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

[CULLINAN]

dear Gurus ,
i am member of this forum since almost 5 years got entrepreneur visa and then extension because your help and advise.
my ILR is due since Feb 2020 (10 year route) my case is very straight forward i guess.
MBA, PSW, entrepreneur then extension.
i was waiting for same day service to start. same time i was following the forum. now i hve decided to apply on standard rout which i guess is only option left for me.
i need help regarding once i submit my application (which is ready) and pay the fee
how i can choose idv app option or appointment option or which option is really working ?
idv option comes after i submit my documents ?

please need your guidance once more
if i have missed any point please highlight it and give me advise on it.
Thanks

IDV is the past now. You will have to book an appointment.

[Leeee704]

dear Gurus ,
i am member of this forum since almost 5 years got entrepreneur visa and then extension because your help and advise.
my ILR is due since Feb 2020 (10 year route) my case is very straight forward i guess.
MBA, PSW, entrepreneur then extension.
i was waiting for same day service to start. same time i was following the forum. now i hve decided to apply on standard rout which i guess is only option left for me.
i need help regarding once i submit my application (which is ready) and pay the fee
how i can choose idv app option or appointment option or which option is really working ?
idv option comes after i submit my documents ?

please need your guidance once more
if i have missed any point please highlight it and give me advise on it.
Thanks

IDV is the past now. You will have to book an appointment.

Thanks for your swift reply Cullinan.
1- so i have to submit the application and upload my documents like it use to be before covid
2- have to find an appointment in one of the centers and submit my biomatrix in centre ?

[CULLINAN]

@Leee704
Yes UKVCAS went to normal operations on 21st Sep.

[Leeee704]

@Leee704
Yes UKVCAS went to normal operations on 21st Sep.

oh really so i am not updated. can i get priority appointment now while submiting my application ?

[CULLINAN]

@Leee704
Yes UKVCAS went to normal operations on 21st Sep.

oh really so i am not updated. can i get priority appointment now while submiting my application ?

UKVI Super priority is suspended. UKVCAS only deals with biometrics. Do not confuse both.

[swissman20]

Hi all,

I've applied for my SET (LR) after having waited over 5 months to get my Tier 2 G extension approved with my current employer. After completing the payment for the application I've been looking for appointment availability but there seems to be no slots. Last night as I checked, Birmingham had slots for Nov 20 (£199) and this morning absolutely nothing.

When I search for slots, I only get availability for 10 centres while the UKVCAS announcment states there are more service points being open. Should I be changing the criteria for my search?

Appreciate your help.

The appointments seem to be available only after 3/4 weeks. You can change different postcodes to check different locations. Keep checking during the day and especially at 12AM GMT. There are cancellations sometimes and you may get lucky to book an earlier one.

Thank you Cullinan, I will follow your advice. Appreciate your advice to me and many other members.

[Leeee704]

@Leee704
Yes UKVCAS went to normal operations on 21st Sep.

oh really so i am not updated. can i get priority appointment now while submiting my application ?

UKVI Super priority is suspended. UKVCAS only deals with biometrics. Do not confuse both.

i really appreciate your help SORRY my mistake.
once i submit my application via standard route everything else is normal ? like uploading my documents on UKVCAS LINK and finding an appointment for biomatrix ?

[CULLINAN]

@Leee704
Yes UKVCAS went to normal operations on 21st Sep.

oh really so i am not updated. can i get priority appointment now while submiting my application ?

UKVI Super priority is suspended. UKVCAS only deals with biometrics. Do not confuse both.

i really appreciate your help SORRY my mistake.
once i submit my application via standard route everything else is normal ? like uploading my documents on UKVCAS LINK and finding an appointment for biomatrix ?

Yes.

[unknown10111]

Hi - I've just booked a (free) biometrics appointment in London exactly 4 weeks from now. I desperately need to get my ILR on time to travel in December to visit a sick relative. I can see that once you book the appointment, there is no way of seeing current appointment availability unless you cancel. Is there someone who is going to be booking an appointment over the next week or some kind of system where some kind soul could let me know if there are any earlier appointments available, don't mind if they're paid?! I'm really desperate and worried that end November gives me a very tight timeline - I would have to be really lucky and get my BRP like 3 weeks after to be able to travel

Would appreciate any help or advice anyone could provide - thanks!

[CULLINAN]

For new applicants help sake:

1) Documents submission:

Self-submission is optional but I would recommend it as your documents will be sent to UKVI even before biometrics and you will save time. It has nothing to do with biometrics appointment booking. However, this option is only available up to 48 hours before biometrics appointment.

2) Appointment booking:

Try different postcodes to view different locations. Look through out the day for any cancellations or 12AM GMT. Look for 1-2 days regularly, you maybe able to find an earlier one due to a cancellation. Appointments are reported to be available only after 3/4 weeks gap these days. Book the one available if you fail to book any earlier one in 1-2 days. Recommended because if you book a date now lets say, you will not be able to view the earlier availability (if any cancellations) then. Worth 1-2 days regular check.

3) Date of application:

Date of application is the date you pay and submit online. Biometrics date is irrelevant. You have a 2 months deadline though after application date. Documents upload date/self-submission is irrelevant but recommended.

[Tanush01]

For new applicants help sake:

1) Documents submission:

Self-submission is optional but I would recommend it as your documents will be sent to UKVI even before biometrics and you will save time. It has nothing to do with biometrics appointment booking. However, this option is only available up to 48 hours before biometrics appointment.

2) Appointment booking:

Try different postcodes to view different locations. Look through out the day for any cancellations or 12AM GMT. Look for 1-2 days regularly, you maybe able to find an earlier one due to a cancellation. Appointments are reported to be available only after 3/4 weeks gap these days. Book the one available if you fail to book any earlier one in 1-2 days. Recommended because if you book a date now lets say, you will not be able to view the earlier availability (if any cancellations) then. Worth 1-2 days regular check.

