UKVCAS Super Priority Service

[Apexhound]

Hello,

I’ve been browsing this thread for a while now and finally registered today.

My wife applied for ILR (Set m) priority service and hasn’t had a reply yet.

Date of submission : 22 Jan 2019
Documents scanned uploaded : 28 Jan 2019
Biometrics in Croydon Sopra Steria : 7 Feb 2019 @12pm.
Now the waiting game..

I’ve heard a person apply on Saturday after our appointment and got an email on a Sunday. I didn’t know they are working days for caseworkers.

Our case should be straight forward and her previous spouse visa renewal was granted 2.5 years ago without any issues.

Fingers crossed and will update you all if we get an answer.

Ken

Hi Ken, I'm in the same boat - Set(M), no problems with the initial two FLR(M) applications and nothing complex about our case; I also applied 22 Jan and biometrics 5 Feb (a VERY crowded Birmingham centre), still nothing - and others with appointments in between hearing back within 24 hrs, and others still waiting after a month, so it seems to be completely random who actually hears back and after how long. All the best to you guys - I know we're finding it super stressful (particularly with upcoming work and family travel).

Hey there,
I hope we get some good news soon. Yes the Croydon centre was VERY busy and I didn’t expect it to be like that.
I’ll keep you posted.

[abhijit19]

Would be good to get a new thread going about how to get refunds and who has managed to get refunds?

Someone started a new thread but was immediately locked down.
Not easy to wade through 112 pages of a thread to look at examples of people who have managed to get a refund.

[kriss13]

Hello everyone
i would like to share my experience for super priority Service.
i have submitted my ILR application (SET-O) via the new process. i have chosen the premium service.
Online application- 22 nov 2018
Attanded my biometric at croydon- 01 dec 2018
received standard email was like standard 6 months service- 24 dec 2018

Escalate them again by calling and email to home office but no response till end of january and without giving decisoin on my application they refund super priority fees back to my bank account.

i have only ask them to escalate the process never ask for refund after that i chase them by calling 2 times but till today no response. Please share your experience and help us further.

[Wishingpig]

Hello everyone
i would like to share my experience for super priority Service.
i have submitted my ILR application (SET-O) via the new process. i have chosen the premium service.
Online application- 22 nov 2018
Attanded my biometric at croydon- 01 dec 2018
received standard email was like standard 6 months service- 24 dec 2018

Escalate them again by calling and email to home office but no response till end of january and without giving decisoin on my application they refund super priority fees back to my bank account.

i have only ask them to escalate the process never ask for refund after that i chase them by calling 2 times but till today no response. Please share your experience and help us further.

That's so awful! Can't believe they could behave like that.

[hopeforall9]

Got a weird email at 16:28 today, which has the escalation reference from last week in the subject line:

'still not recived a decision customer is asking for a phone call regarding her application'

I feel like this was a note that they added to the escalation and the note got sent to me. Has this happened to anyone else before? and yes received was misspelt in the email.

[cvkiran]

Wow! reading this thread is scary!!! I applied super priority for ICT Tier 2 extension yesterday and have got no email or contact from anyone yet.

Looks like early days but feel cheated now that I paid a premium rate for this service and not sure how much more longer I will end up waiting. One of my colleagues who applied today morning hot his approval email in the evening same day. So this is just random rather than any logic. We both work for same organisation who issues the COS. So unable to understand the logic.

Will wait and update if I get anything. People have mentioned about escalating to HO ...how do you do that?

[Cara1]

Would be good to get a new thread going about how to get refunds and who has managed to get refunds?

Someone started a new thread but was immediately locked down.
Not easy to wade through 112 pages of a thread to look at examples of people who have managed to get a refund.

Hi,

I started a new post and it was been immediately locked. I understand reading through 112 pages is very hard and seriously saying the last 40 pages I’ve read there’s noone talking about the procedure for refund, so I don’t get it.

Regards,
Cara

[CR001]

Would be good to get a new thread going about how to get refunds and who has managed to get refunds?

