Received non-straightforward email for spouse visa

[kraza96]

Hi, I applied for my husband's spouse visa, I submitted the online application on the 2nd of October. He submitted his passport and biometrics in Islamabad on the 9th, and on the same day I sent the supporting documents from here. I tracked the parcel, and found out that it was delivered the next day (10th), and it was also signed..I think from someone called 'N. Cxxxxxxxx'.
Yesterday morning (18th October), I received an email from Sheffield (visainfo.shefo@fco.gov.uk) saying that they haven't received my supporting documents yet, and that if they don't receive them in the next 10 days, they will make a decision based on the information they already have.
I'm very worried as I can't do a thing about this, all I can do is wait and see if they send my documents back after scanning them. Is it possible that they've lost the documents? I have evidence that I sent the documents on the 9th, and the time and date they were delivered on, and also the person's name who received the documents. This is my second time applying, as the first time round our visa was refused over something really small. I really don't want the same thing to happen again, and I'm so worried and scared because I have no idea what's going on. Has anyone received this kind of email before? And how is it possible that they don't have the documents, because they were received and signed on the 10th, nine days ago!
Does anyone have any idea of what I can do? Is there any way in which I can quickly find out whether or not they have the documents? Someone please help! I feel like I'm going crazy over here.

[Londoner007]

Maybe a automated email. Reply back with proof of delivery i.e. tracking number / screenshot of signature of delivery

[kraza96]

Maybe a automated email. Reply back with proof of delivery i.e. tracking number / screenshot of signature of delivery

It is an automated email, but I'm still extremely worried. What if they've misplaced my documents? Is there any way of finding out whether they have them?
And I can't reply back to the email. They've said at the end of the email, that they can't reply back.

[Londoner007]

You have to email UKVI https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk

Ask them to forward query to Sheffield and want to know whether your support documents have been received.

Rest assured, if you have a signature as confirmation of delivery they have your documents.

[kraza96]

Online Application: 2 Oct 2018
Biometrics/Passport Submission in Islamabad: 9 Oct 2018
Documents sent to Sheffield: 9 Oct 2018
Documents received in Sheffield: 10 Oct 2018
Documents sent back: 27 Oct 2018
Non-straightforward email received: 9 Nov 2018 (after 24 working days)

I made the mistake of paying for priority processing, even though this is my second application. The first was refused on 4 August 2018, because of a stupid mistake made by us. We forgot to submit the Appendix 2 form, which was the only reason for refusal. All the papers were correctly submitted this time, but I'm aware that the Home Office may refuse again over any small point which they find. Has anyone else been in this situation, where they applied a second time and received a not straightforward email? I emailed about 10 days ago to ask what stage my application is at, and since the last 2 weeks it has been awaiting a decision. Is this the final stage?

My husband lives in Islamabad, Pakistan, and for some reason I have to visit him urgently. However, I've heard that this can have a negative impact on the visa application? The first time we applied, I received a call from the Home Office who interviewed about my job and workplace. They called my employer too. The reason why I'm not going to visit my husband, is because what if they call my workplace again, and I'm not here? Would they refuse? I'm so confused, and have no idea on what I should do. I've decided to wait for an answer, or a call, or anything, but who knows how long they will take now that they've sent the not straightforward email? And yes, I know that I shouldn't have applied priority as this is our second application.

How long can they take, though? Our application has been awaiting a decision for over two weeks, maybe three weeks. How long will it take them to check all our documents?

Someone please advise me, as I'm not really sure on what to do. All I can do is wait, but... I'm tired, after being refused a few months ago, although I know it was our mistake.

[CR001]

Topics merged.

You can travel to visit, no restriction but obviously if HO tries to call you, then it could be an issue.

You should also note that paying for priority was a waste as you don't qualify for priority service if you have been refused in the past, as the VFS website very clearly states.

https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/pk/en/premi ... settlement

However, every application is unique, and if your application is not straightforward, it may not be possible to meet this timescale. If this is the case, your application will still be put at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process, and UK Visas and Immigration will aim to process your application within global customer service standards. Your application may not be straightforward if you have:

been refused a visa for the UK, and/or;
been refused leave to enter the UK, and/or
been deported, removed, or otherwise required to leave the UK, and/or;
overstayed a period of leave in the UK, and/or;
had leave to remain in the UK curtailed by the Home Office, and/or;
been refused leave to remain in the UK by the Home Office, and/or;
been refused a visa for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States of America, or the Schengen countries, and/or;
you have been interviewed, detained, or prosecuted by the police for any offence in the UK or elsewhere, and/or;
you have an unspent criminal conviction in any country, and/or;
you have committed a criminal offence in any country.

If you fall into one of these categories, you may not want to use the Priority Visa service, as UK Visas and Immigration may be unable to process your application within the faster timescale.

