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Закрытие UK BA Premium Service Centres и новые опции получить решение за 24 часа

Stop the Press - the closure of the UK BA Premium Service Centres and the introductions of the 3 new services

26 October 2018 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and up-dates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923


>>> The closure of the UK BA Premium Service Centres and the NEW options to get decision sin 24 hours: http://legalcentre.org/files/UK_UK_New_Services_Oct_2018.pdf

The UK BA Premium Service Centres will close from 30 Nov 2018 so there will be no more same day service appointments the way they were operating before. The new service will be introduced from the 1st November 2018. The services will also include the checking document service for the applicant.

Three different options are being introduced:

1. Standard service – 8 weeks
2. Premium service – 10 working day
3. Super premium service – 24 hours

The fees for the NEW Super Premium Service will be the same as the fees for the OLD Same Day Service: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/.../8-october-2018

It may be possible to upload copies of your supporting evidence or bring them with you for your biometric appointment. There will be 57 application submission locations across the UK.

For example, for UK BA fee for the Tier 2(General) in-country application it will cost the applicant as follows:

•    £1354 to get a decision in 8 weeks after attending your biometric enrolment – the new Standard Service
•    £1813 to get a decision in 10 days after submitting your online application - the new Premium Service
•    £1944 to get a decision on the next working day following your biometric enrolment -the new Super Premium Service

The above figures include the £19.20 biometric enrollment fee and exclude the NHS Surcharge fee of £150/£200 (currently; expected to increase to £300 and £400 accordingly)

In cases where the UK BA will be unable to process your application the UK BA will con-tact you.

Applicants in the UK seeking to remain in the UK or to settle permanently on the following routes will be eligible to use the new service UK Visa Citizenship Application Service (UKVCAS) from 5thNovember 2018:

•    Tier 1 (Investor)
•    Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent)
•    Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)
•    Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)
•    Tier 2 (General)
•    Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer): graduate trainee Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer): long term staff
•    Tier 2 (Minister of Religion
•    Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
•    Tier 4 (General) student
•    Tier 4 (Child) student
•    Tier 5 (Temporary Worker)
•    PBS Dependant –partner
•    PBD Dependent child
•    Member of HM forces or their dependants
•    Turkish Businessperson or Worker
•    Dependant partner of a Turkish Businessperson or Worker (ECAA 3 -Dependant Partner)
•    Dependent child of a Turkish Businessperson or Worker (ECAA 3 -Dependant Child)
•    Settle or extend your leave in the UK –Turkish ECAA categories only
•    Settle in the UK –long residence
•    Settle in the UK –child
•    Settle in the UK -partner of a person or parent of a child already settled in the UK
•    Settle in the UK -HM forces category
•    Settle in the UK –refugee or humanitarian protection
•    Settle in the UK -certain categories only
•    Registration certificate as an EEA or Swiss national
•    Document certifying permanent residence as an EEA or Swiss national
•    British citizenship by naturalisation
•    Register for British citizenship as a child under 18
•    Register as a British citizen
•    Update, replace or transfer -biometric residence permit
•    Other leave to remain applications within the rules (unless noted below)
•    Apply for a Home Office travel document

Applicants on the remaining routes will continue to need to use the existing service until January 2019. This includes most customers applying:

•    To join family members in the UK as a dependant, other than a PBS dependent, armed forces dependent or ECAA dependent
•    For family reunion with a refugee or person with humanitarian protection
•    On the basis of statelessness
•    On the basis of domestic violence under the specific route for that
•    Making further submissions after a failed protection claim to only enroll your biometric information
•    For a fee waiver or fee exemption
•    For British citizenship
•    For a certificate of right of abode

How will the new services roll-out work ?

•    From the 2ndNovember: the UK BA partner SopraSteria will have their appointment booking tool live;
• From the 5th November: the new UKVCAS centres will-start to open around the country;
• And all locations will be open by the 29th November.
• During the period of the 5th November–29th Novem-ber, the majority of customers can choose whether to enrol their biometrics and submit their documents via these new centres or use the existing processes via Premium Service Centres.
• The 29th November: Premium Service Centres will close
• January2019: Service and Support Centres will open, for use by a small number of customers who require more support with their applications. These customers will continue to use the current process until January

Комментарии

  • 13 November 2018 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and up-dates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

    >>> Summary of the Sopra Steria Appointment in the Premium Lounge – the NEW Super Premium Service

    A colleague accompanied his client to the new Premium Lounge in Mark Lane, EC3 (Lon-don) recently. The client was for Settlement (SETO) using the Super Priority Service

    It turned out that instead of the 15-minute service it ran for almost 5 hours as the Sopra Steria has experienced several technical problems due to the amount of scanning the Sopra Steria needed to do in the morning. Apparently, they expected the applicants to bring far less documents for scanning (although it was possible to upload the documents before attending the Premium Lounge).

    No Wi-Fi was currently available.

