Spousal Visa Application - Pakistan (Timeline Only)

[Zazam]

I read the financial requirement Annex, and if the reason for the 2 weeks off is defined or shown, then it is accepted, so in this case their is a valid reason, for a different income for that month....

[Sameena akhtar]

Thank you for your e-mail of 05 February 2013.
Your application for settlement has been received by this office and is currently on hold because on 5 July 2013, the High Court in the UK handed down its judgment in a Judicial Review of the minimum income threshold for spouses/partners and children applying in the family route. Having reviewed the judgment, the UK Home Secretary has decided to pursue an appeal to the Court of Appeal (and has asked for this to be expedited).
The Home Office has therefore temporarily 'paused' decision-making on some spouse/partner and child settlement visa and leave to remain applications. This may be for several months at least. More information about this hold on decisions is set out on our website.
Documents that we received from your sponsor in October last year, have already been examined by the dealing officer.
I apologise for the inconvenience this will cause you and your family. We will contact you again shortly with more information regarding your application. Please refrain from further correspondence with us during this time.

Yours sincerely,




Now I'm a bit more clear on what's happening co it's definatly on hold.
Can someone plz just help me in deciding.. Is there any point waiting for the hearing next month which yea we no it may take ages yet or is should we just withdraw it ? I mean have we got any chance if we wait as we r on hold ?

Ahhh, they haven't accepted your documents!?

Do you not earn 18,600?

What did u ask, as i want to know whether my documents have been accepted or not.

[saf786]

Hey sameena sister.. I did meet the requirement .. I'm self employed and working part time ! I just said to them that I sent additional docs in bla bla month and I have paid full fees and I have the right to know with what's happening with my case.. Can u plz tell me if my docs were accepted and if my case is on hold as I have waited longer than the time given (24 weeks) .. Just be nice and true and tell them u have the right to no !

[zeeh]

Any body in same boat as me? Who applied in Jan?

[RONZ]

Zeeh,

I sponsored my Mrs on 16/12/13 and my status is stuck on Forwarded to ISL OC on 17/12/13.

So pretty much in same boat, However interestingly you submitted your app. after we did and still your status has changed and mine hasn't so it's hard to comprehend on what order and basis the BHC process visa applications.

Any body in same boat as me? Who applied in Jan?

[zaman1989]

The reason our applications are put under so much scrutiny, is largely down to us and our families that come to this country before us where us people did almost anything to get here. And no matter how legitimate our cases are we will always be questioned as pakistanis no matter where we go its just the way the world is going. Everyone just have patience and Allah will help is all In'shaa'Allah

[ash2006]

Hey sameena sister.. I did meet the requirement .. I'm self employed and working part time ! I just said to them that I sent additional docs in bla bla month and I have paid full fees and I have the right to know with what's happening with my case.. Can u plz tell me if my docs were accepted and if my case is on hold as I have waited longer than the time given (24 weeks) .. Just be nice and true and tell them u have the right to no !

i just cant see where they actually explained why you are on pause after you submitted your documents like why they havent been approved,

[RZ Girl]

Hey sameena sister.. I did meet the requirement .. I'm self employed and working part time ! I just said to them that I sent additional docs in bla bla month and I have paid full fees and I have the right to know with what's happening with my case.. Can u plz tell me if my docs were accepted and if my case is on hold as I have waited longer than the time given (24 weeks) .. Just be nice and true and tell them u have the right to no !

Many people are receiving rfc n visas i've seen on other forum INSHALLAH we will all hear soon.
I have noticed a thing that the people who have recently submitted the docs n the people that were not on hold are hearing back...i think they forgot us..;-( I submitted docs in oct nothing since thn in nov they emailed me that officer is working on my application its been 3 months now n that lazy officer is still doing that... I pray that all of us get the visas soon n Allah make the whole thing easy for us all Ameen

[shahjee123]

This is to confirm that your application for settlement has been received by this office and is currently being processed. Our External Customer Standards for settlement applications are to process 95% within 12 weeks and 100% within 24 weeks.

I am writing to inform you that, unfortunately, it is likely your application will take longer than usual to conclude. In many cases we are undertaking additional checks on sponsors income and employment. If you have not submitted the required evidence to demonstrate that your sponsor can meet the minimum income threshold, your application will be delayed. This is because on 5th July 2013 the UK High Court handed down its judgment in a Judicial Review of the minimum income threshold for spouses/partners and children applying in the family route. Having reviewed the judgment the UK Home Secretary has decided to pursue an appeal (and has asked for this to be expedited). More information on this Court judgement is available on our website.

