Sheffield Visa Section - EEA FAMILY PERMIT

[diwakar85]

I have received the decision yesterday and They have refused my visa for some bunch of silly reasons

[lanlan]

I have received the decision yesterday and They have refused my visa for some bunch of silly reasons

sorry to hear that you are refused too diwakar85 im really so depressed about what happened. I havent reapply anymore because besides for the fee that i have to pay for reapplying the percentage is low to be approved. So probably i just wait for another year to apply.

[sidkapure]

I applied on 3/4/17 and still waiting. 8 weeks completed.
My status said its escalated to relevant department.

M worried about other people's refusal.
Good Luck to others.
Regards

Sid

[kaffuk]

@lanlan , what was the reason for refusal???

[Zuly1820]

Hi all,
Sorry to hear about your refusal diwakar85
All these refusals are really worrying but have to stay positive!
Could you guys post about the reasons for refusal please?

[diwakar85]

Hello guys,

Im going to reapply tomorrow 2/7/17 with more evidence
Hope this time it works. Only worried about the processing
Time which is getting longer.

[sidkapure]

While doing status check via UKVI International Inquiry Email, i got this reply.

"With regards to your query, please be advised that your case has been now
escalated (Ref. 12345). We are now waiting for a feedback and you will be
duly informed about the response we receive immediately after we get it."

Earlier that, when I was calling they said there are no updates because you probably recently submitted your application. Waiting for 9th week now.

Did anyone had similar experience?

Regards

Sid Kapure.

[Zuly1820]

All the best diwakar85.

Sidkapure - I applied for the second time on 22nd March 2017 - still waiting. I checked status once and they said our process was

According to February stats it may take the HO up to 60 working days to make a decision on applications.

With Brexit and people putting forward their applications fearing any changes to law I guess HO is just overly busy so it may even take longer than 60 days.

[williamsanjay]

I have received the decision yesterday and They have refused my visa for some bunch of silly reasons

Hi, I have just applied an EEA family permit to accompany my wife who is from France(married 5 years already ) to the UK for a 5 day trip in July. We are both living in China. I received an email saying that it is being prepared under consideration by ECO. Reading these information regarding their silly refusal reason for EEA is so worrying. On what grounds they refuse this type of permit as on their website, it clearly said that you can not refuse an application unless marriage of connivence or public heath/policy stuff`..

Because we are living in China, I submitted the following documents:

1 online form
2 my wife payslips , employment status, bank statements, tax return
3 my wife's guarantee and sponsor letter
4 flight and hotel bookings
5my wife passport and work permit in China
6 my bank statement
7 my passport and all other ID stuff such my Chinese ID and resident card
9 our marriage certificate from both China and France , the chinese one is also translated and notarised
10. 12 trip photos including wedding photos as well

They scanned my these file to the uk but only my passport was sent to the Immigration and visa office in Beijing. Biometrics was also collected on the same day.

I just am feeling very worried about being refused while reading stuff here, they seem to refuse you by silly reasons which do not make sense to me at all, for instance how can say it is a marriage of connivence for people who have married for a long time ? this is humiliating. Whilst UK is out of EU but the next two years they still need to comply with the EU law as they are not even officially out yet.

I talked to one of my UK friends who is actually work in the Immigration system as a trainer on such things, he said it is very hard to refuse EEA permit, now it seems like the ECOs are doing things not according to the policy as all. So worrying`...` My friend said that even if they refuse you, you can appeal and when you do, most likely you win on the first tier tribunal so they dont really reject you. but still , appeal takes ages as in the UK nothing gets one within a good time frame, in the end it is just waste of applicant's time and money as well. Then it comes reapply, it is just so time wasting and stressful if you get refused and having to go through the process again with the same documents.

Fingers crossed and hope they will issue this piece of paper so i can accompany my wife there for a few days. According to the documents i submitted, i do not see any reason why they should refuse me but still worrying, i provided more than what they require to be honest, if they do refuse me, next time i reapply, i just will submit the required documents with a cover letter pointing out specific policies and they mistakes.

Anyway, please replay to me and let me know what you thoughts are based on my info.

Thank you all ,

w

[diwakar85]

Guys do you know that international enquiry emailhelp service is not free anymore

customers who contact UK Visas and Immigration by email will be charged £5.48

[Zuly1820]

Guys do you know that international enquiry emailhelp service is not free anymore

customers who contact UK Visas and Immigration by email will be charged £5.48

Hi there,

Yes that's correct - the service is outsourced so they introduced those charges to cover costs.