    Despite the documents had been uploaded PRIOR to the appointment the Sopra Steria said that only half of the files were received, therefore the applicant had to hand ALL the docu-ments to the Sopra Steria again, so ALL the documents had to be scanned. Then the Sopra Steria said they needed to verify each document page by page. And they all work off very small laptops with small screens with the caseworker’s face right up against the screen try-ing to read the small screen.
    After 5 hours the documents were scanned and the biometric enrolled.

    Hopefully the Sopra Steria service will be improved very soon.
  • >>> The new Immigration System – UK BA (Sopra Steria) – file uploads issues

    The reports are pouring in that despite applicants uploading all the documents via the dedi-cated web-site before the UK BA appointments, often the UK BA does not receive all the attachments. Therefore the applicants must bring all the original documents with them in case the documents need to be re-scanned.
    Otherwise the (Premium Lodge) appointment times can range from 45 mins to 4 hours, as reported by the clients and colleagues.
  • 21 November 2018 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and up-dates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

    >>> UK BA answers in relation to the New Front End services aka “the New Immigration System”

    1. Existing on-line applications

    Q: Will the existing online application system still be offered without using Sopra Steria?

    A: Yes, until 29th November. After this, customers who are required to use UKVCAS must do so. Other customers will continue to use existing services until the SSCs open in January 2019.

    Q: Can we continue with an application that has already been started online before the new system was set up?

    A: Yes, any applications started before the implementation of UKVCAS can still be continued. The customer will just be returned to where they were on the form.

    Q: Currently, FLR(M) applications are not included in the new Sopra Steria appointments until January when the Service Support Centres will be open. How are FLR(M) applicants supposed to submit their applications between now and then?

    A: For some routes, including FLR(M), the online application form will take account of the customers’ specific circumstances and will guide them to the centre they need to attend to complete their application. It will be made clear during the online application if they will be using the SSC or UKVCAS centres and will only be allowed to book an appointment at the appropriate centre.

    From 29 November 2018, when the current PSCs close, until 8 January 2019 there will be limited appointments available in the PSCs for those not able to use UKVCAS applying online for leave based on family life or private life who choose UKVI’s 24- hour decision service. During your application you will be advised about which services you are able to use.

    2. On demand service

    Q: Can the on-demand service be used with the Super Priority service too (24-hour processing time) or is it only in combination with the Standard and Priority Decision services (5 to 10 working days)?

    A: The customer will still have the option to choose a Super Priority Service along with the on-demand service, should they wish to do so.

    Q: Can the on-demand service be used for Tier 1 Investor (extension), ILR as Tier 1 Investor (standard route), ILR as Tier 1 Investor (accelerated settlement route), Tier 1 Entrepreneur (extension), ILR as Tier 1 Entrepreneur (standard route), ILR as Tier 1 Entrepreneur (accelerated settlement route)?

    A: The on-demand service will be available to all customers who use the UKVCAS route. The on-demand service is a separate offering, delivered by the UKVCAS supplier whereas the Super Priority/Priority services are delivered by UKVI. Where Priority and Super Priority services are available to an application type, they can be purchased for submission at an on-demand service.

    A: Is there a set period of time to submit the supporting evidence/documents in advance of the on-demand appointment?

    A: The (£10 500, old style) Super Premium Service will be discontinued at the end of the transition period to UKVCAS. Customers who previously used the Super Premium Route will now apply online and choose and pay for their case consideration time (service standard).

    Once payment is taken the customer will be directed to book an appointment with our Commercial Partner Sopra Steria. Once in the Sopra Steria booking system customers will have a range of appointment types.

    The documents can be uploaded at the time of the submission or ahead of submission via self-upload.

    Standard Service – 8 weeks for limited leave applications and 6 months for Indefinite leave applications, Citizenship and EEA. All standard applications are measured from date of application.

    Q: Is there a maximum number of applicants that can be included at an on-demand appointment? And also, a maximum number of dependants?

    A: On Demand VIP price includes up to 10 applicants. On Demand pop up is to cover more than 10 applicants and single applications.

    Q: Can main applicants share the appointment cost (i.e. share the total which is "from £9,100")?
    It must be paid in one payment. Can all application types use VIP appointments?

    A: Yes as long as under the UKVCAS remit

    3. Tier 1 investors and entrepreneurs

    Q: Can Tier 1 Investors and Entrepreneurs use the Priority Decision and Super Priority Ser-vices (even when not using the on-demand service)?

    A: Tier 1 Investors can be considered for a standard service (8 week) and Priority Service 10 day under the new arrangements. T1 Entrepreneurs can be considered for a standard service (8 week).

    4. Naturalisation applications

    Q:Quicker decisions for nationality applications. Will the system offer a decision within 10 days or even 24 hours?

    A: We have concentrated on delivering the new and innovative service to match existing premium service offerings. We recognise that there is some interest in a premium offering for citizenship applications. We will re-visit this in the new financial year. Any premium service is likely to offer a 10 day turn around. The fee for that service is still to be agreed. We are scoping a citizenship priority offering. We hope to launch an offering during 2019. Whilst this will offer a substantially quicker experience than the current six-month service standard, we do not envisage that this will be a 24-hour offering.