If the results of our checks show that your application meets the requirements of the Immigration Rules, we will make a decision on your application as quickly as possible. However if the evidence you have provided shows that the minimum income threshold has not been met, or that significant evidence is missing, your application will be ‘paused’ pending the outcome of the appeal. If your application is ‘paused’, we will write to you again to let you know and we will tell you what documents are missing from your application, if any, so that you have an opportunity to address the inconsistencies.

At this stage we do not require any further action from you. If we do we will write to you again and let you know.

If you would like your passport to be returned to you whilst your application remains on hold, please email visaenquiries.islamabad@fco.gov.uk and this will be arranged for you.

I apologise for the inconvenience this will cause you and your family. We will contact you again shortly with more information regarding your application.

This is what i got since 12 December 2012. God know what they upto but does that mean its on hold :S
i Applied on 16 sept still with BHC

[ash2006]

This is to confirm that your application for settlement has been received by this office and is currently being processed. Our External Customer Standards for settlement applications are to process 95% within 12 weeks and 100% within 24 weeks.

I am writing to inform you that, unfortunately, it is likely your application will take longer than usual to conclude. In many cases we are undertaking additional checks on sponsors income and employment. If you have not submitted the required evidence to demonstrate that your sponsor can meet the minimum income threshold, your application will be delayed. This is because on 5th July 2013 the UK High Court handed down its judgment in a Judicial Review of the minimum income threshold for spouses/partners and children applying in the family route. Having reviewed the judgment the UK Home Secretary has decided to pursue an appeal (and has asked for this to be expedited). More information on this Court judgement is available on our website.

If the results of our checks show that your application meets the requirements of the Immigration Rules, we will make a decision on your application as quickly as possible. However if the evidence you have provided shows that the minimum income threshold has not been met, or that significant evidence is missing, your application will be ‘paused’ pending the outcome of the appeal. If your application is ‘paused’, we will write to you again to let you know and we will tell you what documents are missing from your application, if any, so that you have an opportunity to address the inconsistencies.

At this stage we do not require any further action from you. If we do we will write to you again and let you know.

If you would like your passport to be returned to you whilst your application remains on hold, please email visaenquiries.islamabad@fco.gov.uk and this will be arranged for you.

I apologise for the inconvenience this will cause you and your family. We will contact you again shortly with more information regarding your application.

This is what i got since 12 December 2012. God know what they upto but does that mean its on hold :S
i Applied on 16 sept still with BHC

did you mean 12 decemeber 2013? cause i receiced that as well to my house address, it doesnt make sense, tbh i know, im a septemeber 2013 applicant

[shahjee123]

This is to confirm that your application for settlement has been received by this office and is currently being processed. Our External Customer Standards for settlement applications are to process 95% within 12 weeks and 100% within 24 weeks.

I am writing to inform you that, unfortunately, it is likely your application will take longer than usual to conclude. In many cases we are undertaking additional checks on sponsors income and employment. If you have not submitted the required evidence to demonstrate that your sponsor can meet the minimum income threshold, your application will be delayed. This is because on 5th July 2013 the UK High Court handed down its judgment in a Judicial Review of the minimum income threshold for spouses/partners and children applying in the family route. Having reviewed the judgment the UK Home Secretary has decided to pursue an appeal (and has asked for this to be expedited). More information on this Court judgement is available on our website.

If the results of our checks show that your application meets the requirements of the Immigration Rules, we will make a decision on your application as quickly as possible. However if the evidence you have provided shows that the minimum income threshold has not been met, or that significant evidence is missing, your application will be ‘paused’ pending the outcome of the appeal. If your application is ‘paused’, we will write to you again to let you know and we will tell you what documents are missing from your application, if any, so that you have an opportunity to address the inconsistencies.

At this stage we do not require any further action from you. If we do we will write to you again and let you know.

If you would like your passport to be returned to you whilst your application remains on hold, please email visaenquiries.islamabad@fco.gov.uk and this will be arranged for you.

I apologise for the inconvenience this will cause you and your family. We will contact you again shortly with more information regarding your application.

