UK Ancestry Visa... I got mine!

[caitlinkemp]

hey everyone,

I got my UK Ancestry visa, so if anyone has any questions about the process, please ask.

Many, many big thanks to Tigerlea and cordobaman for all their help and support while I freaked out!

Caitlin

[stressbigtime]

Congratulations! Thats a big stress off your shoulders I am sure! So all in all how long did it take from your application arriving at embassy until you got your approval? Mine has been there since Dec. 15th, 08..i applied for unmarried partner. I am on the verge of freaking out!! lol

Cheers!

[caitlinkemp]

wow, that long?! I'm shocked.

I sent my information in on February 4th, I had an email stating it had been received in Ottawa on the 5th, and another email saying I was approved on the 6th. Amazingly fast.

Are you applying for the UK Ancestry Visa though? I'm also not married, but my boyfriend does live in England.

I would definitely contact them to see what the hold up is.

[stressbigtime]

No mine is Unmarried Partner. About calling them...i hear they are useless on the phone and it cost a fortune to call. They have about 19 working days left of my 50 day time frame. I will just patiently (haha) wait i guess! They have not contacted me at all or anyone for that matter so I am hoping no news is good news? Thanks for replying to my post. Good luck and i hope all goes well for you.

cheers!

[nicole99]

I have also just had mine through - it is apparently the slow season for the consulate which means quick turnaround for visa hopefuls!

My appointment was Feb 3rd in Toronto, through the WorldServices site. I received my documents and passport including the new visa returned via courier from Ottawa on Feb 9th.

Helpful hints that will get you on your way if you are considering the UK Ancestry Visa -
- To order documents from England and Wales follow this link http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/
- Ensure all your documents are with your passport, photos are the correct size etc.
- Ensure you have no injury or covering on your fingers or thumbs, as you cannot complete the biometrics if there are any

[Ilovelondon]

Hey guys,
When I add additional information to my application, do I just add it at the end of the completed application I printed off? Or do I have to add it at the offices of my biometrics appointment?
Also...do they return everything to me to take to the post office and mail away, or is it all done straight from there?

[caitlinkemp]

Print off any additional information on separate sheets, and bring it with you to your biometrics appointment. If you have to change anything on the completed application, remember it, and they'll ask you to make the changes in red pen. The people at the biometrics office can't offer any advice to you, they just take what you bring in. They'll package it all for you, and you can either have it sent back to your home (its a $15 charge), or back to WorldBridge for no additional charge, but you have to pick it up. That's what it was for me anyway, I don't know about yours for sure. Check the site you used to send in your application.

[Tigerlea]

Well congrats Caitlin!! Glad to hear everything went well for you.

And good luck to anyone else applying!


Stressbigtime.. You may want to call them. To call and find out about an application you shouldn't have to pay anything (except long distance--maybe? unless it's a 1800, I don't remember). You should have received some sort of confirmation of the arrival of your application as well. You should probably see what's going on, even if it's just them saying "there's a backlog".