    Q: For those applicants who are making an application for British Nationality/Citizenship, will they also need to attend an appointment to submit their original documents and certified copies, such as their passports and referee declaration forms, as is the case with the National-ity Document Return Service?

    A: Yes, applicants will still need to attend a UKVCAS appointment with their documents (unless they can self-upload) and to lodge biometrics.

    Q: Naturalisation applications – is there a plan for a joint passport/naturalisation application in the near future?

    A: The Joint Citizenship and Passport application process is an innovative example of customer service. We are keen to deliver this in the new Service Centres and expect to be able to do so in the first quarter of 2019. As you know as we move through the transition period and launch of our new front-end mechanics across UKVI there will be a brief hiatus for the JCAP offering. We hope to recommence the offering early in 2019.

    5. European passport returns service

    Q: Can you confirm whether this applies to the European passport return service as well? Permanent Residency applications are listed under the new Front-End Service – will this service replace the European passport return service and whether there will be a Priority Decision service or Super Priority service available for this application ?

    A: There have been no decisions to stop the EPRS service and European Casework do not offer Priority or Super Priority services

    6. Costs of services

    Q: Regarding the Enhanced Service points (e.g. the ones opening in London in w/c 19th Nov – Stratford, Wimbledon, Victoria, Shepherds Bush etc), will there be a cost for using these centres and if yes what will the cost be?

    A: Yes, standard non-prime time (10-4) appointments are £60, but out of these hours will be £100. Weekend appointments are £125.

    7. Booking appointments

    Q: How do we book the Super Priority Service? Can this be done using the new system or do we need to continue call/email the HO.

    A: Super Priority is chosen when the customer is completing their application form via Access UK.

    8. Application dates

    Q1. Is the date of the application the date it is submitted online or the date of attending the appointment?

    A1: The date of application is the date the customer submits the application online. There must be an appointment available within 5 working days.

    Q2: Given that the date of application for an online application is the date it is submitted using the online process, and an applicant for indefinite leave to remain should not make their application more than 28 days before their qualifying period is completed, what information is the Home Office providing to stop applicants from applying too early?

    A2: We allow customers to start filling in their form in advance, so they can have time to gather information and evidence. We encourage customers to read the guidance which ex-plains that they should not submit settlement applications more than 28 says before their qualifying period is completed. We always welcome feedback on how to improve our forms and the information we provide customers. PO and policy are looking in to this issue to see where best to add some additional guidance to customers.

    9. Supporting documentation

    Q1:. Is it enough for us to scan documents and submit with the application, so the applicant will only need to attend an appointment to enrol biometric and not take any original documents?

    Q2: As documents can now be uploaded electronically, does this mean that electronically generated documents (such as utility bills, etc) can also be accepted in this way?

    A: The intention of digitising documents is that customers can choose to upload documents ahead of their appointment and electronically generated documents can be used as supporting evidence. Customers will have to continue to bring their original identity document for example passport to the service point however this will be scanned and returned.

    10. Travel

    Q: What information is the Home Office/Sopra Steria giving applicants given that they can-not travel after their passports have been returned to them, and are there currently any plans for introducing a travel facility during processing?

    A: If you are applying for leave to remain, or indefinite leave to remain, you should not leave the UK until you have received a decision on your application. If you travel outside the “Common Travel Area” (CTA) before the decision is made on your application, your application will be treated as withdrawn.

    The CTA is:
    • UK
    • Republic of Ireland
    • Channel Islands
    • Isle of Man

    If the decision is made while you are outside the UK and your current leave has expired, you will not have a right to return to the UK and you may be refused entry at the UK border.

    11. Consent

    Q: Giving consent to the Home Office to verify documents submitted as part of an application ?

    A: The consent declaration is triggered by a block in the form where applicants are given the declaration to print off and submit. The actual declaration (rather than just a tick on the form) can be found via the hyperlink and is what banks will ask for when we need to verify.

    12 .Level of service

    Q: What are the opening times of each centre ? Will any or all of the centres be open on weekends and, if so, will there be an additional charge for booking an appointment on a day on the weekend?

    A: Sites won’t open of a weekend but in the main all Core sites will and some enhanced sites, there will be an additional charge for the weekend as this is classed as an out of hours appointment and is therefore an AVS.

    Q: Will there be a Walk-In without an appointment facility as an alternative to next day and same day appointments and, if so, will there be an additional charge for this?

    A: We offer customers the opportunity to purchase, for an additional fee, a same-day appointment, subject to appointment slots being available and these can be purchased. There is no facility to directly walk-in without an appointment, but the use a self-service terminal or library workstation or premium lounge reception can be used to complete their same-day appointment purchase, subject to available appointment slots.

    Q: Can the additional services, not including the Standard, Priority and Super Priority services be purchased online prior to the date of an appointment or whether they have to be purchased at the respective centre on the day of the appointment?