Someone started a new thread but was immediately locked down.
Not easy to wade through 112 pages of a thread to look at examples of people who have managed to get a refund.

Hi,

I started a new post and it was been immediately locked. I understand reading through 112 pages is very hard and seriously saying the last 40 pages I’ve read there’s noone talking about the procedure for refund, so I don’t get it.

Regards,
Cara

Most members have received automatic refunds!!

Starting another topic that goes on and on and off topic is difficult to moderate and keep in check. This isn't the only very long topic the 3 most active mods have to keep an eye on!!

[Cara1]

I’m sorry, don’t intend to be rude here. Automatic refunds how? Reading this long link, I’ve realised hardly anyone’s received an answer in 24 hours. Is there link or telephone no for refunds application?

Thanks.

Regards,
Cara

[CR001]

I’m sorry, don’t intend to be rude here. Automatic refunds how? Reading this long link, I’ve realised hardly anyone’s received an answer in 24 hours. Is there link or telephone no for refunds application?

Thanks.

Regards,
Cara

Members have posted that after escalating and writing to complaints that they received an auto refund of the super priority fee. Some have had this confirmed in correspondence from HO when application was approved.

[passing_by]

Hi,

I started a new post and it was been immediately locked. I understand reading through 112 pages is very hard and seriously saying the last 40 pages I’ve read there’s noone talking about the procedure for refund, so I don’t get it.

Regards,
Cara

really happy to see so many of the 'old timers' getting approval.

we all stuck through it together! Blitz spirit! Fingers crossed for those still waiting.

I got my refund so wanted to explain what I did, as people's minds are turning more to that now.

I got a mailing address off this thread (from waaaaaaay back in November I think)

The Charging Team
UKVI
The Capital Building
Liverpool
L3 9PP

I sent them a letter three days ago:

1. Put all info relating to my wife: name, UAN, case number, DoB, nationality, biometric appointment info, application date, etc.

2. Paragraph about why I'm writing

3. Quoted their own email to them which said: "We aim to complete all applications within the 24-hour service standard. However, where we are not able to do this we will complete the application as quickly as possible and where delays in making the decision are not the fault of the customer, the super priority service fee will be refunded."

And today, that £610 went back onto our credit card. Super happy about that. I think that's the place to write and we got the refund far faster than we were expecting.

[passing_by]

Will wait and update if I get anything. People have mentioned about escalating to HO ...how do you do that?

Hope you will receive your decesion soon.

If not, you may escalate via the UKVI phone number after 6 working days have passed since your biometrics appointment. But this "escalation" is one of the most useless options during this process, if not the most useless one. It literally does nothing with respect to the timeline of your specific decision.

[raghu.raju457]

Hello,
Apointment on 30/01/19
Email received on 30/01/19
Letter received from home office on 01/02/19
Biometric AWAITING..

It's been nearly 9 working days. On letter it does say 10. I am getting worried. Is there anyway to check when and how early can I receive my BRP. I have a new job offer and can't prove my eligibility to work as they don't accept the letter.

Hi ndb2019

you are not alone my visa was approved on 17/01/2019 still waiting for BRP. Its almost 18 working days still no response.

My Solicitor filled the form after 10 working days even after that no response she had to make few emails and calls then they come back saying we have referred your case back to the original case worker to investigate and we will response in due course.

Not sure how long is due course me too waiting for the BRP as I have new job offer waiting

Thanks

Hi All

Update on process, my Solicitor has received an email and letter saying they have lost mu Biometric Information and requesting for re do the Biometrics again in the participating Post Office and this Biometrics is for free of cost!!!!!!!!. And asking to email them as soon as I have done my biometrics

The letter made me surprise however I have no choice so I have to re take the biometrics and now waiting for them to come back

Thanks

[hdave01]

I received a letter from my MP that he has escalated the case to the UKVI MP's correspondence team (on 7th Feb) and has requested them to expedite the case. I made second escalation over UKVI helpline on 11th Feb and received standard email with '..aim to complete in 24 hours' rhetoric on 12th Feb.