This is what i got since 12 December 2012. God know what they upto but does that mean its on hold :S
i Applied on 16 sept still with BHC

did you mean 12 decemeber 2013? cause i receiced that as well to my house address, it doesnt make sense, tbh i know, im a septemeber 2013 applicant

yes 12 Dec 2013 after that i stopped chasing them. Dont know what to say or do they saying you are not hold or paused then they say if u want ur passport back whilst ur application is on hold. :S I think its just a random template they are using maybe PS if its on hold dont they tell u back ?

[ash2006]

me and you seem like in the same boat our time line must be similar if your a september applicant my wife applied mirphur
yes i think its a template etc if we were on hold they would state the reason and make a direct sentence to your application and what the problem is,, i havent had that besides the stupid deferred email and template,

[shahjee123]

ye it is true well what so ever it is my 24 weeks are gonna be over on the 16th of march so lets hope i hear something back from them and ye we are on the same boat :/

[ash2006]

i just dont understand what taking them so long, there people who applied in october got there visa saying that though there still people that been waiting way longer than us, but i know i have met the income threshold so i have a right to be vocal about it

[shahjee123]

Same goes with me Bro i have met the reqiurments earn more then £20000 god knows what are they checking :S
Havent called the employer or anything and ye u r right we have the right to know but this is how it works in Pakistan bro u just have to wait cant question them :/

[ash2006]

wow, i earn 1600 per month after tax i get £1323.24 i provided 9 months wage slips/bank statements, instead of 6 ,

[Forlorn]

Saf786 and shahjee I also received this letter by mail,I am July applicant

[akhan47]

Seems to me like that letter basically means they are trying as hard as they can't to delay as many applications as possible. It's politics. They want to be able to give some good 'reduction in immigration' figures when it gets close to general elections.

They have most likely been advised to try as hard as possible to refuse/delay applications.

[saf786]

Rz girl

U have a similar case like me

What happens to us who are on hold then ? What happens next

[ALWAYSHOPE]

To Saf

I never understand why BHC staff have to use complicated writing language. I mean the letters and emails they send always confuse me and i have to check with family members to see how they interpret the letters/emails they sent.

Anyway regarding the email you received. The top of the email is clearly a template as this was written in letter we received and the bottom part where they apologise for inconvenience caused part is also a template and therefore looks like they only changed the part where they stated that an ECO has looked at you file. However they havent said that they didnt accept the extra documents nor did they write that they have.

So therefore if i was in your shoes i would wait about a month or so before making decision on withdrawing application, you never know you might receive RFC message soon.

[ALWAYSHOPE]

To Shahjee123

The letter you received is a standard letter letting you know that your processing of application is delayed. It doesnt mean its on hold or anything like that. They just havent made decision on your application yet.

Hope you hear soon from them.

[ash2006]

i just hope everyone on this forum receive the visa for themselves/partners asap, i been waiting been getting confusing emails and letters, not sure whats going on,

[saf786]

Alwayshope inshAllah you are right

[SHAHFAISAL]

Salaam All,

Can anyone on the forum advise me on wether tax paid for pay as you earn employees can affect your visa application if it is only paid up till point of submitting the application ie is a month or two behind?

[RZ Girl]

Alwayshope inshAllah you are right

I got this email today
Thank you for your e-mail of 06 February 2014 enquiring about the progress of your visa application.

I can confirm that we received your documents in October 2013. These have been assessed by an Entry Clearance Officer, alongside your existing application, however we are still unable to conclude your case on the basis of the evidence received.

A decision on your application has therefore been put on hold until the UK Courts have decided the outcome of the Secretary of State's appeal against the High Court judgment in relation to the Judicial Review of the minimum income threshold for spouses/partners and children applying in the family route. A decision will not be taken on your application until the outcome of the legal challenge is known. This may not be for several months at least.

You can withdraw your application (and your document(s) will be returned to you) and you can make a fresh application when you have the required evidence. You may wish to consider doing so for example if you wish to rely on a change in circumstances or on the fact a requirement is now met which was not met at the date of the initial application. If you withdraw your application, you will not be refunded the application fee.

Alternatively, you can request for your passport to be returned if you need to do so.

Please refrain from sending any further documentation or correspondence regarding your visa application as we will not be able to consider it again. Your patience in this matter is highly appreciated.
Not sure what to do now :-(