    A: Additional services are either linked to an appointment and are therefore purchased when the customer selects their appointment slot, or can be purchased as extra services either during the appointment booking process or afterwards by logging back in to the UKVCAS web-site. Extra services can be purchased up until the time of an appointment.

    13. System issues

    Q: When an application is submitted online using the new system there appears to be no facility to withdraw the application and claim a refund. In cases where the application has been submitted incorrectly and an applicant wishes to withdraw the application to submit a new one and claim a refund, there is no way to do this online. Can UKVI please confirm if there is a facility to withdraw and application and request a refund? If yes, please confirm how we can do this.

    A: UKVI operations are currently revising the refund/withdrawal process so this is clear un-der the new service, we will share as soon as this is available. You can find further information on how to cancel your application here -https://www.gov.uk/cancel-visa

    Q: UKVCAS website explained how appointments could be booked out-of-hours, next day, same day etc, but did not give any indication as to processing times. I still don't know whether a same-day appointment leads to a same-day decision

    A: The speed of the appointment has no effect on the decision making. UKVI offer the priority consideration on Access UK if applicable and customers can choose a faster appointment on Sopra Steria’s appointment booking.

    14. Appointments and uploading documents

    Q: When an application is submitted online and appointment is booked and paid for (e.g. an appointment at a Premium Lounge costs £260) there is no facility to reschedule the appointment should the applicant need to change their appointment date. Instead the applicant has to cancel the appointment and loses the additional fee for the appointment. They then have to book a new appointment and potentially pay a new fee for it. Can UKVI please con-firm whether there should be a facility to reschedule an appointment without losing the fee paid and if yes how do we go about rescheduling if required?

    A: Yes, Sopra should allow the customer to reschedule an appointment for no further cost. UKVI will feed this back to Sopra.

    Q: Our understanding of the new system is that original documents would not be required to be submitted so unsure why Sopra are insisting on them being taken to the appointment?

    A: There is no need for customers to bring their evidence to their appointment if they have self-uploaded. The customer will need to bring their passport of travel document to their appointment as this cannot be self-uploaded.

    We have now done a couple of cases under the new system and having spoken to clients as to what has happened at the appointments, it would appear that the client should take a hard copy application bundle to the appointment with them (in the traditional sense). My clients are feeding back that the officers seem to go through the bundle whilst looking at their computer screen.

    Q: It would appear that the clients should take a hard copy application bundle to the ap-pointment with them (in the traditional sense) as the officers seem to go through the bundle whilst looking at their computer screens

    A: We are requesting that documents scanned and uploaded at home are brought to the ser-vice point in case there is an issue with any of the uploaded documents, to avoid inconvenience to the applicant of re submission. We will be keeping this policy under review.

    There is no requirement for staff to cross-check hardcopy documents against digital copies and this messaging will be reinforced in operational update bulletins.

    NB: A couple of issues to be aware of:

    Q: Uploading documents must be split up into different categories (Passports, finance etc).

    A: Correct

    Q: Dependants docs are loaded to the same account as the principal applicant but under their own specific names.

    A: Correct

    Q Some have reported that at this end documents are showing as uploaded but at their end they are saying that they do not have them.

    A: As part of continuous improvement UKVI will work with Sopra to ensure customers can view their uploaded evidence to enable them to check the quality and quantity.

    Q: Once you have uploaded the document you don’t seem to be able to open the uploaded to check that you have indeed uploaded the correct document so you have to label very carefully before uploading. You can however remove an upload if you need to.

    A: As above.

    There is currently no functionality to view documents once you have uploaded them but will be added in the future.

    Q: When my ILR clients attended the appointment with the ILR application, the applicants had a number of documents to be scanned as part of the application. The staff at the centre specifically said they would not accept his EDF energy bills and stated that certain items brought to the appointment were not mandatory documents and therefore did not need to be scanned. They went further to say that only the Police Registration Certificate was mandatory for the ILR application (which is not correct).

    We are concerned that there may be an issue with the processing of this application in particular given that the centre staff would not scan the documents the applicant wished to submit.

    A: Service point staff are not allowed to determine what documents can and cannot be scanned.

    Q: Do you envisage that Sopra Steria will make sufficient numbers of free biometric appointment slots available to avoid applicants having to pay an additional fee, on top of the Home Office Priority and Super Priority fees?
    A: No the customer pays for biometrics but if biometrics are not required then they will not be charged £19.20 for this service.

    A: Sopra are required to offer an appointment at a core site within 5 working days of sub-mission.

    15. BRP cards

    Q: Will these be returned to applicants at the biometrics appointment?

