New priority services for applications outside UK

[legalalien]

My wife will apply for Spouse visa in a couple of months from overseas (middle east), can you please confirm whether the new £300 settlement priority service is available for applications outside the UK. At what point do you select this service, is it the point of completion of application and at booking stage on Visa4UK website or is there other means to request this service. Has anyone actually used this service.

I have looked everywhere and even emailed VfS global to get answers and I am getting conflicting information, first they gave me information on Vfs additional services stating that it will give priority in processing by Vfs but still same waiting time once sent to UKBA, and a different email they stated that priority will be processed with 3-5 working days.

[SoHopeful]

It depends on the country whether they offer this service or not. What country is it?
You usually have to pay for it at the time you pay for your application and print the receipt so when you attend your appointment they know you have requested that service.

[flozo64]

I'd also like to know if priority service is available outside the UK, Pakistan to be precise. There has been conflicting advice to whether it's available and guaranteed to work..

[legalalien]

She is applying from UAE
this is VFS link which details priority services, does not include the new fee yet
http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/UAE/user_pay_services.html

SoHopeful, I checked VFS Pakistan and it only includes priority service but it looks like it is for visitors only
http://vfsglobal.co.uk/pakistan/user_pa ... ces.html#4

The guidelines on the new proposed fees states that the new £300 fee is to ensure that the cost is unified globally but doesnt specify if it is limited to specific countries.


The new international visa enquiry service is not very helpful as they give conflicting information and dont answer my questions directly

I guess the only way to find out is to reach a stage on Visa4UK when we are ready to apply then we will be able to see if priority service is availble, although the VFS site state that we should apply as normal then go to the VFS site to pay for priority service. I am inclined to do it if there is any risk that it does not speed up application, as I have already booked honeymoon for the end of august so if we dont get a fast decision then It could cost me a lot of money if we cant make it to the honeymoon as I have already paid. If priority service exist then I will be happy to go ahead with application even if we submit it a few weeks before the travel plans.

The hold up for me is that my wife is currently renewing her UAE residency and there system is complicated so I am not sure when she will get it, and until she does I cant apply for UK visa