UKVCAS Super Priority Service

[venk]

Hi Guys,

Good News!!!

My biometrics appointment date: 26th Nov
Have no communication received after 24 hours. i have escalated couple of times with UKVI and received the email response saying the application is with in the service standards. so kept myself calm till i received the email today as i have seen guys here started getting response recently who applied same week as mine.

Received email confirming its been granted 18 Dec

This forum really helped a lot.

I am sure you all hear good news soon. its just matter of time and wait .

Thanks guys and good luck.

[vpruk]

Hi Guys,

Good News!!!

My biometrics appointment date: 26th Nov
Have no communication received after 24 hours. i have escalated couple of times with UKVI and received the email response saying the application is with in the service standards. so kept myself calm till i received the email today as i have seen guys here started getting response recently who applied same week as mine.

Received email confirming its been granted 18 Dec

This forum really helped a lot.

I am sure you all hear good news soon. its just matter of time and wait .

Thanks guys and good luck.

Congratulations on the good news venk!

i am due to apply SET LR next week, i am struggling with uploading scan doc. could you please guide me thru how to do? like do i need to scan as pdf or jpeg ; can i upload as many files as i can, any restrictions? i am going to apply in local library center so i assume it would not be super priority center.

i look forward for your reply
thanks
vpr

[sivap99]

Guys,

Whoever received the Approval emails, congrats to all (ILR applicants). Just wondering did any of you contacted UKVI for the refund (£600) as clearly they didn't process within 24 hours as its per Priority service standards? I applied on 6th December (Tier 2 to ILR) and still waiting for the response. I am thinking of asking for refund once I get response from them. Keep you posted....also if anyone contacted regarding that, can you please update..it would be helpful to others, so that they can request refund too.

Thanks

[sivap99]

Congratulations on the good news venk!

i am due to apply SET LR next week, i am struggling with uploading scan doc. could you please guide me thru how to do? like do i need to scan as pdf or jpeg ; can i upload as many files as i can, any restrictions? i am going to apply in local library center so i assume it would not be super priority center.

i look forward for your reply
thanks
vpr

Hi,

Probably PDF nest, default scanner has that options, you can doo JPEG too, they mention in sopra steria website. Yes you can upload as many as you can, whenever you go to upload section, you can see different sections like finances (payslips, bank statements, etc. ), Employment (Employer letters etc. incase of Tier 2 general). Other documents ( Life in the UK certificates etc).
Its fairly straight forward, just scan your documents in either format and upload in corresponding sections (if your not sure, then just upload any document on Others), but make sure the quality is good to read clearly.

Sopra steria charge too much money (as an additional service) for that whereas you can do it yourself. Hope I answered your questions.

All the best!

[oldmankensey]

Guys,

Whoever received the Approval emails, congrats to all (ILR applicants). Just wondering did any of you contacted UKVI for the refund (£600) as clearly they didn't process within 24 hours as its per Priority service standards? I applied on 6th December (Tier 2 to ILR) and still waiting for the response. I am thinking of asking for refund once I get response from them. Keep you posted....also if anyone contacted regarding that, can you please update..it would be helpful to others, so that they can request refund too.

Thanks

I will be asking for full refund of the 600 and I will also be making an official complaint about the helpline.

I expect nothing at all on both of those but it will make me feel 1% better.

[ba54]

i had applied for someone ilr on 13 dec 2018 with spora steria hemel hempstead apointment. Sopra steria services was very bad system was not running well. but still no luck . i rang HO they generated ticket for me today revived email from HO said it’s still in process. it was periorty application paid £600 my question is why they are charging fee £600 for nothing they are not dissing decision letter in 24 hours???

[alpharomeo]

Hi Guys,

Good News!!!

My biometrics appointment date: 26th Nov
Have no communication received after 24 hours. i have escalated couple of times with UKVI and received the email response saying the application is with in the service standards. so kept myself calm till i received the email today as i have seen guys here started getting response recently who applied same week as mine.

Received email confirming its been granted 18 Dec

This forum really helped a lot.

I am sure you all hear good news soon. its just matter of time and wait .

Thanks guys and good luck.

Congratulations on the good news venk!

i am due to apply SET LR next week, i am struggling with uploading scan doc. could you please guide me thru how to do? like do i need to scan as pdf or jpeg ; can i upload as many files as i can, any restrictions? i am going to apply in local library center so i assume it would not be super priority center.

i look forward for your reply
thanks
vpr

HI everyone

Can you please specify what documents we need to scan and upload for ILR LR category? MAny thanks.