    A: Yes, they will be, no documents will be retained by Sopra Steria. However, applicants will be asked to return their BRP for secure destruction if a new BRP is issued or when their current BRP expires.
  • 21 November 2018 - Important and just useful news from the Legal Centre, www.legalcentre.org, 07791145923

    The New UK Application System Service Standards: http://legalcentre.org/files/UK_BA_New_Application_Service_Types_Standards 2018_2019.pdf

    Detailed illustration which immigration application types can be lodged via the UK BA New Application System via the Premium (10 days) or Super Premium (24 hours) options or only via Standard Service (8 weeks/6 months).
  • Отчет о подготовке заявления SET(M) - ILR через Super Premium Service - рассмотрение за 24 часа.

    То, что раньше называлось Premium Service теперь называется Super Premium Service.

    Стимось госпошлины - £3018.12.

    Обратите внимание, что на сегоднешний день есть только 2 опции подать на ILR по анкете SET(M):

    - Standard Service: рассмотрение за 6 месяцев (£2408.20)
    - Super Premium Service: рассмотрение за 24 часа (£3018.12)

    Выкладываю screen shots всего процесса с момента подачи заявления Online и выбора New Service: http://legalcentre.org/files/Sopra_Steria_PDF.pdf

    Помогал клиенту из Индии - нужно было подать SET(M) - ILR очень быстро. Эти клиенты (Индия и т.п.) 7 раз отмерят, перед тем, как выбрать адвоката не из своих. Кстати, это была 100% полностью дистанционная помощь в режиме online через Skype и наш DropBox. Я имею в виду, что клиент вообще не присылал оригиналы мне и я (как уже лет 10+ вообще-то с заявлениями из-за рубежа, например) и клиент работали с документами в режиме реального времене через наш профессиональный DropBox.

    Слоты на подачу заявления Super Premium Service клиента были (North - West of England, т.к. клиент оттуда) хоть на завтра, новый визовый центр всего в 4 милях от дома клиента, но за такой слот нужно бы было доплачивать центру +£100. Поэтому взял клиенту т.н. free slot (т.е. без доплаты в £100) через день, т.е. на четверг.

    Слоты есть (около нас и за Лондоном). В Лондоне со слотами плохо.

    Кстати, после подачи анкеты нужно найти новый визовый центр и сдать там биометрику в ТЕЧЕНИЕ 5 ДНЕЙ !

    По анкете online. Она проще (для меня как адвоката). Анкету можно сохранять на любом этапе и возвращаться к ней позже.

    Загрузка копий документов через новый сайт Sopra Steria...тут нужно понимать, что ты делаешь, тип заявления и что в какую категорию загружать. Многие тут застопорятся, я думаю.

    Важный момент. Загружаемый файл не должен быть больше 6 MB. А так файлов до 6 MB может быть сколько угодно.

    Файлы лучше группировать и сохранять, например, 6 зарплатных квитанций, одним файлом. При загрузке можно дать описание файлам. Хотя я так же рекомендую клиентам называть каждый файл так, чтобы из названия файла было понятно, что это за файл. Например: Sponsor-payslip-September-2018. Или Sponso-6-months-bank-statements-May2018-Nov2018.

    Я на связи как всегда, если есть вопросы.
  • Сегодня подал заявление клиентки из Индии на ILR и уже сегодня получил ILR approval для нее через т.н. Super Premium 24 hour service. См. обновленные пошаговые детали, включая образцы писем с момента получения UK BA заявления моей клиентки и до получения E-mail из UK BA о том, что моей клиентку дали ILR: http://legalcentre.org/files/Sopra_Steria_PDF.pdf

    Я подал заявление клиенки online во вторник вечером, т.е. 27 ноября 2018 года.

    Слоты в Manchester Core Centre (клиентка живет рядом) были даже в 09.00 утра на следующие день, т.к. во вторник 28 ноября 2018 года. Но за допллнительные +£100.

    Поэтому выбрали Manchester Core Centre с его "бесплатным" слотом через день, т.е. на сегодня, 29 ноября 2018 года.
    За день до сдачи биометрики, т.к. 28 ноября 2018 получили подтверждение (см. ссылку выше) о том, что заявление клиентки рассматривается.

    Приехали с клиенткой сегодня в Манчестерский цент в 10.00, и уже в 10.20 уже ушли оттуда. Все прошло быстро т.к. я предварительно загрузил ПРАВИЛЬНО сгруппированные мною документы клиентки через сайт UK BA заранее.

    В 15.30 я уже получил уведомление из UK BA о том, что заявление клиенти на ILR было рассмотрено положительно.
    Скажу честно, мое присутствие фактически было не нужно, т.к. вся работа была сделана мною заранее и клиенка просто приехала в Манчесте сегодня для сдачи биометрики. Мне просто было инересно посмотреть, как обстоят дела в Манчестерском Центре.

    У кого есть вопросы - спрашивайте - буду рад помочь.
  • >>> UKVI update on FLR(M) and FLR(FP) applications

    The FLR(M) and the FLR(FP) applications can, until the 9th January 2019, be submitted via some of the PSCs, still:

    “…here is an outline of the customer choices for those applying through the FLR(M) and FLR (FP) routes between the closure of the Premium Service Centres (PSC’s) on the 29th November until the introduction of the Service Support Centres (SSC’s) in January

    Any customer making a FLR(M) or an FLR(FP) application online from the 29th November will have full access to the choice of a standard or a super priority decision. From then, any customers making an online application will be presented with the option to select;

    - UKVCAS or
    - existing services which are the post office or PSC routes.

