Sheffield Visa Section - EEA FAMILY PERMIT

[europehelpme]

Dear all, I am trying to escalate and have received the email below to escalate

Thank you for contacting UK Visas and Immigration International Contact Centre.
With regards to your enquiry about the status of your application, unfortunately from the information provided we are unable to ascertain the exact nature of your enquiry/ or your immigration status.
Please respond as per the information below::

Full Name
Date of Birth
GWF number
IHS number
Passport number
Place of submission
Type of Visa applied for
Date of biometrics
Nationality
Applicants e-mail
Reason For Escalation

I did not submit biometrics and was not provided with an IHS number. Is this just a generic email or was I supposed to have received an IHS and submitted my Biometrics as part of the EEA Family Permit submission? I am really confused..... Did you all leave those two items blank when you escalated via email?

Hi,
I received the same email, you just need to provide all necessary information ( IHS number if applicable, mostly not) and about biometric, as far as i know all applicants need to submit biometric for EEAR FP. How come you didn't do it?
Anyway, its a standard email from them. After receiving it i did provide all the necessary info, but the escalation wasn't done, so had to call them to escalate on phone, although still didn't receive any written confirmation of escalation, only oral via phone.
Regards

I did provide my finger readings on the date my application was submitted at the application centre. Is this the Biometrics? I just realised it say date of biometrics I was thinking they wanted the actual Biometrics number. Am I safe to assume then the date of my biometrics is the date I submitted my application as this is the day they read my fingerprints?

I will put N/A for IHS? Or was I supposed to get this number as part of the process?

[baig5035]

For IHS is N/A

[yanaveron]

Dear all, I am trying to escalate and have received the email below to escalate

Thank you for contacting UK Visas and Immigration International Contact Centre.
With regards to your enquiry about the status of your application, unfortunately from the information provided we are unable to ascertain the exact nature of your enquiry/ or your immigration status.
Please respond as per the information below::

Full Name
Date of Birth
GWF number
IHS number
Passport number
Place of submission
Type of Visa applied for
Date of biometrics
Nationality
Applicants e-mail
Reason For Escalation

I did not submit biometrics and was not provided with an IHS number. Is this just a generic email or was I supposed to have received an IHS and submitted my Biometrics as part of the EEA Family Permit submission? I am really confused..... Did you all leave those two items blank when you escalated via email?

Hi,
I received the same email, you just need to provide all necessary information ( IHS number if applicable, mostly not) and about biometric, as far as i know all applicants need to submit biometric for EEAR FP. How come you didn't do it?
Anyway, its a standard email from them. After receiving it i did provide all the necessary info, but the escalation wasn't done, so had to call them to escalate on phone, although still didn't receive any written confirmation of escalation, only oral via phone.
Regards

I did provide my finger readings on the date my application was submitted at the application centre. Is this the Biometrics? I just realised it say date of biometrics I was thinking they wanted the actual Biometrics number. Am I safe to assume then the date of my biometrics is the date I submitted my application as this is the day they read my fingerprints?

I will put N/A for IHS? Or was I supposed to get this number as part of the process?

Hi,
In my case submitting the application and biometric ( reading fingerprints) was on the same day as well, so just write the date of it.
And for the IHS I answered " not applicable "

By the way, this morning I received the email:
"Thank you for contacting UK Visas and Immigration International Contact Centre.

With regards to your query we would like to inform you that we have escalated your case and you will be contacted in mean time from relevant department.

Please note that the onus is upon individual customers to ensure that they satisfy the requirements set out in the guidance material. The guidance material accompanies each and every application form. UK Visa and Immigration is not able to give, indicate or advise upon the outcome of any such application prior to it being given full and careful consideration.
Directing you to the guidance material is the only advice we can give you. If you need any further help you should seek independent immigration advice."

So escalation has been done and now just to wait for the answer ( hopefully soon)

Regards

[europehelpme]

Did you escalate to this email?

ukvisupport@mailgb.custhelp.com

I called them to escalate and they emailed me from the above asking for the following. Do I just reply to that email?

Thank you for contacting UK Visas and Immigration International Contact Centre.
With regards to your enquiry about the status of your application, unfortunately from the information provided we are unable to ascertain the exact nature of your enquiry/ or your immigration status.
Please respond as per the information below::

Full Name
Date of Birth
GWF number
IHS number
Passport number
Place of submission
Type of Visa applied for
Date of biometrics
Nationality
Applicants e-mail
Reason For Escalation

[yanaveron]

Did you escalate to this email?

ukvisupport@mailgb.custhelp.com

I called them to escalate and they emailed me from the above asking for the following. Do I just reply to that email?

Thank you for contacting UK Visas and Immigration International Contact Centre.
With regards to your enquiry about the status of your application, unfortunately from the information provided we are unable to ascertain the exact nature of your enquiry/ or your immigration status.
Please respond as per the information below::

Full Name
Date of Birth
GWF number
IHS number
Passport number
Place of submission
Type of Visa applied for
Date of biometrics
Nationality
Applicants e-mail
Reason For Escalation

Yes, just reply to that email ( in fact, in their mail there must be written ".. please response to this email..." )

[baig5035]

i have received same email in august reply to that email email still waiting ?????

