Hello house.... I'm back again after about a year off this forum... @Lexusgs360, @Justwise and a few people here may remember me. Anyway straight to the point, I was denied my spouse application around this time last year for discrepancies especially because we combined two jobs for my wife to meet up with the financial requirement as her main job wasn't paying up to 18,600. They had no reason to deny because everything was legit in both jobs only that my wife contradicted with her employer during the interview with the UKVI officials due to pressure and naivety. I decided not to appeal because of the time and money that will be involved.

Fast forward to present... My wife now has a job which pays well above £18,600 and will be 6 months on the job early January which means I'm preparing and waiting patiently till January to reapply. Now to start with, I have two questions for the house (I have experience in this area of spouse visa and other UK visa applications like tiers 4 and 2 but I'm sure you all will agree with me that no one knows it all).

1. Does it matter if one is in a probabtional period at work (I'm asking on behalf of the sponsor now) in order to count the six month in the new job or the counting begins after the probational period?

2. I heard someone sometimes ago saying once one uses a standard way of applying for ones first application, one cannot use priority for the subsequent applications that one can only continue to use standard. Please how true is this.... Anyone knows?

Thank you house for the anticipated support as I embark on this journey again.

As posted on YouTube by Henry Ogunjimi of Channels Television, this video documentary highlights journey of girls from Benin city, Edo state to Italy via road, sea Etc to hustles as prostitutes. They cross countries like Niger republic, Libya, then cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.

The struggle and hustle is real as you will notice how they have to spend three months or more in different places they have to stop over at before they continue with their journey.

Please watch the video to see more, I can't describe it all here.

Here's the link to the video


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qsIK0G-whM



Please someone help move to front page.

Hello Naija9ja, sorry for bothering you, my wife is also on this same situation. So we plan to use emergency travel certificate to travel to Nigeria and while she's in Nigeria, she will apply for a fresh Nigerian passport as her current Nigerian passport has expired. Thanks for even bringing this topic up as I didn't know they might force someone to get a visa on return back to the UK on a British passport.

My question is, were you able to eventually apply for the ETC, if yes and if given, please can you explain how you went about it. We have tried so many online platforms including google search to find out but we haven't been able to come up with a link or how to apply for it... All we have been seeing is a list of the requirements. Please I will appreciate it if you can explain how you went about getting your ETC or if you know anyone who applied, we will appreciate if you can help ask how thy did it. Thanks and God bless

Naija9ja:
Hi All - Urgent information needed. I am a dual citizenship holder (Nigeria and UK). I applied to renew my Nigerian passport at the Nigeria High Commission in London and was told that there are no passport booklets available for now (thats another story) however I was was advised that since i already had a trip to Nigeria booked, I could apply for a free ETC (Emergency Travel Certificate) to travel to Nigeria and return on my British passport. Yesterday, I read a FB post where someone in a similar situation said that when he was coming back to UK he was forced to pay $164 before being allowed to board the plane. He said they would not stamp his British passport so he was forced to get a "visa". Has anyone had experience traveling to Nigeria on an ETC (because of Nigerian passport booklet shortage in London) and returned to the UK on their British passport? Has anyone even been in a similar situation or can validate if this is accurate, was the $164 "legit"? Any adviseor insight appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Uchman365:


It's much better and quicker to return it to the spouse in the UK.

I already instructed them to return it to Ikeja in Lagos where I applied (sent all documents to them).... Received their decision made email yesterday. Just curious on how long I'll have to wait to receive the documents. I know people have got same or similar experience on this forum.

Hello everyone here,

Just a quick question. Does anyone know how long (how many days) it takes for the documents to return to Lagos after receiving a "decision has been made" email from UKVI and how the VAC contacts one (email or phone call)?

Thanks.

Darcy16:
Hello squad,

I have been frantically reading through these pages for the last few days. It's crazy what you guys are doing here and commend the time and effort you put in even with the repetitive questions. I started reading from 2014 if I am being honest and gained so much through the pages.

