UK visa application delay experiences

qxporya wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 9:23 am

Chischis12 wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 9:10 am

qxporya wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 9:00 am

Chischis12 wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 8:40 am

Pls share your timeline. I applied 31 july got nothing since except non straightforward email. Do you know if there's anyone who got refused after non straightforward email?

same thing here. applied since august and nothing but that damn email.
I have seen some people requesting tier 5 or visit visa who received "not straightforward" and got rejected a few days later.
also I rarely have seen anyone who received that email, getting back with any update on their visa status. they all just disappeared forever which I think is a sign of failure

Now I'm done and hopeless to death... srsly if they want to refuse us just refuse rather than sending us the confusing and scary email like that. Why dont they even give us a gap of time to reapply even if we're refused? what did university tell you? Did you hear anything from them? How about your CAS?

my Uni is set to start by tomorrow
october 2nd is the last date I can enter and I'm not sure if they are going to answer until then.
I'm not sure about the status of my CAS (not possible to check) but I will call the Uni tomorrow

What uni you going to? I hope we will hear from them next week. It's too cruel really :'( please keep update here it might help loads

saif94 wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 12, 2017 10:58 am

hello guys I got visa today. Hope my timeline helps u all who are about to get visa

biometric: 11th August
application revieving mail: 20th August
exceeding 15 working days mail: 26th August
Got call from VAC for rescanning: 28th August
CAS status changed to USED: 8th September
Got visa: 12th September
Course start date: 11th September

I got visa after complete 1 month, 22 working days. Guys dont lose hope you all are about to get visas soon

Hi saif, just a question could you please clarify what you mean by "exceeding 15 working days mail"? is it a non straightforward email or something different?
Congrats! and thanks for the help!

I have just got my visa.

July 6th: online application
July 10th: biometrics/Interview
July 19th: assigned to an ECO
August 14th: 2nd Interview phone call
August 24th : E-Mail asking for TB Certificate.
August 28th: TB Certificate submitted
September 14th: Visa assessed
September 17th: Got the glorious visa

May god be with you and good luck with your visa applications <3

Ok guys I know I should wait till tomrow but it's really making me nervous so I'm just going to get some opinions here
I called UKVI on 14/09/17 and they told me that my application is still awaiting a decision but within 24hrs i.e on 15/09/17 I recieved an email and a call to collect my passport .
This is making me nervous bcuz how is that possible , to go from decision awaiting to passport collection within 24hrs .
Since it was Friday afternoon It was not possible for me to collect my passport before closing hours as I live in a different city so past 2 days been dreadful .
Just wondering if this is a bad sign ?

mjaan wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 12:32 pm

Ok guys I know I should wait till tomrow but it's really making me nervous so I'm just going to get some opinions here
I called UKVI on 14/09/17 and they told me that my application is still awaiting a decision but within 24hrs i.e on 15/09/17 I recieved an email and a call to collect my passport .
This is making me nervous bcuz how is that possible , to go from decision awaiting to passport collection within 24hrs .
Since it was Friday afternoon It was not possible for me to collect my passport before closing hours as I live in a different city so past 2 days been dreadful .
Just wondering if this is a bad sign ?

I am guessing your passport stayed in the country you applied from. So if ur visa has been granted, they'd have just electronically sent the application centre your visa sticker which got printed in your application centre.

Good luck!

mjaan wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 12:32 pm

Ok guys I know I should wait till tomrow but it's really making me nervous so I'm just going to get some opinions here
I called UKVI on 14/09/17 and they told me that my application is still awaiting a decision but within 24hrs i.e on 15/09/17 I recieved an email and a call to collect my passport .
This is making me nervous bcuz how is that possible , to go from decision awaiting to passport collection within 24hrs .
Since it was Friday afternoon It was not possible for me to collect my passport before closing hours as I live in a different city so past 2 days been dreadful .
Just wondering if this is a bad sign ?

