UK Spouse Visa

Hope anyone reading this is well

My husband is Egyptian applying from Saudi Arabia.

Fortunately, we submitted our application and enrolled for the bio-metrics just before lock-down, on 22nd March 2020

We applied using the non-priority service and I submitted our supporting documents in Manchester VAC

I understand that all Visa Application Centres are closed worldwide. We received an email from the Home Office a couple of weeks ago stating that our Visa Application has been put on hold due to COVID-19

However, my question is, are Home Office still working remotely? Like, will they still be assessing through the documents and working through making a decision? I ask this because I know they are assessing inside-UK Visa Applications & i have read some posts on here (ImmigrationBoard Website) that they have started to assess outside-UK Visa Applications (i.e employers have been contacted etc)

Please can you enlighten me if the Home Office are still operating and assessing OUTSIDE SPOUSE VIS APPLICATIONS (the non-priority ones)

Kindest regards,

Ida

idaz wrote: ↑

Sat May 09, 2020 11:17 am

However, my question is, are Home Office still working remotely? Like, will they still be assessing through the documents and working through making a decision?

Yes they seems to have been operating with skeleton staff while giving the priority to in country applications.

I see

Do you think they'll be meeting their 12 week processing time as they aren't receiving any new applications (since applicants cant attend biometrics)

idaz wrote: ↑

Sat May 09, 2020 1:36 pm

I see

Do you think they'll be meeting their 12 week processing time

Probably not. Also they aren't obliged to during this cvd19 pandemic where people are advised to stay home rather than leave/travel to anywhere.

idaz wrote: ↑

Sat May 09, 2020 1:36 pm

Do you think they'll be meeting their 12 week processing time as they aren't receiving any new applications (since applicants cant attend biometrics)

The closure of the overseas visa application centres will also likely affect this timeline in terms of processing passports and sending correspondence. So the restrictions in the country the application was submitted from may also have an impact on when a decision is received.

You are right I guess

Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced that we should return back to work if we cannot work from home so do you think the Home Office will be working full capacity again?

idaz wrote: ↑

Mon May 11, 2020 8:03 am

do you think the Home Office will be working full capacity again?

Depends on far too many variables to say for sure, but it seems unlikely. Guidance on vulnerable people continuing to stay at home, reductions in public transport capacity, and difficulties in securing childcare will likely keep many people at home for the foreseeable future.

idaz wrote: ↑

Mon May 11, 2020 8:03 am

You are right I guess

Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced that we should return back to work if we cannot work from home so do you think the Home Office will be working full capacity again?

That was mainly for construction & manufacturing industry whilst advising others to work from home if possible.