    If a customer opts for the post office/PSC route and finds they are unable to obtain a PSC appointment they will be able to navigate back and choose to use UKVCAS. This will allow customers who are navigated back to UKVCAS to take advantage of Sopra’s full service offering by paying an additional fee to attend enhanced service points that Sopra Steria offer in local libraries offering them a greater choice of location. We anticipate this will result in an increased take up of SPV applications and to mitigate any impact we are exploring using some existing caseworking capacity within the PSC sites to support operations and meet potential demand.

    Customers applying on paper based routes will not have the option to access super priority decisions as we will be encourage customers to apply online to both support our channel shift to a more seamless online customer journey and also ensure the PSC’s can close on time to allow a smooth transition to SSC’s and to mitigate any risks to the SSC’s being introduced in January.”

    >>> UKVI correspondence: The EEA nationals are currently NOT able to use the New Front End Services

    “With regards to EEA/Swiss Nationals using the new service:

    UKVI plan to include EEA and Swiss Nationals in this service, however we cannot currently confirm the date this will become available.

    EEA and Swiss Nationals should continue to use the existing online or postal process at the current time.

    Please continue to check our website for any updates.

    Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

    With regards to the European Passport Return Service (EPRS):

    As the service arrangement for the EU settlement scheme is still to be announced, EPRS will continue to operate until the new service arrangements have been confirmed.

    Many Thanks
    Front End Services Team”

    >>> UKVI Guidance: UKVI’s new front end services: what you need to know: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ukvis-ne...tent=immediate
  • Как выглядит новый UKVSAC Core Centre в г. Манчесте. То есть то место, где оформляется биометрика и т.п. по т.н. New Front End Services. Ни больше, ни меньше:

    Sopra_Steria_Manchester_November_2018.jpg
  • А вот и новая ILR (SET(M)) BRP вчера пришла (подавал заявление клиентки из Индии в прошлый четверг по новой системе - решение за 24 часа). То есть BRP пришла на 3-й день после подачи:

    SETM_UKVSAS_NOV2018.jpg
  • Обратилось пару человек с отказами - подавали сами по новой системе.

    1) Первый заявитель начитался рекламы Sopra Steria о том, что они как бы предоставляют юр. помощь при подготовке заявлений. Заплатил им за совет. Ему сказали, что можно подавать заранее и не ждать до 5 лет. Человек заплатил более £3000 и подал на ILR за 3 месяца до 5 лет, по срочному типу рассмотрения заявления. Разумеется, человек получил отказ.

    2) Продление визы жены online. Как я и предупредал, система показывала уровень A1. Заявитель "поверила" системе и не пересдавала тест на уровень А2. Получила отказ.

    Я сообщил в ILPA об этом, мягко говоря, "беспределе" нового партнера UK BA. Так же упомянул о том, что Sopra Steria добавляет минимум £19.20 к уже "полной" цене за госпошлнину. Коллеги из Лондона так же сообщили и том, что практически нет т.н. free slots, и нужно доплачивать +£100 за слот.

    Отказы - простейшие. Скажу сразу - эти люди не русскоговорящие и не форумчане, иначе бы они как минимум знали или спросили, что намного заранее подвать нельзя, и что для продления визы жены нужен более высокий уровень А2. И не важно, что говорит web-site/система UK BA/Sopra Steria. И что только Правила являтся единственным законодательным актом, на который можно ссылаться.

    Сейчас помогаю им получить ILR и продление.

    Как меня уже даже цитируют британские коллеги, "UK Immigration Law could be compared to a mine field (c)".

    Далее.

    Новая система.

    Так же обратите внимание, что если Вы приносите документы на подачу в Sopra Steria с надеждой, что их правильно и качественно отсканируют, то звонящие сообщают, что Sopra Steria отказвается сканировать все документы и только сканируе, по их мнению, нужне документы. Это категорически не правильно и практически гарантирует отказ.

    Я рекомендую делать загрузку правильно отсканированных и сгруппированных документов перед сдачей биометрики.

    См. отчет и рекомнедации выше.
  • 18 December 2018 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and up-dates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

    >>> The New Front End Service update – some questions answered

    Q: The Sopra Steria’s scanners at the new Visa Application Centres in the UK are rather slow, it takes about 20 seconds for their scanner to scan a single page. Also, Sopra Steria does not issues any receipts to confirm that they (received and) scanned the documents ? Can Sopra Steria issue the receipts upon scanning the documents ?
    A:  Currently there is not facility whereby the customer receives a confirmation or receipt of doc-uments being scanned but we have sent this onto Sopra Steria to consider.

