UKVCAS Super Priority Service

[Isntthisfun]

Hi all, I've been reading this thread during my own process and found it really helpful (alternately worrying and reassuring but super informational!). I have 2 questions that others in this process might be able to help with:

• 1. has anyone had experience with a super priority decision via the Birmingham office recently? I have an appt Tuesday (there are no 'core' centres in my area!) and I'm just wondering if ppl have found it quick, slow, etc - it seems like super priority decisions have had different timelines at different locations.

• 2. Has anyone done this process as the spouse applying (SET(M)), and do you have to take your (British) spouse to that appointment? It'd require us both being off work, and the appointment confirmation says to 'bear in mind that space is limited and only those required at the appointment should attend.' - as it is me the application is for, not my husband, and I've seen nothing indicating otherwise, I'd assume that I am the one required to attend (with all the original documents including his, obviously). Anyone have experience with this at the new centres/with the new service?

Thanks again to all recording their own experiences here, it's been really helpful. My own timeline so far in case it helps others:

type: SET(M) (spouse, 5 year route, indefinite leave/settlement), super-priority
application submitted online: 22 Jan 2019
first available appointment: 5 Feb 2019 11:00, Birmingham centre.
decision time: TBC, will update

Hey Specky I can confirm you do not need your husband to attend your appointment for SET M 5 year route ILR

All others:

ILR SET M 5 year partner route

Date of application: 13 Jan 2019

Date of appointment: 28 Jan 2019 10am at Croydon

I scanned all docs beforehand. Wait time 5 mins. Processing time 20.

Everyone, you need to sign (as does your partner) the consent for home office to verify application information form. I found someone recommended that in the forum so I did it (one for my info classed as part 1 and one for my husband's info classed as part 2) despite it not being on my document checklist or my application. The processing lady said "Oh that's strange it's usually on the checklist you do need it". #ukbaalwaysmakingthingseasyandclear

Secondly, print and bring your completed application form and document checklist. My lady scanned mine for the application but when they review the files with you it's very helpful if you've got the checklist for your own peace of mind. They do not know anything about the detail of your application, they are literally there to check documents in scan quality so know that going in. I did ask her how I would be notified and she said by email though this thread seems to indicate that's not the place. I have not heard so seems like via mail is likely.

Finally, I will pursue a refund of premium service fee if I do not receive from them in a timely manner my confirmation letter with the date stamped day after my appointment. You cannot offer a service at a premium price and not deliver to it. A luxury for some I know but my advice with the UKBA is get a lawyer involved when seeking financial recourse. If seeking a response getting your MP involved as others have said is always a good call.

Good luck all

[Ritchie12]

Hello all,
A few of you know me here as i have been reading and contributing to the forum. Our Sopra Steria Appointment Experience is below:

Application Category: Set LR

Application Submitted: 07/01/2019

Acknowledgement Email: None

....

Morning members,
It is with great joy that i announce our good news. We've got the approval decision and the decision letter through the post this morning. I doubted my better half's optimism that UKVI/HO will reply promptly. But they have proved me wrong. I'm overly excited about this and the BRPs are on the way.

Decision Letter was received this morning through Royal Mail delivery and decision was made on Friday 25-01-2019. So we are among the same day approval decision group. Looking back, it was worth the wait and definitely worth not applying when the system had just being implemented. One part of me thinks, it is God who brought me to this forum.

I'd like to say a big thank you to the moderators (esp. CR001), members of the forum(Allyf. Vpruk, dilse4srk and all the LR applicants). Big thanks to the SET(0), SET(M) and all the others who have travailed through this painful, never racking and anxious. Your advice and directions have been awesome and we appreciate every feedback i have received here. Next up my little one's citizenship

I will continue to post here and feel free to ask me anything if you are on ILR(LR) route.

Thanks you to you all.

Hi guys, our BRP came today. Thanks for all the help.

[prejay]

Tomorrow noon is the 5-day mark for me, so hopefully, I receive good news tomorrow. Just trying to stay positive not only for myself but for everyone else waiting to hear.

A rather random question, not sure anyone will know it, but what is the earliest and latest (time wise) that email communications regarding decisions are sent out? I'm wondering if the system is automated once a decision is reached (unlikely considering how inconsistent it is) or is handled by the caseworker individually when they get sent out. This is just one of the many things I wonder whilst reading through all the posts on this thread.

They appear to be manual (even if from a filled in template). Mine had a typo in my name it which seems less likely from an automated system since they naturally have the correct spelling on file.

[zaf1]

Dear members,
Today I received a letter stating my BRP will be delivered in 7 working days. It does not state specifically if ILR is granted on the next page it says "information only do not convey as ILR granted but has small print stating that your application for ILR has been approved?

So, am I correct to assume its approved?

I have urgent travel plans next week. I chased DX but nothing for me? Can I travel using my old BRP which is still valid until mid-March?

