Spouse Visa Processing Time

[Redrose26]

Hi to any one reading this thread,

I am an American Citizen and my husband is a British Citizen. We were married in England of this year and are now applying for our spouse visa. I have had to return back to America in order to apply for it obviously. We had sent in all our documents application completed and all November 10, 2010. I had sent them over night and they had received it the next day. It was sent to the New York Con. Embassy. We have not received any emails. Then again I heard from several people on the website Yankees in UK. The they dont send out emails all the time.

Its been about 15 working days not including weekends or holidays that we have been waiting. I have spent 6 months seperated from husband and its really been hard on us. Its very stessful and even nerve racking since we have been waiting for an answer. Our application is very straight forward. I made sure to label everything and send suffient proof and evidence.

I really dont know why its taking so long. If any knows how to track applications or how to email them etc. Can you please let me know. I want to spend the holidays with my husband and then the my birthday is coming up..*sighs* Any information is very much appreaciated...

Regards,
Mel

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by Redrose26

Hi to any one reading this thread,

I am an American Citizen and my husband is a British Citizen. We were married in England of this year and are now applying for our spouse visa. I have had to return back to America in order to apply for it obviously. We had sent in all our documents application completed and all November 10, 2010. I had sent them over night and they had received it the next day. It was sent to the New York Con. Embassy. We have not received any emails. Then again I heard from several people on the website Yankees in UK. The they dont send out emails all the time.

Its been about 15 working days not including weekends or holidays that we have been waiting. I have spent 6 months seperated from husband and its really been hard on us. Its very stessful and even nerve racking since we have been waiting for an answer. Our application is very straight forward. I made sure to label everything and send suffient proof and evidence.

I really dont know why its taking so long. If any knows how to track applications or how to email them etc. Can you please let me know. I want to spend the holidays with my husband and then the my birthday is coming up..*sighs* Any information is very much appreaciated...

The standard processing time is up to 50 working days, so you still have some time to go before you can contact WorldBridge and ask what's happening. If you had spent extra $300 (I know it's on top of $1200) for priority service, you'd have got your visa within 15 business days, and usually sooner (I know someone who got it within a week). As it is, you have no choice but to wait until you hear from the consulate. People usually wait around 40-45 business days for non-priority service, but this varies between consulates, time of year and complexity of their application, esp if they had to send in additional documents as requested.
The two consulates that operate priority service (LA and NY I think) deal with priority applications first before they get round to dealing with yours, so in all likelihood they haven't even looked at your application yet.

[Redrose26]

Originally Posted by Joppa

The standard processing time is up to 50 working days, so you still have some time to go before you can contact WorldBridge and ask what's happening. If you had spent extra $300 (I know it's on top of $1200) for priority service, you'd have got your visa within 15 business days, and usually sooner (I know someone who got it within a week). As it is, you have no choice but to wait until you hear from the consulate. People usually wait around 40-45 business days for non-priority service, but this varies between consulates, time of year and complexity of their application, esp if they had to send in additional documents as requested.
The two consulates that operate priority service (LA and NY I think) deal with priority applications first before they get round to dealing with yours, so in all likelihood they haven't even looked at your application yet.

--Thank you for your insight and information. When I did do my application they didnt give me the option to do it priority. I honestly would of paid the extra money cause time for me is priceless. So if i dont get option to do it priority what does that mean? Onces again thanks for your help.

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by Redrose26

--Thank you for your insight and information. When I did do my application they didnt give me the option to do it priority. I honestly would of paid the extra money cause time for me is priceless. So if i dont get option to do it priority what does that mean? Onces again thanks for your help.

You can't do anything now I'm afraid. You should have applied for priority service before submitting your online application: https://www.visainfoservices.com/Pag...=Services_PAGE
As it says, you can't apply for it after you've sent off. Your application form is now buried deep in the 'in' tray at NY consulate and will only be considered once they've cleared the priority applications submitted on November 10th.

[Redrose26]

Originally Posted by Joppa

You can't do anything now I'm afraid. You should have applied for priority service before submitting your online application: https://www.visainfoservices.com/Pag...=Services_PAGE
As it says, you can't apply for it after you've sent off. Your application form is now buried deep in the 'in' tray at NY consulate and will only be considered once they've cleared the priority applications submitted on November 10th.

-- Your probably right. But we wont lose hope and keep our fingers crossed. Do you think it would be a good idea ro email them? I just really hope I hear from them before the Holidays. We have been apart for too long.

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by Redrose26

-- Your probably right. But we wont lose hope and keep our fingers crossed. Do you think it would be a good idea ro email them? I just really hope I hear from them before the Holidays. We have been apart for too long.

They say not to email them until 50 business days have past.

[anya]

Originally Posted by Redrose26

--Thank you for your insight and information. When I did do my application they didnt give me the option to do it priority. I honestly would of paid the extra money cause time for me is priceless. So if i dont get option to do it priority what does that mean? Onces again thanks for your help.

Mel, I feel your pain. Wasn't given the option for priority when I applied either and certainly would have paid for speed! (Maybe because I did the online app through the Border Agency site, not directly through Worldbridge?) Am hoping upon hope I don't have to wait 50 days. My app/documents were delivered December 2.

[peppera-ann-]

I went through A Briggs- in the LA area- I received an email the seventh day after I sent it to their office.. It said due to printer problems at the consulate, they were unable to print my application...I was so upset. My application was sent to A Briggs on a Tuesday, and I didnt get the email untill MONDAY. So I called A Briggs, and they said that my package sat at the secretaries desk ALL WEEK. She forgot it was there.
I said fine, ok. Ill just call the news station in Dallas and see what they had to say. I had an email in 2 hours saying my visa was approved. So, if you sent it direct to the consulate, I cant offer advise. I hope you get some news soon!! Good luck
Pepper Ann

[ladyliberty]

The Worldbridge site is currently quoting an average wait time of 15-20 business days, but as Joppa says, they wont handle any queries re: the status of your application unless you have been waiting longer than 50 days.

This message is on the Worldbridge website:
01 December 2010: Current visa processing times in the USA.
The UK Border Agency in Los Angeles and New York are currently experiencing a peak in the demand for UK visas due to the holiday season. You are advised to submit your visa application in good time. You can apply for a UK visa up to 3 months in advance of your intended date of travel to the UK. The estimated end-to-end processing time* for visa applications during the month of December is 15 - 20 working days, this is within our customer service standards. You should not confirm any travel plans or book flights until you are informed that your visa has been processed and issued.

*End-to-end processing time: the duration between the date you sent us your documents (see step 6 on the How to apply page on this website) to the date you receive them back.

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by ladyliberty

The Worldbridge site is currently quoting an average wait time of 15-20 business days, but as Joppa says, they wont handle any queries re: the status of your application unless you have been waiting longer than 50 days.

This message is on the Worldbridge website:
01 December 2010: Current visa processing times in the USA.
The UK Border Agency in Los Angeles and New York are currently experiencing a peak in the demand for UK visas due to the holiday season. You are advised to submit your visa application in good time. You can apply for a UK visa up to 3 months in advance of your intended date of travel to the UK. The estimated end-to-end processing time* for visa applications during the month of December is 15 - 20 working days, this is within our customer service standards. You should not confirm any travel plans or book flights until you are informed that your visa has been processed and issued.

*End-to-end processing time: the duration between the date you sent us your documents (see step 6 on the How to apply page on this website) to the date you receive them back.

They also say that for settlement visa, the processing time can be up to 12 weeks (60 working days).