Out-of-country skilled worker visa application timelines

kgagan wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 04, 2019 10:50 am

1. Category applying under - Tier 2 General, Standard
2. Country of application - India
3. City of Visa Application Centre - New Delhi
4. Date of application - 14th June 2019
5. Date of submission of documents and biometric at VFS - 19th June 2019
6. Your online application has been received at the UK Decision Making Centre mail : 23th June 2019
7. Date Entry Clearance valid from - 25th July 2019
8. Got SMS of application processed - 18th July 2019
8. Duration for Entry Clearance - 1 month
9. Date passport received - 19th July 2019 [Collected from VFS delhi branch]

Finally I received update on my application status.

1. Category applying under T2 General priority
2. Country of application United States
3. City of Visa Application : Application support center
4. Date of application: 07/15/2019
5. Date of submission of documents 07/22/2019 Mail to VFS center in NY by UPS next day Air
6. Received an email from Sheffield office saying they already assign an entry clearance officer to consider my application 07/23/2019
7 Received an email that the decision of my application is made 07/29/2019
8. Date Entry Clearance valid from 9/18/2019
9. Duration for Entry Clearance one month
10 Date passport received 8/2/2019

1. Category applying under: Tier 2 Minister of Religion
2. Country of application: United States
3. City of Visa Application: New York Scanning Hub
4. Date of application: 06/10/2019
5. Date of biometrics and submission of documents: 07/1/2019 (arrived in New York 7/2/2019)
6. Your online application has been received at the UK Decision Making Centre: 7/6/2019

The UK Visa Processing Times tool says that 99% of my type of visa is processed with 15 days... and we are still waiting at 28 days.

1. Category applying under T2 General priority
2. Country of application : India
3. City of Visa Application : Chennai
4. Date of application: 31-July-2019
5. Date of submission of documents and Biometrics : 05-Aug-2019
6. Received an email from Sheffield office saying they already assign an entry clearance officer to consider my application 06-Aug-2019
7 Received an email that the decision of my application is made : Did not recieve it
8. SMS Message for despatch of passport : 09-Aug-2019
9. Date Entry Clearance valid from : 08-Aug-2019
10. Duration for Entry Clearance: 1 Month
11. Date passport received: 10-Aug-2019

TOTAL TIME TAKEN from application to receive passport : 11 Days

1. Category applying under (General / ICT / other) - Tier 2 General Dependent visa - standard
2. Country of application - India
3. City of Visa Application Centre - New Delhi
4. Date of application - 01/08/2019
5. Date of submission of documents and biometrics at VFS - 07/08/2019
6. Your online application has been received at the UK Decision Making Centre mail: Waiting
7. Date Entry Clearance valid from -
8. Got SMS of application processed -
8. Duration for Entry Clearance -
9. Date passport received -

Its been 6 working days since documents submission, no acknowledgment mail received yet.

1. Category applying under (General / ICT / other) - Tier 2 General Dependent visa - standard
2. Country of application - India
3. City of Visa Application Centre - New Delhi
4. Date of application - 21/06/2019
5. Date of submission of documents and biometrics at VFS - 11/07/2019 (couldn't submit earlier due to travel schedule)
6. Your online application has been received at the UK Decision Making Centre mail: No email
7. Date Entry Clearance valid from - Waiting
8. Got SMS of application processed - None received, was informed on phone to UKVI that decision was made on 13/08/2019.
8. Duration for Entry Clearance - Waiting
9. Date passport received -Waiting

I applied on the same day as my husband, he received his passport on the 15th working day- August 1st. I was called on the 21st working day to re-scan my documents as allegedly the scanned file with UKVI was corrupt. On the 12th of August (22nd working day), VFS informed me that documents had been sent to UKVI. VFS was closed for a long weekend after that, and on a call to UKVI, I was informed that a decision was made on the 13th of August (23rd working day). Today is the 5th working day since decision, and 28th working day since application, but VFS tells me the passport is still at the embassy. I'm honestly tired of this incompetence.

1. Category applying under T2 General Normal
2. Country of application: Philippines
3. City of Visa Application: Manila
4. Date of application: 13/08/2019
5. Date of submission of documents 14/08/2019 in VFS
6. Received an email from Sheffield office saying they already assign an entry clearance officer to consider my application: 23/08/2019
7 Received an email that the decision of my application is made: Waiting
8. Date Entry Clearance valid from: Waiting
9. Duration for Entry Clearance: Waiting
10 Date passport received 8/2/2019

1. Category applying under: T2 General (Priority)
2. Country of application: France
3. City of Visa Application: Paris
4. Date of application: 13/08/2019
5. Date of submission of documents 20/08/2019 in TLS Paris Center
6. Received an email from Sheffield office saying they already assign an entry clearance officer to consider my application: 21/08/2019
7 Received an email that the decision of my application is made: Waiting
8. Date Entry Clearance valid from: Waiting
9. Duration for Entry Clearance: Waiting
10 Date passport received: Waiting

