Still waiting for a decision.....

GeronimoBajramCurri wrote:Hi,

Paid Priority: Yes
Visa Centre: Tirana, Albania
Children: No
Employed or self-employed: self employed
Biometric date: 13/04/17

I am the spouse to an Albanian applicant. First correspondence was a letter from UKVI 10 working days after biometric date (27/04/17) with the standard: 'Following Supreme Court judgement on Wednesday 22nd February 2017...failing to meet minimum income'. Using the paid for UKVI email service I responded and explained the applicant should not be in receipt of the letter as we do meet the minimum income threshold.

We then received a response by email from UKVI on 11/05/17:
As you are aware, regarding your application for entry clearance you received an email to advise you that your application was now being withheld due to a policy on applications which fall for refusal on failing to meet the financial requirements of Appendix FM.

The Entry clearance officer assessing your application reviewed the documentation submitted by you against the documents requested and those specified in the guidance relating to your application and determined that you had not submitted sufficient documentation to verify that you have met the financial threshold element of Appendix FM.

I appreciate that this may not be the response that you wish to hear, however until such a time that we are advised to continue to conclude these applications it will remain on hold. I acknowledge that you have paid a priority service however whilst we aim to complete all applications within the prescribed timeframe, it is not always possible such as in this situation.'

At this point we understand the application has gone to Warsaw, Poland as the email was directly from them. My solicitor then also responded to kindly advise we do meet the minimum threshold including providing all self employed relevant documentation for a second time incase this had not been correctly sent to the UKVI in Warsaw, Poland. Again the solicitor received a similar response from UKVI.

I understood the Visa processing times for Tirana, Albania to be 100% at 60 working days (11/07/17) so decided not contact UKVI until it had gone beyond this SLA. Again it went passed the 60 days so contacted the UKVI through email and they replied on 20/07/17 with the following:
'Dear Sir,

Thank you for your enquiry.

Please be informed that the application of yours is still under consideration. Please expect our decision in due course.'

I replied again and received the following response:
'Dear Sir,

Thank you for your email. We apologise to reply with a delay.

Please be informed that we aim to assess straightforward settlement applications within 60 working days.
Also, please be advised the reason for the delay in assessing your application is provided in a letter that we sent to you on 27th April 2017.

We apologise for the inconvenience caused.

Kind regards,
UK Visas and Immigration
British Embassy Warsaw'

I have again replied and awaiting a response.

I also emailed my MP on 13/07/17. I received a response on 31/07/17 informing me they have written to the HO's MP Liaison Unit on my behalf and, as soon as they receive a reply, they will contact me again.

I do not think there is anything else I can do until it has reach 120 days (03/10/17).

If I receive any communication from the UKVI or MP I will update everyone.

Do you personally think you have clearly met tge financial requirement? Is your solicitor confident?
Do you mind sharing the Self Employment income you applied through?

Hi,

I have definitely met the financial requirement as the income declared is £50K+. My concern is the Entry Clearance officer does seem to have an issue with the documentation as per the below paragraph:

'The Entry clearance officer assessing your application reviewed the documentation submitted by you against the documents requested and those specified in the guidance relating to your application and determined that you had not submitted sufficient documentation to verify that you have met the financial threshold element of Appendix FM.'

However at the Visa application centre we did provide the following as evidence of my self-employment:
- HMRC confirmation of sponsor’s Unique Taxpayer Reference number in several documents including letter dated 5th April 2017 from HMRC;
- Confirmation of the sponsor’s tax payable, paid and unpaid for last complete tax year;
- Sponsor’s Tax Return for last complete tax year;
- Sponsor’s SA302 enclosed under cover of letter dated 1st September 2016 from HMRC;
- Sponsor’s bank statements and;
- Sponsor’s accounts approved by accountant for last full financial year.

At this point in time there is just under 8 weeks (03/10/17) until we have reached the 120 days. Until then we cannot issue a PAP. In the meantime I will also await a response from the MP.

