2690 replies to this topic
Posted 2009-04-04 00:42:59
 fluidfusion, on 2009-04-03 13:58:23, said:
Well, my Fiance and I have a flight to the UK booked for next Wednesday. We called the embassy today (not the visa centre) to see if we could get things moving or even a clear answer on how long this will take.
Unfortunately, the Visa section at the embassy (the guys who are processing the application) have a half day on Friday!
So, looks like I will have to change the flights today... 
It will be just my luck that as soon as I change the flight, the visa will be ready to collect! Can't wait for this whole thing to be over.
It is extremely unlikely that the embassy will tell you how much longer before you hear something. The usual response from any government department to questions like this is "We're too busy dealing with applications to check on how much longer a yours will take!" Frustrating, I know.
They certainly would not move your application to the head of the queue; visa applications are dealt with in strict order of receipt; unless there is some emergency which justifies jumping the queue. At most all they will do is point out to you that all the official advice issued by UKBIA, the embassy and the VAC is that one should allow three months for a settlement visa to be processed and one should not purchase any tickets until one has the visa.
Sorry I can't be more positive.
Posted 2009-04-14 15:31:48
My sons wife applied on 8th April, says on VFS website that it was sent to Embassy on the 8th. Have flights booked for June 14th, not feeling too hopeful though. Will post when we hear anything
kooyoonii
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Posted 2009-04-15 14:00:40
Dear all,
Only to show you all that I'm the one who have been waiting for 3 months and 5 days now since 10 Feb when my settlement visa application was forwarded to British Embassy. Probably, mine is the longest?? I'm afraid that my application has already been freezed for their decision to be made after having the determination from the Tribunal. As my appeal case will be on the court by June 10 and my husband will be there to fight for our rights.
I've already sent the complaint about their poor service for not infroming their clients for this unusual situation also asking for their good explanation if they are care enough. As same as your experience here, I have been left in the silence since. My case is quite complicated but we have been fighting for our rights to reunite in the UK for these 3 years. We have actually come through this stage with the great help from a sponsor on this forum and if we win the case or obtian the visa, I will recommend his service here.
Congratulations to those successful applicants!! then you both can be reunited in your motherland. I hope that I and my husband will get the justice soon.
Wonny 
Posted 2009-04-16 17:35:22
Wonny - I wish you luck!
We have now been waiting 6 weeks now.
Edited by tlusername, 2009-04-16 17:42:46.
Posted 2009-04-16 17:56:29
5 weeks yesterday here...Really takes the piss.
Posted 2009-04-16 18:04:57
tlusername.
Don't Forget to post as soon as you receive your Visa
We submited our application 2 weeks after you so it will give me an indication
Only my Flight booked at the moment For May 3rd looks like I may have to re-book for a later date
Unfortunatly I have A Hospital Appointment at the End of May so I would like to get back for that
plus My Prescription meds are running out.
Good Luck To All. But most of all To Wonny
Posted 2009-04-16 22:48:11
kooyoonii, on 2009-04-15 08:00:40, said: Dear all,
Only to show you all that I'm the one who have been waiting for 3 months and 5 days now since 10 Feb when my settlement visa application was forwarded to British Embassy. Probably, mine is the longest?? I'm afraid that my application has already been freezed for their decision to be made after having the determination from the Tribunal. As my appeal case will be on the court by June 10 and my husband will be there to fight for our rights.
I've already sent the complaint about their poor service for not infroming their clients for this unusual situation also asking for their good explanation if they are care enough. As same as your experience here, I have been left in the silence since. My case is quite complicated but we have been fighting for our rights to reunite in the UK for these 3 years. We have actually come through this stage with the great help from a sponsor on this forum and if we win the case or obtian the visa, I will recommend his service here.
Congratulations to those successful applicants!! then you both can be reunited in your motherland. I hope that I and my husband will get the justice soon.
Wonny
Wonny i am not being funny or anything but is it truly 3 months and 5 days so far or is that a typo? The reason i ask is that feb 10 is only 2 months 5 days ago.
