An interesting response from the Embassy!

[benb]

Folks,

Last week, I sent a letter to the embasssy regarding my wife's application. The embassy responded today (see email thread below). The response *seems to suggests* that even after waiting for 10 weeks, they still have not opened my wife's visa application? Have I misread it?

Are they really that busy? overloaded with applications? I wonder what the career prospects are as an ECO?

Cheers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: ManilaVisaEnquiries@fco.gov.uk [mailto:ManilaVisaEnquiries@fco.gov.uk]
Sent: 22 July 2008 04:53
To: BXXX
Subject: RE: AMAN/xxxx/xxx/x -


Dear Mr BXXX

Thank you for your email which has been forwarded to the Visa Section for acknowledgment.

We will be attaching your email and its attachment to the application of Ms AXXX as requested.


Your sincerely

Correspondence Section|Visa Services | British Embassy Manila | 120 Upper McKinley Road | McKinley Hill | Fort Bonifacio | Taguig City 1634 | Metro Manila | Philippines | telephone: +63 2 858 2297 | fax: +63 2 858 2305 | email: lissa.pacis@fco.gov.uk | www.ukvisas.gov.uk , http://ukinthephilippines.fco.gov.uk/en | Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 0800-1645 | Friday 0800-1300 | http://manila.fco.gov.uk/
You can lodge visa applications through our application centre | address: Phil-Axa Building, 2501-02,1286 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City 1200, Manila | telephone: 1-909-885-VISA (8472) | customer Service agents are available from: Mon-Fri 0800-2000 & Sat 0800-1800 | www.vfs-uk-ph.com | email: info@vfs-uk-ph.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Ma Cecilia Madrilejo - UK Center Supervisor Philippines - VFS [mailto:maceciliam@vfsglobal.com]
Sent: 16 July 2008 20:05
To: Karen.Pajarillo@fco.gov.uk
Cc: Aileen Cruz - UK Ops Manager Philippines - VFS; info@vfs-uk-ph.com
Subject: FW: AMAN/xxxxx


-----Original Message-----

From: xxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 12:24 AM

To: info@vfs-uk-ph.com

Subject: AMAN/xxxxx


Dear Sir/Madam,

I was unable to fax a letter to the British embassy.
Can you please forward the attached letter to the ECO?

Much Appreciated.

Kind Regards,

XXXX

[Tiggers0608]

hi maybe the UK embassy is taking so long to process visas bcoz they moved to a new location, and they did say 3 months to 6 months processing in some cases.

i know waiting is really stressfull been there and done that

[Piamed]

Folks,

Last week, I sent a letter to the embasssy regarding my wife's application. The embassy responded today (see email thread below). The response *seems to suggests* that even after waiting for 10 weeks, they still have not opened my wife's visa application? Have I misread it?

Are they really that busy? overloaded with applications? I wonder what the career prospects are as an ECO?

Cheers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: ManilaVisaEnquiries@fco.gov.uk [mailto:ManilaVisaEnquiries@fco.gov.uk]
Sent: 22 July 2008 04:53
To: BXXX
Subject: RE: AMAN/xxxx/xxx/x -


Dear Mr BXXX

Thank you for your email which has been forwarded to the Visa Section for acknowledgment.

We will be attaching your email and its attachment to the application of Ms AXXX as requested.


Your sincerely

Correspondence Section|Visa Services | British Embassy Manila | 120 Upper McKinley Road | McKinley Hill | Fort Bonifacio | Taguig City 1634 | Metro Manila | Philippines | telephone: +63 2 858 2297 | fax: +63 2 858 2305 | email: lissa.pacis@fco.gov.uk | www.ukvisas.gov.uk , http://ukinthephilippines.fco.gov.uk/en | Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 0800-1645 | Friday 0800-1300 | http://manila.fco.gov.uk/
You can lodge visa applications through our application centre | address: Phil-Axa Building, 2501-02,1286 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City 1200, Manila | telephone: 1-909-885-VISA (8472) | customer Service agents are available from: Mon-Fri 0800-2000 & Sat 0800-1800 | www.vfs-uk-ph.com | email: info@vfs-uk-ph.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Ma Cecilia Madrilejo - UK Center Supervisor Philippines - VFS [mailto:maceciliam@vfsglobal.com]
Sent: 16 July 2008 20:05
To: Karen.Pajarillo@fco.gov.uk
Cc: Aileen Cruz - UK Ops Manager Philippines - VFS; info@vfs-uk-ph.com
Subject: FW: AMAN/xxxxx


-----Original Message-----

From: xxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 12:24 AM

To: info@vfs-uk-ph.com

Subject: AMAN/xxxxx


Dear Sir/Madam,

I was unable to fax a letter to the British embassy.
Can you please forward the attached letter to the ECO?