Good afternoon everyone, I just came across this site last week! Just want to share my experience and to encourage everyone waiting for their visa to hang on the faith! I went to UK in 2010 on student visa and due to some issues from home office. I couldn't renew my visa and overstayed! I met my husband 2014 thinking to get married and applied for spouse visa but was not possible instead home office sent me a letter to come and be signing, I complied and was signing till our solicitor ask us to go home and apply I came to naija last December to get married and applied in May. To God be the glory my visa came out today. God favoured me despite overstaying but God proved himself worthy. Pls to everyone still waiting don't loose hope if God can do mine he will sure do for everyone. I received the not straight forward email on 1st of August and my visa was approved on that same 1st of August. What a might God we serve

Congrats who got your visa ,I got DECIDED status today
My timeline as follows
Online sub 16 May 2017(non priority)
Documents to Sheffield 17 May 2017
Sheffield
Received email from Sheffield on 16 June ,asking for a prepaid envelope but I had already sent one wit Docs
Sponsor emailed Sheffield for App status on 22 July and received the usual case being considered and awaiting a decision
Online tracker shows DECIDED today
It's 60 working days in total
I'm anxious to know the decision.
I did not receive a case not straightforward or hold email
Fingers crossed

Emm wrote:Congrats who got your visa ,I got DECIDED status today
My timeline as follows
Online sub 16 May 2017(non priority)
Documents to Sheffield 17 May 2017
Sheffield
Received email from Sheffield on 16 June ,asking for a prepaid envelope but I had already sent one wit Docs
Sponsor emailed Sheffield for App status on 22 July and received the usual case being considered and awaiting a decision
Online tracker shows DECIDED today
It's 60 working days in total
I'm anxious to know the decision.
I did not receive a case not straightforward or hold email
Fingers crossed

Fingers crossed!

My wife's biometrics were submitted on May 19th, so hoping for news soon! Have you received you supporting documents back?

Just got the case not straight forward email but also another email saying they have misplaced my documents has anyone received anything like this ? We applied 16th march and received this email on the 7/08

Andrew1972 wrote:

Emm wrote:Congrats who got your visa ,I got DECIDED status today
My timeline as follows
Online sub 16 May 2017(non priority)
Documents to Sheffield 17 May 2017
Sheffield
Received email from Sheffield on 16 June ,asking for a prepaid envelope but I had already sent one wit Docs
Sponsor emailed Sheffield for App status on 22 July and received the usual case being considered and awaiting a decision
Online tracker shows DECIDED today
It's 60 working days in total
I'm anxious to know the decision.
I did not receive a case not straightforward or hold email
Fingers crossed

Fingers crossed!

My wife's biometrics were submitted on May 19th, so hoping for news soon! Have you received you supporting documents back?

What's the online tracker that says 'DECIDED'? I've tried checking something on gov.uk website but doesn't recognise my ref number so wasn't sure if that's just for people applying inside uk?

Can anyone advise?

Hello guys, I m new here, please someone can help me!

here s My wife spouse visa application timeline:

24/04/2017 biometric taken
04/05/2017 receive confirmation email
26/07/2017 online tracker shows "Decided", waiting for passport
01/08/2017 online tracker update "Decided", waiting for passport
07/08/2017 online tracker update "Decided", waiting for passport

we called the helpline several time, the guy on the phone said they cannot escalate the case unless its over 10 working date. totally a useless answer!
my question is if UKVI keep update the decision made date, we'll never escalate the case? I did all what I can, email my MP, email the help centre, still waiting respond.
feel helpless, please could anyone had similar experience? or any advice?

U should get ur passport within 2 weeks that's what I have notice with other people's application so I won't worry to much it's a good sign

Raj86 wrote:U should get ur passport within 2 weeks that's what I have notice with other people's application so I won't worry to much it's a good sign

thank you for your reply.
the problem is new fresh 10 working days count starts following each update, I have called the helpline twice after each update. the answer is wait for 10 days, but never get 10days!

Hi all,
Quick UPDATE!!

I got a call from HO today and also my employer did which was my dad as its a family run business i put down as my second job, everything we answered was right i guess as i double checked in the paperwork, my only concern is that they asked me that she asked me why did you get this second job i said bcuz i needed it for the visa and also i had spare time and too keep me busy i thought of getting a second job, then she said for the visa requirement then i repeated what i said. Im really scared right now dont know whats gona happen but will that make an issue towards my case insha'allah it doesnt. Also after this call when do they get back to you and when does it get decided.

