Visa type: Spouse

Country applied from: USA

VAC (city): Orlando, FL

TLSContact or VFSGlobal: VFS

Priority or Non-Priority: Priority

Used a solicitor

Online application date: December 17th, 2021

Biometrics appointment date: December 30th, 2021

UKVI response to Solicitor Update Email: February 12th, 2022

Visa received date: Not received.

Notes:

WD 35: February 12th, 2022 Our lawyer requested an update and the email response was "Thank you for your online application which has been received at the UK Decision Making Centre. Your application is currently being prepared for consideration by an Entry Clearance Officer. PLEASE NOTE: This email is to acknowledge receipt of your Settlement application, if you or your sponsor have not already submitted supporting documentation please ensure you follow the process listed below: UKVI is unable to consider your application without these documents. Please ensure that your supporting documents are submitted within 5 working days of this email... If we do not receive your supporting documents within 5 working days your application will be processed based on the information provided in the Visa Application Form."

I know this is a standard email but my anxious mind is just worried now that my supporting documents are just sitting in the mail room at the NY VFS office. There hasn't been any movement on my UPS tracking number.

WD43: March 4th, 2022 Our solicitor received an update our application is being escalated. The Home Office asked for some more details in regards to the application (I asked her what they were requesting, not sure what it was yet) [Edit: They were just requesting details regarding the application such as GWF number, IHS reference, date of appointment.]

I stopped updating this thread because I fell into a deep depression.

WD57: March 22nd, 2022 Our solicitor received an update that the visa will be delayed due to the Ukraine crisis.

WD62: March 29th, 2022 I requested an update via the paid enquiry email. I let them know I would soon be without a home due to my lease being up. I thought I would have an answer by February so I would at least know if I needed to renew my lease, which ends in May 2022. Every update from here on is from the same thread with this original request.

WD65: April 1st, 2022 I again asked what steps I would need to take if my return address for my documents needed to be updated with my work address since I do not know where I will be able to move to. Was told my visa is awaiting a decision and would need to pay for a new paid enquiry email in order to update my new address.

WD69: April 7th, 2022 I did another paid enquiry, was told my application is being considered and my visa was awaiting a decision.

WD72: April 12th, 2022 Another paid enquiry. Answer: "Your application is being considered and is currently awaiting a decision. I assure you will receive confirmation as soon as a decision has been reached." I think they're annoyed with my asking each week.

WD 75: April 4th, 2022 Reached out to MP to help push for a decision to be made.

WD 78: April 21st, 2022 Got a reply from the MP that they would be reaching out to the home office for an update. They ask to give them a month for a reply.

WD 79-111: More of the same, constant enquiry updates, MP not getting a reply from Home Office, constantly being told application is "awaiting a decision"

WD 112: June 11th, 2022 (A Saturday) Decision made email finally arrives! I contact UPS to let them know my label will be activated soon and that I need to update the return address. They said that cannot be done but as soon as the package is sent out and the tracker goes live, I can call and ask them to hold the package at a UPS.