    Q: How much does it cost for the Sopra Steria to scan the documents at the time of the application ?
    A: £35

    Q: Is it possible to reschedule a booked appointment via the Sopra Steria web-site ?
    A: No, currently you cannot reschedule your appointment. You must first cancel your appointment and then book a new appointment (and pay the fee again).

    Q: Is there a cancellation charge for cancelling an appointment booked via the Sopra Steria’s web-site ?
    A: If an applicant cancels their appointment within 48 hours of their appointment time they will incur a cancellation charge. If an applicant cancels their appointment more than 48 hours in advance of their appointment time they will not incur a cancellation charge.

    Q: How much does a VIP appointment cost (a visit by the Sopra Steria on site, for example) ?
    A: The VIP service will be £650 per agent per hour.

    Q: How much time do I have to enrol for the biometrics upon submission of the online application under the New Front End Service ? The Sopra Steris web-sites says that this needs to be done with-in 5 days from the application submission ?
    A: Although it is recommended the applicant attends an appointment within 5 working days of submitting their application it is not a requirement. The applicant can book an appointment more than 5 working days from the date of application and have 45 days to enrol their biometrics from the date of application. We would recommend you check the service standards of the application for the specific visa type before booking the appointment.

    Q: What will be the applicant’s position with regard to travel between the application being sub-mitted online and attending a biometric appointment (provided the BRP remains valid)?
    A: If someone travels while there is a live application leave to remain or Settlement application (ex-cludes the Naturalization application) this is grounds for an automatic withdrawal as they have to be in the UK when an application is being considered

    If you are applying for leave to remain, or indefinite leave to remain, you should not leave the UK until you have received a decision on your application. If you travel outside the “Common Travel Area” (CTA) before the decision is made on your application, your application will be treated as withdrawn.

    The CTA is:

    •    • UK
    •    • Republic of Ireland
    •    • Channel Islands
    •    • Isle of Man

    If the decision is made while you are outside the UK and your current leave has expired, you will not have a right to return to the UK and you may be refused entry at the UK border.

    Q: What are the costs for the new Front End Services ?
    A: The details on fees can be found here; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table but for ease the fees are £610 for super priority, £477 for Priority and the fee for the standard service will depend on visa type.

    Q:  Tier 1 Exceptional Talent/Promise

    Will expedited services be available for T1 (ET/EP) Stage 1 at any time - e.g. to be able to self-scan supporting documents or attend a Sopra office to submit both Stage 1 docs and Stage 2 at the same time?
    A: The stage 1 is for the applicant to apply for endorsement from the relevant Designated Compe-tent Body (DCB). They provide evidence to support their claim of their exceptional qualities within their specific field. This evidence is not linked to the case, it is passed through to the DCB for con-sideration.

    - The stage 2 is only applied for if the customer receives the endorsement from the relevant DCB, with this they need to provide details of their passport and BRP card, this information is linked to their case as it forms part of the immigration consideration.
    - There is a separate application form and payment for each stage and as specific evidence is re-quired for each stage it would not be possible to submit the information at the same time

    Q: What options does Tier 1 (Investor) and Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) applicants have ?
    A: As of the 13 November Tier 1 (Investors) applying for leave to remain can make an online application for a priority 10 day or a standard 8 week consideration. Customers choosing the new UK Visas and Citizenship Application Service have a range of appointment options to choose from including more flexible on-demand, mobile application services extending the beyond the main locations to, for example, university campuses, employers’ offices or individ-ual customers’ homes.

    Although the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) applications can enrol their biometrics via a VIP appoint-ment they are not eligible for priority (10 day) or super priority (24 hour).

    Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) applications have an 8 week service standard. Tier 1 (Investors) leave to remain are offered a 10 day priority or 8 week service standard. There are plans to offer priori-ty considerations to Tier 1 investors applying for indefinite leave to remain, these will be avail-able in the new year.

    Q: Does the applicant need to scan all the pages of their passports ?
    A: The applicant is required to scan the biometrics page and any other page with a stamp or information contained on them.

    Q: Does had copy passport sized photos required ?
    A: Hardcopy passport-sized photographs are not required.

    >>> How not to fall foul of the new application process and ensure a valid Home Office application

    - Part1: https://ukimmigrationjusticewatch.com/2018/12/04/part-1-how-not-to-fall-foul-of-the-new-application-process-and-ensure-a-valid-home-office-application/
    - Part2: https://ukimmigrationjusticewatch.com/2018/12/04/part-2-how-not-to-fall-foul-of-the-new-application-process-and-ensure-a-valid-home-office-application/
  • >>> The UK BA does not cope with the 24 hour Super Premium Service applications

    The following E-mails are being sent to the applicants/lawyers by the UK BA:

    "If we cannot decide the application within the 24- hour service standard for reasons outside the control of the customer the application will be decided as quickly as possible and the SPV element of the fee refunded to the customer. We are currently reviewing decisions made since the start of the UKVCAS transition period to identify cases where we have not delivered a decision within the SPV service standard. We aim to complete this exercise by January 2019.