My case history so far:
Online Set (O) submission: 22nd Dec, 2018
Biometrics submitted at Croydon Sopra Steria: 28th Jan, 2019 (Super Priority)
First Escalation on phone: 5th Feb, 2019 (Received generic auto-reply same day)
MP Escalation: 7th Feb
Second Escalation on phone: 11th Feb, 2019 (Received generic auto-reply on 12th Feb)

Isn't it amazing that UKVI has decided to take £600 from us first, and then 'Decide' whether they can provide that service or not. Imagine if other businesses were run that way. You pay first but service is not guaranteed.

Since the Set (O) form is online now why can't they provide option to select an upgrade to 'Priority' service if the caseworker feels they can turn it around in 24 hours and THEN take the money from you. Similar to how when you apply for a sporting event tickets in public ballot, you are given an option to upgrade to next tier, if you are not allocated tickets in the price range you've selected.

By continuing to follow the current model of 'You-pay-First-We-Decide-Later' UKVI will be sitting on a huge pile of monies for months. No other business I know of can get away with this model of sitting on customer's money for months and simply refund it after few weeks. What a joke!!

[pinam]

I’m sorry, don’t intend to be rude here. Automatic refunds how? Reading this long link, I’ve realised hardly anyone’s received an answer in 24 hours. Is there link or telephone no for refunds application?

Thanks.

Regards,
Cara

Hi Cara1,

I emailed to complaints@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk around 8 days ago for refund. I stated my application number and complete timeline of the application. I also mentioned about various escalations I made after 5 working days deadline. I received a reply from home office next day that they failed to meet 24 hour deadline in my case and I will get the refund in 28 working days. I am still waiting for the refund now.

Please email them and wait to get their feedback. I hope this helps.

[Apexhound]

I’ve just spoken to someone on the UKVI hotline and they said that decisions are made within 24hours and they have 5 working days after that to send out an email or letter regarding the outcome. She said for my wife’s case if she enrolled biometrics on 7th Feb, if we don’t hear from them on 14th Feb then contact them and they will take all my wife’s application details etc and send it to the main office to ask them to look into it.

Cheers,
Ken

[Wishingpig]

I received a letter from my MP that he has escalated the case to the UKVI MP's correspondence team (on 7th Feb) and has requested them to expedite the case. I made second escalation over UKVI helpline on 11th Feb and received standard email with '..aim to complete in 24 hours' rhetoric on 12th Feb.

My case history so far:
Online Set (O) submission: 22nd Dec, 2018
Biometrics submitted at Croydon Sopra Steria: 28th Jan, 2019 (Super Priority)
First Escalation on phone: 5th Feb, 2019 (Received generic auto-reply same day)
MP Escalation: 7th Feb
Second Escalation on phone: 11th Feb, 2019 (Received generic auto-reply on 12th Feb)

Isn't it amazing that UKVI has decided to take £600 from us first, and then 'Decide' whether they can provide that service or not. Imagine if other businesses were run that way. You pay first but service is not guaranteed.

Since the Set (O) form is online now why can't they provide option to select an upgrade to 'Priority' service if the caseworker feels they can turn it around in 24 hours and THEN take the money from you. Similar to how when you apply for a sporting event tickets in public ballot, you are given an option to upgrade to next tier, if you are not allocated tickets in the price range you've selected.

By continuing to follow the current model of 'You-pay-First-We-Decide-Later' UKVI will be sitting on a huge pile of monies for months. No other business I know of can get away with this model of sitting on customer's money for months and simply refund it after few weeks. What a joke!!

May I ask how long did your MP take to respond to your email? I emailed my MP two days ago but still haven't heard back yet. Thanks! Good luck with your case. Totally agree this Home Office business model is absurd.

[hdave01]

I received a letter from my MP that he has escalated the case to the UKVI MP's correspondence team (on 7th Feb) and has requested them to expedite the case. I made second escalation over UKVI helpline on 11th Feb and received standard email with '..aim to complete in 24 hours' rhetoric on 12th Feb.

