**** COVID19 and UKVCAS Appointments **** (ONLY discuss here)

[zimba]

I don't quite understand their new post. It isn't clear if they are reopening the priority services. What is your interpretation?

It is quite amazing that I almost daily repost (as below) that priority service has nothing to do with UKVCAS but I guess I have to post it every hour

[zimba]

Priority visa processing service is a VISA SERVICE offered by UKVI. You choose this during application submission.

This is NOT related to the appointment booking services offered by UKVCAS or their operations.

Priority visa processing services are NOT offered by UKVI for now, possibly due to a large existing backlog of applications. You should continue with your application using the Standard service for now.

When you apply using the standard service, NO upgrade option is available to change your application to priority later

If you already applied and you're looking to book your appointment with UKVCAS, here is the latest update from UKVCAS:

In order to be fair to everyone, we are now opening up the booking system in date order starting with people who registered with UKVCAS before the 27th March but did not have an appointment. We are working from the earliest to the most recent registrations as we think this is the fairest and best approach to take. If you are one of these customers, you will have an email from us on the 21st or 22nd of June asking you to book an appointment. The email will have full instructions about next actions.

https://www.ukvcas.co.uk/flash-message- ... geId=74833

[drhanfar]

I lodged a complain regarding the unclear situation of the super priority service because I believe it makes more sense that UKVI can inform applicants regarding the resumption of the service to help them during these times. Following is the response I received from the UKVI. I hope it will help people here on this forum.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted all UKVI services. Global travel and public health restrictions have resulted in the closure of Visa Application Centres (VACs) overseas and in the UK. We have therefore been unbale to operate at full capacity and some services have been delayed as a result. As global travel and public health restrictions begin to lift, UKVI is beginning a phased approach to resuming services, where local conditions allow. From 1st June, UKVCAS began a controlled, phased restart of operations at UKVCAS Service points. As part of Phase 1 restart UKVCAS has starting booking appointments for customers who had an existing appointment prior to the suspension of the service, and had their appointments postponed.

Unfortunately, at present we cannot confirm a date when the UKVCAS centres will be open for new customers to be able to book the Super Priority Visa service.

Whilst I understand this might not be the outcome you expected, I hope my response clarifies the position. If you are concerned about your situation please contact the Coronavirus Immigration Helpline at: CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk.

I believe I have addressed all the points you have raised. However, if you feel that there are specific aspects that have not been addressed you can request a review of our response within one month of the date on this correspondence by emailing us at:

complaintsreview@homeoffice.gov.uk.

Please ensure that you provide us with specific details setting out why you believe a review is required. This will enable us to provide you with a full response. You can also review the next stages of our complaints process at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisat ... -procedure.


Yours sincerely
"

[zimba]

Please note that there never been such a thing as a super priority appointment.

The super priority service is provided by UK Visa and Immigration (Home office) and has NOTHING to do with UKVCAS (which is a third party). UKVCAS operations has no relation to the return of super priority. It is up to UK Visa and Immigration (Home office) to bring the super priority processing back (they are the ones that process your visa application)

UKVCAS is ONLY in charge of collecting your documents and Biometrics and pass them on to UKVI for processing.

By submitting a super priority application, UKVI will aim to assign a caseworker to your application within 24 hours of your appointment, regardless of when or how and where you enrolled your Biometrics.

When you show up for your appointment, it does NOT matter whether you have applied for a standard or super priority visa application. ALL applicants must book an appointment with UKVCAS regardless of their application type.

The level of service you have requested from UKVI has no bearing on UKVCAS operations. I have been repeating this for months here and I hope this clears it up a little more.

[ilrupdates]

Hi there, Can I register myself on UKVCAS system before the submission of my online application to UKVI?

Thanks

[zimba]

Hi there, Can I register myself on UKVCAS system before the submission of my online application to UKVI?

Thanks

No. UKVCAS account can only be created only after you successfully submitted your application with UKVI

[ilrupdates]

Hi there, Can I register myself on UKVCAS system before the submission of my online application to UKVI?

Thanks

No. UKVCAS account can only be created only after you successfully submitted your application with UKVI

Thanks Zimba, One more confusion if you can help me out please. Is there any specific time limit to upload supporting documents to UKVCAS system after the successful submission of online application to UKVI? I mean to ask can they be uploaded any time before I attend the UKVCAS appointment irrespective to the fact even if it takes longer (say few months) to book appointment due to current Covid-19?
Thanks

[CULLINAN]

Hi there, Can I register myself on UKVCAS system before the submission of my online application to UKVI?