Cliché thing to say but I wish I found this page earlier.

Origin story...

March 2013 I'm British and met my African Queen in NYSC camp Oyo state.
We started dating a few months after
Sept 2014 Unofficially proposed (without ring)
Sept 2014 Returned to the UK
April 2016 Officially proposed (with ring)
April 2016 Registry wedding in Nigeria
Oct 2016 Applied for settlement visa (Non priority) with a lawyer
28 Oct Biometrics done in Ikeja
1 Nov 2016 Email from UKIV application has been received in Sheffield
Waiting game now…

Just got back from Nigeria for traditional and church wedding. The guy at biometrics told my wife 2 weeks. We were so excited until we realised he was wrong. I think he thought it was visiting visa.

Our application is pretty straight forward but my only fear is lack of communication and pictures through changing phones and the fact that we had no idea that we would actually need all this information. We have a lot of communication from 2016 but little from 2013 onwards but lawyer put that in cover letter.

Other than that I don’t have any questions but just want an outlet to vent my frustration and angst. I can cope with the waiting to an extent but thinking of my wife there is what makes it worse.

Will keep reading and updating.

Please can anyone that did the visa in the last few months put their timelines on as there is a lack of timelines in the group to encourage us.

I wish I had known about this forum earlier before I made my application too but hey, I made it the best way I could already... I'm sure I will be fine with the way I packaged it.

Secondly, I made my application in the last few months (since June 23rd to be precised). By July I received the documents receipt email from UkVI, I received another email from them around august saying that my appendix 2 (the other form you submit at the VAC was missing) was missing-had to resend a fresh one to Sheffield. Early September, I received another email saying that the processing of my application is not straightforward hence it could take longer than normal to make a Decision on my application.... And that was the last message received from them.... Although they called my wife and her employer that same September (ending) to make verifications I guess. After the last call to my wife, they assured her that they are done with the calling and other verifications and that the next thing is to make a decision on my application but I haven't heard anything from them ever since then.. neither has my wife.

Sorry for the long story but that's my timeline so I'm just waiting patiently to hear from them.

Infact I was surprised to hear that one guy with the account name @cruzmaxi9000 got a decision so fast.. he said he submitted in Oct and already a decision had been made in November. #SurpriseSurprise

Lexusgs430:


Best to fill it out and state your honest opinion about the application process.
If everyone ignores such customers feedback survey, it would be assumed all is well or people don't care.
The evidence of the survey might not be useful for you, but might be for others in the future.

Tried to fill it... But the 1st question was "has a decision been made on your application"? I chose "no" and that was the end of the survey

Don't you think a decision has been made on my application already.... Or why would they tell me to do a survey on an application of which a decision has not been made yet

Uchman365:


Just ignore it if you don't want to do it, it means nothing. It's just a customer service survey, all companies do it over here to get feedback

Thanks for your response.

I think it was stated somewhere in the survey page that "this survey is only for those who a decision has been made on their applications".... When your wife got the email, was it after a decision was made on her application or before?

I'm just hoping that I'm right by thanking that a decision has been made on my application

Hello gurus in the house...

I received the email (in bold) below from UKVI today...

Dear "MY NAME"

UK Visas and Immigration would like to ask for your feedback in a short online survey. The aim of this survey is to find out how well we met your needs and how we can improve in the future.

You can complete the survey in any of these languages:

English
العربية
中文
Pусский
Türk

Please click on the UKVI Survey to give your feedback.

The questionnaire should take around 10 minutes to complete. It should be completed by the applicant themselves or a parent or guardian who applied on their behalf. If you are not the applicant, their parent or guardian, please send this invitation to the applicant.

Your feedback will be completely anonymous; it cannot and will not be linked with your application in any way.

The success of this research depends entirely on your voluntary co-operation, and we do hope you will be able to take part.

Thank you for your time.

Regards

Adrian Dottridge
Director, UK Visas and Immigration

What baffles me is that I've been waiting for a decision to be made on my application for a while now (since the last call to my wife (my sponsor) assuring her that there are no more questions but decision will be made soon). This call was made over a month ago. Note that I applied over 5 months ago.

