12 - 15 is less than zero.

December 18, 2008 3:39 PM

I might have made a gross error. Is there something that I can do to speed up my Visa application?

I asked not long ago about Visa applications to the UK and finally got around earlier this week to couriering my completed application to the border services group in Ottawa. I will be going as a dependent of my girlfriend, who is there on a Student visa. I assumed, what with her being American and my being Canadian, that my visa would take as long as hers did, or less. Which wouldn't be long.

I received an email a few hours ago saying the following:

Please be advised that an Entry Clearance Officer has reviewed your application. The Entry Clearance Officer has assessed that your application is not straightforward and has deferred your case in order to make further enquiries.

This process can take up to 15 workings days for most non-settlement applications. Settlement applications may take longer.

The problem is that my flight leaves in 12 days. Yes, I understand (now) that I should not have booked a flight before I have my visa and passport in hand, but unfortunately I had not thought there would be anything complicated about my application.

So what does this mean? What, if anything can I do to expedite this process? I can't find any phone number to call to get (or to give) more information as to how long this might be held up.

posted by vernondalhart to travel & transportation (8 comments total)

Due to holidays and weekend, 15 working days from now is mid-January. If your flight leaves in 12 days, that's end of December. I think you might underestimating the severity of your problem.

I would suggest starting by calling your MP for advice and guidance. They can either help you onto your next step (who to call and where) or even intervene on your behalf. My MP was very helpful during my immigration process.
posted by kate blank at 4:20 PM on December 18, 2008

How do I do that? Do I really just call my MP (Don Davies) and ask him about this?
posted by vernondalhart at 4:31 PM on December 18, 2008

Yes! You really just call his office. A friend of mine (who had also immigrated and was delayed and frustrated) recommended it and it was a great first step. Be polite, be clear about what you need to happen (expediting your visa somehow) and ask for advice. And good luck!
posted by kate blank at 4:35 PM on December 18, 2008

Ok, I just called the office, and the staff member who looks into these things will call me back today or tomorrow. I'm crossing my fingers here.
posted by vernondalhart at 4:44 PM on December 18, 2008

You said you're Canadian institution is paying you for doing research full time, meaning you should focus on your research, not take additional work while there. So practical questions are : Do you have your passport in hand now? Will they let you complete the application by mail once your in England? Will your airline let you come back two months early?
posted by jeffburdges at 12:19 AM on December 19, 2008

I don't have my passport. They do. That's a large part of the problem.

My last-ditch plan is to call/email/fax them, on the 28th, and ask them to cancel my application and courier everything back. It should then be back on time for me to go sans visa. Which will probably work, but it's not ideal.
posted by vernondalhart at 7:17 AM on December 19, 2008

Call the agency that grants passports in Canada to find out how quickly they can get you a replacement passport. Canada will demand to void your old passport back once the U.K. releases it, but you will get the voided passport back later, and any visas are still valid. I don't know if issuing a new passport will halt the visa application process.
posted by jeffburdges at 8:23 AM on December 19, 2008

My MP's staff says that there isn't anything that they can do, unfortunately.
posted by vernondalhart at 11:32 AM on December 19, 2008