I haven't received my docs back ,they will send all supporting docs to my wife's address in uk
I applied from Ghana

Hi all I am new to this thread. Can anyone help me
Firstly where can I track my status if the application?
I applied for my husbands visa on 13/1/2017. A few days later I received an email to say they received the case and will contact me within 12 weeks. I paid for priority service. but have received absolutely no emails since then not even to say it is being delayed or anything at all. I have called the immigration line twice, first they said I will here after 7 days, I called after 7 days and now they are saying after 15 working days, I feel like I am not getting a straight answer front them. My solicitor has sent many emails to them which they have ignored. I have waited 8 months already which is beyond a joke now. Can someone please help me

Benyusif wrote:I am in the same boat! I submitted my application on 25/01/17 biometric was done 2/02/17 all paperwork was submitted to Sheffield on 12/02/17.Paperwork returned on 01/04/17..email received on 28/04/17 saying out of target but will be contacted soon. Two calls to premium no but still waiting .they were not able to give me a reason for the delay.

Hi your case was done a similar time as mine, can you please tell me if you have received your reply. I applied on the 13th of January and have had no emails or any updated from them at all

I did not receive any call from Sheffield,my sponsor did not receive any call,employers received no calls,Sheffield did not request any further info until status went decided.Is that worrying? Has any one got an idea? It seems extremely straight forward

binbin wrote:

Raj86 wrote:U should get ur passport within 2 weeks that's what I have notice with other people's application so I won't worry to much it's a good sign

thank you for your reply.
the problem is new fresh 10 working days count starts following each update, I have called the helpline twice after each update. the answer is wait for 10 days, but never get 10days!

What do you mean "a fresh 10 working days start each time you call the helpline?"

That is not right. Who told you that?

The online checker should have one "Decided date" on it continuously. My wifes was 13 July. Even when I was checking on 31st July it still said decision made 13th July. Once 10 working days have passed from "decided date" if you have not heard anything then you should seriously begin to worry!

If your "decided date" was 26th July as per online tracker, I would start worrying now because by my count, working day 10 was today. That is unusual.

If you do not get anything from the collection office tomorrow morning, I advise you call the helpine and ask for it to be escalated immediately. That is what we did. Problem is that they will tell you it takes 15 working days to respond. So, that is your Vignette validity practically gone!!

Don't expect an email to your MP to work on its own. They get hundreds of emails, could take them weeks to read yours.

1) Send them an email with all your application details in and the escalation case number
2) Go on Facebook, find their page and telephone number and call them when 12 working days have elapsed - Friday - if you have still heard nothing.
3) It probably will not be the MP you speak to directly but their back office staff, they have the same authority, if they are not helpful, ask to be given a time to speak to the MP without delay.

You must tell them that

"I am experiencing great difficulty with a government department, the home office"

"I applied for a spouse visa for my wife and have received the decision made email on --/--/--"

"I understand from online forums that a few people whose visas were granted have received virtually completely expired vignettes and normal time for the decision to be sent is 6 - 8 days, not working days, days"

"I am deeply concerned that should our application have been approved, my spouses vignette will expire before the passport is returned."

"Would you please intervene in this matter on my behalf and escalate in order to prevent this happening to me"

"I have sent you an email with all the details but I understand you are busy and if you have not seen it, I am happy to provide them now"

This exact situation happened to me and my wife. She got her passport back today - vignette 21st July to 20th August!!

Just think what might have happened if I had not contacted my MP directly on Friday and instead waited the 15 working days for the escalation. My full account is on my thread here (page 3)

immigration-for-family-members/spouse-v ... 38-40.html

I honestly believe they have a lot of new staff who are inexperienced and are not doing things properly. Mistakes are being made and you and everybody else should be aware of this.

Only your direct action will prevent another farcical situation from developing.

