Question.....

[Fullofhope]

Question: I called British Embassy to follow up my Visit visa Application. I passed my documents last June 23rd. They said they are processing those who passed June 21th today Monday... Probably mine will be on Thursday or Friday. Here goes my Q...... If they process my papers will I know the next day the result? I need my passport because my Boyfriend and I will meet in Thailand this first week of August. Please advice. The Embassy said I can borrow my passport, given that I will make a letter of request to pull it out. I dont want to prolong my application. And furthermore, if the Embassy wants me to interview, for how long do I have to wait? I apologize for so many Q's. This is my first time to apply. Have a nice night/day.

[grate-britte]

I would say make a request to pull out your passport. It is good news if VFS have reached 20th June for processing. They are faster than last year when my GF [now my wife] got her visit visa in September on the day of the interview after 8 weeks wait. Funnily enough my wife submitted her spouse visa application on 20th June too, but we don't expect to hear for another 6 weeks. But on VFS website they say 15 working days "target" for processing visit visa, but in the [English] Summer it's way off that because they are twice as busy.

Also, don't be too certain to get a visit visa because it is a bit of a lottery as to whether you will be granted one. Not because it is a sin to visit the BF but because it is hard to prove "the intention to return" which is the government rule.

But I hope you will be lucky but don't be too sad if you miss out on this lottery, however [non-family] visit visa acceptance rate for Manila was 84% in last report to 31/3/07. If you get an interview your main point is that you would not want to overstay which would jeopardise future fiancee or spouse visa.

[doonat]

good to hear that, i too submitted last june 23 hope to expect it earlier than next week. as for processing days, the VFS website changed its 15-working days:

"For non-settlement visa applications the visa section targets to process applications in 20 working or more working days. This process results in one of 3 outcomes: issuance of visa, refusal of visa, or interview. If you require an interview, the embassy aims to be able to provide an appointment within 15 working days."

http://www.vfs-uk-ph.com/faqs.aspx

[Fullofhope]

Thank you so much for the replies, really appreciate it. Hope for the best and may they grant us visa.

[PeterB]

When we applied for Ruby's visit visa, last July, her passport was received in Tagum, exactly seven days after the application was submitted. Although we didn't ask for it, I think the application was 'fast tracked' because of her previous visit to Australia.

[Fullofhope]

Oh I see, so it'll be easier if my passport have Visa stamped on it. Well I only travel here in Asia. Hopefully they will release the results tomorrow. The embassy said they will process mine today Thursday. Fingers crossed.