[europehelpme]

I just got this email.

Thank you for information you have provided .

I have forwarded your details to a team manager to escalate your case to the relevant department . You should be contacted regarding your case within 20 working days from the date of escalation.

Please allow the 20 working days to pass before contacting UK Visas & Immigration International Contact Centre again should you not receive any further correspondence.

Why have they just increased it to 20 days? Wasn't it 15 days before?

[baig5035]

its always 20 days i dont know here a lot of people assume 15 days......
Received same reply almost but nothing happen really.

[yanaveron]

I just got this email.

Thank you for information you have provided .

I have forwarded your details to a team manager to escalate your case to the relevant department . You should be contacted regarding your case within 20 working days from the date of escalation.

Please allow the 20 working days to pass before contacting UK Visas & Immigration International Contact Centre again should you not receive any further correspondence.

Why have they just increased it to 20 days? Wasn't it 15 days before?

Yes, now they have changed it from 15 to 20 working days ( I have been told the same)

By the way, I don't recommend you to contact them or to escalate your case before 20 working days have finished, as it may move your application to the and of the queue again, so you will be forced to wait 20 working days from the beginning.

What country did you apply from?

Regards

[yanaveron]

i have received same email in august reply to that email email still waiting ?????

I think yes, anyway try to answer to them, it can't be worse.
Regards

[Enka2018]

122 working days still waiting they haven't even updated their processing time on website so no1 knows how long it can take. And I don't think anything helps to fast the process coz tried everything already escalated 3 times.

[baig5035]

Really nothing will help accept luck

[europehelpme]

I just got this email.

Thank you for information you have provided .

I have forwarded your details to a team manager to escalate your case to the relevant department . You should be contacted regarding your case within 20 working days from the date of escalation.

Please allow the 20 working days to pass before contacting UK Visas & Immigration International Contact Centre again should you not receive any further correspondence.

Why have they just increased it to 20 days? Wasn't it 15 days before?

Yes, now they have changed it from 15 to 20 working days ( I have been told the same)

By the way, I don't recommend you to contact them or to escalate your case before 20 working days have finished, as it may move your application to the and of the queue again, so you will be forced to wait 20 working days from the beginning.

What country did you apply from?

Regards

What does it mean to escalate again? If I call them they charge for the call, are they really that pedantic and touchy to do that? My life is on hold here and we cant even get updates?

[europehelpme]

https://www.civilservicejobs.service.go ... de=1557121

Guys, I suggest we get in touch with the people responsible for the hiring, who are most likely also managing this whole application process, to let them know how our lives are being ruined due to their mismanagement.

The people on the escalation line really have no idea what is going on.. in fact, they agree and acknowledge it is a complete mess and there is nothing that can really be done...

[yanaveron]

I just got this email.

Thank you for information you have provided .

I have forwarded your details to a team manager to escalate your case to the relevant department . You should be contacted regarding your case within 20 working days from the date of escalation.

Please allow the 20 working days to pass before contacting UK Visas & Immigration International Contact Centre again should you not receive any further correspondence.

Why have they just increased it to 20 days? Wasn't it 15 days before?

Yes, now they have changed it from 15 to 20 working days ( I have been told the same)

By the way, I don't recommend you to contact them or to escalate your case before 20 working days have finished, as it may move your application to the and of the queue again, so you will be forced to wait 20 working days from the beginning.

What country did you apply from?

Regards

What does it mean to escalate again? If I call them they charge for the call, are they really that pedantic and touchy to do that? My life is on hold here and we cant even get updates?

You can escalate either by writing to them ir calling, it will be the same procedure. But honestly, I don't think its going to help, as you can see, there are people on this forum who escalated many times and still nothing

[europehelpme]

businesssupportsheffield@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

maybe we should contact this email to hear the truth instead of UKSOLVIT

get in touch with the head honcho of this mess

[europehelpme]

Have they been responding within the escalation timeframes?

[Enka2018]

It was 15 days but no surprise they can't deliver it in 15 days. Anyway they don't do what they say even their website says max 3 months for non settlement visa but they breaking all the law and rules. Non other immigration takes 6-7!months to process a entry visa that is just valid for 6 months.

[baig5035]

businesssupportsheffield@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

maybe we should contact this email to hear the truth instead of UKSOLVIT

get in touch with the head honcho of this mess

Have you contact on that email if yes than any reply ...? How can they help if this email also belong to UKVI..?

[degtom]

Hi,

Just to share some hope in this thread and hope you will all receive your Permits soon.

Applied from Singapore (citizen): 11 July
Application is processing email: 25 July
"Not straightforward" email: 27 July
- Escalation done by my EU spouse via phone every 15 days since 2 August, total no. of escalation calls = 4
- Escalation done by email by myself first 15 days, and next at 45 days, total no. of escalation emails = 2
Passport Received with approval: 2 October

Total no. of UK working days: 58
Home Office website had shown 100% of applications from my country were processed in 5 days, based on May 2017 figures and we had planned based on that, but it was not to be.
I remember there's another guy Edwinlobo (thanks Edwin for sharing!) earlier in this thread who applied from a neighbouring country (Malaysia) who received the permit on the 60th day too so perhaps can look at this number of days for applications from South East Asia.