[zaf1]

What is the difference between "application is within the service standards" and "Our records show your application is still being processed" ???

I applied on 30th November 2018 and enrolled biometrics on 11th Dec 2018 Manchester central library Tier 2 to ILR (Set(O)). Still awaiting decision upon escalation yesterday got a generic email "Our records show your application is still being processed" ???

[cja_1234]

Relaying from oldmankensey’s post, I’ve just updated since oldmankensey’s original tracker on Dec 16. Again, it is NOT perfect but I hope it is useful for many people. I also put more details for mine (SET (O) application at Manchester Central Library) so if people can copy the list and add yours, that'd be even more helpful!

Nov 17
Fryman - no answer yet

Nov 20
nihalcastelino – response on Nov 27

Nov 22
manibala89 - response Dec 10
ilovethebeatles - response Nov 28

Nov 24
manuelabe - response Dec 13

Nov 26
mail9 - response Dec 15
venk – response Dec 18
ecu-daba - no answer yet
vh5211 - no answer yet
pumz1984 - response Dec 15
scoobydoo0602 – response Dec 17

Nov 27
sunnysakhi - no answer yet

Nov 28
daisyuk - no answer yet
timothy tao - no answer yet
madihaaali_304 - no answer yet
bhcool - response Dec 14
jas18 - no answer yet

Nov 30
oldmankensey - no answer yet
nishi - no answer yet

Dec 1
cja_1234 – SET(O), Manchester Central Library - no answer yet
FarooqShah86 - no answer yet
9127 - response Dec 10
badhodor - no answer yet
vcok - response Dec 14
kumar88 - no answer yet
allbirdsallbirds - no answer yet

Dec 3
cemj - response Dec 7

Dec 4
advanceswine - response Dec 11
anand_p - no answer yet
auslanderlh - no answer yet

Dec 5
Min8585 - response Dec 12
mahmoudsayed86 - response Dec 11

Dec 6
tingtingyuyu - response Dec 7
livlivuk - response Dec 14
avishekm – no answer yet
sivap99 – no answer yet
Incognito123 – no answer yet

Dec 7
jibrankayub - response Dec 10

Dec 8
norty109 - response Dec 13
RY83 – no answer yet
yoginipingle – no answer yet

Dec 10
himanshuc - no answer yet

Dec 11
seventimesandmore - response Dec 12
shah4404 - response Dec 13
swskum - response Dec 12
zaf1 – no answer yet

Dec 12
Saninsts - no answer yet
pride88 - no answer yet
taurusliz – response Dec 17

Dec 13
Kaley - response Dec 14
ba54 – no answer yet

Dec 14
Ader – response on Dec 14 (winner!)

Dec 17
Himanshuc - no answer yet
milamad – response on Dec 17 (winner!)

[ecu-daba]

Hi All:

Update from me.

- Sopra Steria appointment on 26th Nov
- Zero communications received.
-Escalated on 4th of December. Zero replies
- Escalated again on 12th December as I did not receive a reply from my previous escalation. I was told to wait for another 5 days
-Received a phone call from their customer service centre (not a caseworker) on 13th December. The lady was incredibly rude and aggressive. Told me that there are no updates on my case and that I should stop calling frequently. I mentioned to her that Im only calling after 5 working days from my initial escalation as I was told and because I never received any communications. So, her update was that there was no update. She then started speculating and told me that my application might have defaulted to the normal postal 6 month period, or might have been wrongly placed, or the caseworker is looking for additional information. I asked her if she can confirm any of these scenarios in relation to my case and she said no. She then said she will be ending the call and hung up on me. Absolutely pathetic service
- Today is 19th December . Over 3 weeks have elapsed since I received my application and I have not received any communications whatsoever. Will have to call again next week.


Just to make everyone aware. Their call centre is providing people with totally inaccurate and contradicting information. Im sure they are just coming up with any excuse to get you off the phone. These are some of the things I have been told whenever I called the service line:

1. They will escalate the case and I should call again if I haven't heard anything in 3 days. This is wromg as I was then told is 5 working days.
2. I was told I will receive an update from the case worker. Not true. When I escalated the second time, the lady told me that no case worker will contact me unless they require clarifications on my application and whoever told me that was totally wrong
3. I was told that the super priority additional fee of £600 is just my decision to pay and the HO can put my case on the standard postal 6 month period if they wish. This makes absolutely no sense.
4. I was told that if there are any delays on my application I will be informed. Not true. It has been over 3 weeks and I have not received a single word from HO

I will continue to post updates on this

[oldmankensey]

This is why I will be making an official complaint about the helpline, it's a warehouse of clowns. It's not their fault, they are badly trained and given no powers and poor information. The people themselves are generally ok, with a few failed middle managers thrown in for good measure.

