ILR set O in november

[awaheed]

Hello Friends,

We will be submitting our ILR applications (Tier-2), Set(O) in early Nov 2020 and need some guidance:

(1) The online application be filled out and submitted and an appointment should be taken for biometrics at one of the service centres.
1.a. No documents to be downloaded when online application is submitted. Correct?
1.b. Documents will be submitted/downloaded by the Service point staff on the day of appointment. Correct?
1.c. If we have already created PDF of the documents, how these fill be transferred to the UKVCAS system by the UKVCAS on the day of appointment? Should we save the PDFs etc on memory stick?
1.d. I am confused after seeing some of the post that applications or documents can be submitted directly to the UKVI. However, I think that online application and documents are submitted to UKVCAS first and then UKVCAS submit the whole pack to UKVI. The applicant does not need to do deal with UKVI during this process.
1.e. I have seen that a lot of applicants have opt out of the IDV app route and have gone for the in-person appointment at a Service Centre. What is the reason for that? Do they think the in-person appointment is more reliable and it would help speed up the application process? What would you recommend?

(2) I have seen the current decision turnaround timings on a different Post and have noticed that some of the fellows have received the decision within one calendar month from the date of submission of the online application to the date of receipt of the decision letter/email. Is this a general trend at present? My immigration consultant think otherwise that it is still taking 2-3 months in general.

(3) Can anybody guess, when the 'Priority' service is likely to open? Can we expect this by 1st - 2nd week of Nov-2020?

Many thanks for your time to respond to this query.

[CR001]

1a. Correct

1b. You can upload the documents yourself. It doesn't have to be done by the service centre staff.

1c. Upload them yourself!!

1d. You have to upload yourself then you might see the "submit" button. Note that you can only use the submit button once. Online application goes to ukvi. Documents are uploaded to ukcvas.

1e. Personal choice.

2. It varies from application to application.

3. No. Unlikely to be anytime soon.