I am no expert, but i really don't think there's anything to be afraid of.
Taking a decision is a matter of pressing approved/declined on a keyboard somewhere (until that exact moment call center employees will tell you " awaiting decision", because they don't know unless it's marked on the system).
Printing the visa on the passport shouldn't take more than a few hours if the embassy is not busy.

I think it's possible, calm down! hopefully tomorrow you'll be back with some good news

hi everyone.
Is it possible that embassy sends the documents to VFS without sending any email or SMS to me?
thanks.

qxporya wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:13 am

Chischis12 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:28 pm

qxporya wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:02 pm

I received the same "Not Straightforward" email and I'm losing hope...

WHEn did you get it? And pls tell me if you have further email afterwards? Did they interview you for the 2nd time?? I'm on the same situatuon I got non straightforward email on 15 sept

I received it in september 16th. no request for 2nd interview or anything else. I haven't seen anyone with such email that has been granted the visa ((

jesus christ, muhammad, Moses, Satan, please Help me ((

80% people have got their visa despite the not straight forward mail. Dont worry you still have a chance

I'm sure it'll be okay! I've seen many people in this topic say that UKVI failed to notify them that the decision has been made and the only way they found out was through getting an email from VAC to collect their passport.
There's probably just been a glitch in the system which has nothing to do with your application's outcome!
Don't worry

Rathodpr wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 1:03 pm

qxporya wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:13 am

Chischis12 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:28 pm

qxporya wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:02 pm

I received the same "Not Straightforward" email and I'm losing hope...

WHEn did you get it? And pls tell me if you have further email afterwards? Did they interview you for the 2nd time?? I'm on the same situatuon I got non straightforward email on 15 sept

I received it in september 16th. no request for 2nd interview or anything else. I haven't seen anyone with such email that has been granted the visa ((

jesus christ, muhammad, Moses, Satan, please Help me ((

80% people have got their visa despite the not straight forward mail. Dont worry you still have a chance

THIs info relieved me a lot. Thanks, but where do you know about it? Did u also get the non straightforward email?

@Chischis12 hey, i saw ur from indo.. me too.. can you share your timeline?

My UAE Visit Visa will get expire by end of the week and I dont have a passport to renew it I hope they dont kick me out or don't fine me I'm just a victim of UKVI

qxporya wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 9:00 am

Chischis12 wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 8:40 am

qxporya wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:13 am

Chischis12 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:28 pm

WHEn did you get it? And pls tell me if you have further email afterwards? Did they interview you for the 2nd time?? I'm on the same situatuon I got non straightforward email on 15 sept

I received it in september 16th. no request for 2nd interview or anything else. I haven't seen anyone with such email that has been granted the visa ((

jesus christ, muhammad, Moses, Satan, please Help me ((

Pls share your timeline. I applied 31 july got nothing since except non straightforward email. Do you know if there's anyone who got refused after non straightforward email?

same thing here. applied since august and nothing but that damn email.
I have seen some people requesting tier 5 or visit visa who received "not straightforward" and got rejected a few days later.
also I rarely have seen anyone who received that email, getting back with any update on their visa status. they all just disappeared forever which I think is a sign of failure

@Chischis and qxporya,

Not Straigtforward email means that your application or supporting documents needs further investigation or look up. UKVI can either ask for a 2nd interview or decide your case without any contact with you. But it does not mean that your visas will be rejected due to Not Straigtforward email.

I have known one student who got visa after a week he received this email. He is there is UK now since last 3 days.

So do not lose hope and call UKVI directly about the latest status of your visa application.

slimayor123 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 16, 2017 8:39 pm

khozam wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:55 pm

sensei wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:43 pm

I've already tried that route. It didn't help at all. My university told me to stay put and wait. I'll call UKVI again on Monday, I suppose.