    Yours faithfully,

    UK Visas and Immigration"
  • SET(M) - ILR - менее чем за 24 часа - Super Premium Service

    Только что получил подтверждение о том, что заявление одной из моих многочисленных клиентов из России на ПМЖ (ILR - SET(M)) как жены британца было рассмотрено положительно менее чем за 24 часа. Как всегда, мы использовали Super Premium Service.

    Заявление было нестандартное, и мне перезвонил знакомый case worker из PSC Solihull, где я  подавал заявления клиентов на протяжении последних пары десятков лет, и кому на стол попало заявление этой клиентки на ILR.

    Было немного чуднО общаться со знакомым офицером (один из лучших в этом PSC) по телефону, а не лично, как это было раньше.

    А вот как выглядит E-mail - подтверждение что заявление моей клиентки на ILR было рассмотрено положительно:

    ===
    From: SSCSolihull <
    @homeoffice.gov.uk>
    Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019, 10:46
    Subject: xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx-indefinite leave to remain
    To: xxxxxxxxxxx>

    Dear Mrs xxxxxx,

    I’m pleased to confirm that you have been granted indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom. You will receive your biometric residence permit (BRP) in due course, which will confirm your immigration status. Thank you for using our super priority service.

    If you previously held a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) you must now return it to the Home Office as it is no longer valid. You should cut the card in half and post it in a plain, windowless envelope. If you are returning the BRP from within the UK then please send it to: BRP Returns, P.O. Box 195, Bristol, BS20 1BT. If you are returning the BRP from outside of the UK please send it to: BRP Returns, Home Office, Conference House, Conference Avenue, Portishead Office Park, Portishead, Bristol. BS20 7LZ. You may be subject to a financial penalty if you fail to return your old BRP.

    Furthermore, if your BRP is lost or stolen you must tell the Home Office or risk a financial penalty. Details about reporting lost and stolen BRPs are on our website at: https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-…/lost-stolen-damaged.

    Kind Regards

    UK Visas and Immigration
    Support Service Centre
    41 Station Road, Solihull, B91 3RT

    ===

    Как всегда, это было 100% безбумажное (paperless) заявление. То есть заявление готовилось и подавалось 100 % дистанционно, и клиентке не нужно было никуда отправлять оригиналы документов, которые всегда оставались при ней, включая паспорта и BRP.

    Теперь эта клиентка может сразу же подавать на гражданство.
  • 15 March 2019 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

    >>> Most recent Home Offiice's answers in relation to the New System application process

    Q: Can a Tier 1 (Investor) apply for extension and/or Settlement via a 24-hour service ?

    A: Tier 1 (Investors) applying for leave to remain and to extend their stay to indefinite leave to remain can make an online application for a standard 8-week consideration or a priority 10-day consideration. Also, Tier 1 (Investors) applying for settlement can also make an online application for a priority 10-day consideration. Priority 10-day considerations cost an additional fee of £477 which provides a faster consideration within 10-days of receiving the visa application, providing all the relevant evidence, including biometric (photograph and fingerprints) are submitted.

    Q: Can a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) applicant for settlement get a decision within 24 hours (or any level of expedition)?

    A: At this moment Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) cannot apply for a priority 10 day or super priority 24 hour consideration.

    Q: Can children over 18 be added to the FLR(M), SET(M), SET(O) etc forms or should they apply separately ?

    A: Over 18 children can be added, but they need to have leave in that category already and not be living an independent life; if they do live an independent life, they need to submit the application in their own right.

    Q: Can I travel while my application is being considered ?

    A1: If you are applying for leave to remain, or indefinite leave to remain, you should not leave the UK until you have received a decision on your application. If you travel outside the “Common Travel Area” (CTA) before the decision is made on your application, your application will be treated as withdrawn.

    A2 If the decision is made while you are outside the UK and your current leave has expired, you will not have a right to return to the UK and you may be refused entry at the UK border.

    A3 In terms of stages, the application is only classed as withdrawn if the customer has received their passport back from UKVI, if they haven’t submitted it then the customer can travel without the application being withdrawn, however, they will need to be aware that having made an application does not give them an automatic right to re-enter the UK. If they have extant leave when they leave the UK then they can re-enter.

    Q: How much time do I have to enroll for the biometric from the date I submit my online application ?

    A: An applicant has up to 45 days to enroll for the biometric sine submitting the online application

    Q: Do I still need to bring my originals documents for the biometric appointment ?

    A: Applicants do not need to bring along the original supporting documents, however, applicants can choose to do so if they wish. All applicants must take their original travel document/passport to their appointment


    Q: How can I withdraw/cancel the application ?
    A: Use this link: https://www.gov.uk/cancel-visa

    Q: Can Tier 2/4/5 Employers apply for their licenses via the New Service ?
    A: Applications from organizations to become Tier 2/4/5 sponsors are not in scope for the new Front-End Service. Customers applying for this will continue to use the existing service. Currently there is not the functionality to upload the supporting evidence for these applications.
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