3) Date of application:

Date of application is the date you pay and submit online. Biometrics date is irrelevant. You have a 2 months deadline though after application date. Documents upload date/self-submission is irrelevant but recommended.

Many Thanks Cullinan for your response

I have just searched near to my postcode & able to book appointments for 23 Nov since new slots have do come up after 12am. I will try calling ukvcas to find out if anything is visible at their end to reschedule early since I tried many postcodes & didn't find any.

One more point - while I booked appointment, I was expecting email with QR code however have not received anything... checked my junk, spam folder as well.

Is it worth escalating to ukvcas or is it normal. Will I receive it later on?

As guided, I will submit the docs as well - thanks

Kind Regards

[CULLINAN]

@Tanush01

1) UKVCAS helpline can do nothing in relation to booking any earlier appointments. Since you have booked now for 23rd Nov, you can not view any more availability. Stick with the appointment. You will only waste your time and money calling them.

2) QR code can take a couple of hours to come also. It will come soon.

[CULLINAN]

@Ameline

Definitely the reports on this forum alone are a very small proportion of the total number of cases HO receives/user experience’s shared here.

The overall picture is even worse.

I browsed some other forums and facebook immigration pages, people have reported waiting since Feb-June for FLR(M)’s, SET(M)’s - I focused on spouse visas’s only.

Just to share one: one person even reported that HO emailed back after 5 months that they do not have the documents even when the documents were submitted in March!!

[mesn]

Friend got a decision last week in 3 working days (T2G > Set O). But no decision update yet this week in the timelines forum.

[fx125]

Hi - I've just booked a (free) biometrics appointment in London exactly 4 weeks from now. I desperately need to get my ILR on time to travel in December to visit a sick relative. I can see that once you book the appointment, there is no way of seeing current appointment availability unless you cancel. Is there someone who is going to be booking an appointment over the next week or some kind of system where some kind soul could let me know if there are any earlier appointments available, don't mind if they're paid?! I'm really desperate and worried that end November gives me a very tight timeline - I would have to be really lucky and get my BRP like 3 weeks after to be able to travel

Would appreciate any help or advice anyone could provide - thanks!

I have seen quite a few slots in uncommon places like Sunderland, Wakefield, etc...where they have as early as 04 Nov but unfortunately none is free so you might need to consider

[Ameline]

@Ameline

Definitely the reports on this forum alone are a very small proportion of the total number of cases HO receives/user experience’s shared here.

The overall picture is even worse.

I browsed some other forums and facebook immigration pages, people have reported waiting since Feb-June for FLR(M)’s, SET(M)’s - I focused on spouse visas’s only.

Just to share one: one person even reported that HO emailed back after 5 months that they do not have the documents even when the documents were submitted in March!!

Many thanks CULLINAN, very helpful.

This would be frustrating for Feb-June applicants especially the ones HO claimed not receiving their documents.

[Tanush01]

@Tanush01

1) UKVCAS helpline can do nothing in relation to booking any earlier appointments. Since you have booked now for 23rd Nov, you can not view any more availability. Stick with the appointment. You will only waste your time and money calling them.

2) QR code can take a couple of hours to come also. It will come soon.

Many Thanks Cullinan

QR code has come this morning.

One more question - Is there any provision to update the address post biometrics if one needs to?

Kind Regards

[kittycatkeeb]

@Ameline

Definitely the reports on this forum alone are a very small proportion of the total number of cases HO receives/user experience’s shared here.

The overall picture is even worse.

I browsed some other forums and facebook immigration pages, people have reported waiting since Feb-June for FLR(M)’s, SET(M)’s - I focused on spouse visas’s only.

Just to share one: one person even reported that HO emailed back after 5 months that they do not have the documents even when the documents were submitted in March!!

I saw that one as well!! So shocking, I can't even imagine how helpless and frustrated they feel. What can you do when you know you've done everything correct and the HO still says they don't have your stuff???

[CULLINAN]

Many Thanks Cullinan

QR code has come this morning.

One more question - Is there any provision to update the address post biometrics if one needs to?

Kind Regards

https://visa-address-update.service.gov.uk/

[chopter]

Hopefully things are not slowing down too much, My wife applied for her ILR (LR) on 03/08, and received her approval email today (27/10)


Good luck everyone!

[ajitu92]

Hopefully things are not slowing down too much, My wife applied for her ILR (LR) on 03/08, and received her approval email today (27/10)


Good luck everyone!

Congratulations! Looks like we're still moving ahead on Set (LR).

[kiss300]

Hopefully, things are not slowing down too much, My wife applied for her ILR (LR) on 03/08, and received her approval email today (27/10)


Good luck everyone!

Congratulations
Waiting for mine. I did my in 01/08.

So hopefully it comes soon

[ajitu92]

Hopefully, things are not slowing down too much, My wife applied for her ILR (LR) on 03/08, and received her approval email today (27/10)


Good luck everyone!

Congratulations
Waiting for mine. I did my in 01/08.

So hopefully it comes soon

Still a couple applications outstanding between 26/07 and 03/08 including yours, so don't worry it's coming soon. Please do update us when it comes through!

[poper]

Hopefully things are not slowing down too much, My wife applied for her ILR (LR) on 03/08, and received her approval email today (27/10)


Good luck everyone!

Congratulations.
And thanks for posting. It gives all of us so much hope amongst the gloom

[ajitu92]

Hopefully things are not slowing down too much, My wife applied for her ILR (LR) on 03/08, and received her approval email today (27/10)


Good luck everyone!

Congratulations.
And thanks for posting. It gives all of us so much hope amongst the gloom

Seconded. It is much appreciated!