Either way it is a long time and a disgrace they make us wait so long for anything after paying so much.
I hope your response goes through with no further delays and things get a lot better for you and your other half.
Posted 2009-04-16 23:51:31
We have applications sat in the Que as well just relax they are very busy at the moment.
Jamesbones
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Posted 2009-04-17 01:18:39
8 weeks 12th of february but its 7 really because i know they took a week out for easter and i think for the water festival too
Jamesbones
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Posted 2009-04-17 05:29:11
does anybody know how much longer it will take? i work hard pay my taxes and just get told to boldly "wait" havent people waited long enough already?
Posted 2009-04-17 18:39:45
It takes as long as it takes; the length of wait depends purely on how many applications are ahead of you in the queue and that seems to be mainly down to when you apply. Do so at a quiet time and you will get the result within 10 working days, apply at a busy time and it will take longer.
One could argue that the entry clearance section should employ more staff, but doing so would mean that for large parts of the year they would be sat there twiddling their thumbs with nothing to do; and as a taxpayer I'm sure you would not want you taxes to pay for that.
I have every sympathy for all those who are still waiting, but would again remind people that all the official guidance recommends allowing three months for a settlement application to be processed.
kooyoonii
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Posted 2009-04-18 13:35:20
Merangue, on 2009-04-16 22:48:11, said: kooyoonii, on 2009-04-15 08:00:40, said: Dear all,
Only to show you all that I'm the one who have been waiting for 3 months and 5 days now since 10 Feb when my settlement visa application was forwarded to British Embassy. Probably, mine is the longest?? I'm afraid that my application has already been freezed for their decision to be made after having the determination from the Tribunal. As my appeal case will be on the court by June 10 and my husband will be there to fight for our rights.
I've already sent the complaint about their poor service for not infroming their clients for this unusual situation also asking for their good explanation if they are care enough. As same as your experience here, I have been left in the silence since. My case is quite complicated but we have been fighting for our rights to reunite in the UK for these 3 years. We have actually come through this stage with the great help from a sponsor on this forum and if we win the case or obtian the visa, I will recommend his service here.
Congratulations to those successful applicants!! then you both can be reunited in your motherland. I hope that I and my husband will get the justice soon.
Wonny
Wonny i am not being funny or anything but is it truly 3 months and 5 days so far or is that a typo? The reason i ask is that feb 10 is only 2 months 5 days ago.
Either way it is a long time and a disgrace they make us wait so long for anything after paying so much.
I hope your response goes through with no further delays and things get a lot better for you and your other half.
Hi, sorry for making a mistake about the time. It's been nearly 3 years that I've been living with an unhappy life. The dissappointment and stress has taken away of my spirit as I've remained only 60% of wonny
Anyway, I would have never been informed about my case if I didnt not make a complaint.
On Friday, I got a call from Embassy staff and this is the explanation on my case.
My application has not been execercised yet but I will be heard something by May.
My fresh application and my appeal will be treated individually, no effect from one to another.
And all delays is the result of the protest last year as the air port was closed.
What I can only do is to be more patience and leave my life in their hands. Their decisions this time will effect to my marriage life greatly. Lots of women and men can be more patience but 3 years maybe the most that I can do. Then they will be so happy to get rid off another alien.
Sorry if this sounds like a soap opera for some of you but this is my life.
Thank you for all support here.
Wonny
Ps. If any of you wish to advise or share experience with me, please do.
Thanks
kooyoonii
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Posted 2009-04-18 13:44:41
tlusername, on 2009-04-16 17:35:22, said: Wonny - I wish you luck!
We have now been waiting 6 weeks now.
Thank you "tlusername"
I wish you luck and all bests to you both
Wonny
kooyoonii
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Posted 2009-04-18 13:49:02
kennkate, on 2009-04-16 18:04:57, said: tlusername.
