am
This sounds like a silly question but can anyone tell me where do I upload Home office check consent letter at the UKVCAS upload document section? Or do I just submit to the staff at service centre?

Thanks
So in the UKVCAS Sopra Steria website, you can use 'other' section to upload miscellaneous documents which is not belong to any given category. I would recommend you to use a proper file naming convention throughout all the documents and always use the describe the nature of document in description field.

Staff in the service centre access exactly the same interface, so no need to hand it over that.

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