1. Category applying under: T2 General (Standard)
2. Country of application: India
3. City of Visa Application: Chennai
4. Date of application: 01/08/2019
5. Date of submission of documents 07/08/2019 in VFS center - Chennai
6. Received an email from Sheffield office saying they already assign an entry clearance officer to consider my application: 16/08/2019
7 Received an email that the decision of my application is made: Waiting
8. Date Entry Clearance valid from: Waiting
9. Duration for Entry Clearance: Waiting
10 Date passport received: Waiting

athipan wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 26, 2019 1:01 pm

1. Category applying under: T2 General (Standard)
2. Country of application: India
3. City of Visa Application: Chennai
4. Date of application: 01/08/2019
5. Date of submission of documents 07/08/2019 in VFS center - Chennai
6. Received an email from Sheffield office saying they already assign an entry clearance officer to consider my application: 16/08/2019
7 Received an email that the decision of my application is made: Waiting
8. Date Entry Clearance valid from: Waiting
9. Duration for Entry Clearance: Waiting
10 Date passport received: Waiting

Updated one as below:

1. Category applying under: T2 General (Standard)
2. Country of application: India
3. City of Visa Application: Chennai
4. Date of application: 01/08/2019
5. Date of submission of documents 07/08/2019 in VFS center - Chennai
6. Received an email from Sheffield office saying they already assign an entry clearance officer to consider my application: 16/08/2019
7 Received an email that the decision of my application is made: 27/8/2019
8. Date Entry Clearance valid from: 28/8/2019
9. Duration for Entry Clearance: 1 month
10 Date passport received: 28/8/2019

krishna_lfc wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 26, 2019 7:31 am

1. Category applying under: T2 General (Priority)
2. Country of application: France
3. City of Visa Application: Paris
4. Date of application: 13/08/2019
5. Date of submission of documents 20/08/2019 in TLS Paris Center
6. Received an email from Sheffield office saying they already assign an entry clearance officer to consider my application: 21/08/2019
7 Received an email that the decision of my application is made: Waiting
8. Date Entry Clearance valid from: Waiting
9. Duration for Entry Clearance: Waiting
10 Date passport received: Waiting

Received my passport today 28/08/2019

Time taken : got it on the 6th working day.

Good luck to others!!

1. Category applying under: Tier 2 General (Priority)
2. Country of application: Switzerland
3. City of visa application: Geneva
4. Date of application: 14/08/2019
5. Date of biometrics / submission of documents: 19/08/2019
6. Received email from Sheffield office that an entry clearance officer was assigned: N/A
7. Received email that the decision was made: 26/08/2019
8. Date Entry Clearance valid from: 02/09/2019
9. Duration for Entry Clearance: 30 days
10. Date passport received: 28/08/2019

5 business days for a decision, 7 to get the passport back (Monday was a UK holiday). Not bad. Good luck everyone.

Hello there

1- applied for tier 2 general - normal
2- 5th Aug 2019 : online application submitted
3- 6th Aug 2019 : submitted my scanned documents at VFS Islamabad Office and did my biometrics
4- 19th Aug 2019 : received email from UKVI that " processing of application has not been straightforward and they need more time to decide"
5- 28th Aug 2019 : contacted UKVI (via phone) and been told that i will get response with in 15 working days

Rest is all about wait

1. Category applying under: T2 General (Priority)
2. Country of application: India
3. City of Visa Application: Chennai
4. Date of application: 22/08/2019
5. Date of submission of documents: 26/08/2019 in VFS center - Chennai
6. Received an email from Sheffield office saying they already assign an entry clearance officer to consider my application: Waiting
7 Received an email that the decision of my application is made: Waiting
8. Date Entry Clearance valid from: Waiting
9. Duration for Entry Clearance: Waiting
10 Date passport received: Waiting

1. Category applying under: T2 General Priority
2. Country of application: United States
3. City of Visa Application: Application Support Center
4. Date of application: 14 August 2019
5. Date of submission of documents: 21 August 2019 Mail to VFS in NY by UPS. Delivered on 23 August 2019.
6. Application Received at the UK Decision Making Centre mail: 29 August 2019
7. Received an email that the decision of my application is made: Waiting
8. Date Entry Clearance valid from: Waiting
9. Duration for Entry Clearance: Waiting
10 Date passport received: Waiting

Well outside the 5 day window for Priority processing.
Note - VFS Address in New York has changed, which caused lot of panic as my documents were rerouted.

