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Visa Application Costs

Discussion in 'UK Visa and Immigration Help' started by Stevembe, Sep 10, 2018.

  1. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    so thats about £670 then.

    what is the adult IHS surcharge now ?
  2. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    All in the link i have just posted previous
  3. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    yes-- i found it--still the same--£1000 over 5 years. so this application must have been for a shorter period ?

    there was talk of it going up.
  4. Stevembe
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    Stevembe Active Member

    That's a long time, have you asked for an update as that is outside the decision time they quote?
  5. Stevembe
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    Stevembe Active Member

    Mattecube, don't apologise for being blunt, it is often the best advice! Natural father has submitted affidavit that he is Canadian, lives in UAE and has never resided in Philippines and is supportive of and has no objection to her moving to the UK. He also stated he plays no physical part in her upbringing and does not intend to. My wife left UAE when she was 4 months pregnant, step-daughter is 6 years old now which we have pointed out in both our cover letters
  6. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    Good man
  7. Stevembe
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    Stevembe Active Member

    Still nervous though! My poor wife and step-daughter are in Manila again to go the visa application tomorrow to their bit over there. They have endured so many journeys to get all the stuff together but we are where we are and I pray good news will come in the next few weeks/months.
    • Like Like x 1
  8. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    Have you supplied contact details for the ECO to contact him should they wish?
  9. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    5 months ? about average now i think. we waited 6 months for a dependent child app a year ago.
  10. Stevembe
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    Stevembe Active Member

    I have included his telephone number, address and contact e-mail address and part of me hopes they will contact him as it is additional evidence.
  11. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    i sincerely hope your successful. please let us know the outcome.
    • Like Like x 1
  12. Stevembe
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    Stevembe Active Member

    I will and thank you to you and everybody for your advice and support, it has been invaluable and I will contribute advice and support to these forums based on my (extremely stressful) experience!
    • Like Like x 2
  13. Br28016
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    Br28016 Active Member Trusted Member

    Does anyone know how long until they ask for the payment for the child IHS ? Submitted application on the 23rd September for wife and two stepchildren and wondering how long until get the demand for more money ? Likewise does anyone know if they wait until decided on application before asking for IHS - would make more sense as otherwise they have to refund. Have seen comment that on one application when refused that they did not ask for it. Hoping that might give a slightly earlier indication on whether visa applications will be successful as now into the sitting and waiting period and would like a feel as early as possible. Comment above that they asked for IHS but no mention afterwards on whether successful visa application.
  14. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    my wife applied for her sons visa a year ago. no ihs payment was ordered--but we were given a number. the visa was refused.
  15. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    It is right and proper the IHS fee is paid at the time of application
  16. Br28016
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    Br28016 Active Member Trusted Member

    See to remember hearing there is a bug in their system so calculates it at zero cost but gives the reference number. Nothing you can do about it. Have read that they then chase later for it but wondering when or whether if they only chase when you are likely to get visa so might get an earlier clue as to which way it goes.
  17. Stevembe
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    Stevembe Active Member

    The return for IHS no charge for children is automatic for some reason, if required they ask for it at a later date but from research it gives no indication that a decision is likely so don't pin any hopes that if asked for the charge it looks more favourable. Bottom line is the online application service is useless, complicated and adds to the stress of an application. I still haven't been asked for IHS charge for my step-daughter, the funds lie in wait but I have a reference number for her.

    You say you submitted your application on 23rd September which is around the same time as mine. Not sure if you paid for priority but I don't think you will hear anything anytime soon.

    I have already booked to go back to the Philippines for Christmas and the New Year as this is where we want to spend it but the hope is we can come back here together which is why I chose non priority as we have time. Now that would be a lovely Christmas present but......it's a waiting game decided by others.....
  18. Br28016
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    Br28016 Active Member Trusted Member

    I went with standard as not convinced it would make that much of a difference. 60 working days from application would make it round about 14 december and asked for a visa start date of 26 december as now know will need cfo sticker and cannot get that until visa start date. Real move date for me would be about 10th january to give enough tine to sort out final paper work like cfo, organise flights avoiding christmas and new year peak times and sort out rented house.

    I'm limited on time off from work so cant really afford to book holiday now as really want it when we can move to go out and then come back together. Hopefully will also need to organise school so will want some time off to do that as well. As a result having to wait on booking flights until know the outcome. Have to think about christmas and new year as would like in Philippines and yes all come back together but high risk option in terms of being able to get flights and visas comng together at right time.

    Think that you submitted a few weeks before as the visa paperwork oonly went off this week - signed receipt on tuesday so now waitig to get pack back which suspect will be another two weeks.
  19. davidbrit
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    davidbrit Member

    Hello, would welcome up to date information on waiting times involved with standard as opposed to priority status. Its another £54o on top of £2000 for 18 momonths and we wonder if we should just wait. I ask becuase the fees are very high and possibly less demand and therefore earlier response - all things being equal! But often they are not. Fewer staff handling visa's, etc. Welcome thoughts. We get married in QC omn 1/12/18 and will submit spouse visa on the 3/12/18. Is it true that $ payment required and is this to a UK based institution? I am told Nationwide would charge extra if not UK based!
  20. Br28016
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    Br28016 Active Member Trusted Member

    Applying from Philippines and waiting for response. We went standard as no real confidence that priority would necessary bring a hugh saving in time and applying for wife and two step children so should have been an additional 1500.

    As I understand it priority gets put in front of standard applications ie you skip a bit of the queue and standard applications get slowed down. Same people deal with it.

    Application fees have to be paid in US dollars if you are applying from the Philippines at the home office rip off rates of up to 4% above the interbank rate so you will get stung for both your bank and the home office rate. I have a nationwide credit card which has no exchange rate cost and the £600 IHS charge cost me 810 us dollars or 624 pounds. If you get charged by bank on top then it is even more painful. If possible get a credit card which has the zero exchange rate such as the nationwide. Think Halifax clarity is the same. You cannot pay in pounds so just have to take the hit or double hit if get charged by credit card as well. Can pay by credit card without additional charges so don't think in terms of having to use your debit card if you can get better rates using a credit card.

    Also bear in mind that IHS charge goes up in December. Can't see the planned date so if possible you may want to get your application in before that is implemented as will add an additional £600 to the cost.

    Other factors to bear in mind are the time to send documents to Sheffield as think you are expceted to get them there in 10 working days with priority as opposed to the 20 working days with standard. Can't quickly find that written down anywhere but sure I remember it being stated in somewhere in the discussion boards I've followed.
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2018

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