Spouse visa still waiting paperwork returned

Hello been 6 weeka since u applied for spouse visa sent it all to sheffield had no paperwork returned how long does it take

From what I’ve read and my own experience it can be any where from the start of the process all the way to the end. All depends on who’s doing it. I received my documents back on the 30th working day.

Theres no set guidelines the home office have to follow to send documents back to you.

If there is a document there you need urgent you possible could inquire about it, although I’m not sure if that’s worth it could possible make your wait longer and they charge eye watering fees to contact them.

I applied for settlement visa for my wife in the Philippines paperwork received Sheffield 9th April, paperwork back 5th May now awaiting news which I expect to be some time on June if no problems, anyone here along the same time lines as me on settlement and how is it going?

Non priority spouse visa

We payed visa and nhs on the March 9th
Documents received at Sheffield on 19th March
Documents back on April 18th
No other contact as of yet.

Checking the website for time there running at 60% rate for decisions for settlement.

Sorry could you explain what you mean about 60% rate for settlements, thanks. Sorry just checked the site i see what you mean 60% in 60 days other than that is there any other way you can check your visa status without paying the fees they seem to overcharge for. /anyway good luck could you keep me posted as to how your application is going you seem to be two weeks in front of me.

Only way to find out if you pay there overpriced charges and then they would give a standed email.

I’ll keep you in the loop.

And I wish you the best for the visa too.

Ok ditto on any news will not be ringing tried that before on another visa question standard answer, emails the same best wait, am travelling to phils Wednesday taking all my paperwork with me in case of any follow up questions.

We are quite some way ahead of you, @wardy33, but our application is for a Fiancee Visa which seems to take longer...

Online VAF4A sent (this is when the 'clock' starts, apparently): Feb. 14, 2018;
Documents received by Sheffield: Mar. 6;
Acknowledgement of online application (VAF4A) received by UKVI: Mar. 29;
Documents returned: Apr. 6 -

(Working) Day 60 (excluding weekends, BHs, etc) - UKVI 'target' for deciding applications - was May 14...

Good luck!

Try to start counting from March 6. Hope you'll get the result soon.

I thought we start counting when we pay the visa and nhs fee?

That's what they say. I'm just thinking, how can they start processing the app if they dont have all the supporting docs.

That’s true, well I hope it starts when we pay if not I need to deduct a few day from my waiting time. I’ll consult with my lawyer and see what he say and get back to you.

That was my initial assumption, @menchu_edge, but several Posts on here assure me that the clock starts at the point you submit the online VAF4A (and pay the fee(s)).
This would mean that the 20-day 'window' (that's 20 DAYS, not 20 WORKING DAYS as I understand it - one rule for UKVI and another for Applicants!), between submitting the online VAF4A and when UKVI must receive your documentary evidence, is included in their 60-day decision 'target'. This might account for why they are missing their own target by 40% (in March 2018).

So I spoke to my lawyer he said they should start the timer once the application is submitted and payments are done.

He also added the home office don’t always follow this rule. In theory the clock starts when you submit the application.

To be honest, I don't think UKVI have a clue about how to run a fair, clear and transparent system - they can't even send an automated email to ALL applicants who are waiting beyond their own 60-day target for making a decision...

Not only do they run a 2-Tier system for considering applications received (fair enough, if you pay for Priority Service you go into some other pile), they also 'cherry-pick' within the 2-Tier system so decisions are not made on a 'first-come, first-served' basis...

- I will recalculate the 60-day window, from when UKVI received our documents, to see - if and when we get the email from UKVI - if it is calculated from submission of the online VAF4A or from receipt of the evidence... Or - a third option - from some arbitrary date chosen at random by UKVI!

Your right are you past the 60 working threshold?

If so the best way to go about this is give them a call or email and if they don’t give you an answer to why there is a delay the other option is to have your local MP involved if you do go this route make sure he has all the information is needed.

It could all be down to verification from 3rd parties of information applicants supply and I think there is naturally going to be a system where some visas are shipped through PDQ and others take a while longer.
For example as I said in another post I firmly believe all applications are screened almost immediatey dependant on the screening results will determine the track of the application.
For example
Applicant a) beats the financial threshold evidenced by letter from employer,wage slips and bank statements.
Owns a house evidenced by mortgage statements.
TB and English test results good
Plenty of communication and visit info

A straight forward application little work required.

Applicant B) only just meets the financial threshold or does not need to meet it by way of wages and benefits.
Rented property and possibly house sharing
TB and English tests are good
Some evidence of communication and travel and have met once.

This application may need a little more research and consideration.
Hence applicant A will know sooner than B

Not saying it's right it is just my theory on how the majority of visa applications are handled.
The delay maybe in some cases at 3rd party level.

As cool as that sounds I think there would too much if error % on this method.

General think they just plonk it on a pile and just wait for some to scan and then plonked ok another table for some to pick it up and look at it.

That wouldn't stand up to audits

It was more as a joke.