Post
by illseeyoutomorrow » Sat Jul 03, 2021 12:57 pm
I've had my UKVCAS biometric appointment in London, Mark Lane location last week. Less than 28 days from submitting the application at £140.
Enhanced service
The uploaded document check service seems to have been delivered ok, I've received an email with relevant advice and I've also received the SMS reminders and notifications I've paid for.
Attending the appointment
At the time of the appointment I've found a queue of around 10 people in front on the building. The person who was coordinating the queue was trying to get people to stand closer to each other which I did not appreciate in the current circumstances.
The appointment times are not set per person but are general 30 min time slots during which around 15 applicants are processed.
I've entered the building around 5 min past the stated appointment time. Hand sanitiser was offered at the entry and I was directed to a small room with scanners and a camera where I waited for another 5 min.
As someone mentioned before, it's better to have the appointment QR code printed as you have to hand it over for scanning (you can't hold the phone yourself while the code is being scanned) and there are no mirrors in the photo area. As I've uploaded all my documents via the UKVCAS website, there was no need to bring any documents other than my ID.
The person handling the photo, fingerprints, signature and scanning was very professional, communication was clear and friendly. The fingerprint scanner and signature pad appeared to have been cleaned before I entered the room.
The space was fairly clean and with modern fixings and furnishings. The appointment time was about 20 min.
As I left the building I've received an email confirming the submission of documents and biometrics to UKVI and around midnight I've received an SMS stating UKVI have received my information.
Points of concern
1. Other staff in the space were noisy and not so professional, chatting and laughing so loud it was hard to hear the person I was dealing with through the thick perspex glass.
2. COVID safety measures were disappointing to say the least. This one is important to me and I would not recommend this location for anyone who's very worried about exposure.
I've read Google reviews prior to the visit and the opinions were positive, but based on my experience, the measures were lax. I do not consider just having masks and hand sanitiser to be sufficient.
The attention to social distancing was close to none and what I found most concerning, was the absolute lack of ventilation. The space has openable windows that were all shut. The air was thick and saturated with air freshener. There was a can of air freshener standing by the window in the little office and staff walking through the corridors spraying the space generously.
After 15 min of sitting there my eyes were burning and I left the building with a serious Febreze cough.
Quite concerning for both the visitors and the staff that spends hours in these conditions, breathing in the accumulated air with addition of Febreze and whatever all the applicants are breathing out.
I've expected more from a City location with a £140 price tag.
