**** COVID19 and UKVCAS Appointments **** (ONLY discuss here)

Barry465 wrote: ↑

Sat May 30, 2020 5:49 pm

So is the general consensus here that if you really do need to apply via some sort of 'priority route', wait until that potentially reopens over the next month or so?

I'm in a position where sending my application off and waiting 6 months is not an option at the moment.

Given the possible large backlog at UKVI, you probably have no choice. Expect long delays

I managed to book an appointment on 16/6 following my initial appointment on 26/3 being delayed 4 times.

I did pay for the super-priority service before lockdown and sincerely hope that by the time of my appointment the priority service is back. 6 month is a very long time to wait!!

Be great if applicants going for their appointments next week keep us updated about decision time lines from home office and if you were priority service. May give us all an idea whether this service is back and running or not.

Zimba wrote: ↑

Sat May 30, 2020 11:36 pm

Barry465 wrote: ↑

Sat May 30, 2020 5:49 pm

So is the general consensus here that if you really do need to apply via some sort of 'priority route', wait until that potentially reopens over the next month or so?

I'm in a position where sending my application off and waiting 6 months is not an option at the moment.

Given the possible large backlog at UKVI, you probably have no choice. Expect long delays

We don't really know that yet, theres probably always a backlog of applications to get through - if there were people with priority service already booked prior to lockdown, logically it would make sense that those were cleared through and then the service opens up.

I can't imagine there were lots of people applying during lockdown, but we should hopefully learn more over the next few weeks.

Priority service is not guaranteed service at all. There is no mandate that UKVI has to honour. Most (if not all) of those probably would not get their decisions in 24 hours and their priority fees will be refunded. This has been standard practice when a priority service cannot be provided

Remember only handful UKVCAS locations are open. That means much less people are giving biometrics. Even if millions have applied super priority during lockdown they will have to wait for biometrics.
So the pressure is on UKVCAS not on UKVI.
In my reasoning there is no reason why UKVI would delay superpriorities.

cliftonianbristol wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 01, 2020 7:13 am

Remember only handful UKVCAS locations are open. That means much less people are giving biometrics. Even if millions have applied super priority during lockdown they will have to wait for biometrics.
So the pressure is on UKVCAS not on UKVI.
In my reasoning there is no reason why UKVI would delay superpriorities.

I do agree it does sound reasonable. However we are only speculating now. hopefully we will know soon that UKVCAS is now gradually opening. I emailed UKVI about the priority service and will update here is I get a reply from them.

I would have thought they would allow for applicants to select priority service and then only allow appointment booking once available in a month or two. I’m sure that would satisfy some of those that require priority in order to travel later in the year. It would certainly work for me. I’m not fussed about a decision tomorrow but would like a decision by September.

Understand that you should not leave the country after you submit your application to UKVCAS but can you still leave the country before you submit your application? I've submitted on UKVI and am waiting for UKVCAS to let me know when I can book an appointment. Need to leave the UK in September so wondering if I can do this and book an appointment at UKVCAS afterwards?

Have they opened any appointment on UKVCAS?

They stated from 1st join they will reopen but I could not see any available appointment. Has anybody managed to get an appointment? (except people who've had a cancelled one due to lockdown and has priority access to booking system)

I realised today that they cancelled ours for third second time and didn't notify me. The UKVCAS website gives the option to rebook but, as you say, there are no appointments available anywhere ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

adatitan wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 01, 2020 12:38 pm

Have they opened any appointment on UKVCAS?

They stated from 1st join they will reopen but I could not see any available appointment. Has anybody managed to get an appointment? (except people who've had a cancelled one due to lockdown and has priority access to booking system)

The slots may not still be open to applicants who applied after the closure of centres. So you must remain patient. They possibly are prioritising people who booked their appointments before lockdown but could not attend due to closures

We booked ours 3 weeks before lock down and thus have the option to book but nothing is available. Hopefully they'll release more slots soon.

adatitan wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 01, 2020 12:38 pm

Have they opened any appointment on UKVCAS?

They stated from 1st join they will reopen but I could not see any available appointment. Has anybody managed to get an appointment? (except people who've had a cancelled one due to lockdown and has priority access to booking system)

“Unfortunately, if you did not have an existing appointment, prior to the suspension of the service, you will not be able to book an appointment at this time. Please be assured that every customer is important to UKVCAS and we will be reviewing the new approach regularly to assess when we are able to open more appointments, more sites and bookings for all customers.” - official UKVCAS

cliftonianbristol wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 01, 2020 7:13 am

Remember only handful UKVCAS locations are open. That means much less people are giving biometrics. Even if millions have applied super priority during lockdown they will have to wait for biometrics.
So the pressure is on UKVCAS not on UKVI.
In my reasoning there is no reason why UKVI would delay superpriorities.