Don't Forget to post as soon as you receive your Visa
We submited our application 2 weeks after you so it will give me an indication
Only my Flight booked at the moment For May 3rd looks like I may have to re-book for a later date
Unfortunatly I have A Hospital Appointment at the End of May so I would like to get back for that
plus My Prescription meds are running out.
Good Luck To All. But most of all To Wonny
Thank you for your support "kennkate"
Hope you both get good news soon!!
Posted 2009-04-18 19:24:10
kooyoonii, on 2009-04-18 07:35:20, said: Merangue, on 2009-04-16 22:48:11, said: kooyoonii, on 2009-04-15 08:00:40, said: Dear all,
Only to show you all that I'm the one who have been waiting for 3 months and 5 days now since 10 Feb when my settlement visa application was forwarded to British Embassy. Probably, mine is the longest?? I'm afraid that my application has already been freezed for their decision to be made after having the determination from the Tribunal. As my appeal case will be on the court by June 10 and my husband will be there to fight for our rights.
I've already sent the complaint about their poor service for not infroming their clients for this unusual situation also asking for their good explanation if they are care enough. As same as your experience here, I have been left in the silence since. My case is quite complicated but we have been fighting for our rights to reunite in the UK for these 3 years. We have actually come through this stage with the great help from a sponsor on this forum and if we win the case or obtian the visa, I will recommend his service here.
Congratulations to those successful applicants!! then you both can be reunited in your motherland. I hope that I and my husband will get the justice soon.
Wonny
Wonny i am not being funny or anything but is it truly 3 months and 5 days so far or is that a typo? The reason i ask is that feb 10 is only 2 months 5 days ago.
Either way it is a long time and a disgrace they make us wait so long for anything after paying so much.
I hope your response goes through with no further delays and things get a lot better for you and your other half.
Hi, sorry for making a mistake about the time. It's been nearly 3 years that I've been living with an unhappy life. The dissappointment and stress has taken away of my spirit as I've remained only 60% of wonny
Anyway, I would have never been informed about my case if I didnt not make a complaint.
On Friday, I got a call from Embassy staff and this is the explanation on my case.
My application has not been execercised yet but I will be heard something by May.
My fresh application and my appeal will be treated individually, no effect from one to another.
And all delays is the result of the protest last year as the air port was closed.
What I can only do is to be more patience and leave my life in their hands. Their decisions this time will effect to my marriage life greatly. Lots of women and men can be more patience but 3 years maybe the most that I can do. Then they will be so happy to get rid off another alien.
Sorry if this sounds like a soap opera for some of you but this is my life.
Thank you for all support here.
Wonny
Ps. If any of you wish to advise or share experience with me, please do.
Thanks
Wonny
What can i say but Oh my god!
3 years?
I hope everything goes through quickly for you finally and you can get on with your life as you should be able to.
I echo the good luck comments from the others.
Posted 2009-04-18 20:33:09
7by7, on 2009-04-17 18:39:45, said: It takes as long as it takes ... One could argue that the entry clearance section should employ more staff, but doing so would mean that for large parts of the year they would be sat there twiddling their thumbs with nothing to do; and as a taxpayer I'm sure you would not want you taxes to pay for that. That the staff is overworked or that it is merely a busy time of the year cannot be a satisfying reason for delaying the processing of applications indefinetely.
Consider, that the waiting period for a visa is a kind of forced separation for couples. While one of the - at least implied - obligations of the state is to protect and preserve the sanctity of the family, the executive branch of government is tearing families apart by forcing upon them long periods of separartion and long periods of separation are rightly a ground for divorce recognized by courts.
If the govenrment does not (want to) commit enough staff to work through the complicated procedures prescribed by the laws they enacted, then they need to change the law to simplify the procedure.
Posted 2009-04-18 23:43:43
Bastian, on 2009-04-18 14:33:09, said: 7by7, on 2009-04-17 18:39:45, said: It takes as long as it takes ... One could argue that the entry clearance section should employ more staff, but doing so would mean that for large parts of the year they would be sat there twiddling their thumbs with nothing to do; and as a taxpayer I'm sure you would not want you taxes to pay for that. That the staff is overworked or that it is merely a busy time of the year cannot be a satisfying reason for delaying the processing of applications indefinetely.
