Paid IHS for Fiance Visa now asking again for Spouse visa

[Srna]

I just want to share my experience regarding my Fiance visa and IHS. We applied in the middle of April, and on my printed online application it is written:
CATEGORY: SETTLEMENT
TYPE: MARRIAGE
I payed 1814 EUR for my visa application (they increased the fee once more from 6th April 2018)
Few days ago, I received 2 email from Visa Sheffield office :
One said: Your online application has been received at the UK Decision Making Centre. Your application is currently being prepared for consideration by an Entry Clearance Officer.
Second said: Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) payment needed in next 7 days, with a link to do the payment. I opened the link and it showed my name as a main applicant and that I need to pay 714 EUR for IHS.
I was so shocked, I checked their website regarding IHS again and based on what I read, I shouldn’t pay for it as a fiance.
So, I emailed them, saying that I’m applying as a fiancé (and my visa, if granted, will be valid for 6 months only, not for more than 6 months), and that I read that I should not pay for IHS while I am on my fiancé visa.
I also wrote that I made my visa application outside the UK (from Serbia), and on a gov.uk website it is written:
“For visa applications made outside the UK, you need to pay if:
· you’re a national of a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA)
· you’re applying for a visa to work, study or join your family in the UK for more than 6 months (but you’re not applying to remain in the UK permanently)”
I also wrote that I read on gov.uk website the following:
“When you must pay
If you apply for a visa online, you pay the surcharge as part of the application”
And I wrote to them that I made my application online, over Visa4UK service, and I didn’t had/got an option to pay for IHS online.

My fiance also called them, cause we wanted a quick reply, and after a call, we were even more confused. He said that I am applying as his fiance, in order to get an entry clearance which will allow us to get married in the UK within 6 months. They said to him , if I received such email from them, then I need to pay it by following the link they provided me, otherwise, my application will be refused. If not required, I will get a refund as it is a settlement visa for 2 and 1/2 years!!!
So, since the time was ticking, I payed those 714 EUR today. I got confirmation mail of my payment… In that email they also said: “On completion of your IHS application you will also be emailed a copy of your IHS reference number, which you will need for your immigration application.”
However, I didn’t received any further information in order to “complete my IHS application and get a IHS reference number”.
So, quite strange thing… First, I thought that I made a mistake regarding visa type I am applying for, but, I double checked – it is:
CATEGORY: SETTLEMENT
TYPE: MARRIAGE
I am wondering did anyone else had a similar experience and how it was solved?
Thank you all in advance!
Good luck to everyone!

[pearla]

The same thing happened to me. I applied in March and it has been a long wait. I received an email saying my application was not straight froward and 2 weeks later I had an email to pay for the IHS. I've paid and still waiting and the payment was done on the 25th of June 2018.

[nancycheung]

Can't believe so many people had the same problem...

I applied for my fiance visa on 30 June 2018 and received this email requesting for IHS payment on 24 Jul 2018.

I am 100% sure that I filled my application correctly and I should not be asked to pay IHS fee at this stage since the fiance visa is only valid for 6 months.

I and my fiance have contacted UKVI by paid phone calls and emails and the replies we got were so inconsistent and not helpful at all.

We have until 31 July to complete the payment or "our application will be refused".

Now we still haven't got clear answers whether to pay this fee and get refunded later or take no further action.

Could anyone who had the same problem suggest what we should do now? Will we get refunded later if we complete the payment as they asked?

Much appreciated.