Good luck
Simon

givezemra wrote:

Andrew1972 wrote:

Emm wrote:Congrats who got your visa ,I got DECIDED status today
My timeline as follows
Online sub 16 May 2017(non priority)
Documents to Sheffield 17 May 2017
Sheffield
Received email from Sheffield on 16 June ,asking for a prepaid envelope but I had already sent one wit Docs
Sponsor emailed Sheffield for App status on 22 July and received the usual case being considered and awaiting a decision
Online tracker shows DECIDED today
It's 60 working days in total
I'm anxious to know the decision.
I did not receive a case not straightforward or hold email
Fingers crossed

Fingers crossed!

My wife's biometrics were submitted on May 19th, so hoping for news soon! Have you received you supporting documents back?

What's the online tracker that says 'DECIDED'? I've tried checking something on gov.uk website but doesn't recognise my ref number so wasn't sure if that's just for people applying inside uk?

Can anyone advise?

Yes I think the tracker only works if applied in UK only as mine isn't recognised either.

Im really worried, HO called about my second employment they asked me why did i find this job and i said "for the visa requirment and also just to keep myself busy as i had few days of so why not" then she asked me again and i said the same, do you think this will cause an issue ? Also after that she started still asking more questions and they went fine. PLZ HELP REALLY SCARED !!

Guys as the hold is off from today if anyone hears anything please let us know ..../
I checked the online tracker and it still says not reg....
And application form section on gov.uk site hasn't updated....
So idk what's going on but anyone who's on hold please let us know if u hear anything thanks

hi people
I applied for my wife and daughter from Islamabad .
the biometrics were done on 30th march 2017. non priority application
no hold email just not straight forward email after 60 working days after that nothing.
keep telling me awaiting decision.
any ideas people.

tee4141 wrote:hi people
I applied for my wife and daughter from Islamabad .
the biometrics were done on 30th march 2017. non priority application
no hold email just not straight forward email after 60 working days after that nothing.
keep telling me awaiting decision.
any ideas people.

same here, already found 4 people handed in 30th march, and all get not straight forward email.
now only wait, i had try to contact MP, my agency write a letter to them all no reply.
think its gonna 90 working days this week. so hope everyone have some good news

Hope so mate.

its been difficult away from Mrs + new baby .
hope we all get good news soon.
I have contacted my MP and they asked me to provide them with some information.

Mash17101 wrote:Hi,

Thanks, yes it is this tracker and i applied in bangladesh.

Have you managed to get any updates to be honest its luck its all about you case worker sometimes they do it quick sometimes they are just lazy.

I hope yours is done soon so goodluck.the struggle is real i know how this waiting game is.

Hi mash have your received your decision? How did you use that visa status checker? As every time I put a reference in it's says error. I applied for my wife from Bangladesh

Hi all,

I have been following this thread and the previous one for a while, Biometrics were sent on 13/01/2017 from Sao Paulo Brazil, and the On Hold email was received on 07/03/2017. Like most of you here,
we have tried contacting the HO endlessly and it was useless, As helpful as they were too, there was not much our solicitor & MP could do. It has been almost 30 weeks now.

I understand the HO had published a letter a few weeks ago stating the new rules and that from today they would restart considering all the 5,000 applications that were paused, and I've just received an email from them saying my application has been reassigned to an ECO.

Fingers crossed now, I hope that we all get all decisions and visas soon. If anyone who's received the On Hold email gets their decision soon, do let us know. I'll also keep everyone updated.

Best of luck!

tchindy wrote:Hi all,

I have been following this thread and the previous one for a while, Biometrics were sent on 13/01/2017 from Sao Paulo Brazil, and the On Hold email was received on 07/03/2017. Like most of you here,
we have tried contacting the HO endlessly and it was useless, As helpful as they were too, there was not much our solicitor & MP could do. It has been almost 30 weeks now.

I understand the HO had published a letter a few weeks ago stating the new rules and that from today they would restart considering all the 5,000 applications that were paused, and I've just received an email from them saying my application has been reassigned to an ECO.

Fingers crossed now, I hope that we all get all decisions and visas soon. If anyone who's received the On Hold email gets their decision soon, do let us know. I'll also keep everyone updated.

Best of luck!

Hi
So are you trying to say that they will now only look into " on hold" applications ?? Will they ignore or hold the other applications ?? If they now only look into cases up till may or something the rest of the cases will be kept on hold then ?!? God !! Really don't know what will happen