[ammara_talhi]

Hi Sidkapure,

I've also had a very similar experience, well my husband applied on the 24th March, had biometrics on the 31st and I rang last week and was told they couldn't find the application, this is now in the process of being escalated (I'm fuming!)

Today is the 43rd working day since the bio metrics.

Thanks,
Ammara

While doing status check via UKVI International Inquiry Email, i got this reply.

"With regards to your query, please be advised that your case has been now
escalated (Ref. 12345). We are now waiting for a feedback and you will be
duly informed about the response we receive immediately after we get it."

Earlier that, when I was calling they said there are no updates because you probably recently submitted your application. Waiting for 9th week now.

Did anyone had similar experience?

Regards

Sid Kapure.

[Raheela samar]

Hi gays.
I am also facing the same problm.i applied on 27 feb 2017.and still waiting for decision.checked status and they reply that no update.then sent for escalation on 17 may.they said that they will reply within 3 working day.but still i am waiting for reply.now mail for checking status is not free i paid 5.48 pound and mail them again and got a reply that we will respond within 2 working days.if its urgent you can call us.know 2 days have been passed but they do not reply.uffff.such a bad experience

[sidkapure]

Hi Ammara and Raheela,

I think a lot of people have been waiting for long time now. When they say 98% of cases done in 6 weeks is definitely bogus.
When I phoned them they said that we are still under the 12 weeks of service agreements hence it looks like they have not even started looking in our files.

I am super stressed as well waiting for my visa. Sitting on the 11th week.

Please post here if you managed to get hold of anything at least we will feel better if some of us managed to get their visa.
A positive sign is all we need.
Good Luck All.
Regards

Sid Kapure

[williamsanjay]

Hi,
I applied an EEA family permit as to accompany my wife to the UK for a few days in July.

I submitted all the files and finger prints taken on 29th, May. I applied in China where you can pay a priority fee if you are in a rush, So I did pay almost 200 pounds and was told that it would take 3-5 working days to process. So it has been 10 working days since and I shall be getting my passport back tomorrow by post.

In the visa center, i was told that normally it takes 10-15 days for the visa process, but now it seemed to me the 200 pound was such a waste to be honest, where are you guys applying and why it takes up to that long anyways?

I am just hoping when I get my passport, it is a refusal letter attached. wish me luck and hope you will all get it soon.

w

Hi Ammara and Raheela,

I think a lot of people have been waiting for long time now. When they say 98% of cases done in 6 weeks is definitely bogus.
When I phoned them they said that we are still under the 12 weeks of service agreements hence it looks like they have not even started looking in our files.

I am super stressed as well waiting for my visa. Sitting on the 11th week.

Please post here if you managed to get hold of anything at least we will feel better if some of us managed to get their visa.
A positive sign is all we need.
Good Luck All.
Regards

Sid Kapure

[Raheela samar]

Hi sid
Its veey strange.5 people in my family applied for the same visa in same circumstances when i applied.all of them get visa within 2 weeks.one of them get in one month.but i am waiting.approximtly 4 months are going to complete.the most irretating thing is that we could not contact them in any way.and calling them is just wast of time.

[sidkapure]

Hi sid
Its veey strange.5 people in my family applied for the same visa in same circumstances when i applied.all of them get visa within 2 weeks.one of them get in one month.but i am waiting.approximtly 4 months are going to complete.the most irretating thing is that we could not contact them in any way.and calling them is just wast of time.

Hi Raheela,

I think you should drop an email to UKVI Complaints at complaints@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Tell them it has been very very urgent you need your passport now and make up some story that someone's sick (matter of life and Death) And tell them how you are so desperate, anxiety has taken over and getting in to depression and the stress is affecting your normal working life.

Using these hard words once I managed to claim £1200 compensation from them as they rejected my visa wrongly. So I think this will work. They take 2 weeks around to answer you back but seeing this urgency they might speed up. I know its a hassel to do all this but with UKVI if you don't chase they will think its not important and will keep you waiting.

Good Luck and let us know how it is going.

[ammara_talhi]

Hi,

So after I spend a decent amount of money trying to contact them and escalating the "lost" application I received all of the documents at MY address in the UK that were submitted with the application form, obviously not including the husband's passport.

My guess is my husband will receive an email in the next few days (fingers crossed) to come and collect his passport.

Has this happened to anyone else? please can you speak up if so?

I really do hope there's no refusal letter waiting for him.

I could be overthinking, but I think and hope that is it accepted, otherwise they should be sending all of the documents back to the husband (in pakistan) in order to reapply again?

or they could just be the pain they are known as being!!

