uk spouse visa on hold :(

[ukrainian2017]

I applied from Ukraine and passport was returned on 1st May.
Our solicitor also told us that this pause not only because of Court decision, but also because of elections. So it all depends who wins and they might increase MIR to cut immigration.

And I don't understand why does it take so long? What are they deciding over this case?

[swilliams1]

The theory that this 'pause' is due to the election doesn't me sense to me purely from a practical perspective. Surely for the requirements to change it would have to go through the legislative process - which is going to be occupied by Brexit negotiations from the middle of June. This will be the most complex undertaking for any government in recent memory . The family settlement visa requirements may be seen by the government as a vote winner and low hanging fruit for getting the numbers down, but are surely insignificant in terms of the national interest compared to the terms of Brexit.

Having said that, if this 'pause' is down to the court decision, surely it would be possible to give applicants better quality information than catch-all statements such as 'in particular' which give no specific or clear cut criteria.

[swilliams1]

This is a very unsettling situation for all that has very little good information available. Could those who have received the awful 'pause' email perhaps give more specific information about their situation?

It may be that if the applicant just misses the financial requirements (in any way) or has kids involved, the pause is an alternative to a rejection?

That may be a positive step rather than the worst case we are imagining right now?

[Raj86]

In my case I have applied from India.. Jan 2017
I have no kids no income Problems .....
it's over 26k it will be over 6 months end of this may...
So I really don't know .... what's going on Nd etc ....
I am guessing it's about this new pm.....
I don't knw what's going on to be really honest...
There has been no news from them....
I have reslcated the case asking them why have u put us on hold without any problems ?
So will let u guys know

[AES90]

Are you in salaried employment or self employed?

In my case I have applied from India.. Jan 2017
I have no kids no income Problems .....
it's over 26k it will be over 6 months end of this may...
So I really don't know .... what's going on Nd etc ....
I am guessing it's about this new pm.....
I don't knw what's going on to be really honest...
There has been no news from them....
I have reslcated the case asking them why have u put us on hold without any problems ?
So will let u guys know

[Raj86]

Employed ....
so there is no reason for me to have any problems at all

[AES90]

That is very strange indeed. I'm sorry to hear about your situation.

In my humble opinion - in the recent case, it was commented that the income threshold is indeed fair and further that it should be between £18,600 and almost £26k. In my personal opinion I think the government were looking to raise this threshold and anyone who feel between these two figures were being put on hold because of the High courts comments.

Further, it was pledged by the Conservativea that they will raise the income threshold and it's likely that the figure is between those to ends.

I know how it feels and it's so terrible that one can't describe unless you're in that situation. Hopefully all will be ok.

[Raj86]

Tbanks
But I really thought they might be making
changes up to 24k....
that's what some people r saying so I really don't know what's the truth Untill it's confirmed...
but yh hopefully something to expect soon
Will let u guys know

[ukrainian2017]

I've been put on hold, but we have neither kids, nor income problem (my husband earns way more than any real or "future" threshold, he's employed).

[AES90]

So I just got some information who is on hold and got some extra information from HO. Her case was on hold despite meeting the financial threshold but he case was put on hold as HO thought it was not straightforward.

So it looks like if HO thinks your case is either not meeting the financial threshold or not "straight forward" then your visa might be put on hold

[ukrainian2017]

So I just got some information who is on hold and got some extra information from HO. Her case was on hold despite meeting the financial threshold but he case was put on hold as HO thought it was not straightforward.

So it looks like if HO thinks your case is either not meeting the financial threshold or not "straight forward" then your visa might be put on hold

What does "not straightforward" means?

Did you receive any calls?

How did you get this information?

[AES90]

My own case isn't on hold although it's yet to be processed so I hope and pray that mine will be ok.

However, I know someone who recently got their case on hold and she received case not straight forward message and then hold message. I'm not quite sure what straight forward means I guess that it's further enquiries past the usual habe to be made but I can't be sure

[SimonS]

Don't wish to turn this into spam, but since people are asking for contribution about ongoing, current applications, I will advise the following.

Our case has not been put on hold. My wife applied priority 19th April (Russia). Biometrics 21st April. Documents received Sheffield 5th May. Friday 19th May was day 11 of 15 on priority service so we expect to hear something latest by Thursday this week or we will request update. You can take it as read that as of today, we've heard nothing, no on hold hold email, nothing. We have not requested any updates. I have not received back any original documents. When we attended VAC in Russia we were told to expect decision in 15 days from submission of documents. We were told it is always 15 days on priority and they do several per month. Of course that could just be BS but that is what we were told. Guess we'll find out this week one way or another.