You could say "oh well, it's the applicant's responsibility to ensure they qualify for the visa and to read all the guidance that is provided" but in that case, get rid of the helpline, stop pretending it's anything other than a speaking version of an FAQ and it's not even that. At least an FAQ doesn't change its answers every time you access it.

I was sucked into the whole submission date vs. appointment date fiasco directly because of contradictory answers given by those working on the helpline. At that point, their very existence is a barrier. It's just a cheap salve for the UKVI to be able to say "oh, we provide a helpline". They don't. It's a group of badly-paid, under-incentivised, woefully-informed phone monkeys.

[allyf]

This is why I will be making an official complaint about the helpline, it's a warehouse of clowns. It's not their fault, they are badly trained and given no powers and poor information. The people themselves are generally ok, with a few failed middle managers thrown in for good measure.

You could say "oh well, it's the applicant's responsibility to ensure they qualify for the visa and to read all the guidance that is provided" but in that case, get rid of the helpline, stop pretending it's anything other than a speaking version of an FAQ and it's not even that. At least an FAQ doesn't change its answers every time you access it.

I was sucked into the whole submission date vs. appointment date fiasco directly because of contradictory answers given by those working on the helpline. At that point, their very existence is a barrier. It's just a cheap salve for the UKVI to be able to say "oh, we provide a helpline". They don't. It's a group of badly-paid, under-incentivised, woefully-informed phone monkeys.

Well said!

[FarooqShah86]

I have involved my local mp into the situation.
He used his mp hotline yesterday and they came back to him right away saying they were going to look into my case and will give hm an update asap.
I travel for my work quite often and I can’t afford to wait for the typical incompetent government clerks to jeopardise my career. this is beyond ridiculous! I paid for something and i should get it. simple as that. No ifs and buts.
Guys get your local mps involved. they won’t listen otherwise.

[sivap99]

Yes, I am even thinking of contacting local MP to complain about the HO (UKVI) & its pathetic helpline service, its a big joke for the amount of fees they charge. There are couple of emails : public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk and complaints@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk . I have sent couple of emails earlier, which no one responds to them. It's coincidence Farooq said about contacting local MP.

[qwmm]

Thanks for sharing your case!

We are pretty much in the same boat, while my case is Tier 2 to Tier 2 (change of employer).

No updates for two weeks + after biometric appointment (Cryodon).

Called them few times, got totally different responses.

One even told me that the first escalation was unsuccessful due to a technical issue.

It’s very frustrating as they told you to wait for 5 working days and after that you got to know that they didn’t actually escalate the case.

Sigh.

Hi All:

Update from me.

- Sopra Steria appointment on 26th Nov
- Zero communications received.
-Escalated on 4th of December. Zero replies
- Escalated again on 12th December as I did not receive a reply from my previous escalation. I was told to wait for another 5 days
-Received a phone call from their customer service centre (not a caseworker) on 13th December. The lady was incredibly rude and aggressive. Told me that there are no updates on my case and that I should stop calling frequently. I mentioned to her that Im only calling after 5 working days from my initial escalation as I was told and because I never received any communications. So, her update was that there was no update. She then started speculating and told me that my application might have defaulted to the normal postal 6 month period, or might have been wrongly placed, or the caseworker is looking for additional information. I asked her if she can confirm any of these scenarios in relation to my case and she said no. She then said she will be ending the call and hung up on me. Absolutely pathetic service
- Today is 19th December . Over 3 weeks have elapsed since I received my application and I have not received any communications whatsoever. Will have to call again next week.


Just to make everyone aware. Their call centre is providing people with totally inaccurate and contradicting information. Im sure they are just coming up with any excuse to get you off the phone. These are some of the things I have been told whenever I called the service line:

1. They will escalate the case and I should call again if I haven't heard anything in 3 days. This is wromg as I was then told is 5 working days.
2. I was told I will receive an update from the case worker. Not true. When I escalated the second time, the lady told me that no case worker will contact me unless they require clarifications on my application and whoever told me that was totally wrong
3. I was told that the super priority additional fee of £600 is just my decision to pay and the HO can put my case on the standard postal 6 month period if they wish. This makes absolutely no sense.
4. I was told that if there are any delays on my application I will be informed. Not true. It has been over 3 weeks and I have not received a single word from HO

I will continue to post updates on this

[himanshuc]

Guys, do we have the terms and conditions for Super Priority Service where they explicitly state the turnaround time of 24 hours? Thanks

[mohan_uk]

Thank you for all the forum members as they provide an excellent guidance for people who would like to apply for visa with Home office. Especially with the constant changing of home office rules, it would be impossible for normal people to keep track of whats the requirements for each visa at any one point of time.