Which university you are going to?
Call UKVI but their case escalation is useless. Do anything but engage your university. Tell them that your course is starting and you have applied since many weeks. You have to pay tuition fees and manage plenty of pre-departure tasks here that need time. Means, use any logical reason to convince them for contacting UKVI.

BTW universities are mostly very polite and supportive to contact UKVI but I do not know about your university.

Did ur University asked for GWF number wen u called dem or wat do dey requested from u to contact ukvi with?

GWF number is must for UKVI to track your application. So it is your duty to provide all the necessary details to your university so they can check with UKVI having all the needed information in-hand.

Normally you should share the below information with your university.

Full Name:
Date of Birth:
GWF number:
IHS number:
Passport number:
Place of submission:
Type of Visa applied for:
Date of biometrics:
Nationality:
Applicants e-mail:

I hope it helps.

gayatri wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 12:42 pm

mjaan wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 12:32 pm

Ok guys I know I should wait till tomrow but it's really making me nervous so I'm just going to get some opinions here
I called UKVI on 14/09/17 and they told me that my application is still awaiting a decision but within 24hrs i.e on 15/09/17 I recieved an email and a call to collect my passport .
This is making me nervous bcuz how is that possible , to go from decision awaiting to passport collection within 24hrs .
Since it was Friday afternoon It was not possible for me to collect my passport before closing hours as I live in a different city so past 2 days been dreadful .
Just wondering if this is a bad sign ?

I am guessing your passport stayed in the country you applied from. So if ur visa has been granted, they'd have just electronically sent the application centre your visa sticker which got printed in your application centre.

Good luck!

@mjaan, I agree with that @gayatri said. I think you will get your visa. Please update us when you have collected your passport tomorrow.

gayatri wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 12:42 pm

mjaan wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 12:32 pm

Ok guys I know I should wait till tomrow but it's really making me nervous so I'm just going to get some opinions here
I called UKVI on 14/09/17 and they told me that my application is still awaiting a decision but within 24hrs i.e on 15/09/17 I recieved an email and a call to collect my passport .
This is making me nervous bcuz how is that possible , to go from decision awaiting to passport collection within 24hrs .
Since it was Friday afternoon It was not possible for me to collect my passport before closing hours as I live in a different city so past 2 days been dreadful .
Just wondering if this is a bad sign ?

I am guessing your passport stayed in the country you applied from. So if ur visa has been granted, they'd have just electronically sent the application centre your visa sticker which got printed in your application centre.

Good luck!

I hope that's the case , usually when they issue visa it takes 3-4 days to get ur passport back , and if rejected u literally get it next day bcuz all they have to do is to release ur passport , there is no paper work or anything
I have been following few students timeline and that's what happens but I hope you are right

Hi All,

I've been a silent reader in this post and I wanted to share my experience and timeline.
18th Jul: date of application, interview and biometrics at VFS Dhaka, Bangladesh
28th Jul: Application has been reached at the decision making centre in Sheffield
After waiting another month since my application, I decided to call the hotline and escalate my case
18th Aug: Date of escalation
15th Sep: Email statin that my application has been decided
17th Sep: text message from VFS Dhaka, passport is ready to collect

In my experience I found the hotline service pretty useless. I called them several times only to be received with the same answer that please wait for a response. During the last week however, I requested that my uni send an e-mail on my behalf explaining my delay and that the course starts on the 25th of September.

When I called the UKVI hotline on Tuesday, their response was that I should wait till Thursday evening and if I don't hear anything yet, I should call again on Friday morning. Once I called on Friday morning (15th of Sep). They said my application was still under process and that I should send in a complaint. However, in that evening I received an email stating that a decision has been made on my application on the 15th of September. So in my opinion it seems like the hotline may not have relevant information and as frustrating as it can be we all just have to wait. Now I will be collecting my passport tomorrow 7 days before my course starts, hopefully it'll be good news.

Zed178 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 16, 2017 3:04 pm

Hi everyone, I have been following this thread for some time as well. it helped a lot!

