Spouse visa still waiting paperwork returned

So. There is software around whereby documents can be uploaded into a system database by an applicant or the like, or an administrator or both. Those documents can then be viewed and assessed in another part of the system by the administrator without the applicants knowledge. The applicant is eventually informed by email of the eventual outcome(s). Notes can be added and pre-conditions be set and then triggered, leading to a staged outcome. The documents can be as complex as you wish.

The software can be bought off the peg and tailored according to need. It is extremely flexible. It is not hard to see how it could be adapted for a similar but differing need such as visa applications.

I am not plugging it but simply saying that in this day and age, at very little cost to a big organisation that takes in a lot of revenue, this form of solution is very do-able.

Users of the software we use include:

Capital 1
Cornell University
Intel
Hewlett Packard
Harvard University
Panasonic
Salvation Army
Cambridge University
Spotify
Symantec
Honda

To name a few.

My understanding is that we all use the software in differing ways owing to its built in flexibility.

or is it all slowed right down to temporarily reduce immigration numbers ?

I like to believe not. But you might be right, BigMac.

I just do not actually believe that the staff within the Immigration authority, processing visas, are as lilywhite in their professionalism as some might make out. Some maybe.

It takes a simple click of a button.

We use this sort of system for our clients.

Or

Take all the matter of seconds and not even that it could be even more simplified by bar code scanning, which once scanned the the system will send out a email.

All they would need to set up is a system like this

Documents received
Documents scanned
Documents sent back to you
Once a officers has your application
Once a decision is made.

It’s not a hard system to set or costly system.

But you know what would happen if such was put in place, people would not email or phone and guess who looses money then?? Our lovely not so money grabbing home office.

Where there is a will there is a way. Yes.

It would in reality be no problem for UKVI to knock a system up with minimal complexity within a few weeks max. They probably have infrastructure in place with existing systems, complete with redunancy and backup.

I wrote a barcode scanning (effectively it acts jut like a convenient keyboard input) web based system for our Finland office last week. It simply scans, checks and confirms the subsidiary its bound for, very simplistic really.

They probably have a decent sized development team who could implement something quite quickly id of thought.

We have 16 “stations” which report to our customers the progress of their order(s). Estimated ETA which recomputes according to the station and any incurred breakage(s) of the order, in real time.

I suspected that might be the case, Halo. And I take your point about them maybe not having the inclination to do that.

Yes and has already been touched upon is the fact that they can recouperate revenue via the telephone support system they have.

Thing is that this isn’t your normal business to customer relationship. The nature of the roles between UKVI and those applying for visa with them (note I didnt say customer) is a subordinate one, despite us paying heavily for the “service” they provide.

We are subordinate in that we have to meet their rules and regulations and they have total power to decide our futures if make a slight slip on any part of the application.

Im not saying it is hard to apply if one follows the rules but we are still subordinates in the process or at least thats how it feels.

I have to agree. But I think it could and should change and sympathise with our fellow members that are experienceing the stress of it right now. I cannot remember how long ours took, I think it was about 45 days which was about average at the time. My thoughts as the days passed by, I have just married this woman and what are we going to do if she is refused? It wasn’t completely rational but that’s what happens when the days go by without hearing anything. And I had to convince myself and wife that our application was a waterproof one and that the statistical chances of refusal were very low.

Just a thing. When I applied for tourist visa and fiance visa in Dubai, I subscribed to their SMS service (£2). Aside from SMS, I also got emails from them confirming my papers were forwarded to British Embassy Abu Dhabi (SMS and email). And then after few days, I received an email saying that my application was being reviewed by Entry Officer. Then received SMS again when my apps had been decided and my passport was ready to be collected. The emails seemed automated though.

On one hand people complain about generic heartless texts and e mails now you want a number of them.



Yes the wait is frustrating

No I am not a subordinate

Last word good luck @court95

Or at least we the “customer” are between a rock and a hard place as we cannot go elsewhere for our visas. And they know that. But....the settlement visas are a lot of money and it is not unreasonable to expect a reasonable service. As a “customer” I know the NHS work on their “bedside manner” and for most the NHS is the only choice. And it is the Government body the NHS who text me about an impending appointment, to give an example.

We pay their wages.

Thank you.

As discussed earlier, IF the clock starts on submission of the online VAF4A and payment of the fees, then we are past the 60 days...

That's an idea, but the likelihood is by the time the MP has had time to take action we will have had the result...
Will just have to sit and stew a bit longer I think!

How would you know by the time the mp is involved you would have the decision?

Have you not received an email for why there is a delay on your application, which they do state in there email when they scan your paper work?

Regarding when the visa clock start I’m only going off what my lawyer has stated to me, but like he also said there relaxed on this rule.

Although they are looking to be behind on there schedule going off there stats on there site.

Oooooh, that's a brave Post @bigmac...

Nope!!! The ONLY communication we have had from UKVI was an email acknowledging receipt of our online application - 6 weeks after it was submitted and 3 weeks after they received our documentary evidence...! That's it...

You are right that this is included in their automated email -

"... If it is not possible to complete your application within this timeframe a member of our team will contact you to explain why."

- But it goes on to say...

"We regret that we are unable to respond to enquiries asking about the status of any application. Any status enquiry should be made to the international enquiry service, details of which are on the GOV.UK website."

I guess the International Enquiry Service they refer to is the paid-for email/telephone helpline? If you can't speak to '... a member of our team', what hope do you really have of getting a sensible answer?

Incidentally, everyone else involved - CFO, VFS - have been exemplary in their communications!

Going by my experience of dealing with my MP in the past and the fact we are now past 60 days, I'm hoping we will receive the result nearer 60 than 90 days, which is UKVI's next yardstick...

Have they given you a reason why there past 60
Days?