Anyways Here is my experience of using the SOPRASTERIA/UKVCAS - Super Priority Service

Application: SET-O Tier 1 Dependent (ILR Aplication)
Appointment Date: 17/12/2018 @12.00
Appointment Centre: Croydon (Bedfont place)
Background: my wife entered uk in 12/12/2013 and got a visa extenstion in 2016 and met the 5 year requirement period. I'm self employed /she works in nhs and currently in maternity leave.


I'm glad to say that my wife's ILR application was successful and we recieved our BRP sent home on 19/12/2018 by 9.30 am

Experience:

Turned up at 11.35am in the Bedfont place centre in croydon and has been told to wait till 11.45 am before they could let us in. After security checks we went to the first floor, where we are quickly asked to do the Biometrics and in the next 10 minutes it was over. we were 2nd in the queue so was quite lucky and we were called straight away for the documents verification.

The lady who was at the desk doesn't know anything about individual cases or the application types and the relevant documents needed, she knows to sort out the supplied documents in relevant categories and reupload them if basic documents are not uploaded / missing.

I have already uploaded all the documents before going to the appointment, so it saved me a lot of time, few documents has been in the wrong category and she reuploaded them in the right category (the current passport / old passport with all pages needed in proof of application category). she went through the documents list and confirmed everything looks good and asked if we want anything else to submit as part of our application to support our case. we are done by 13.00 and out of the centre. The lady mentioned UKVI will contact you regarding the status in 24 hours. what she didn't tell is how they would contact you, they didn't contact us using email and they do via physical mail and it will take more than 24 hours.

List of Documents submitted:

1. My British Passport
2. My Wife’s Passport
3. Marriage certificate
4. Life in the UK Certificate
5. UK NARIC Certificate
6. Degree Certificate
7. IELTS Certificate
8. Cohabitation proof ( 6+ correspondence proof, includes utililty bills, council tax, Bank Statements,House Ownership Title etc.. for the last 2 years)
9. Biometric Permit
10. Last Grant Of Leave to Remain Approval Letter
11. Daughters Birth Certificate
12. Her Current Employment Letter
13. Her last six months Bank Statements
14. Her Last six months Pay Slips
15. Her Last years P60 / SA 302 form
16. My Last six months Bank Statements
17. My Last six months PaySlips / Dividends
18. My Accountant Letter confirming proof of Income
19. My Last year SA302 Summary

I have submitted a lot of documents regarding the financial requirement as my wife used to work and is currently in maternity leave, but you may need not submit all the financial documents.

We also had a section "the person you are joining" in the online application filled out wrong and i corrected them in the downloaded application and uploaded the corrected application and mentioned that in the covering letter to accept our corrected application.

Apart from no acknowledgment from the UKVCAS process and not knowing when/how UKVI will contact us, the process was smooth and we got our BRP delivered at 19/12/2018 by 9.30am

Hope someone finds this useful. Thanks

--
Regards,
Mohan

[jas18]

Its has been more than 3 weeks since I submitted my application on 28 Nov and I`ve just send an email to my local Mp and I hope get a reply soon. So frastrated.

[hairen]

Hi guys;

Can anybody tell me the exactly meaning of wording "YOU HAVE RECEIVED A NEW PASSPORT SINCE YOUR LAST LEAVE TO REMAIN APPLICATION, AND YOUR VISA IS IN YOUR OLD PASSPORT,YOU MUST INCLUDE BOTH PASSPORT" on Documents Checklist
Many thanks.

[mohan_uk]

Hi guys;

Can anybody tell me the exactly meaning of wording "YOU HAVE RECEIVED A NEW PASSPORT SINCE YOUR LAST LEAVE TO REMAIN APPLICATION, AND YOUR VISA IS IN YOUR OLD PASSPORT,YOU MUST INCLUDE BOTH PASSPORT" on Documents Checklist
Many thanks.

That is if your current uk visa was granted based on your old passport as your identity and since then if you have applied for a new passport and applying for uk visa renewal, you should include both the passports old /new and especially submit all the pages in your old passport just for clarity.

[nagkd]

Hello Guys!!

I would like to share my experience with UKVCAS Super Priority Service

Application Type: SET O (Tier 2 to ILR)
Application Submitted: December 10, 2018.
Appointment: December 18, 2018 11:00 AM at Wakefield Library (Sopra Steria)
ILR Approval Email Received: December 19, 2018 11:30 AM.

