Delays at NY Consulate

[goose10110]

Anyone else experiencing delays with their Spouse Visa application?

It has been 19 business days since my application package was delivered to the NY hub, and 15 business days since the UKBA acknowledged receipt. At the time, the average processing was 12 business days, so I'm a little past the average now and getting a bit worried.

No communication from UKBA about needing more time to process my application. So,
I'm thinking if I don't hear anything by end of day on Friday, I may just pay the Consulate a little visit. They are down the block.

[rose.spectre]

It's only been 5 business days for me since the UKBA opened and arranged my application for an ECO to look at, but the current processing time is 22 business days for settlement applications. I figure that a lot of people are squeaking in under the old rules (they had til July 9th, 30 days from that point to do biometrics and 2 weeks from biometrics to get the application to them, so could be a lot of late submissions) and on top of that, paying for priority service so they get put ahead of all the applications submitted without it. At least that's my theory, I genuinely have no idea how they do things at the Consulate. Regardless, I hope you hear something soon!

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by goose10110

I'm thinking if I don't hear anything by end of day on Friday, I may just pay the Consulate a little visit. They are down the block.

They won't see you. You will be turned away by door security.
There isn't anything you can do to find out what's going on or speed up the process, unless something like 6 months has passed. You just have to sit tight and wait.

[msuite]

hello

I am experiencing close to the same. The NY hub received my visa application on the 12th of July,and on the 18th of July i received a confirmation email saving they had opened my package. So since their email it has been 16 working days. I am so super nervous and check my email way to much

[goose10110]

Originally Posted by rose.spectre

It's only been 5 business days for me since the UKBA opened and arranged my application for an ECO to look at, but the current processing time is 22 business days for settlement applications. I figure that a lot of people are squeaking in under the old rules (they had til July 9th, 30 days from that point to do biometrics and 2 weeks from biometrics to get the application to them, so could be a lot of late submissions) and on top of that, paying for priority service so they get put ahead of all the applications submitted without it. At least that's my theory, I genuinely have no idea how they do things at the Consulate. Regardless, I hope you hear something soon!

Hi Rose,

Thanks so much for your reply. I think you're absolutely right about the outpouring of applications for both settlement pre-July 9 and other types of visas (visitor for Olympics / Tier 4 Student for the coming school year), so I am sure they have been inundated. I also heard even the priority applications could take on average 15 business days, so I fear my lowly standard application will stay at the bottom of the pile for now.

Keep me posted on your progress, and best of luck with your application!

[goose10110]

Originally Posted by msuite

hello

I am experiencing close to the same. The NY hub received my visa application on the 12th of July,and on the 18th of July i received a confirmation email saving they had opened my package. So since their email it has been 16 working days. I am so super nervous and check my email way to much

Hi msuite,

We have the same timeline, so I'm quite relieved that it's not just me... but I'm also very sorry that you have to go through the same nerve-wracking experience.

Please keep me posted on your progress. It's not easy when I've seen others who have submitted around the same time already receiving their visas.

Best of luck to you!!

[goose10110]

Originally Posted by Joppa

They won't see you. You will be turned away by door security.
There isn't anything you can do to find out what's going on or speed up the process, unless something like 6 months has passed. You just have to sit tight and wait.

Hi Joppa,

I understand that these things can take a long time, and the UKBA has already been generous to make their review process and timeline more transparent to the public. I can wait for as long as it takes, but I think that it is unfair for any agency to hold on to our passports without recourse to return it upon request and not have the individual forfeit his or her application. This is especially damaging to individuals like me who depend on travel for my livelihood.

Also, a passport these days is more than just a travel document - it is linked to one's identity. Right now, I have nothing tangible to prove my citizenship except for copies. And if there are other circumstances that will require my original passport as proof of citizenship, they will have to be put on hold.

Perhaps there are people out there who could sit tight and let a month or even 6 months pass without their passports and very important life documents, but even so, do you honestly think that is fair?

I know I should have done Priority service, if I wanted my passport back asap. But $300 was just a little too much.

Anyway, surely there must be a way to receive an update and facilitate the process. There are those who have done it. I guess they knew the right people...

Thanks so much for your reply!

[nyclon]

I can't think of any instance while living in the US that I was required to prove my citizenship. Not to mention, there is no requirement for a US citizen to actually have a passport and many don't so I really wouldn't worry about it.

I realize this is stressful, but you weighed your options and found saving $300 more important than Priority Service so all you can do is be patient.

[goose10110]

Originally Posted by nyclon

I can't think of any instance while living in the US that I was required to prove my citizenship. Not to mention, there is no requirement for a US citizen to actually have a passport and many don't so I really wouldn't worry about it.

I realize this is stressful, but you weighed your options and found saving $300 more important than Priority Service so all you can do is be patient.

Hi Nyclon,

Thanks for your reply! But perhaps you had the citizenship at birth and have a US birth certificate as proof. Maybe it's harder for the naturalized - one always has to prove the right to live and work in this country, and the passport is always the preferred document. Also, you never had to experience the ICE police raiding your home and asking you to prove that you have the right to be in this country. It happened to a family member, and the only reason he was not taken away for 'processing' was when his mother produced his U.S. passport.

Anyway, being patient does not always mean being silent about one's predicament.

[nyclon]

Originally Posted by goose10110

Hi Nyclon,

Thanks for your reply! But perhaps you had the citizenship at birth and have a US birth certificate as proof. Maybe it's harder for the naturalized - one always has to prove the right to live and work in this country, and the passport is always the preferred document. Also, you never had to experience the ICE police raiding your home and asking you to prove that you have the right to be in this country. It happened to a family member, and the only reason he was not taken away for 'processing' was when his mother produced his U.S. passport.

Anyway, being patient does not always mean being silent about one's predicament.

You could have easily avoided your "predicament" by paying $300 for Priority Service. Just saying.

And from one of your previous posts:

I don't need the decision any time soon, and I'm also flexible with my travel plans.