My case history so far:
Online Set (O) submission: 22nd Dec, 2018
Biometrics submitted at Croydon Sopra Steria: 28th Jan, 2019 (Super Priority)
First Escalation on phone: 5th Feb, 2019 (Received generic auto-reply same day)
MP Escalation: 7th Feb
Second Escalation on phone: 11th Feb, 2019 (Received generic auto-reply on 12th Feb)

Isn't it amazing that UKVI has decided to take £600 from us first, and then 'Decide' whether they can provide that service or not. Imagine if other businesses were run that way. You pay first but service is not guaranteed.

Since the Set (O) form is online now why can't they provide option to select an upgrade to 'Priority' service if the caseworker feels they can turn it around in 24 hours and THEN take the money from you. Similar to how when you apply for a sporting event tickets in public ballot, you are given an option to upgrade to next tier, if you are not allocated tickets in the price range you've selected.

By continuing to follow the current model of 'You-pay-First-We-Decide-Later' UKVI will be sitting on a huge pile of monies for months. No other business I know of can get away with this model of sitting on customer's money for months and simply refund it after few weeks. What a joke!!

May I ask how long did your MP take to respond to your email? I emailed my MP two days ago but still haven't heard back yet. Thanks! Good luck with your case. Totally agree this Home Office business model is absurd.

I emailed my MP on 4th Feb. I got an auto-email that his office aims to reply within 10 working days of receiving emails. I called their office on 6th Feb to request prompt assistance. They wrote to UKVI on my behalf on 7th Feb.

The best way is to call after sending email to express the urgency of the matter. I also highlighted the fact that I not only have planned personal holidays which are at risk but also my work might require me to travel at short notice.

[passing_by]

May I ask how long did your MP take to respond to your email? I emailed my MP two days ago but still haven't heard back yet. Thanks! Good luck with your case. Totally agree this Home Office business model is absurd.

My MP responded after 1.5 weeks only after escalating it with his office (his secretary told me that the MP usually responds within 2 weeks and he is very busy). After not hearing neither from his first response nor from the HO I called the MP secretary again. She told me that they usually give the HO 20 working days to respond to the MP

[Wishingpig]

I received a letter from my MP that he has escalated the case to the UKVI MP's correspondence team (on 7th Feb) and has requested them to expedite the case. I made second escalation over UKVI helpline on 11th Feb and received standard email with '..aim to complete in 24 hours' rhetoric on 12th Feb.

My case history so far:
Online Set (O) submission: 22nd Dec, 2018
Biometrics submitted at Croydon Sopra Steria: 28th Jan, 2019 (Super Priority)
First Escalation on phone: 5th Feb, 2019 (Received generic auto-reply same day)
MP Escalation: 7th Feb
Second Escalation on phone: 11th Feb, 2019 (Received generic auto-reply on 12th Feb)

Isn't it amazing that UKVI has decided to take £600 from us first, and then 'Decide' whether they can provide that service or not. Imagine if other businesses were run that way. You pay first but service is not guaranteed.

Since the Set (O) form is online now why can't they provide option to select an upgrade to 'Priority' service if the caseworker feels they can turn it around in 24 hours and THEN take the money from you. Similar to how when you apply for a sporting event tickets in public ballot, you are given an option to upgrade to next tier, if you are not allocated tickets in the price range you've selected.

By continuing to follow the current model of 'You-pay-First-We-Decide-Later' UKVI will be sitting on a huge pile of monies for months. No other business I know of can get away with this model of sitting on customer's money for months and simply refund it after few weeks. What a joke!!

May I ask how long did your MP take to respond to your email? I emailed my MP two days ago but still haven't heard back yet. Thanks! Good luck with your case. Totally agree this Home Office business model is absurd.

I emailed my MP on 4th Feb. I got an auto-email that his office aims to reply within 10 working days of receiving emails. I called their office on 6th Feb to request prompt assistance. They wrote to UKVI on my behalf on 7th Feb.