I am thankful to all members and blv my MP help was decisive. THANKS ... I wish all of you waiting get decisions sooner.

[ik1234]

Hello All,

I am applying for my wife's ILR (Tier 2 Dependent route). Its great to see all the replies about the new UKVCAS service. I have a few questions that I would like to get answers for and I'm hoping there have been a similar situation in the past:

1. As a proof of cohabitation I have got my current tenancy agreement, however, my wife is added as "Permitted Occupant" on that agreement and I am the tenant. Is that going to create any issues if I attach this tenancy agreement to my list of documents?
2. I have uploaded all the pages of my wife's current passport. She has two old cancelled passports as well. I am planning to upload those as well. Do I need to scan all the pages of those and upload? Also, will this go in the "Other" category on Sopra Steria?
3. What is the "Declaration" document that we need to upload to the list of documents? Is that the first page of the consent form?

Kindly let me know guys.

Thanks.

Can someone help me with this, please?

Ik1234,
1. I think you will be ok with the tenancy agreement. A marriage certificate hold more value than the tenancy agreement.

2. Yes i will scan them and upload them. I scanned my wife passport and uploaded all the pages. Sopra will scan her current passport again when you go the appointment

3. You get the declaration/consent form when You submit your application and you to the next steps screen. Download, sign, scan and put in the Evidence of Application

I hope this helps

Thanks for all the answers. Do we have to upload the submitted application as well in the list of documents?

[passing_by]

Tomorrow noon is the 5-day mark for me, so hopefully, I receive good news tomorrow. Just trying to stay positive not only for myself but for everyone else waiting to hear.

A rather random question, not sure anyone will know it, but what is the earliest and latest (time wise) that email communications regarding decisions are sent out?

according to this board and to my experience, if you don't receive the email with the decision within 24 hours after your ukvcas appointment - prepare waiting for it for weeks or months.
the so-called 5 working days for the decision to arrive is nothing else than a pure lie that is given by the ukvi phone centre that have no access to anything and have no idea about anything, they are like a generic messaging system.

[preet8899]

Tomorrow noon is the 5-day mark for me, so hopefully, I receive good news tomorrow. Just trying to stay positive not only for myself but for everyone else waiting to hear.

A rather random question, not sure anyone will know it, but what is the earliest and latest (time wise) that email communications regarding decisions are sent out?

according to this board and to my experience, if you don't receive the email with the decision within 24 hours after your ukvcas appointment - prepare waiting for it for weeks or months.
the so-called 5 working days for the decision to arrive is nothing else than a pure lie that is given by the ukvi phone centre that have no access to anything and have no idea about anything, they are like a generic messaging system.

Hi Passing_by,

The wait is frustrating indeed. I have been waiting since 14 December.
Have you got your decision yet? It would be great if you could share your timeline. Thanks.

[passing_by]

Hi Passing_by,

The wait is frustrating indeed. I have been waiting since 14 December.
Have you got your decision yet? It would be great if you could share your timeline. Thanks.

Hi,
my ukvcas appointment for tier 2 extension was about three weeks ago with the super priority service.
have been waiting since then for the decision. unable to go abroad, unable to work and to receive salary with my new employee.
called the ukvi phone centre, submitted a complaint. the above are just a waste of time, except the advise that probably i will get a refund for the super priority.
emailed local MP, no answer from him yet.

[bibi2]

Tomorrow noon is the 5-day mark for me, so hopefully, I receive good news tomorrow. Just trying to stay positive not only for myself but for everyone else waiting to hear.

A rather random question, not sure anyone will know it, but what is the earliest and latest (time wise) that email communications regarding decisions are sent out?

according to this board and to my experience, if you don't receive the email with the decision within 24 hours after your ukvcas appointment - prepare waiting for it for weeks or months.
the so-called 5 working days for the decision to arrive is nothing else than a pure lie that is given by the ukvi phone centre that have no access to anything and have no idea about anything, they are like a generic messaging system.

Not at all. If you don't hear within 24 hours in the vast majority of cases it means that the decision will be delivered by post. They rightly advise to wait 5 working days for the letter to arrive.

[bibi2]

I submitted my biometrics at Sopra Steria cryodon bedford point center yesterday 28/01.
Hoping to get the email today. fingers crossed.

anyone else submitted their biometrics yesterday?

I submitted mine last Saturday, if HO didn’t work on Weekends, it should be similar to Monday’s.

Still no response.

Guys, HO doesn't work on Saturday. Depending on your time of enrolling biometrics and when your application is sent and received by HO your decision shoulf be in 24hrs. It could take longer if they have to do further checks

HO staff work sometimes on Saturdays and even Sunsays (I have a decision made on a Sunday). It seems that it happens especially during peak times, for example in Septembers when they receive so many tier 4 applications.

