Booking Biometrics appointment

I have submitted my citizenship application and now I am trying to book biometric enrolment appointment with ukvcas.

Can someone please advise me on the following?

1) Due to COVID i can't visit my referee's home - Can I ask them to send me a scanned copy of completed form? OR it is a must to provide original referee declaration form to UKVCAS at the time of biometric enrolment.

2) Can I book free appointment at "Enhanced Service Points" or they only offer paid bookings. I don't need scanning etc and I also don't really feel comfortable travelling on public transport to Core Service Point (Victoria/Croydon).

3) I have been trying to book for last few days and every location (around London area) is coming up fully booked. How do I even get an appointment? Is there are specific time when new appointments are made available.

1) Use post.

2) Enhanced is always paid.

3) Look after 12AM GMT tonight. You will get one for 15th Feb or earlier (if any cancellations).

CULLINAN wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 18, 2021 10:27 pm

1) Use post.

2) Enhanced is always paid.

3) Look after 12AM GMT tonight. You will get one for 15th Feb or earlier (if any cancellations).

I have checked at exactly 12AM GMT. There are no free appointments available even at Core Services, with cheapest one starting at £110

Where are the free appointments? I have already paid for biometrics, why am I being changed again even for standard service

Never mind found this https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.uk ... tion.co.uk
It is clearly a money making scam run by Sopra Steria and who ever gave them the contract.
I can only describe it as "day light robbery" and I am really disappointed that I have no other choice than to pay

That’s how it is now, quite unbelievable. I have a large family and had to pay almost £1k.

Check for different location/different cities. If you are open to travel and look continuously for 3/4 days through out the day, you may get lucky. Finding 1 free slot is easier than finding multiple free slots for the whole family. So more chances of success if you are one.

Strange that there are no free appointments available now. I was able to book free appointments for my family of 4 on 20th Nov in Croydon. I had tried after mid-night.

Maybe the recent lockdown has affected the staff count in UKVCAS which as a return affected the free appointments availability. They may start offering free appointments next month after lockdown.

Hopefully

GondalUK wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 19, 2021 9:36 pm

Strange that there are no free appointments available now. I was able to book free appointments for my family of 4 on 20th Nov in Croydon. I had tried after mid-night.

Maybe the recent lockdown has affected the staff count in UKVCAS which as a return affected the free appointments availability. They may start offering free appointments next month after lockdown.

True, the lockdown must have resulted in influx of large number of people trying to apply. But number of staff should have nothing to do with us getting free appointments. SS has to achieve KPI's they agreed with HO and I am sure one of them is number of appointments.

The applicants should be able to book free (standard) service during normal working hours at core sites. But I have seen even standard appointments listed as paid. UKVCAS is promoting paid appointments and not releasing enough free appointments which I consider a money making scam.

CULLINAN wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 18, 2021 10:27 pm

1) Use post.
2) Enhanced is always paid.
3) Look after 12AM GMT tonight. You will get one for 15th Feb or earlier (if any cancellations).

Hi @CULLINAN
I managed to get an appointment, thanks for your tip.
Can you please advise me if I need to take all original documents to the biometrics appointment which I have already uploaded to UKCAS website?

Carry originals only. No need to print soft copies. Only passport and appointment confirmation will be checked.