Consider, that the waiting period for a visa is a kind of forced separation for couples. While one of the - at least implied - obligations of the state is to protect and preserve the sanctity of the family, the executive branch of government is tearing families apart by forcing upon them long periods of separartion and long periods of separation are rightly a ground for divorce recognized by courts.
If the govenrment does not (want to) commit enough staff to work through the complicated procedures prescribed by the laws they enacted, then they need to change the law to simplify the procedure.
If anything the government is making things MORE complicated not less.
There is a political aspect that in some cases is costing the government votes. Due to the fact the EU citizens can enter freely they appear to be clamping down on applications from outside of the EU to reduce the numbers.
If anything i expect more draconian rules to come into effect over the next year or so.
Posted 2009-04-19 01:11:54
Hi All,
It's a bit like standing outside the labour ward here. I've been reminded of the similarity more & more recently as friends have been phoning saying "Have you heard anything yet?"
Our application went in March 13th so I was starting to worry if there was a problem. Reading some these posts has given me a bit of relief if anything, just knowing not to expect anything 'til at least 6 weeks.
The VFS website originally seemed to say 2-5 days for settlement visas, then my wife was told by them 2-4 weeks, so there must have been a massive influx of apps for it to have extended like this. Bad luck on you guys who'd booked flights, but there was no way I'd book a flight 'til we have a stamped passport in our hands.
Hey, best of luck to all of us, and I'll post when I get news online - that seems to be the best way to check. Seems like posting real results is the best way to help folks in the future. Out of interest, could anyone who has heard online tell us what wording to expect - I'm just sick of that "Your application was forwarded blah blah"
Posted 2009-04-19 13:13:22
Bastian, on 2009-04-18 20:33:09, said: That the staff is overworked or that it is merely a busy time of the year cannot be a satisfying reason for delaying the processing of applications indefinetely.
Consider, that the waiting period for a visa is a kind of forced separation for couples. While one of the - at least implied - obligations of the state is to protect and preserve the sanctity of the family, the executive branch of government is tearing families apart by forcing upon them long periods of separartion and long periods of separation are rightly a ground for divorce recognized by courts.
If the govenrment does not (want to) commit enough staff to work through the complicated procedures prescribed by the laws they enacted, then they need to change the law to simplify the procedure.
You seem to be implying that the visa staff are deliberately delaying the processing of applications; which is nonsense.
The waiting period for a visa cannot be definitely stated, depending as it does on how many applications a post has to deal with at any one time.
The UKBIA and all other official guidance advises applicants to allow three months for a settlement application to be processed. From results quoted previously in this thread (not by me) it appears that the Bangkok visa section are hitting this target in at least 98% of cases.
If you are referring to Wonny's case; then obviously there is a lot of information we do not have, although as she talks of an appeal it is obvious that it is the appeals process that is taking so long, not the initial application. Other than that, I am not going to comment as I do not have all the information. (BTW, all the best to you, Wonny, and I hope things are resolved soon.)
Obtaining a UK settlement visa is in most cases not complicated. Time consuming, maybe; requiring a bit of effort in researching what is needed, certainly. But on the whole simple and straightforward. Especially when compared to the complex and lengthy procedures our Transatlantic cousins have to go through!
The set criteria are very clear and it is simply a matter of showing one meets those criteria.
Although I do accept that some cases do not fit into a neat little box, and so some applicants may need advice on how to show that they do qualify. However such cases are a minority and is precisely why the ECOs are allowed to use their discretion.
As already said, at least 98% of settlement applications are resolved within three months; many in far less time than that. How any sane person could describe three months as "tearing families apart by forcing upon them long periods of separartion (sic)" is beyond me.
Posted 2009-04-19 14:34:18
7by7, you are reading too much into my post, that I have never written, please do not assume too much.