Or perhaps has to do with the time I applied to as it was summer - more travellers, more students going in for new term in Sep/Oct so they could be calculating on a net migration effect? Just my speculation.

We were considering to write to the MP and Solvit after the 60th day but didn't need to do that.

Very happy of course, although my husband had already booked his ticket to come see me again next week. Well, we will be leaving together this time after all! And finally sweet relief to get my passport back!

Good luck everyone, I think this is really an exercise in patience and faith and I completely understand the frustration and annoyance. My husband reminded me to come share the timeline here as I was just where you guys are, yesterday but today am much more content.

@europehelpme: I received a similar email with my escalation request, but it was indicated 15 days back then (4 August).
Perhaps they are trying to manage expectations now by changing to 20 days?

[Merzit]

Today for my husband, 90 working days waiting.
Does anyone have the same situation of Visa as me? applied on May 26. (Link picture post it)

[yanaveron]

Hi,

Just to share some hope in this thread and hope you will all receive your Permits soon.

Applied from Singapore (citizen): 11 July
Application is processing email: 25 July
"Not straightforward" email: 27 July
- Escalation done by my EU spouse via phone every 15 days since 2 August, total no. of escalation calls = 4
- Escalation done by email by myself first 15 days, and next at 45 days, total no. of escalation emails = 2
Passport Received with approval: 2 October

Total no. of UK working days: 58
Home Office website had shown 100% of applications from my country were processed in 5 days, based on May 2017 figures and we had planned based on that, but it was not to be.
I remember there's another guy Edwinlobo (thanks Edwin for sharing!) earlier in this thread who applied from a neighbouring country (Malaysia) who received the permit on the 60th day too so perhaps can look at this number of days for applications from South East Asia.

Or perhaps has to do with the time I applied to as it was summer - more travellers, more students going in for new term in Sep/Oct so they could be calculating on a net migration effect? Just my speculation.

We were considering to write to the MP and Solvit after the 60th day but didn't need to do that.

Very happy of course, although my husband had already booked his ticket to come see me again next week. Well, we will be leaving together this time after all! And finally sweet relief to get my passport back!

Good luck everyone, I think this is really an exercise in patience and faith and I completely understand the frustration and annoyance. My husband reminded me to come share the timeline here as I was just where you guys are, yesterday but today am much more content.

@europehelpme: I received a similar email with my escalation request, but it was indicated 15 days back then (4 August).
Perhaps they are trying to manage expectations now by changing to 20 days?

Hi,
Thanks for sharing your news. Congratulations!!! And enjoy the time with your family!
Good luck to everyone!

Regards

[europehelpme]

When you are all saying we wrote to the MP, what is that? Member of parliament? Which MP you writing to? The one from area you will be living in the UK or the area you have applied from? How do I find the relevant MP for me that I have to write to?

[Alexkowalski87]

Hi,

Just to share some hope in this thread and hope you will all receive your Permits soon.

Applied from Singapore (citizen): 11 July
Application is processing email: 25 July
"Not straightforward" email: 27 July
- Escalation done by my EU spouse via phone every 15 days since 2 August, total no. of escalation calls = 4
- Escalation done by email by myself first 15 days, and next at 45 days, total no. of escalation emails = 2
Passport Received with approval: 2 October

Total no. of UK working days: 58
Home Office website had shown 100% of applications from my country were processed in 5 days, based on May 2017 figures and we had planned based on that, but it was not to be.
I remember there's another guy Edwinlobo (thanks Edwin for sharing!) earlier in this thread who applied from a neighbouring country (Malaysia) who received the permit on the 60th day too so perhaps can look at this number of days for applications from South East Asia.

Or perhaps has to do with the time I applied to as it was summer - more travellers, more students going in for new term in Sep/Oct so they could be calculating on a net migration effect? Just my speculation.

We were considering to write to the MP and Solvit after the 60th day but didn't need to do that.

Very happy of course, although my husband had already booked his ticket to come see me again next week. Well, we will be leaving together this time after all! And finally sweet relief to get my passport back!

Good luck everyone, I think this is really an exercise in patience and faith and I completely understand the frustration and annoyance. My husband reminded me to come share the timeline here as I was just where you guys are, yesterday but today am much more content.

@europehelpme: I received a similar email with my escalation request, but it was indicated 15 days back then (4 August).
Perhaps they are trying to manage expectations now by changing to 20 days?

Congratz mate!

I am so thrilled to read your thread as they started to grant the visas for the applications who applied in July 2017.

However, i applied on the 3rd of July 2017 and escalated once only but no news. Received couple of standard emails, precisely the same on this thread.

Could you give me a hint on how to make it quicker?

[Willyboy]

Today for my husband, 90 working days waiting.
Does anyone have the same situation of Visa as me? applied on May 26. (Link picture post it)

Hi Merzit,

It's depressing to read your news because we also applied from Madrid on 1 August. It's now been nearly 45 working days so it's dreadful to think we have another 45 days to go just to reach the point you're at.