Another HUGE change for UK settlement applications

If we use optional scanning service, then UKVI will never see the originals. Somehow I can't understand how can UKVI trust on scanned documents sent by VFS. If UKVI trust so much on VFS, then let VFS make the decision too

But Pakistan doesn't offer optional scanning service at VFS, which makes sense.

You can only assume (that lovely word ) that there will be some UKVI representative at the VFS office to deem whether or not the documents are authentic before scanning them, time will tell, I'm sure we will find out soon enough when someone has a problem there

As you say, no scanning service on the Pakistan UK visa service so you could be right in saying that the scanning service may not be a permanent one.

hi for clarification i have to visit vfs first for biometrics? before sending my documents to my husband? He preffered i will send my documents to him and he will be the one post it to Sheffield thank you

Embassies only provide the barest minimum of 'citizen services': blame Hague.

Not sure who and what is Hague...
Are you saying, all embassies around the world are the same like British? Most countries offer passport renewal to their citizens from embassies. It's unnecessary cost of international courier and 6-8 weeks wait. This should change and can change if enough people complain...

Just copy the document @prolife posted at the start of the thread so you have a point of reference, below is a excerpt;



Preparing your application for submission

Supporting documents should be sent as soon as possible to the UK after the online application form has been completed, and should include your unique GWF number. The documents may be sent before your application and biometrics are submitted. The guidelines below will help you as you prepare your application.

Note:

Please remember to submit your biometrics at Visa Application Center with your Original Passports

It says in their website that you can send the documents as soon as the online application is done. And you can send the documents even before having your biometrics done.

William Hague, ex Foreign Secretary.

Ok thank you @Brom27 @Timmers

With regard to where ECO are based. I considered a job as an ECM with the international cadre. It would seem they have ECO at various places, but not all. I believe Manila actually does applications for much of South East Asia, but wouldn't put my life in the line to prove it!

So - no change to visit visa applications i.e. VFS forward supplementary material to Manila Embassy and decision taken locally?

That would be my assumption, the job i considered was around August last year, things could've changed though. But i expect it hasn't changed as normally the job application would stipulate any future changes

Just had my biometrics appointment today. I can guarantee that there are no UKVI representatives present to check the validity of the documents at VFS. In fact, the person who scanned my documents didn't even know which documents were original and which were photocopies that I had to guide her myself. For some reason, she specifically asked for my TB certificate photocopy and scanned that. Same with the IELTS certificate. Why she did that, I have no clue.

Also, before the appointment, I organised my docs as much as I could according to the barcode separators. But the person just disorganised some of them. For example, under the 'hotel bookings' she placed my fiancé's e-ticket, and moved everything else including actual hotel booking receipts under the 'additional documents' section. For the land registration barcode, she placed a friend's letter of support and moved the mortgage statements under 'additional documents'. I am learning this just now, as I'm looking at the order of the documents they returned to me. Everything was returned, except for my passport.

After seeing how my application was handled today, I honestly wouldn't be surprised if I get a visa refusal.

To be honest with you your experience was just par for the course, same as when my wife applied and a lot of others on the forum who went to a lot of effort to organise their documents only to be messed up by the VFS staff there.

Thank you for the insight, I'll pass this on to a friend in the Home Office. He's not part of UKVI, but could probably help to ensure tighter and more robust checking of documents in future by relaying your comments to the appropriate people

@Timmers Right. I guess that part's not a big deal - the ECO can always look at the 'additional docs' section after all. But what really bugs me is that they scanned the photocopies of my certificates, while the original ones were ignored. Don't know how that makes sense.

Thanks @Alexnew! I do hope it helps someone else down the line. Like everyone else here said, I don't think the scanning service will stay. It just doesn't make sense, unless they've figured out a way to tell which documents are original just by looking at scans.

Oh and I don't know if this is normal, but I just got a text from VFS saying that my application was forwarded to UKVI.

Yes the VFS send you a text when they've strapped your visa package to the pigeon

Me and my kid will submit her documents on April 12 in VFS, have no choice but to use this scanning service and pay additional payment. I also availed priority visa and paid all the fee last February so hoping i will not be in trouble paying more visa fee as its gonna change tomorrow? Sigh, such a headaches.