Here's my timeline:
Applied for priority service from Istanbul, Turkey
Bios: 23rd August
Reached UKVI (got acknowledgment email): 24th August
my CAS has been used since beginning of September (not sure of exact date)
Haven't heard anything after that

My school finally agreed to email UKVI on Wednesday. Got THE email on friday saying "..I have made the ECO aware of the relevant travel date and asked them to make a decision as a priority.."

Today Sept 16th: got a non straightforward email. (Which might only act as an apology for the delay)

Here's my advice to everyone: when I saw my CAS has been "used" I thought they were about to make a decision or they had already done, I thought the delay was from the consulate in my area.
It seems they need a push to review cases, so if you have been waiting like this, I suggest letting your school contact them at least once. Otherwise it seems like our applications are getting lost in a pile somewhere.

Good luck everyone!

Here's an update:
After the straightforward email yesterday, they called my today for 2nd interview, they asked all typical questions they ask (mentioned previously in this discussion).

They didn't give any info regarding when I will hear back from them, the lady only said "soon".

Zed178 wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 4:26 pm

Zed178 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 16, 2017 3:04 pm

Hi everyone, I have been following this thread for some time as well. it helped a lot!

Here's my timeline:
Applied for priority service from Istanbul, Turkey
Bios: 23rd August
Reached UKVI (got acknowledgment email): 24th August
my CAS has been used since beginning of September (not sure of exact date)
Haven't heard anything after that

My school finally agreed to email UKVI on Wednesday. Got THE email on friday saying "..I have made the ECO aware of the relevant travel date and asked them to make a decision as a priority.."

Today Sept 16th: got a non straightforward email. (Which might only act as an apology for the delay)

Here's my advice to everyone: when I saw my CAS has been "used" I thought they were about to make a decision or they had already done, I thought the delay was from the consulate in my area.
It seems they need a push to review cases, so if you have been waiting like this, I suggest letting your school contact them at least once. Otherwise it seems like our applications are getting lost in a pile somewhere.

Good luck everyone!

Here's an update:
After the straightforward email yesterday, they called my today for 2nd interview, they asked all typical questions they ask (mentioned previously in this discussion).

They didn't give any info regarding when I will hear back from them, the lady only said "soon".

Does the interview mean that they're looking at our case? I got the interview on 15th sept.. is your interview from the home office?

Chischis12 wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 1:08 pm

Rathodpr wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 1:03 pm

qxporya wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:13 am

Chischis12 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:28 pm

WHEn did you get it? And pls tell me if you have further email afterwards? Did they interview you for the 2nd time?? I'm on the same situatuon I got non straightforward email on 15 sept

I received it in september 16th. no request for 2nd interview or anything else. I haven't seen anyone with such email that has been granted the visa ((

jesus christ, muhammad, Moses, Satan, please Help me ((

80% people have got their visa despite the not straight forward mail. Dont worry you still have a chance

THIs info relieved me a lot. Thanks, but where do you know about it? Did u also get the non straightforward email?

I have been following many forums and my frnds too have got such mail. I did not get the non straight forward mail. Although the call centre person said the decision was made on 14th. Haven't got the passport collection mail so hoping for the best

khozam wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 2:00 pm

slimayor123 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 16, 2017 8:39 pm

khozam wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:55 pm

sensei wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:43 pm

I've already tried that route. It didn't help at all. My university told me to stay put and wait. I'll call UKVI again on Monday, I suppose.

Which university you are going to?
Call UKVI but their case escalation is useless. Do anything but engage your university. Tell them that your course is starting and you have applied since many weeks. You have to pay tuition fees and manage plenty of pre-departure tasks here that need time. Means, use any logical reason to convince them for contacting UKVI.

BTW universities are mostly very polite and supportive to contact UKVI but I do not know about your university.

Did ur University asked for GWF number wen u called dem or wat do dey requested from u to contact ukvi with?