[kraza96]

Topics merged.

You can travel to visit, no restriction but obviously if HO tries to call you, then it could be an issue.

You should also note that paying for priority was a waste as you don't qualify for priority service if you have been refused in the past, as the VFS website very clearly states.

https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/pk/en/premi ... settlement

However, every application is unique, and if your application is not straightforward, it may not be possible to meet this timescale. If this is the case, your application will still be put at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process, and UK Visas and Immigration will aim to process your application within global customer service standards. Your application may not be straightforward if you have:

been refused a visa for the UK, and/or;
been refused leave to enter the UK, and/or
been deported, removed, or otherwise required to leave the UK, and/or;
overstayed a period of leave in the UK, and/or;
had leave to remain in the UK curtailed by the Home Office, and/or;
been refused leave to remain in the UK by the Home Office, and/or;
been refused a visa for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States of America, or the Schengen countries, and/or;
you have been interviewed, detained, or prosecuted by the police for any offence in the UK or elsewhere, and/or;
you have an unspent criminal conviction in any country, and/or;
you have committed a criminal offence in any country.

If you fall into one of these categories, you may not want to use the Priority Visa service, as UK Visas and Immigration may be unable to process your application within the faster timescale.

I know... I made the mistake of paying for priority, but I don't know what to do. I need to go and visit him, but I don't want it to mess anything up. Home Office called last time, in our last application, and all financial requirements were met. The only problem was that we didn't submit the Appendix 2 form. Will they call again, even though there was no problem last time? Do they even have access to all the information from our last application? How long can they take to make a decision? Our application has been awaiting a decision from probably 3 weeks now. I'm sorry for so many questions! I'm just so fed up.

[CR001]

Yes they could call again. It is a completely new application and all the same checks are done again.

Yes, HO has full access to the refused application.

You will likely have a longer wait, most are not getting decisions within 60 days even for priority applications.

[Londoner007]

Why are you so confused. It's plain and simple, does visiting him and risking a refusal if home office call and cant find you, out-weight not visiting him?

If it's between life and death or some major emergency which requires you to go to Pakistan then I would wait until a decision is made.

If it's just a matter of seeing each other then be warned applications from Pakistan are taking a long time now. Some are waiting for 8+ months for a decision.

It all comes down to how important it is to go to Pakistan - Only you know the answer to this.

[kraza96]

Yes they could call again. It is a completely new application and all the same checks are done again.

Yes, HO has full access to the refused application.

You will likely have a longer wait, most are not getting decisions within 60 days even for priority applications.

I'm glad that they have access to the refused application, that way they'll be able to see that there was only one problem with it which is now sorted. But I know that they can find any tiny little problem and refuse again, and this is why I'm scared.

I know, but please don't say this! I'm trying not to email or call them, and just waiting, but I'm so tired now. I don't even mind if they call, I just want them to get it over and done with. At least I would be able to go and visit my husband if they get the call over with. I just don't want to mess anything up again. Thank you so much for your help, btw!

I know it's different for each application, but generally how long after a not straightforward email do they make the decision?

[CR001]

Some people get a decision around the 60 days mark, others 90 days and some have been waiting months having applied earlier in the year in April/May.

[kraza96]

Why are you so confused. It's plain and simple, does visiting him and risking a refusal if home office call and cant find you, out-weight not visiting him?

If it's between life and death or some major emergency which requires you to go to Pakistan then I would wait until a decision is made.

If it's just a matter of seeing each other then be warned applications from Pakistan are taking a long time now. Some are waiting for 8+ months for a decision.

It all comes down to how important it is to go to Pakistan - Only you know the answer to this.

Of course it's more important to get the visa, and it's not a life or death situation. He's ill, but it's not THAT serious. I'm going to wait until a decision is made. Or, could I go after they call (if they do)?

Thank you so much for your help!

[kraza96]

Some people get a decision around the 60 days mark, others 90 days and some have been waiting months having applied earlier in the year in April/May.

Yes, I don't even want to think about how long it could take! I know someone who applied in April, and are still waiting for a decision. Which is so crazy, as they have 2 very young kids, too. And another cousin of mine applied at the end of September, and has received her visa.

[Londoner007]

I would personally not leave the country at all until a decision is made.

Some applications take longer than other, it all depends on the individual case. Having 2 children would have made the application perhaps less straight-forward.

Try and be patient. When it's the right time to get the visa, it will be approved.

Have sabr and hope for the best InshaAllah. Concentrate on other aspect of life until visa approved.

[kraza96]

I would personally not leave the country at all until a decision is made.

Some applications take longer than other, it all depends on the individual case. Having 2 children would have made the application perhaps less straight-forward.

Try and be patient. When it's the right time to get the visa, it will be approved.

Have sabr and hope for the best InshaAllah. Concentrate on other aspect of life until visa approved.