You're, however, right that Saturday doesn't count as a working day for the purpose of the priority service (submitted on Saturday will be considered as submitted on Monday).

[passing_by]

If you don't hear within 24 hours in the vast majority of cases it means that the decision will be delivered by post. They rightly advise to wait 5 working days for the letter to arrive.

my impression from this thread is that those who apply with the new service and attend ukvcas Copra Steria, firstly receive an email with the decision, and then maybe later it is delivered via post as well. the old service indeed delivers by post, and it usually takes a couple of days, at least from my experience when i used the old service in the past.

[bibi2]

If you don't hear within 24 hours in the vast majority of cases it means that the decision will be delivered by post. They rightly advise to wait 5 working days for the letter to arrive.

my impression from this thread is that those who apply with the new service and attend ukvcas Copra Steria, firstly receive an email with the decision, and then maybe later it is delivered via post as well. the old service indeed delivers by post, and it usually takes a couple of days, at least from my experience when i used the old service in the past.

People may receive email. I personally have received emails for less than half of the applications I submitted in the last 2 moths.

[hdave01]

If you don't hear within 24 hours in the vast majority of cases it means that the decision will be delivered by post. They rightly advise to wait 5 working days for the letter to arrive.

my impression from this thread is that those who apply with the new service and attend ukvcas Copra Steria, firstly receive an email with the decision, and then maybe later it is delivered via post as well. the old service indeed delivers by post, and it usually takes a couple of days, at least from my experience when i used the old service in the past.

People may receive email. I personally have received emails for less than half of the applications I submitted in the last 2 moths.

When you say 'less than half the applications you submitted in last 2 months' are you providing immigration services and submit applications on behalf of your clients?

[bhai86]

Dear members,
Today I received a letter stating my BRP will be delivered in 7 working days. It does not state specifically if ILR is granted on the next page it says "information only do not convey as ILR granted but has small print stating that your application for ILR has been approved?

So, am I correct to assume its approved?

I have urgent travel plans next week. I chased DX but nothing for me? Can I travel using my old BRP which is still valid until mid-March?

I am thankful to all members and blv my MP help was decisive. THANKS ... I wish all of you waiting get decisions sooner.

I would say do not travel until you receive the new BRP now because your old BRP is invalidated by HO.

[jingaboys]

Called the helpline to escalate today, 31 Jan, 2019. No new information given.

I applied for an ILR via Tier 2 (5 years rule), for me, my wife and child and here are my timelines.

Online Application submitted: 21 Jan 2019
Biometrics submitted at UKVCAS Premium Lounge, London: 28 Jan 2019

Still waiting to hear back. Will update once I hear anything.

Hope this helps.

[hdave01]

Called the helpline to escalate today, 31 Jan, 2019. No new information given.

I applied for an ILR via Tier 2 (5 years rule), for me, my wife and child and here are my timelines.

Online Application submitted: 21 Jan 2019
Biometrics submitted at UKVCAS Premium Lounge, London: 28 Jan 2019

Still waiting to hear back. Will update once I hear anything.

Hope this helps.

Did they atleast agree to escalate for you? From what I've read in this forum, many people were told that they can't escalate before 5 working days. I also applied on 28th Jan. Instead of calling them, I'm thinking of emailing on their complaints id.

Members in this forum have mentioned that in terms of effectiveness it is:

- Local MP (Most effective to get response and even expedited cases where they're stuck)
- Complaints inbox (atleast some human being will reply instead of standard automatic email)
- Calling UKVI (Least effective as most people just get a standard email)

Let's hope we get the result soon.

[sunny007]

Hi All,

It's time to share my good news.
My timeline for Tier 2 General to ILR using Super Priority service.

Application submitted online: 19th January 2019
Confimration email received : 20th January 2019 (the application will take 6 months - so ignore it)
Attended UK VCAS Glasgow: 30th January 2019 at 10:0am (Whole process took only 40 minutes)
Received email from case worker: 31th January 2019 at 10:30am that the application is granted
BRP and confirmation letter : waiting

Note :

• All documents had been uploaded by me the 3 day before.
  Don’t forget your UKVCAS appointment confirmation, the email attachment that has the giant QR code. You can’t get in without it.

It took 40 minutes to get inside and out of the centre. 5 minutes in waiting area before being called forward to a booth to enter biometric data. Back to waiting area and await being called forward to have documents checked. Firstly they scanned the appointment confirmation and then bio page and all used pages (stamps) of my passport (Current passport) not the expired one. All other documents were then confirmed to have been correctly uploaded and were not asked for.

I will continue to post here and feel free to ask me anything if you are on ILR(SET-O) route / Tier2 to ILR.

Thanks everyone, and special thanks to CR001

[prejay]

Did they atleast agree to escalate for you? From what I've read in this forum, many people were told that they can't escalate before 5 working days. I also applied on 28th Jan. Instead of calling them, I'm thinking of emailing on their complaints id.