Please can anyone explain what this email means or has anyone in the house ever received such email when they haven't even got a decision or when a decision hasn't been made yet on their application. Please I need an enlightenment on what to do.

Thanks in advance guys

Hello guys....

Lexusgs430 has been the only one responding to my questions so far.... I appreciate you bro. God bless you.

He suggested that me and wife contact the MP for her local borough. However, please I still want know if it is okay for me to also contact the UKVI on the phone or via email... This is because I have read on here from different people on how they sometimes make decisions on applications and they don't contact one until after a few weeks (when it's very close to expiration of the initial one month entry permit).

If you feel that I should contact, please can anyone who has their contact supply me (email or phone number). Also I would like to know if I should be the one to contact them from Nigeria here or my wife in the UK?

Thanks to @Lexusgs430 and others that will respond to this in advance. God bless you all

Lexusgs430:


Where did I turn Left, instead of Right ?

Lol.... Never mind, you already turned in the right direction but answering my questions... Thanks alot, will get her to contact the MP of the new area

Lexusgs430:


I am either getting too old now or you are deliberately trying to confuse me(not intentionally).
'processing of your application has not been straightforward' - It means more digging and verification is required. What they are trying to dig or verify, is best known to them
Your wife would live a borough, that borough would have an MP. MP's normally run clinics, in this clinics issues that constituents needs assistance with are raised.
The MP would ask questions and send a letter out requesting clarifications.
I hope with this few points, I also have not attempted to confuse you(if i have, its not intentional)

No... You didn't confuse me and yes you answered my question partially. I asked in the last post if she should contact the MP of her old accommodation (Birmingham) or the new one (Coventry)... I understand the explanation about boroughs hence I can enlighten her about how to go about getting to find out her borough and then subsequently contacting the borough MP.... Thanks

Lexusgs430:


Sorry about my lack of response, was probably an oversight.
The applications that were granted within the prescribed limits are straightforward.
From your initial response, they already said your application was not straightforward and from your response to the questions, you seem not to be aware of any reason or reasons why they stated the complications.
Might be a good idea to start considering getting your wives MP involved (MP's letter headed paper is like a catalyst)................

Thanks for responding this time @Lexusgs430.

Actually it wasn't my application that is not straightforward, it is the processing (reading the email all over again, I think they meant the processing time). Below is in bold the full email. I'm sure you would be convinced that the were talking about the processing time too.

Dear "My name",

Regarding Visa Application: GWF********
For: "my name"

Thank you for applying for a UK visa. Your visa application has been received and is under consideration. We aim to process non settlement applications within 15 working days (unless you have opted for the Priority Visa service), and settlement applications within 60 working days.

Unfortunately, the processing of your application has not been straightforward and we will be unable to decide your application within our customer service targets. We are continuing to work on your application and aim to make a decision as soon as possible.

We will write to you again if there is any change to this. Please do not attend the Visa Application Centre until you have been advised that your application has been decided and that your passport is ready for collection.

Kind Regards,

Sheffield Visa Section

About contacting my wife's MP, please can you shed more light into how to go about contacting him? This is because my wife isn't good with such things, I'm sure she doesn't know her area MP. Plus she is actually from Birmingham but now lives around Coventry. Is she supposed to contact the MP from Brum or Cov?

Please answers/responses/suggestions from other gurus in this section are highly welcome.

Thanks and sorry for my trouble and long epistle @Lexusgs430

[b]Thanks Lexusgs430, I guess yours right with more verifications being required on my application, hence the delay I think.

To your questions:
1. My wife's documentation meets all the requirements and in date. We submitted her payslips (6 months prior to application date), letter from employer (confirming the employment, start date and her salary), p60 and statement of account for the two jobs

2. Yes, she's still employed by both employers

3. No, she wasn't previously married

4. Yes, I lived in the UK (legally) for almost 4 years on a student visa... Came back home last year just before my student visa expired. Met my wife in December 2013 while I was a student in the UK and we dated from that time till we got married this yeaThanks Lexusgs430, I guess yours right with more verifications being required on my application, hence the delay I think.

