Hi All
I hope someone has some advice.
My partner made an application to come to London from the USA to study a masters degrees starting in January 2021.
He is ex military so he is receiving finance from the US government.
The application we pretty straight forward - he applied for the masters, was accepted, the deposit was waived by the university on the basis that the government was covering his costs fully (and they had a certificate from the government confirming this), he received a CAS, completed the application, travelled to Houston to submit his biometrics, posted his application to New York for processing and paid an additional 800 for a 5 day service as well as a pre paid UPS postage for the return on his passport and documents.
I think that as he is from the US he doesn't have to proof financial eligibility.
On the 11th December he received an email saying that the application was received but that it was not going to be processed in the time we had paid for. The cut and paste from the email is:
"Thank you for applying for a UK visa. Your visa application has been received and is under consideration. We aim to process non settlement applications within 15 working days (unless you have opted for the Priority Visa service), and settlement applications within 60 working days.
Unfortunately, the processing of your application has not been straightforward and we will be unable to decide your application within our customer service targets. We are continuing to work on your application and aim to make a decision as soon as possible"
I have a few questions:
1. the above paragraphs are contradicting themselves. the first states that the priority service time frame applies and then the second states that the application isn't straightforward so they need more time.
They haven't said what is complex/not straightforward. they haven't said how long they'll need. Has anyone seen this response before? I don't understand what is complex about this application.
2. will we get a refund for the 800 that was paid for the fast track?
3. Is there anyone we can call? I have tried that paid number (sitel i think) but they don't have any information. Ive scoured online but can't find any numbers that put us in contact with the decision makers. I just want to see what the heck the hold up is.
4. Apparently when he was making the application he was told that the visa would be issued in the UK (ie he would have to go to a UK office and have the vignette applied to the passport). If the application isn't decided before the new year, would he then be able to ask for his passport back (while the application was being considered) and come to the UK as a visitor (from 2 January) to prepare his housing etc and then just apply the
vignette once the application is processed (if its not refused).
His course starts on the 25 January so obviously there is a lot of stress trying to figure out what to do between now and then after having paid for the application to be processed quickly.
I look forward to any responses you guys have to help.
Kind regards
CherinUK
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