How long have you had to wait for a Visa decision?

Received an email today after asking for an update more than a week ago. I'm told there's still no progress. This means my application pack hasn't been opened since it arrived in Sheffield more than a month ago. From what I gather, the real reason for all these delays is that apps from at least 20 countries are now being processed in Sheffield and the UKVI didn't plan things well.

Don't want to rock the boat right now, but when this is done, I'll try and ask for a refund since the premise of the priority deal is flawed. They're aware that they can't provide the priority service (since Sheffield can't process settlement applications within 10 working days), and yet up to this day they're still advertising it and collecting payments without warning applicants.

Good luck with trying to get a refund

Makes sense that the UKVI are struggling implementing the new service, the Government normally needs some time to get a new system up and running.

In my view they should have cancelled the 10 day priority visas for a few months and just offered the regular service until they were up and running with the new system.

We will apply soon with priority and will using scanning service....hope they sort this out!

Exactly! Or at the very least, inform the applicants of the changes and their effects. But there's nothing at all from their side. No warning, no news, no estimate. Had to put the pieces together ourselves. And now we don't have any idea when we'll get a decision. Maybe on the 12th week, maybe even later!

I agree, getting a refund is quite ambitious. But I'll try.

I think you will have an excellent chance of a refund. The UKVI have not delivered the service for which you paid a premium service.

The fact that they have introduced new procedures will not be taken into account when considering your refund request.

The UKVI has staff who will investigate - and there's always the public service ombudsman - but I'm sure you won't have to take things that far.

Hope you hear good news soon.

Gerry

I feel the same way as you...we applied in Manila on the 7th April priority and still nothing. It does clearly state though in the terms and condition when you apply for priority and I think my wife had to sign a document to confirm that although they aim for 15 working days, it may over run and fee is not refundable. You can find these terms on the VFS Global website. I do feel though that it is very unfair to take payment for a service they know full well they cannot provide... and as you say about the complete lack of communication...you would think that for £500+ they could at least send an email to let you know what is happening!!!! Very poor service.

I contacted my Local MP last week and told her our story so far and the poor experience and although she cannot at present do anything personally she has past it to her team who handle local constituency issues. They have taken it up and emailed the Home Office....hopefully they can cut through the red tape and get an answer.

I expect your justified complaint will just sit on top of all the others, as you mentioned above, the service does not offer guarantees or refunds.

I expect you will eventually receive a letter offering some kind of apology but that is little consolation of course to those people who have been waiting for their decision.

37 working days now excluding bank holidays.....oh boy

Totally ridiculous and unacceptable.

Despite the "no refund" condition I still think UKVI will cough up. Obviously wait until you have the visa then formally complain. If they turn you down then appeal - and if still no cigar get the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman involved.

Yeah we signed a form as well but like I said the premise of that deal was flawed. They offered a 10-day processing aim when they know Sheffield absolutely can't process anything within that time frame or anything close to it. The appeal can be done - the question is if we're willing to spend more time, effort and money just to get that refund.

Personally, I've accepted that I have to wait 12 weeks or more. It sucks! Trust me, I feel you. If you want, I can get in touch with you even after you get your visa so we can work on this refund thing together, possibly with other complainants.

I was talking to the FSB legal team this week about a querie and jist mentioned the visa situatiin and what his thoughts were. Interestingly he said we do have ample reason to complain and request a refund as they are still bound by laws that govern payment for products. The fsct that they are offering a priority service and happliy taking the money when they know full well they cannot give the service is a breach of Due care and diligence. They are in effect breaking the law. He did state though that unless we were on our last visa as in FLR do we possibly want to blot out names by complaining if we have to submit another visa in 2.5 years. He said they shouldn't but he said they could make your life awkward. Is it worth the risk. His words not mine. Im in kind of agreement. As much as i hate to let it go i think i will. If this happens on FLR and its granted ill give them all the grief i can muster.
Its ampitty this government is still in lower although im pleased teresa may got a dry slap across her face last night

I think you and others in a similar position will have strong case for a refund.

I have been reading through another forum british Expats.com and chatting to a guy who's Aunt works in the Immigration Department. She said its in complete shambles. As of recently they have over 40,000 applications backed up. They are employing people from abroad who use to handle the cases to try and clear some. below is a quote from an email she sent him :

This is an email I got from my aunt who knows all about the Sheffield visa department:

"And yes then just send it all to Sheffield. Like I said, it's gonna be a good three months before it's decided as we are dealing with all settlement from everywhere in the world now but with no staff! Unfortunately I can't track it for you as I would get the sack (they monitor our activity!) but the service standard is 60 working days and we are working on day 60!

You can pay an additional fee for priority service but it is quite a lot and still a long wait. You would be better spending the money on a holiday when she is finally here!"

Happy reading. So even if with a priority its taking at least 60 working days...that puts me into first week in July. Well all i can say is I hope they can manage that at least....

So depressing to read this. Fingers crossed for you guys, Jasmin arrived here just in time it seems...

Shameful if accurate - a critical government function being starved of resources. A symptom of the Tory's wilful neglect and underfunding of vital public services.

its like i said before--its a way of reducing immigration.
lots of money rolling in to the treasury---in return for---nothing.

If you were talking about the outrageous fee hikes I'd be with you Mac - but I think in this case it's more likely an under resourced policy change to centralise processing. If they are doing their job properly senior civil servants will be alerting their Ministers to the backlog and make recommendations on how to clear it.

It's certainly possible that in the absence of public protest / large number of complaints there is (in the minds of the politician) little incentive to take the steps - which will invariably involve more staff - necessary to get back to past service standards.

I agree but who in the processing line want to complain and poke the wild beast in the cage...im sure they know this too. If i was on my FLR to remain and aquired it, id give them merry hell after! Unfortunately as im applying for my first visa i dont want to have a black mark by my name for future visas. It may not effect the outcone but im sure they could make your life miserable if they wanted too.
I was talking to a member of the FSB legal team the other day for work reasons and mentioned the immigration fiasco and he said that we have every grounds for complaint with regards to them advertising a priority service when they have no intention of honoring it...they fall under the same guide lines as any retailer offering a service for a fee. Something to do with lacking due care and dilligence...cant remember exactly, but the point is they are breaking the law by continuing to advertise it and not informing those who paid for it or still paying for it, that there is a delay....but hey...what do you expect from the home office that Teresa May use to run...man i hate that woman!!!

best if every new visa applicant boycotts the priority " service". but they wont.

its a nice little earner for the treasury---and Mrs May can point to the huge drop in non-EU immigration figures.

I like George Osbourn's quote in the news today about Teresa May - 'dead woman walking' here's hoping