Thanks

No. UKVCAS account can only be created only after you successfully submitted your application with UKVI

Thanks Zimba, One more confusion if you can help me out please. Is there any specific time limit to upload supporting documents to UKVCAS system after the successful submission of online application to UKVI? I mean to ask can they be uploaded any time before I attend the UKVCAS appointment irrespective to the fact even if it takes longer (say few months) to book appointment due to current Covid-19?
Thanks

You can upload anytime before your UKVCAS biometric appointment. Note the date of application is the date you pay and submit your online application. Biometrics date is irrelevant. Once you pay and submit via UKVI, only then you will be able to create an account on UKVCAS. At this point in time you will have to wait to book an UKVCAS appointment though and see how the phased release of appointments go ahead.

[moal11]

Can I travel outside the UK after submitting my ILR application using standard service and while waiting for the biometrics to be enrolled? As by this scenario, it could take a while to have an appointment for the biometrics.

Thanks...

[CULLINAN]

Can I travel outside the UK after submitting my ILR application using standard service and while waiting for the biometrics to be enrolled? As by this scenario, it could take a while to have an appointment for the biometrics.

Thanks...

No

[happy_curious]

Hello,

Question regarding UKVCAS's latest announcement on 19th June. Opening based on "registration date". Is this the date the applicant submitted the application via UKVI's website and was issued a UAN or the date the applicant registered an account with UKVCAS ?

In my case, I registered an account with UKVCAS around 6 months ago for another application which was granted successfully. But a few weeks ago I applied for ILR. So when I log-in to the UKVCAS website, I need to enter my ILR's UAN. So I am confused whether UKVCAS prioritizes my "registration date" (6 months ago ?!) or the date UAN was issued for my latest application (a few weeks ago). Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[CULLINAN]

Hello,

Question regarding UKVCAS's latest announcement on 19th June. Opening based on "registration date". Is this the date the applicant submitted the application via UKVI's website and was issued a UAN or the date the applicant registered an account with UKVCAS ?

In my case, I registered an account with UKVCAS around 6 months ago for another application which was granted successfully. But a few weeks ago I applied for ILR. So when I log-in to the UKVCAS website, I need to enter my ILR's UAN. So I am confused whether UKVCAS prioritizes my "registration date" (6 months ago ?!) or the date UAN was issued for my latest application (a few weeks ago). Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

To be fair to everyone, most likely: “or the date UAN was issued for my latest application”

[zimba]

Hello,

Question regarding UKVCAS's latest announcement on 19th June. Opening based on "registration date". Is this the date the applicant submitted the application via UKVI's website and was issued a UAN or the date the applicant registered an account with UKVCAS ?

In my case, I registered an account with UKVCAS around 6 months ago for another application which was granted successfully. But a few weeks ago I applied for ILR. So when I log-in to the UKVCAS website, I need to enter my ILR's UAN. So I am confused whether UKVCAS prioritizes my "registration date" (6 months ago ?!) or the date UAN was issued for my latest application (a few weeks ago). Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

If you did not get an email from them, then you are not one of the people who is given priority. Because you had an account previously with UKVCAS, you will not get in front of the line

[prayforus]

When was your original appointment date?

First week of April.

[adatitan]

I registered on 13th of April.
when did everyone else registered?

We submitted and registered on 26th March so I am hoping they will send us an email to book an appointment finally after 3 months.
Well, if you think we are lucky, you are wrong. When we registered on 26th March, there were few biometrics appointments available on UKVCAS but I told my husband that according to immigrationboards, they are canceling all the appointments so there is no point to book one. We could have priority appointments in the beginning of June and probably approval by now!
By the way, everybody will get appointments and approvals soon. Hope things get back to normal soon.

[happy_curious]

Hello,

Question regarding UKVCAS's latest announcement on 19th June. Opening based on "registration date". Is this the date the applicant submitted the application via UKVI's website and was issued a UAN or the date the applicant registered an account with UKVCAS ?

In my case, I registered an account with UKVCAS around 6 months ago for another application which was granted successfully. But a few weeks ago I applied for ILR. So when I log-in to the UKVCAS website, I need to enter my ILR's UAN. So I am confused whether UKVCAS prioritizes my "registration date" (6 months ago ?!) or the date UAN was issued for my latest application (a few weeks ago). Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

If you did not get an email from them, then you are not one of the people who is given priority. Because you had an account previously with UKVCAS, you will not get in front of the line

Thank you. I just hope they take the "date of UAN" as the priority date and put people in the queue based on that. Otherwise, it will become unclear and confusing for people like me who registered with UKVCAS a long time a go for previous applications.