Your reasoning is flawed. If UKVI has a huge backlog to deal with, accepting super-priority cases will not allow enough caseworkers to deal with the existing backlog when the UKVCAS starts to operate at full capacity. UKVI resources are quite limited and allowing priority applications will make things significantly worse.

I am going to apply ILR at the middle of June. I really hope the super priority service will be back at that moment. Priority/super priority service is like cash cow for UKVI. They shouldn't suspend this service for too long.
I will call home office tomorrow to find out more about those services.

They are killing us slowly to be honest. How such a service is suspended and no one tells me the same crap, they are limited in resources and all this rubish talk. All other places are already opening up even the schools.

moal11 wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 01, 2020 3:17 pm

They are killing us slowly to be honest. How such a service is suspended and no one tells me the same crap, they are limited in resources and all this rubish talk. All other places are already opening up even the schools.

It is even worse. UKVI does not only take your money, but they are also known to use your fingerprints to construct 5G radiation which is then broadcasted from cell towers which is known to slowly kill migrants which helps reptiles to keep their grip on power. This is why I use my tin foil hat all the time. It is all deliberate. Wake up guys ! It is not too late to fight this.

Zimba wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 01, 2020 3:54 pm

moal11 wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 01, 2020 3:17 pm

They are killing us slowly to be honest. How such a service is suspended and no one tells me the same crap, they are limited in resources and all this rubish talk. All other places are already opening up even the schools.

It is even worse. UKVI does not only takes your money, but they are also known to use your fingerprints to construct 5G radiation which is then broadcasted from cell towers which is known to slowly kill migrants which helps reptiles to keep their grip on power. This is why I use my tin foil hat all the time. It is all deliberate. Wake up guys ! It is not too late to fight this.

100% post of the day!!

Priority visa processing service is a VISA SERVICE offered by UKVI. You choose this during application submission.

This is NOT related to the appointment booking services offered by UKVCAS or their operations.

Priority visa processing services are NOT offered by UKVI for now, possibly due to a large existing backlog of applications. You should continue with your application using the Standard service for now

Zimba wrote: ↑

Thu May 28, 2020 1:35 am

Super priority service is NOT related to UKVCAS at all
It is service offered by Home Office/UKVI for getting a visa decision within 24 hours of your biometrics. It has nothing to do with appointment booking as all applicants must attend biometrics not matter what visa service they paid for.

Zimba wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 01, 2020 2:19 pm

cliftonianbristol wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 01, 2020 7:13 am

Remember only handful UKVCAS locations are open. That means much less people are giving biometrics. Even if millions have applied super priority during lockdown they will have to wait for biometrics.
So the pressure is on UKVCAS not on UKVI.
In my reasoning there is no reason why UKVI would delay superpriorities.

Your reasoning is flawed. If UKVI has a huge backlog to deal with, accepting super-priority cases will not allow enough caseworkers to deal with the existing backlog when the UKVCAS starts to operate at full capacity. UKVI resources are quite limited and allowing priority applications will make things significantly worse.

My reasoning obviously is not flawed. You assume, UKVI has a huge backlog.
I object to that premise: during the lockdown, nobody managed to give biometrics because UKVCAS was closed. So, how can they possibly have a backlog? UKVCAS should have the backlog.

But let me refute my own logic. I know people who applied, didn't get a UKVCAS appointment, yet UKVI contacted them for the documents. So UKVI may work your case, even if you didn't give your biometrics.

Voila!

Backlog of visa and nationality applications is nothing new. UKVI being underfunded and lacking resources is also not news to anyone who followed them for years. The fact that they suspended the priority services proves that their resources are being stretched. They surely do not want to give up on that sweet £800 per super-priority case at all. So there must be a very good reason for them to suspend it. The UKVCAS being closed has no relevance here as it does not affect the decision-making speed when Biometrics are done.

Any news or expected time, when they might open for priority services?

Thanks...

moal11 wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 02, 2020 3:32 pm

Any news or expected time, when they might open for priority services?

Thanks...

I am not sure how many time this has to be repeated here

It has been two days since the UKVCAS has resumed services. Can anyone who has had their biometrics appointment in the last two days share their experience please?

Hi,

Appreciate if someone can advise on my situation.

I have to travel overseas frequently, so the 6 month ILR decision time is not an ideal situation.
I've got all the documents ready - just need to pay on UKVI website which currently only allows the normal option i.e., 6 moths decision time.

Similar to few others on this thread, I'm inclined to wait for sometime in the hope super priority opens up again. Trouble is, my Tier 2 Work Permit is valid until 24 July 2020

I have read on the forum that the VACS appointment date is considered submission date and not the UKVI SETO form submission date. However, the GOV website states that if you're not able to find a VACS appointment due to the pandemic, this will not be held against you. And this has me now confused.

My Question - how long can I wait before I need to submit my SETO form on UKVI website?

Thanks in advance.