Timeline Below:

Application Submitted online : 24th March 17
Bio-Metrics taken: 30th March 17
Received "not straightforward" email around : 14th April 17
Documents Received : 10th June 17

I'm fuming about how long it has taken, when the processing times on the gov website says 82% within 15 working days! (totally bullshit)

Thanks

Hi sid
Its veey strange.5 people in my family applied for the same visa in same circumstances when i applied.all of them get visa within 2 weeks.one of them get in one month.but i am waiting.approximtly 4 months are going to complete.the most irretating thing is that we could not contact them in any way.and calling them is just wast of time.

Hi Raheela,

I think you should drop an email to UKVI Complaints at complaints@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Tell them it has been very very urgent you need your passport now and make up some story that someone's sick (matter of life and Death) And tell them how you are so desperate, anxiety has taken over and getting in to depression and the stress is affecting your normal working life.

Using these hard words once I managed to claim £1200 compensation from them as they rejected my visa wrongly. So I think this will work. They take 2 weeks around to answer you back but seeing this urgency they might speed up. I know its a hassel to do all this but with UKVI if you don't chase they will think its not important and will keep you waiting.

Good Luck and let us know how it is going.

[Zuly1820]

Hi Ammara

That sounds odd - I think they usually send all docs together with the passport.

But to give you some positive light, when my husband applied for the first time in India back in January the decision was made within a week and it was rejected - and all documents alongside passport and refusal letter were sent to my husband in India.

Since you have received your documents in the UK that could mean it has been accepted hopefully. All the best!!

Did you chase them often with calls? - Just to know whether I should be doing the same since its been 56 working days.

Keep us updated about the decision please.

My timeline is very similar to yours so hoping to hear back soon!!

[sidkapure]

Hi Zuly, I think it is definitely worth calling them to give them a little push because this escalation thing is happening with lot of people I think.

When I called them they had no idea where my application and then they said they have now escalated my case and someone is looking to it.

Emails and calls are both chargeable now hence you better call and sound desperate for your visa.

I am sitting on my 11th week actually. Still waiting.

Good Luck. Do post any updates.


Regards

Sid Kapure.

[Zuly1820]

Hi Zuly, I think it is definitely worth calling them to give them a little push because this escalation thing is happening with lot of people I think.

When I called them they had no idea where my application and then they said they have now escalated my case and someone is looking to it.

Emails and calls are both chargeable now hence you better call and sound desperate for your visa.

I am sitting on my 11th week actually. Still waiting.

Good Luck. Do post any updates.


Regards

Sid Kapure.

Hi Sid,

Thanks for the advice - I called HO and the advisor said she escalated the process for someone to see it and should hear back within 10 working days. I should have called earlier - I kept on waiting for the 60 working days timescale!

Anyways, I shall keep you updated !

[meakash619]

Hi Everyone


I am facing a similar issue, i applied for eea family permit on 31st march 2017 via VFS Global New Delhi India. Its been more than 2 months and they haven't processed our application yet. I received same email about delay because our application is not straightforward . I sent them an email after paying the fee to update my application status today. Did anyone receive Family permit after waiting for this long ?

[ammara_talhi]

Hi Zuly,

I always thought they would send everything together too, oh well.

Well my husband had signed up to a service at the visa application center in pakistan which gives him updates when anything happens in pakistan, and he received a text this morning saying the 'proccessed visa application was received on 13/6/17'.

I was about to type up that he should have an email telling him to pick up his passport soon, but I just picked up my phone to a message from the husband saying he's got the email, so I should know tomorrow about the decision (In Shal Allah it will be accepted).

Thanks for the wishes.

I will update you all once I know.

I would recoment emailing them rather than calling them, they chat crap on the phone, they told me they couldnt find my application, yet I have all the documents back and the husband is going to collect his passport tomorrow.

They have not only started charging for email but also changed the way the calling system works.

I had called them before they started charging for email and I was asked for my card details and I was charged at the end according to how long the call was ( at the rate of £1.37 pm), I then rang once it changed, and they take £20 before you talk to anyone, and then refund you based on how long the call was.

Good luck to everyone!

Thanks

Hi Ammara

That sounds odd - I think they usually send all docs together with the passport.

But to give you some positive light, when my husband applied for the first time in India back in January the decision was made within a week and it was rejected - and all documents alongside passport and refusal letter were sent to my husband in India.

Since you have received your documents in the UK that could mean it has been accepted hopefully. All the best!!

Did you chase them often with calls? - Just to know whether I should be doing the same since its been 56 working days.