Heads up: the complaints email address has a 20 working day turnaround.

[preet8899]

Has anyone been waiting for more than 8 weeks? It is already 6 weeks for me...dont know how long more it is going to take...

6 weeks for me as well. I had the appointment on the same day as you.

i am hoping that we shall get the result within 8 weeks...

Have you heard anything back from the caseworker or MP?

[hdave01]

Did they atleast agree to escalate for you? From what I've read in this forum, many people were told that they can't escalate before 5 working days. I also applied on 28th Jan. Instead of calling them, I'm thinking of emailing on their complaints id.

Heads up: the complaints email address has a 20 working day turnaround.

Hi Prejay, you're right. I did read it in earlier posts that the response times are very high. Which makes me want to send an email to that id now itself. It's really unfortunate that the turnaround times to respond to complaints is almost 1 calendar month.

Many Thanks
Harshil

[zaf1]

Dear members,
Today I received a letter stating my BRP will be delivered in 7 working days. It does not state specifically if ILR is granted on the next page it says "information only do not convey as ILR granted but has small print stating that your application for ILR has been approved?

So, am I correct to assume its approved?

I have urgent travel plans next week. I chased DX but nothing for me? Can I travel using my old BRP which is still valid until mid-March?

I am thankful to all members and blv my MP help was decisive. THANKS ... I wish all of you waiting get decisions sooner.

I would say do not travel until you receive the new BRP now because your old BRP is invalidated by HO.

Many Thanks bhai86,
But does the letter confirm that my visa is granted for sure?

[jingaboys]

Did they atleast agree to escalate for you? From what I've read in this forum, many people were told that they can't escalate before 5 working days. I also applied on 28th Jan. Instead of calling them, I'm thinking of emailing on their complaints id.

Yes, the agent told me he would escalate this, I got a email from UKVIcontactcentre after tha with the below generic text.

Thank you for contacting UKVI Contact Centre.
We aim to complete all applications within the 24-hour service standard. However, where we are not able to do this we will complete the application as quickly as possible and where delays in making the decision are not the fault of the customer, the super priority service fee will be refunded.

I was also told that if I don't hear anything I should call back in a week

[hdave01]

Did they atleast agree to escalate for you? From what I've read in this forum, many people were told that they can't escalate before 5 working days. I also applied on 28th Jan. Instead of calling them, I'm thinking of emailing on their complaints id.

Yes, the agent told me he would escalate this, I got a email from UKVIcontactcentre after tha with the below generic text.

Thank you for contacting UKVI Contact Centre.
We aim to complete all applications within the 24-hour service standard. However, where we are not able to do this we will complete the application as quickly as possible and where delays in making the decision are not the fault of the customer, the super priority service fee will be refunded.

I was also told that if I don't hear anything I should call back in a week

This goes to show how random this UKVI call service is. When I called an hour ago, I was told that they can't do anything and the lady didn't even want to take my case id. She told me that 24 hours doesn't guarantee that we will get decision in 24 hours. It means that the application will be processed in 24 hours. I'm sure if I call again, I'll hear another story from a different agent.

I've decided not to bang my head against the wall on the call with UKVI agents anymore. If I don't get anything by tomorrow EoD, I will write to my MP requesting to contact HO to expedite my case or at the very least provide some status. The thing that will really annoy me is if they send me BRP after few weeks but put a start date of 29th Jan to avoid refunding the £600. What an exceptionally awesome service for charging £3018.

[Saninsts]

Finally the email from caseworker confirming ILR granted is received today.

The application as it was submitted online sometime in October, but could not get same day service.
On new service introduced, the payment for this application submitted was accepted on 30th Nov and got appointment for 12th Dec.
Must have called 5/6 times after 12th, but the response from front end service was not that encouraging.
The response from UKVI on 9th Jan stating a time line of January by which they want to clear decisions made on applications after review appeared genuine.
Recent queries coming from caseworker gave hope that decision is on the way.

Now waiting for BRP.

[preet8899]

Finally the email from caseworker confirming ILR granted is received today.

The application as it was submitted online sometime in October, but could not get same day service.
On new service introduced, the payment for this application submitted was accepted on 30th Nov and got appointment for 12th Dec.
Must have called 5/6 times after 12th, but the response from front end service was not that encouraging.
The response from UKVI on 9th Jan stating a time line of January by which they want to clear decisions made on applications after review appeared genuine.
Recent queries coming from caseworker gave hope that decision is on the way.

Now waiting for BRP.

Congratulations. I was really hopeful they would clear the backlog by end of January but haven't received
anything from the caseworker apart from the generic emails regarding processing and refund from the contact centre.

When you mentioned the timeline of January - did you receive an email regarding that?