Type: Non-priority (The priority service was unavailable at the time, however I'm sure I might have missed something)
21st Oct 2020: Online application paid and submitted
Approx 27th Oct: Documents sent visa post office to VFS scanning hub (UK) (would highly recommend you pay the extra to have your documents returned, never know if all your documents will be scanned or not)
18th Nov: Biometrics appointment
19th November: VFS email confirmation
13th December: Email from VFS to say application was received by UK decision making centre
24th Jan 2021: Used paid email service to UKVI, to request any possible updates
25th Jan: received reply stating a decision had been made and to wait on the Visa application centre to contact
26th Jan: Received 2 emails early morning (UK time). First was a general one from VFS, using application reference number, saying another email would follow regarding passport collection.
2nd email was from
srisbvac@gerrys.com.pk regarding passport collection and opening times of the Islamabad VAC and other details. There was no mention of the application number or spouses name.
29th Jan: Spouse went to collect passport and Alhamdulilah the result was a good one.
In this whole process neither of us received any calls or emails regarding anything. Even when my wife had not gone to collect passport for 2 days we received no further communication. Of course, most likely due to the covid situation. Also, I was really hesitant regarding the
srisbvac@gerrys.com.pk email, but with a quick google search I found that other people had also been contacted with this email too.
I'm just grateful this stage is finally complete and we can move forward. I'm praying for all you guys who are still waiting for decisions, starting your applications or in the middle of them. InshaAllah everything will go the way you wish for it too. With our application, I included as much evidence as I could regarding our texts, phone calls and any photos we had together. I hear now that they are asking for less evidence regarding texts and calls, but I would still be safe than sorry. Also! be honest!
EDIT: Also! The vignette given has a 3 month expiry date. I assumed it would still be the usual 28-30 days (?) and we request extension if necessary due to covid, but I guess its an auto 3 month one now.