I say this purely for information, my income by salaried employment is way North of any current, proposed or imaginable threshold. Been over current minimum threshold from first employment in 2005 - I work in Oil Industry as Senior Global Manager, same company and role last 3 years. I'm simply being honest here to give a much needed perspective on the situation; which has been requested by several contributors.

Given my career position and responsibility, the fact that HO now has custody of my passport is causing me real issues. So not only is the absence of my beloved wife causing me stress, it's now potentially impacting on my job that I need to support sponsorship of her application. Fantastic!! I wish everyone the best of luck, those experiencing difficulties have my genuine, heart felt sympathy. I will post again when I have a useful update.

Cheers
Simon

[CR001]

Given my career position and responsibility, the fact that HO now has custody of my passport is causing me real issues. So not only is the absence of my beloved wife causing me stress, it's now potentially impacting on my job that I need to support sponsorship of her application. Fantastic!! I wish everyone the best of luck, those experiencing difficulties have my genuine, heart felt sympathy. I will post again when I have a useful update.

Cheers
Simon

There was no requirement to send your original passport, copies would have been sufficient.

[SimonS]

Given my career position and responsibility, the fact that HO now has custody of my passport is causing me real issues. So not only is the absence of my beloved wife causing me stress, it's now potentially impacting on my job that I need to support sponsorship of her application. Fantastic!! I wish everyone the best of luck, those experiencing difficulties have my genuine, heart felt sympathy. I will post again when I have a useful update.

Cheers
Simon

There was no requirement to send your original passport, copies would have been sufficient.

I know, unforunately as with many people on here I put my faith in them to abide by the published guidance for processing. Thinking I might be about to regret it now though.

[avivbr]

I am joining the frustration here as I am too in the same boat. My application was submitted Feb 14th from Tel Aviv, and on May 4th got the "pause" email. besides this general opaque email I have received no information from the Enquiry service by mail nor by phone.

I believe that my application falls under the "not straightforward" category as my British husband lives with me in Tel Aviv and he is sponsoring me. His salary is slightly higher than the MIR but my (the applicant) salary is about 4 times higher than the MIR (so in fact I am "sponsoring" him).

The frustration this pause introducing is great as there are some actions we had to take to prepare our living in the UK such as letting our apartment and selling our car. We didn't have any reasons to believe that our application will be delayed as much. If comes end of June and still the application is paused, we will to live with our parents. I have already accepted the fact that we will have to cancel our flight to the UK in the end of June but this limbo state we are experiencing is very frustrating as my passport is being held by the UKVI.

links to discussion on this issue:
immigration-for-family-members/pause-sp ... 26196.html
http://britishexpats.com/forum/citizens ... se-897007/
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor ... d-12929018

[Raj86]

No update from me guys .....
anyone has anyway update?

[ukrainian2017]

Nope, me neither.

Have anybody got their passport back or it's only me?

[Raj86]

They didn't send me back my passport so yh and I have applied from India

[Ddin]

Me neither no update yet ! 16 weeks so far and no A glimmer of hope

[Raj86]

It's been 19 weeks for me lol so....
Anyone who's applied from India ?

[bittu11]

I have applied from india and it's been 21 weeks!!
Passport not returned

[Onkarsingh1991]

My wife applied 23 feb 2017 from Gurgaon, India as priority

no issues with

income
accommodation
genuine and subsisting relationship

called helpline on several occasions and they send silly replies

I have lost faith in UKVI and the home office,

they dont understand that they re playing with peoples lives

[Fat30]

Hi all,
I have applied for my spouse from india, 12th jan application and biometric from india jaipur and 8th march generic email received about application hold.
My all original documents returned on my uk address within few days after submission, with their standard photo copy of letter saying 'thank you for application, ......in due course the applicant will rece8ve a decision on the application',

My spouse passport was submitted at application centre and at the time of biometric taken, its still with them ,

Its been 19 weeks, waiting for some positive news from them,
Just to add here, my spouse has dual citizenship, indian and canadian,
Also no issues with income related concern for me, i am employed with m7ch higher than £ 18600 bracket

[Fat30]

Hi all,
I have applied for my spouse from india, 12th jan application and biometric from india jaipur and 8th march generic email received about application hold.
My all original documents returned on my uk address within few days after submission, with their standard photo copy of letter saying 'thank you for application, ......in due course the applicant will rece8ve a decision on the application',

My spouse passport was submitted at application centre and at the time of biometric taken, its still with them ,

Its been 19 weeks, waiting for some positive news from them,
Just to add here, my spouse has dual citizenship, indian and canadian,
Also no issues with income related concern for me, i am employed with m7ch higher than £ 18600 bracket