[gc362952246]

I registered on 13th of April.
when did everyone else registered?

We submitted and registered on 26th March so I am hoping they will send us an email to book an appointment finally after 3 months.
Well, if you think we are lucky, you are wrong. When we registered on 26th March, there were few biometrics appointments available on UKVCAS but I told my husband that according to immigrationboards, they are canceling all the appointments so there is no point to book one. We could have priority appointments in the beginning of June and probably approval by now!
By the way, everybody will get appointments and approvals soon. Hope things get back to normal soon.

Ye, no one predicted this. Are you guys planning to book a priority service or take the standard route? You are lucky that your current visa is allowing you for such a long wait!
Please keep us updated if there is any news!

[Leeee704]

hi Everyone, I hope everyone is safe and healthy.
I have gone through some of the questions and answers being asked on this post about priority service.
My long residency ILR is due since Feb 2020 was just being lazy honestly to fill out the application.

My question is
I have completed my application Now but on the last page of payment, it was only standard service available. To get priority service do I need to wait on this page and keep checking for priority service?

[zimba]

Priority visa processing service is a VISA SERVICE offered by UKVI. You choose this during application submission.

This is NOT related to the appointment booking services offered by UKVCAS or their operations.

Priority visa processing services are NOT offered by UKVI for now, possibly due to a large existing backlog of applications. You should continue with your application using the Standard service for now.

When you apply using the standard service, NO upgrade option is available to change your application to priority later

If you already applied and you're looking to book your appointment with UKVCAS, here is the latest update from UKVCAS:

In order to be fair to everyone, we are now opening up the booking system in date order starting with people who registered with UKVCAS before the 27th March but did not have an appointment. We are working from the earliest to the most recent registrations as we think this is the fairest and best approach to take. If you are one of these customers, you will have an email from us on the 21st or 22nd of June asking you to book an appointment. The email will have full instructions about next actions.

https://www.ukvcas.co.uk/flash-message- ... geId=74833

[jvjroop]

Hi
did anyone get email from UKVCAS to book appointement as they said they will send emails on 21st or 22nd ?
Thanks

[jivda]

Hi,

I'm not sure where to post this but it's somewhat relevant to COVID-19 and biometrics.

I'm waiting for UKVCAS to open appointments (applied just after they closed their centres), but I was wondering when I get ILR what date is it valid from? I'm wanting to get citizenship and a British passport and want to know if I have to wait a year from when I receive my BRP card or if it happens to start on the application date (ie I could apply for citizenship in April 2021).

Thanks

[CR001]

Hi,

I'm not sure where to post this but it's somewhat relevant to COVID-19 and biometrics.

I'm waiting for UKVCAS to open appointments (applied just after they closed their centres), but I was wondering when I get ILR what date is it valid from? I'm wanting to get citizenship and a British passport and want to know if I have to wait a year from when I receive my BRP card or if it happens to start on the application date (ie I could apply for citizenship in April 2021).

Thanks

Date if ilr is from the date of approval or ilr issue date. It is NOT from the application date.

[CULLINAN]

Hi,

I'm not sure where to post this but it's somewhat relevant to COVID-19 and biometrics.

I'm waiting for UKVCAS to open appointments (applied just after they closed their centres), but I was wondering when I get ILR what date is it valid from? I'm wanting to get citizenship and a British passport and want to know if I have to wait a year from when I receive my BRP card or if it happens to start on the application date (ie I could apply for citizenship in April 2021).

Thanks

You need full 12 months after ILR approval date/ILR BRP date if you have to apply in your own right and NOT married to a BC.

[Freetownean2]

Hi, can you explain this to us properly please ''if you have to apply in your own right and NOT married to a BC.''

Does this means after ILR one has to wait for another 12 months before applying for naturalisation? Does this refers to all ILR categories?

[CR001]

Hi, can you explain this to us properly please ''if you have to apply in your own right and NOT married to a BC.''

Does this means after ILR one has to wait for another 12 months before applying for naturalisation? Does this refers to all ILR categories?

If you are not married to a British citizen, you have to wait the full 12 months on ikr before you can apply for citizenship. This applies to all ILR routes.