Thank you so much! I won't leave the country until we receive our answer.

[Londoner007]

I have seen countless cases where the sponsor goes crazy, restless, depressed and suicidal trying to get the application to UK, but shortly after they break up and the same person wants to know how to get a divorce.

Honest advise to you from someone who has seen many cases, especially from Pakistan, Bangladesh and India is try work on your relationship before your husband arrives here. This way in the long run you will have a fruitful and strong relationship.

So whilst waiting for a decision, remember that just someone entering UK isnt the end of it all, rather it is the beginning to settlement. Even if you get delays and refusals, it's not the end of the world and you can always appeal.

All the best InshaAllah.

[kraza96]

I have seen countless cases where the sponsor goes crazy, restless, depressed and suicidal trying to get the application to UK, but shortly after they break up and the same person wants to know how to get a divorce.

Honest advise to you from someone who has seen many cases, especially from Pakistan, Bangladesh and India is try work on your relationship before your husband arrives here. This way in the long run you will have a fruitful and strong relationship.

So whilst waiting for a decision, remember that just someone entering UK isnt the end of it all, rather it is the beginning to settlement. Even if you get delays and refusals, it's not the end of the world and you can always appeal.

All the best InshaAllah.

Wow! Thank you so much, for all your advice! Alhamdulillah, me and my husband have the best and strongest relationship. We've been refused once, and it was so stressful. It was over a small, silly mistake which we made. I don't know how I forgot to include the Appendix 2 form in the bundle! We got refused because of this one stupid mistake.

My husband is stressing about it so much too, but I'm so restless. I'm so much worse, and there's nothing we can do except wait. Thank you so much, again!

[Londoner007]

We live and learn. Next applications you will be an expert by then! Sometimes things happen as a blessing in disguise. Perhaps having the first refusal made you both stronger. Things happen for a reason. If you think positively like this you will have much easier time waiting.

Your husband is stressed because he isn't too sure of the visa system and as you have been preparing most of the documents you know it better.

Once he is here he can chip in and help you prepare the next applications in the future and share the stress

[seagul]

If you got paid holidays then why not visit him. All you can do to insert good amount of credit in your sim and activate the roaming to receive any HO call.

[kraza96]

We live and learn. Next applications you will be an expert by then! Sometimes things happen as a blessing in disguise. Perhaps having the first refusal made you both stronger. Things happen for a reason. If you think positively like this you will have much easier time waiting.

Your husband is stressed because he isn't too sure of the visa system and as you have been preparing most of the documents you know it better.

Once he is here he can chip in and help you prepare the next applications in the future and share the stress

Yes, that’s true. Thank you so much for your help! The first refusal did make us stronger, but I wouldn’t be able to go through another one! All the time these days I find myself thinking that I submitted all the necessary documents, and plenty of evidence with wedding photos, message and call screenshots, wedding invitations and so on. There’s really nothing they can refuse us on this time, but I have definitely come to know that the Home Office might find some tiny little thing and refuse us on that.

After receiving our documents back, I’ve been through them and checked them several times and all the necessary papers were submitted. Everything is there, so let’s see.

[kraza96]

If you got paid holidays then why not visit him. All you can do to insert good amount of credit in your sim and activate the roaming to receive any HO call.

I do get paid holidays, and my employer himself told me that I can go to visit my husband if I want, but I’m not sure. I really don’t want to mess anything up again. Even if I activate roaming on my phone, the time difference between England and Pakistan might be an issue. So I won’t take any risks. Let’s just hope that we get the visa quickly. Please pray, guys!

[kraza96]

I received a call an hour ago from the Home Office, asking mainly about my employment. I received this call in my last application too, and I think it went good. Thankfully, I didn’t answer anything wrong. The call lasted 21 minutes, and the guy seemed nice enough. My employer received a call straight after I did, and he also said that it went well. Also, the guy doing the interview said that it’s the final stage of the application. I’m so nervous!! The interview went well, but I still can’t help but be nervous. Fingers crossed. It can literally be any day now...

[uddin000]

I received a call an hour ago from the Home Office, asking mainly about my employment. I received this call in my last application too, and I think it went good. Thankfully, I didn’t answer anything wrong. The call lasted 21 minutes, and the guy seemed nice enough. My employer received a call straight after I did, and he also said that it went well. Also, the guy doing the interview said that it’s the final stage of the application. I’m so nervous!! The interview went well, but I still can’t help but be nervous. Fingers crossed. It can literally be any day now...

Hi could u tell what questions they asked on phone? how long u got call from your online application?

also did u apply using 2 or 1 job?

im nervous about my application?