The best way is to call after sending email to express the urgency of the matter. I also highlighted the fact that I not only have planned personal holidays which are at risk but also my work might require me to travel at short notice.

Thank you! That's very helpful. I will call tomorrow MP if there is still no email reply yet. Good luck with your escalation.

[Eagle123]

I’m sorry, don’t intend to be rude here. Automatic refunds how? Reading this long link, I’ve realised hardly anyone’s received an answer in 24 hours. Is there link or telephone no for refunds application?

Thanks.

Regards,
Cara

Hi, I have not received a refund yet, even though I was promised a refund in several e-mails from the HO, including a response to my complaint, where they say I will get a refund "in due course" without any indication of the date. So far I called HO regarding the refund and was given an e-mail address where I should write in regards to the refund arrangement, which I did 2 weeks ago. Still no response. I also sent a letter to the adress below last week.
The Charging Team
UKVI
The Capital Building
Liverpool
L3 9PP

I followed up with my initial complaint and sent new complaint. Hope they will arrange a refund by the end of the month. Absolutely awful service and it is painful to see how many people suffer and still waiting for the desicion since Nov-Dec. Hope everyone will get their decision and refunds soon. Refund didn't happen automatically in my case. If anyone can let me know how to get the refund I will appreciate this information.

[mental4vray]

The painful wait is finally over. I just received email from the caseworker at 11 am saturday morning that my ILR is granted.

Here's my timeline so far:

18th January: Application submission online
24th January, 7:30 am @ Premium Lounge: Biometrics appointment
1st February: First escalation by calling 03001232241
3rd February: Complaint email at complaints@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
4th February 14:15: Email to MP
4th February 15:30: MP replied back saying he has raised the issue with home office and will get back to me when he has more info.
8th February: Second escalation

9th February 11:30: Email from case worked that ILR is granted.

12th February, 7:30am: Received approval letter dated 9th Feb by Royal Mail Priority
13th February 8am: Received BRP card valid from 9th Feb 2019 to 31st December 2024

I plan to send a email to the complaints email id if I don't receive any refund in this week.

[silverman]

On the topic of refunds, how about invoking Sec75 protection if fee was paid using a credit card? Just a thought..

[morgan314]

Just to share my timeline:

Tier 2 to ILR Set O
Online application: 19th January 2019
Biometric enrollment: 28th January London premium lounge
MP escalation: 5th Feb
Phone escalation: 5th Feb
Email decision: waiting
Approval letter: waiting
BRP: waiting

Finger crossed the decision is coming soon.

2nd MP phone escalation: 7th Feb

still waiting for the reply.

Email decision received: 11th Feb 5pm APPROVED!
Approval letter: waiting
BRP: waiting

11 working days...wish you guys all the best. You will all be there.

Approval letter received: 13th Feb
BRP: waiting

[dragon098]

really happy to see so many of the 'old timers' getting approval.

we all stuck through it together! Blitz spirit! Fingers crossed for those still waiting.

I got my refund so wanted to explain what I did, as people's minds are turning more to that now.

I got a mailing address off this thread (from waaaaaaay back in November I think)

The Charging Team
UKVI
The Capital Building
Liverpool
L3 9PP

I sent them a letter three days ago:

1. Put all info relating to my wife: name, UAN, case number, DoB, nationality, biometric appointment info, application date, etc.

2. Paragraph about why I'm writing

3. Quoted their own email to them which said: "We aim to complete all applications within the 24-hour service standard. However, where we are not able to do this we will complete the application as quickly as possible and where delays in making the decision are not the fault of the customer, the super priority service fee will be refunded."

And today, that £610 went back onto our credit card. Super happy about that. I think that's the place to write and we got the refund far faster than we were expecting.

[/quote]

Cheers for this I have just typed a letter and going to post so I can receive my refund. Not sure why some are getting automatic refund and some aren't. Maybe they don't want to give us refund but I am going to fight back for my money. my hard earned money.