To your questions:
1. My wife's documentation meets all the requirements and in date. We submitted her payslips (6 months prior to application date), letter from employer (confirming the employment, start date and her salary), p60 and statement of account for the two jobs

2. Yes, she's still employed by both employers

3. No, she wasn't previously married

4. Yes, I lived in the UK (legally) for almost 4 years on a student visa... Came back home last year just before my student visa expired. Met my wife in December 2013 while I was a student in the UK and we dated from that time till we got married this year.[/b]

@Lexusgs430, I answered your questions as seen above this morning..yet I haven't heard from you.

My question from my 1st post last night is what should I do, call the UKVI or keep waiting to hear from them...like I said, I've been waiting for more than 4 months and from the past posts that I've read in here, a few people have got a decision on their applications between 10 and 12 weeks after applying.

Lexusgs430:


What it simply means is, more verifications are required. Did your wives documentation 'meet the financial requirements' & in date? Is she still employed by her employers? Was she previously married? Have you visited the uk previously?
Such questions might point you in a direction or two

Thanks Lexusgs430, I guess yours right with more verifications being required on my application, hence the delay I think.

To your questions:
1. My wife's documentation meets all the requirements and in date. We submitted her payslips (6 months prior to application date), letter from employer (confirming the employment, start date and her salary), p60 and statement of account for the two jobs

2. Yes, she's still employed by both employers

3. No, she wasn't previously married

4. Yes, I lived in the UK (legally) for almost 4 years on a student visa... Came back home last year just before my student visa expired. Met my wife in December 2013 while I was a student in the UK and we dated from that time till we got married this year.

@Lexusgs430, I answered your questions as seen above this morning..yet I haven't heard from you.

My question from my 1st post last night is what should I do, call the UKVI or keep waiting to hear from them...like I said, I've been waiting for more than 4 months and from the past posts that I've read in here, a few people have got a decision on their applications between 10 and 12 weeks after applying

Lexusgs430:


Are you aware of any reason(s) why your application was not straightforward?

No reason stated. However, below is the paragraph where it's stated in the email I received from them.

"Unfortunately, the processing of your application has not been straightforward and we will be unable to decide your application within our customer service targets. We are continuing to work on your application and aim to make a decision as soon as possible".

Do you have an idea of what that means?

Hello nairalanders in this section.

Few weeks ago, a friend told me about this section on nairaland (after I've been a member on Nairaland for years and over 4 months after I submitted my settlement visa to return to the UK). Better late than never as they say.

I have actually been following the topics, questions and answers on this section since i was told about it and I really am impressed about how people help each other out here with correct and accurate information (I just wish I had known about this prior to submitting my application). Special kudos to Lexus, Just wise, the Portsmouth lady and others that I can't remember their names. God bless you all.

My question now,
Guys please advice me on what to do, I have submitted my application for more than 4 months like I said earlier (precisely on the 23rd of June) and I've had a few email correspondence from UKVI. Sometimes in September, I received an email from them saying that the processing of my application is not straightforward but I shouldn't worry because they are doing all they can to sort it out. Last month (Oct) they called my wife (sponsor) in the UK to ask questions about her second job as we combined two jobs for her in order to meet the financial requirements.... They also contacted only the second employer. After the last call to my wife, they told her they will make a decision on my application as soon as possible.... About a month after the calls, I still haven't heard anything from them neither has my wife heard from them.

Please guys, what should I do as I am really getting frustrated and tired of waiting (on the gov.uk website, I actually saw that processing time for Nigeria is a maximum of 3months) ... And my wife also is frustrated and tired. Should I contact them (UKVI) or still wait to hear from them?

If I'm to contact them, does anyone have their contact (contact for people from Nigeria)

Thanks as I await the usual positive responses/answers.
God bless you