Keep us updated about the decision please.

My timeline is very similar to yours so hoping to hear back soon!!

[Zuly1820]

Hi Ammara,

That's great news ! Really hope you get it

Yea they changed the way calls are charged and I didn't particularly find the adviser any knowledgeable or useful. I'll wait the 10 working days before I chase it up again! My dream of having the husband over in time for Eid is gone - so frustrating!

But oh well nothing we can do really!

All the best - looking forward to hear some good news from you tomorrow InshAllah

Hi Zuly,

I always thought they would send everything together too, oh well.

Well my husband had signed up to a service at the visa application center in pakistan which gives him updates when anything happens in pakistan, and he received a text this morning saying the 'proccessed visa application was received on 13/6/17'.

I was about to type up that he should have an email telling him to pick up his passport soon, but I just picked up my phone to a message from the husband saying he's got the email, so I should know tomorrow about the decision (In Shal Allah it will be accepted).

Thanks for the wishes.

I will update you all once I know.

I would recoment emailing them rather than calling them, they chat crap on the phone, they told me they couldnt find my application, yet I have all the documents back and the husband is going to collect his passport tomorrow.

They have not only started charging for email but also changed the way the calling system works.

I had called them before they started charging for email and I was asked for my card details and I was charged at the end according to how long the call was ( at the rate of £1.37 pm), I then rang once it changed, and they take £20 before you talk to anyone, and then refund you based on how long the call was.

Good luck to everyone!

Thanks

Hi Ammara

That sounds odd - I think they usually send all docs together with the passport.

But to give you some positive light, when my husband applied for the first time in India back in January the decision was made within a week and it was rejected - and all documents alongside passport and refusal letter were sent to my husband in India.

Since you have received your documents in the UK that could mean it has been accepted hopefully. All the best!!

Did you chase them often with calls? - Just to know whether I should be doing the same since its been 56 working days.

Keep us updated about the decision please.

My timeline is very similar to yours so hoping to hear back soon!!

[ammara_talhi]

Hi,

After the sickening 10 weeks wait, I'm pleased to say that my husband got his EEA family permit this morning!


I hope he's here for eid!

Thanks for all the help everyone by posting your stories here!

I guess I will be back soon for some more guidance regarding the residence card application (i'll take a break from this paperwork for now )

Here is my timeline:
Application Submitted online : 24th March 17
Bio-Metrics taken: 30th March 17
Received email saying Sheffield is studying the application around: 5th April 17
Received "not straightforward" email around : 14th April 17
Documents Received : 10th June 17 ( at sponsors UK address, me)
Received Email for passport collection : 13th june 17
Passport collected with Visa: 14th June 17

All the best Zuly and everyone else!

Thanks again,

Ammara

Hi Ammara,

That's great news ! Really hope you get it

Yea they changed the way calls are charged and I didn't particularly find the adviser any knowledgeable or useful. I'll wait the 10 working days before I chase it up again! My dream of having the husband over in time for Eid is gone - so frustrating!

But oh well nothing we can do really!

All the best - looking forward to hear some good news from you tomorrow InshAllah

Hi Zuly,

I always thought they would send everything together too, oh well.

Well my husband had signed up to a service at the visa application center in pakistan which gives him updates when anything happens in pakistan, and he received a text this morning saying the 'proccessed visa application was received on 13/6/17'.

I was about to type up that he should have an email telling him to pick up his passport soon, but I just picked up my phone to a message from the husband saying he's got the email, so I should know tomorrow about the decision (In Shal Allah it will be accepted).

Thanks for the wishes.

I will update you all once I know.

I would recoment emailing them rather than calling them, they chat crap on the phone, they told me they couldnt find my application, yet I have all the documents back and the husband is going to collect his passport tomorrow.

They have not only started charging for email but also changed the way the calling system works.

I had called them before they started charging for email and I was asked for my card details and I was charged at the end according to how long the call was ( at the rate of £1.37 pm), I then rang once it changed, and they take £20 before you talk to anyone, and then refund you based on how long the call was.

Good luck to everyone!

Thanks

Hi Ammara

That sounds odd - I think they usually send all docs together with the passport.

But to give you some positive light, when my husband applied for the first time in India back in January the decision was made within a week and it was rejected - and all documents alongside passport and refusal letter were sent to my husband in India.

Since you have received your documents in the UK that could mean it has been accepted hopefully. All the best!!

Did you chase them often with calls? - Just to know whether I should be doing the same since its been 56 working days.

Keep us updated about the decision please.

My timeline is very similar to yours so hoping to hear back soon!!