GWF number is must for UKVI to track your application. So it is your duty to provide all the necessary details to your university so they can check with UKVI having all the needed information in-hand.

Normally you should share the below information with your university.

Full Name:
Date of Birth:
GWF number:
IHS number:
Passport number:
Place of submission:
Type of Visa applied for:
Date of biometrics:
Nationality:
Applicants e-mail:

I hope it helps.

Thanks for this info. I really appreciate

nadiaslsbl wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 4:42 pm

Zed178 wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 4:26 pm

Here's an update:
After the straightforward email yesterday, they called my today for 2nd interview, they asked all typical questions they ask (mentioned previously in this discussion).

They didn't give any info regarding when I will hear back from them, the lady only said "soon".

Does the interview mean that they're looking at our case? I got the interview on 15th sept.. is your interview from the home office?

Ya the interview was from home office. It seems they are at least looking into it, not sure how long it would be from this point though. let's hope for the best!

Zed178 wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 5:59 pm

nadiaslsbl wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 4:42 pm

Zed178 wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 4:26 pm

Here's an update:
After the straightforward email yesterday, they called my today for 2nd interview, they asked all typical questions they ask (mentioned previously in this discussion).

They didn't give any info regarding when I will hear back from them, the lady only said "soon".

Does the interview mean that they're looking at our case? I got the interview on 15th sept.. is your interview from the home office?

Ya the interview was from home office. It seems they are at least looking into it, not sure how long it would be from this point though. let's hope for the best!

when did u apply?

iqra Aziz wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 6:16 pm

when did u apply?

Zed178 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 16, 2017 3:04 pm

Hi everyone, I have been following this thread for some time as well. it helped a lot!

Here's my timeline:
Applied for priority service from Istanbul, Turkey
Bios: 23rd August
Reached UKVI (got acknowledgment email): 24th August
my CAS has been used since beginning of September (not sure of exact date)
Haven't heard anything after that

My school finally agreed to email UKVI on Wednesday. Got THE email on friday saying "..I have made the ECO aware of the relevant travel date and asked them to make a decision as a priority.."

Today Sept 16th: got a non straightforward email. (Which might only act as an apology for the delay)

Here's my advice to everyone: when I saw my CAS has been "used" I thought they were about to make a decision or they had already done, I thought the delay was from the consulate in my area.
It seems they need a push to review cases, so if you have been waiting like this, I suggest letting your school contact them at least once. Otherwise it seems like our applications are getting lost in a pile somewhere.

Good luck everyone!

Zed178 wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 17, 2017 4:26 pm

Zed178 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 16, 2017 3:04 pm

Hi everyone, I have been following this thread for some time as well. it helped a lot!

Here's my timeline:
Applied for priority service from Istanbul, Turkey
Bios: 23rd August
Reached UKVI (got acknowledgment email): 24th August
my CAS has been used since beginning of September (not sure of exact date)
Haven't heard anything after that

My school finally agreed to email UKVI on Wednesday. Got THE email on friday saying "..I have made the ECO aware of the relevant travel date and asked them to make a decision as a priority.."

Today Sept 16th: got a non straightforward email. (Which might only act as an apology for the delay)

Here's my advice to everyone: when I saw my CAS has been "used" I thought they were about to make a decision or they had already done, I thought the delay was from the consulate in my area.
It seems they need a push to review cases, so if you have been waiting like this, I suggest letting your school contact them at least once. Otherwise it seems like our applications are getting lost in a pile somewhere.

Good luck everyone!

Here's an update:
After the straightforward email yesterday, they called my today for 2nd interview, they asked all typical questions they ask (mentioned previously in this discussion).

They didn't give any info regarding when I will hear back from them, the lady only said "soon".

Did they let you know first to get interview like sending u email or did they just call you without u knowing it? Did thy call to ur phone/ home? And do you have immigration history like previously refused somewhere