[kraza96]

I received a call an hour ago from the Home Office, asking mainly about my employment. I received this call in my last application too, and I think it went good. Thankfully, I didn’t answer anything wrong. The call lasted 21 minutes, and the guy seemed nice enough. My employer received a call straight after I did, and he also said that it went well. Also, the guy doing the interview said that it’s the final stage of the application. I’m so nervous!! The interview went well, but I still can’t help but be nervous. Fingers crossed. It can literally be any day now...

Hi could u tell what questions they asked on phone? how long u got call from your online application?

also did u apply using 2 or 1 job?

im nervous about my application?

Hi! I too was so nervous, but thankfully I answered every question confidently. And I knew what kind of questions they were going to ask, as they called in our first application too. I applied using 1 job, and the call was 21 minutes long. The guy who did the interview actually seemed nice, not rude at all! Which made me feel better. These are most the questions they asked:

Full name
Date of birth
What type of visa
Husband’s name
Husband’s date of birth
Date of our wedding
Company name
Name of employer, whether or not he’s the director of the company
Job title
Timings of the day eg mine was 9:30 - 5:30
How many hours you work per week
Do you work weekends?
Bonus?
How you found out about the job? E.g. through reference
Is the employer your relative?
Is the employer husband’s relative?
When do you get paid?
How do you get paid?
Salary before and after taxes
Hourly? Monthly?
Job responsibilities
Qualifications for job
How many people work for the company in total?
Why were you suitable for the job?
Description of the building, commercial or residential, doors and windows. Colour of building
Other properties around and opposite the building you work in
What floor you work on
When were you last at work?
When will you be at work next?

I was actually off work today, due to illness. I started stressing badly when I saw that I was being called by No Caller ID. I just knew it was them. But the guy was nice, so it went well. I answered everything correctly, and my answers match those of my employer thankfully.
Just waiting now....

Don’t stress out! Honestly, don’t! Because when/if they call, you’ll be really tense and it won’t go well. Just know everything there is to know about your job, and you’ll be fine. Good luck!

This is my timeline so far. This is my second application, which is why they called as they told me over the call.

Online application: 2 Oct 2018
Biometrics/passport submission: 9 Oct 2018
Documents sent to Sheffield: 10 Oct 2018
Documents received back near the end of October
I received a non-straightforward email nearly 2 weeks ago.
Call from UKVI to sponsor: 22 Nov 2018
Call from UKVI to employer: 22 Nov 2018

Now let’s see how long they take!

[kraza96]

I received a call an hour ago from the Home Office, asking mainly about my employment. I received this call in my last application too, and I think it went good. Thankfully, I didn’t answer anything wrong. The call lasted 21 minutes, and the guy seemed nice enough. My employer received a call straight after I did, and he also said that it went well. Also, the guy doing the interview said that it’s the final stage of the application. I’m so nervous!! The interview went well, but I still can’t help but be nervous. Fingers crossed. It can literally be any day now...

Hi could u tell what questions they asked on phone? how long u got call from your online application?

also did u apply using 2 or 1 job?

im nervous about my application?

Hi! I too was so nervous, but thankfully I answered every question confidently. And I knew what kind of questions they were going to ask, as they called in our first application too. I applied using 1 job, and the call was 21 minutes long. The guy who did the interview actually seemed nice, not rude at all! Which made me feel better. These are most the questions they asked:

Full name
Date of birth
What type of visa
Husband’s name
Husband’s date of birth
Date of our wedding
Company name
Name of employer, whether or not he’s the director of the company
Job title
Timings of the day eg mine was 9:30 - 5:30
How many hours you work per week
Do you work weekends?
Bonus?
How you found out about the job? E.g. through reference
Is the employer your relative?
Is the employer husband’s relative?
When do you get paid?
How do you get paid?
Salary before and after taxes
Hourly? Monthly?
Job responsibilities
Qualifications for job
How many people work for the company in total?
Why were you suitable for the job?
Description of the building, commercial or residential, doors and windows. Colour of building
Other properties around and opposite the building you work in
What floor you work on
When were you last at work?
When will you be at work next?

I was actually off work today, due to illness. I started stressing badly when I saw that I was being called by No Caller ID. I just knew it was them. But the guy was nice, so it went well. I answered everything correctly, and my answers match those of my employer thankfully.
Just waiting now....

Don’t stress out! Honestly, don’t! Because when/if they call, you’ll be really tense and it won’t go well. Just know everything there is to know about your job, and you’ll be fine. Good luck!

This is my timeline so far. This is my second application, which is why they called as they told me over the call.

Online application: 2 Oct 2018
Biometrics/passport submission: 9 Oct 2018
Documents sent to Sheffield: 10 Oct 2018
Documents received back near the end of October
I received a non-straightforward email nearly 2 weeks ago.
Call from UKVI to sponsor: 22 Nov 2018
Call from UKVI to employer: 22 Nov 2018

Now let’s see how long they take!