Roonybear wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 04, 2019 7:07 am

1. Category applying under: T2 General (Priority)
2. Country of application: India
3. City of Visa Application: Chennai
4. Date of application: 22/08/2019
5. Date of submission of documents: 26/08/2019 in VFS center - Chennai
6. Received an email from Sheffield office saying they already assign an entry clearance officer to consider my application: Waiting
7 Received an email that the decision of my application is made: Waiting
8. Date Entry Clearance valid from: Waiting
9. Duration for Entry Clearance: Waiting
10 Date passport received: Waiting

Called the UKVI number on 4th September and got to know decision was made. Yet to receive any sms on passport delivery ( opted for courier service)

Cogvinoth wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 04, 2019 10:29 pm

1. Category applying under: T2 General Priority
2. Country of application: United States
3. City of Visa Application: Application Support Center
4. Date of application: 14 August 2019
5. Date of submission of documents: 21 August 2019 Mail to VFS in NY by UPS. Delivered on 23 August 2019.
6. Application Received at the UK Decision Making Centre mail: 29 August 2019
7. Received an email that the decision of my application is made: Waiting
8. Date Entry Clearance valid from: Waiting
9. Duration for Entry Clearance: Waiting
10 Date passport received: Waiting

Well outside the 5 day window for Priority processing.
Note - VFS Address in New York has changed, which caused lot of panic as my documents were rerouted.

1. Category applying under: T2 General Priority
2. Country of application: United States
3. City of Visa Application: Application Support Center
4. Date of application: 14 August 2019
5. Date of submission of documents: 21 August 2019 Mail to VFS in NY by UPS.
6. Application Received at the UK Decision Making Centre mail: 29 August 2019
7. Received an email that the decision of my application is made: 5th September 2019
8. Date Entry Clearance valid from: Waiting
9. Duration for Entry Clearance: Waiting
10 Date passport received: Waiting

1. Category applying under - Tier 2 General (Priority, Walk-In)
2. Country of application - Zimbabwe
3. City of Visa Application Centre - Harare
4. Date of application - 22 August 2019
5. Date of submission of documents and biometrics at VFS - 26 August 2019
6. Your online application has been received at the UK Decision Making Centre e-mail : 03 September 2019
7. Date of receipt of Decision Made e-mail - waiting
9. Got Email/SMS to collect Passport - waiting
10. Duration for Entry Clearance - waiting
11. Date passport received/picked up - waiting

Applied tier 2 priorty 26/08/2019.

Still waiting

Finally got passport with visa 10/09/2019 applied tier 2 in Chennai 26/08/2019. Priorty service took me 10working days,

Good luck others.

Roonybear wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:22 pm

Roonybear wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 04, 2019 7:07 am

1. Category applying under: T2 General (Priority)
2. Country of application: India
3. City of Visa Application: Chennai
4. Date of application: 22/08/2019
5. Date of submission of documents: 26/08/2019 in VFS center - Chennai
6. Received an email from Sheffield office saying they already assign an entry clearance officer to consider my application: Waiting
7 Received an email that the decision of my application is made: Waiting
8. Date Entry Clearance valid from: Waiting
9. Duration for Entry Clearance: Waiting
10 Date passport received: Waiting

Called the UKVI number on 4th September and got to know decision was made. Yet to receive any sms on passport delivery ( opted for courier service)

Update: received passport on 10th September with vignette period of 1 month ( 1st Sep to 1st Oct)

1. Category applying under: T2 ICT (Priority)
2. Country of application: India
3. City of Visa Application: CHENNAI
4. Date of application: 03/09/2019
5. Date of submission of documents: 04/09/2019 in VFS center - Bangalore
6. Received an email from Sheffield office saying they already assign an entry clearance officer to consider my application: 05/09/2019
7 Received an email that the decision of my application is made: waiting
8. Date Entry Clearance valid from: Waiting
9. Duration for Entry Clearance: Waiting
10 Date passport received: Waitng


Called the UKVI multiple times and came to the decision is already made on 7th of September. But still I have not received any email communication.

Gouthamar123 wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 12, 2019 6:36 am

1. Category applying under: T2 ICT (Priority)
2. Country of application: India
3. City of Visa Application: CHENNAI
4. Date of application: 03/09/2019
5. Date of submission of documents: 04/09/2019 in VFS center - Bangalore
6. Received an email from Sheffield office saying they already assign an entry clearance officer to consider my application: 05/09/2019
7 Received an email that the decision of my application is made: No email or sms
8. Date Entry Clearance valid from: 14/09/2019
9. Duration for Entry Clearance: 1 Month
10 Date passport received: 13/09/2019


Called the UKVI multiple times and came to the decision is already made on 7th of September. But still I have not received any email communication.

Update : I have received my Visa this morning without any intimation either from UKVI or from VFS. Even the blue dart guys have not dropped any SMS. Anyways please be careful with your passport delivery.

Good Luck , others.