Waiting for the BRP

[oldmankensey]

I will write to my MP this evening. It will make her week, I think. She'll no doubt reply "oh, that's delightful, I had no idea our immigration policies were working so well! Enjoy your hostile environment."

She might at least make a call to confirm we are not stuck in the 6-month-decision pile.

[badhodor]

After reading the thread today and feeling a bit desperate, hopeless and frustrated I have just now written to my local MP.

Let's hope I receive some update now!!!

Getting sick and tired of the constant waiting.

[mizer]

Thank you for all the forum members as they provide an excellent guidance for people who would like to apply for visa with Home office. Especially with the constant changing of home office rules, it would be impossible for normal people to keep track of whats the requirements for each visa at any one point of time.

Anyways Here is my experience of using the SOPRASTERIA/UKVCAS - Super Priority Service

Application: SET-O Tier 1 Dependent (ILR Aplication)
Appointment Date: 17/12/2018 @12.00
Appointment Centre: Croydon (Bedfont place)
Background: my wife entered uk in 12/12/2013 and got a visa extenstion in 2016 and met the 5 year requirement period. I'm self employed /she works in nhs and currently in maternity leave.


I'm glad to say that my wife's ILR application was successful and we recieved our BRP sent home on 19/12/2018 by 9.30 am

Experience:

Turned up at 11.35am in the Bedfont place centre in croydon and has been told to wait till 11.45 am before they could let us in. After security checks we went to the first floor, where we are quickly asked to do the Biometrics and in the next 10 minutes it was over. we were 2nd in the queue so was quite lucky and we were called straight away for the documents verification.

The lady who was at the desk doesn't know anything about individual cases or the application types and the relevant documents needed, she knows to sort out the supplied documents in relevant categories and reupload them if basic documents are not uploaded / missing.

I have already uploaded all the documents before going to the appointment, so it saved me a lot of time, few documents has been in the wrong category and she reuploaded them in the right category (the current passport / old passport with all pages needed in proof of application category). she went through the documents list and confirmed everything looks good and asked if we want anything else to submit as part of our application to support our case. we are done by 13.00 and out of the centre. The lady mentioned UKVI will contact you regarding the status in 24 hours. what she didn't tell is how they would contact you, they didn't contact us using email and they do via physical mail and it will take more than 24 hours.

List of Documents submitted:

1. My British Passport
2. My Wife’s Passport
3. Marriage certificate
4. Life in the UK Certificate
5. UK NARIC Certificate
6. Degree Certificate
7. IELTS Certificate
8. Cohabitation proof ( 6+ correspondence proof, includes utililty bills, council tax, Bank Statements,House Ownership Title etc.. for the last 2 years)
9. Biometric Permit
10. Last Grant Of Leave to Remain Approval Letter
11. Daughters Birth Certificate
12. Her Current Employment Letter
13. Her last six months Bank Statements
14. Her Last six months Pay Slips
15. Her Last years P60 / SA 302 form
16. My Last six months Bank Statements
17. My Last six months PaySlips / Dividends
18. My Accountant Letter confirming proof of Income
19. My Last year SA302 Summary

I have submitted a lot of documents regarding the financial requirement as my wife used to work and is currently in maternity leave, but you may need not submit all the financial documents.

We also had a section "the person you are joining" in the online application filled out wrong and i corrected them in the downloaded application and uploaded the corrected application and mentioned that in the covering letter to accept our corrected application.

Apart from no acknowledgment from the UKVCAS process and not knowing when/how UKVI will contact us, the process was smooth and we got our BRP delivered at 19/12/2018 by 9.30am

Hope someone finds this useful. Thanks

--
Regards,
Mohan

Congratulations,
Did you send signed consent declaration to allow home office to check your documents? and also do we have to bring all the original documents to the appointment for they check them?

[madihaali_304]

I will write to my MP this evening. It will make her week, I think. She'll no doubt reply "oh, that's delightful, I had no idea our immigration policies were working so well! Enjoy your hostile environment."

She might at least make a call to confirm we are not stuck in the 6-month-decision pile.

I'm considering doing the same now, it will be a month from my Sopra appointment on the 28th Dec and I highly doubt I'm going to hear back about my application now with Christmas/New Year fast approaching.

I've never even thought about contacting an MP before so not entirely sure what to say when I write to them. Do you mind sharing what you're going to say just so I have some direction please (excluding your personal details of course)? All good if you don't want to.