Letter accompanying vignette

[DanaMarie]

I mentioned in a previous post, as a reply to someone asking whether or not initial entries on a spouse visa needed to see an agent for a stamp or could use the eGates, a letter that was accompanying recently granted vignettes. I've gotten my vignette today and with it the attached letter, which directs in bold font to present to an officer upon arrival. I have no negative immigration history so that is not the reason for this letter, I know only that they are being sent to American applicants for initial spouse visas and cannot speak for applicants of other countries. But it does seem to settle the issue of whether or not we should be using eGates for at least initial entry. Border Force agents don't have any idea and some are saying we must see an agent, some are waving vignette holders through the eGates. But given that your entry has great impact on FLR and IRL down the road it stands to reason that better safe than sorry until there is definitive new guidance one way or the other from UKVI. Just wanted to share!

[seagul]

This is a standard template which even usually be given to those successful applicants who are not entitled to use e gates .

[THO]

Dana,

Many thanks for your post. Please could I ask a question, as my wife is waiting for her Vignette? Yesterday she went to VFS and gave her passport to them to send to Sheffield. I am travelling to see her in Vietnam, and since our spouse visa approval came out of the blue, I had booked to stay in VN until 18th Nov. I have a flight home then.

Now obviously we would like her to come back with me, but we have no idea how long it will take for her passport to arrive back. We believe between 2 to 4 weeks. That would be fine, if the Vignette starts when she receives it, but if it is already a few days old, by the time it arrives back to VN, she will have to leave before me in-order to stay with the 30 days time limit, or I will have to go to the expense of changing my flight.

Could you tell me, did you get the full 30 days, from the day you got your passport back?
We have requested that the vignette allows her to stay in the country until the 20th Nov, did you request a leave date?

Thanks,

Tho.

[DanaMarie]

This is a standard template which even usually be given to those successful applicants who are not entitled to use e gates .

Interestingly I believe it was you who told me on the other post that it was likely an old letter or for people who had previous immigration issues, I believe. Also, by rule Americans are allowed to use the eGates since June this year. So this letter and the signs at the airports, which direct Americans to eGates are rather contradictory. Though the signs also state that if you are joining an EEA family member you should get a stamp. That said, often in the UK the "join an EEA family member" statement indicates everyone but UK citizens and with impending Brexit (don't get me started!) those signs definitely won't be relevant for UK citizens. As usual, clear as mud with this process!

[seagul]

This is a standard template which even usually be given to those successful applicants who are not entitled to use e gates .

Interestingly I believe it was you who told me on the other post that it was likely an old letter or for people who had previous immigration issues, I believe.

Yes but until near past it was a generic letter to all successful applicants.