Much Appreciated.

Kind Regards,

XXXX

I have had several like that albeit from the actual visa section of the embassy who i wrote to directly; it just means that the details provided will be attached to the application made.

I can understand though how it suggests that it has not yet been sent. I guess w dont really know the operational activities and the true extent of the operational interation between the application center and the Visa section of the enbassy

It's 10 weeks for Pia and I tomorrow.

[benb]

I have had several like that albeit from the actual visa section of the embassy who i wrote to directly; it just means that the details provided will be attached to the application made.

I can understand though how it suggests that it has not yet been sent. I guess w dont really know the operational activities and the true extent of the operational interation between the application center and the Visa section of the enbassy

It's 10 weeks for Pia and I tomorrow.

My gut feeling is that you would get a response this week. Cheers.

[Piamed]

My gut feeling is that you would get a response this week. Cheers.

That would be nice but we will see! We applied 14th May, how about you? Pia and I were married at the end of December but she had her final exams and so on pending so we agreed she would not make any real efforts related to her coming her until after her graduation in March.

Then we had the whole issue of marriage certification authentication (1 month almost) ID name changes, passport changes ( 1 month), etc. It's a laborious process as you well know. Still we are each day, a day closer, right?

[benb]

That would be nice but we will see! We applied 14th May, how about you? Pia and I were married at the end of December but she had her final exams and so on pending so we agreed she would not make any real efforts related to her coming her until after her graduation in March.

Then we had the whole issue of marriage certification authentication (1 month almost) ID name changes, passport changes ( 1 month), etc. It's a laborious process as you well know. Still we are each day, a day closer, right?

It appears that applications submitted before April this year have had much less delays. From April, we have the new tier system, embassy move, maybe tougher checks etc, which probably are causing delays.

Its best for your wife to keep occupied to kill time, if she is not working at the moment. My wife (Jassmine) is spending her time mostly reading. She applied on May 19th, actually missed her appointment time and ended up queuing for hours on the same day. Jassmine mentioned that the queue outside the VFS application centre starts at 3am. Unbelievable!

We got engaged early Jan and married in early April. The Marriage certification took about 1 month to be processed too.

I'll be off to meet her in Manila as soon as her VISA is ready. She is currently in Mindanao.

I'm looking around for good flight deals. Any pointers is much appreciated.
I presume you'll be off to meet your lady too when her VISA is ready.

Best Wishes!

[Piamed]

It appears that applications submitted before April this year have had much less delays. From April, we have the new tier system, embassy move, maybe tougher checks etc, which probably are causing delays.

Very good points! Coupled with it being apparently the busiest time of the year for applications. Not an ideal context at all.

Its best for your wife to keep occupied to kill time, if she is not working at the moment. My wife (Jassmine) is spending her time mostly reading. She applied on May 19th, actually missed her appointment time and ended up queuing for hours on the same day. Jassmine mentioned that the queue outside the VFS application centre starts at 3am. Unbelievable!

Pia was having cookery classes and was also planning to have some cosmetology classes but a couple of recent events have left us a bit concerned about her venturing into the city proper currently.

We got engaged early Jan and married in early April. The Marriage certification took about 1 month to be processed too.

I'll be off to meet her in Manila as soon as her VISA is ready. She is currently in Mindanao.

Where in Mindanao is Jassmine from; Pia is from Surigao City? I will be flying to meet her also as soon as her visa is granted. I was there 2 days ago and hated to leave her behind yet again; I know you felt the same with Jassmine.

I'm looking around for good flight deals. Any pointers is much appreciated.
I presume you'll be off to meet your lady too when her VISA is ready.

Best Wishes!

Where are you flying from? I'm in Leeds and use KLM but it's pricey at the moment - I paid £1,200 when I went last week. Leeds is convenient for me though. I am hoping that i can use my Frequent Flyer miles when I return. I understand though that Schiphol is about to double its airport tax.