I never wanted to imply that the staff are twiddling their thumbs deliberately or that the application was too complicated but rather that the prescribed procedures on how to handle applications by the staff, once they are submitted, are too complicated with the paperwork going through too many hands and requiring too many deciders, resulting in long processing times, which is a problem of the government responsible for laying out the process how to handle the applications.
If the workers were deliberately twiddling their thumbs, then again the government would be to blame for failing to implement propper measures to excert control over and motivate their workforce to prevent that from happening.
I did not advocate a definite period for the handling of applications, but rather want reasonable time limits for the government to decide on the application, because, if there are none, a person, who by law has a right to a visa, could effectively be denied the visa by having her wait indefinetely. The point about marriages being broken up by long periods of separation was merely made to illustrate, that real damage is being done this way and it is not just a slight inconvenience.
I did not characterize a timeframe of three months as unreasonable, indeed my spouse has been waiting 80 days now and is is likely going to take another 2 months, but at some point a court must have its say, whether the long period in a certain case is justified or unreasonable.
Maybe it is just my background of comming from a country with civil law and being unfamiliar with the principles of anglo-saxon common law that makes me have a different take on this whole matter of dealing with a government entity.
Edited by Bastian, 2009-04-19 14:35:34.
Posted 2009-04-20 16:08:45
One aspect that they could improve would be the awful tracking system...the current one suggest once it leaves VFS its in outer orbit until it returns. I think this would help somewhat considering the only way of gaining update is to write a letter and wait 20 days for reply. This seems what drives most folk around the bend - its the waiting without a clue where you are in the process.
I would suggest they run a basic database that reflects the internal in and out box - that way you will be able to see your are X number in the queue.....I am sure something so simple would greatly comfort those fretting over no information at all.
Posted 2009-04-20 19:53:15
tlusername, on 2009-04-20 10:08:45, said: One aspect that they could improve would be the awful tracking system...the current one suggest once it leaves VFS its in outer orbit until it returns. I think this would help somewhat considering the only way of gaining update is to write a letter and wait 20 days for reply. This seems what drives most folk around the bend - its the waiting without a clue where you are in the process.
I would suggest they run a basic database that reflects the internal in and out box - that way you will be able to see your are X number in the queue.....I am sure something so simple would greatly comfort those fretting over no information at all.
The problem with that is the ECO's are then under the microscope on a constant basis. Would any office worker want to be quality and speed checked every day they work, by people in the public who have no idea how complex or time consuming a job might be?
If anything this would serve to generate more complaints than to reduce them. It may be just fine for those of us who actually get a quick Visa but for those of us who are having to wait ( EG: me and now ) you can guarantee many more complaints would be arriving. This in turn increases the workload and therefore the delays because complaints need to be dealt with as well.
Sometimes no news is actually the best way to go about things.
Posted 2009-04-22 15:58:11
Out of interest has anyone recieved any good news on this front in the last couple of weeks. The good news posts seem to have dried up.
Posted 2009-04-22 17:51:11
No good news here - we are still waiting..
My wife also spoke with her friend whom spoke to the Embassy about her application (submitted mid Febuary) and she was apparently told that the system has changed from Settlement Visa's now taken a total of 3 months to process and not 'within' 3 months - i.e. you wait 3 months either way and that the website had not been updated to say this yet.
I am not sure this is right and may have been misunderstood - did anyone else hear anything to suggest this?
Edited by tlusername, 2009-04-22 17:52:08.
Posted 2009-04-22 17:54:45
Merangue, on 2009-04-22 09:58:11, said: Out of interest has anyone recieved any good news on this front in the last couple of weeks. The good news posts seem to have dried up.
Placed my application on 10th May. Still waiting. Only "news" I have had was when the embassy called to enquire about my wife's pregnancy which we discovered after we submitted the application. I faxed them this info and received a call roughly a week later but as her pregnancy is only 8 weeks, it's not considered urgent and so we're just waiting...and waiting....and eating into savings..and waiting
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