Manila to Butuan was about 6,700 PHP and from Surigao to Manila was approx. 3,300 PHP. I will go back to Surigao as I want to see all the extended family again and to say bye bye along with Pia, as we dont yet know when we will return, although I would hope within 2 years. But who knows di ba?

Pia and I wish Jassmine and yourself the very best with your application!

[tomm]

My gut feeling is that you would get a response this week. Cheers.

Funny, I had the same feeling there would be visas issued this week but we're running out of time and my confidence is fading

[joebloggs]

it looks like the delays are only effecting the British embassy in Manila, and not really anywhere else.. so maybe the move is behind all this..

just read a post where a British guy got his Egyptian wife a spouse visa within a few days,, but the British embassy in Manila does process alot more visa apps.

looks like everyone is waiting at least 10wks on here, must be a big backlog to

[5olidsnake]

Cynthia's visa took 10 weeks this time last year

we applied 14th june 2007

but as i recall there was also a application center move in april 2007 to the AXA building

just have patience, it will come if you've followed the guidance here (easy to say, i was pulling my hair out)

good luck
martin

[grate-britte]

If you want a one-way ticket from Manila to the UK, wefly.co.uk have good prices (eg 309pounds for one way MNL-LON on 10th Sept Kuwait Airways and 470 round trip. They can issue an e-ticket so you can just forward it to your loved one. Not many air ticket brokers offering one-way reverse flights on the web.

My wife submitted her spouse visa application on 20th June, so with the Embassy move and the busy period I guess it's going to take ages. Probably some of the delay is government policy which together with the doubling of the fee last year will apply the brakes a bit. On the government website it states the fee increase wass to help fund the repression of illegal immigration and to finance detention centres. A bit hard on applicants who have followed all the requirements but think of it as a small price for a long happy life for two.

Wish you luck with the visa applications and hope there will still be some English summer left. It's nice to see there are lots of genuine and helpful people on this blog.

[Piamed]

Jassmine is down south near General Santos.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koronadal

But I would meet her and her sister in Manila instead.

I live in Ipswich. I normally go via London. £1200 is high. I'm planning to fly via singaporeair as its very comfortable and unfortunately about that price too.

http://www.asiatravelmarket.com/Best...don-To-Manila/

Thanks mate! It will be nice to see family again.

These short trips to the Philippines must be costing you a bomb?

Ah, I know Koronodal. Small but friendly place quite near to Polomolok. Have you been to the Dole Plantation or Sarangani Bay? Those trips are highly expensive. I came back in January, went back in March also for Pia's graduation. I check that my bank manager isn't outside each morning before leaving home Singapore Airlines

If you want a one-way ticket from Manila to the UK, wefly.co.uk have good prices (eg 309pounds for one way MNL-LON on 10th Sept Kuwait Airways and 470 round trip. They can issue an e-ticket so you can just forward it to your loved one. Not many air ticket brokers offering one-way reverse flights on the web.

My wife submitted her spouse visa application on 20th June, so with the Embassy move and the busy period I guess it's going to take ages. Probably some of the delay is government policy which together with the doubling of the fee last year will apply the brakes a bit. On the government website it states the fee increase wass to help fund the repression of illegal immigration and to finance detention centres. A bit hard on applicants who have followed all the requirements but think of it as a small price for a long happy life for two.

Wish you luck with the visa applications and hope there will still be some English summer left. It's nice to see there are lots of genuine and helpful people on this blog.

Cheers mate! Good things happen on the 20th June, isn't that right Elena? I'm sure that you receive your wife's visa in less time than it is taking us, as the seasonal demand for applications slows. Good luck mate.

[PeterB]

It's not just the British process which is slow! My 13a application has been at BI, Manila, since middle of April. Over three months and still waiting! :(

[benb]

It's not just the British process which is slow! My 13a application has been at BI, Manila, since middle of April. Over three months and still waiting! :(

What is 13a, BI?

Regards,

[PeterB]

What is 13a, BI?

Regards,

13a - Philippine permanent (residential) visa, by marriage.

BI - (Philippine) Bureau of Immigration.

[joebloggs]

it's not just Manila that's taking its time, must be time of the year, I've read settlement visas from OZ to the UK are taking from 12 to 14wks

so with a bit of luck, not much longer for some of you, I'm sure the embassy would want to keep the number of apps that take more than 3 months down for when the gov's stats are produced.