London (United Kingdom) VFS Passport Submission Timeline

[Blondiesweet25]

Hi all! Happy to join the Passport submission group (PR application timeline in signature )!

I plan to submit my passport tomorrow (self-submission) at the London VO but sincerely hoping for a quick turnaround as I have a work trip planned (hotel and flight booked) to Barcelona June 9 which is exactly 3 weeks from now! Is this a valid reason to inform the VO to fast-track? I understand many folks want the same, but what do you think ?

Many thanks,
will

Hi Will, I really hope you and the rest of us experience some sort of miracle and get our ppts earlier than currently projected, but the reality right now is 4-6wks processing by IRCC. Unfortunately I do not think VFS has any control over turnaround times with IRCC but there is no harm in wishing for the best
I hope you make your trip or are able to figure put a way to go on the trip if your ppt isn't returned on time. All the best

 

[Blondiesweet25]

I think you need to believe VFS and expect 6 weeks processing, trip is not a reason for fast-track. You better do the trip first and apply later or get a second new valid passport If allowed and travel in June on the second passport.

I think it would be really risky to go on the trip first because you are given 30days to respond and submit ppt. His trip is 3wks from now, so he would have basically 1wk left, unless it's a very short trip and he returns before the 30days is up. Unless Will request an extension and provide reasons why he cannot submit within the time frane- is it possible to request an extension?

 

[walnorez]

Had to call DHL and managed to get the tracking nr from them, VFS still didn’t even bother to share it - it’s 3d day already. Turns out that they just created a shipping label with DHL, but didn’t even pass them the envelope with passports, so the delay is on VFS side, DHL got nothing in their hands to be able to send it.

 

[Darth Vader]

Hi guys, please i want to inquire if i should put all passports and documents for every family member in one package or is it a seperate package for each family member for submission to VFS. Also when i'm making the payments for return courier and transmission fee, is there a standard narration on payment details. Thanks in anticipation

 

[walnorez]

Hi guys, please i want to inquire if i should put all passports and documents for every family member in one package or is it a seperate package for each family member for submission to VFS. Also when i'm making the payments for return courier and transmission fee, is there a standard narration on payment details. Thanks in anticipation

All in one. You can submit a printed paper together with your package and explain line by line what fees are you paying the VFS for. And then when you make a transfer, just mention your name in the transfer description. They don’t need other details.

 

[Darth Vader]

All in one. You can submit a printed paper together with your package and explain line by line what fees are you paying the VFS for. And then when you make a transfer, just mention your name in the transfer description. They don’t need other details.

Ok. Thanks. One more thing , as am opting for one way courier to send my package back to me , does the courier fee on the vfs site mean I pay for each family member(£20 x no of family)or just one for the entire family since it’s a single package(£20)

 

[walnorez]

Ok. Thanks. One more thing , as am opting for one way courier to send my package back to me , does the courier fee on the vfs site mean I pay for each family member(£20 x no of family)or just one for the entire family since it’s a single package(£20)

You pay the courier service fee per 1 passport, so multiply it by each family member.

 

[walnorez]

Had to call DHL and managed to get the tracking nr from them, VFS still didn’t even bother to share it - it’s 3d day already. Turns out that they just created a shipping label with DHL, but didn’t even pass them the envelope with passports, so the delay is on VFS side, DHL got nothing in their hands to be able to send it.

Took them another full day to do the job. At 4 PM VFS finally passed the envelope to DHL and now weekend starts. So expected delivery is on Monday next week.

 

[Willmakeit]

I think you need to believe VFS and expect 6 weeks processing, trip is not a reason for fast-track. You better do the trip first and apply later or get a second new valid passport If allowed and travel in June on the second passport.

Thank you. I have submitted today....let's keep our fingers crossed!

 

[Willmakeit]

I think it would be really risky to go on the trip first because you are given 30days to respond and submit ppt. His trip is 3wks from now, so he would have basically 1wk left, unless it's a very short trip and he returns before the 30days is up. Unless Will request an extension and provide reasons why he cannot submit within the time frane- is it possible to request an extension?

yes, it is possible but I decided to submit the passport. We will see how it turns out! Thank you!

 

[Blondiesweet25]

yes, it is possible but I decided to submit the passport. We will see how it turns out! Thank you!

Great. All the very best it's going to be a looonnng weekend

 

[walnorez]

Updating timeline for PR visa / paper COPR issue:

RFV: 18-Apr-23
Envelope sent to VFS Stockholm: 18-Apr-23
VFS Stockholm received envelope: 19-Apr-23
VFS Stockholm sent envelope to London VO: 19-Apr-23
London VO confirmed passport receival: 24-Apr-23
GU on the GCKey tracker - Application approved and visa issued: 10-May-23
London VO is sending decision envelope to VFS London: 15-May-23
VFS Stockholm confirmed receiving envelope from VFS London: 17-May-23
VFS Stockholm is sending passports back to us by courier: 17-May-23
DHL picked up the envelope from VFS: 19-May-23
Passports received from DHL: 22-May-23

Note that VFS never shared any tracking numbers for DHL, not even when contacted by email. They also decided to send separate DHL envelopes for each of family member's passport, which we were not aware of. When I called DHL I only got 1 tracking number because it was for my name and my phone number, but my wife found out about her envelope only after it was delivered to DHL service point, since no one was at home. It's ridiculous service from VFS, but they are a monopoly and we can't do anything about it. Also, despite paying for SMS notifications they never sent one, although I reminded them about the service and they promised to subscribe me.

 

[Blondiesweet25]

Updating timeline for PR visa / paper COPR issue:

RFV: 18-Apr-23
Envelope sent to VFS Stockholm: 18-Apr-23
VFS Stockholm received envelope: 19-Apr-23
VFS Stockholm sent envelope to London VO: 19-Apr-23
London VO confirmed passport receival: 24-Apr-23
GU on the GCKey tracker - Application approved and visa issued: 10-May-23
London VO is sending decision envelope to VFS London: 15-May-23
VFS Stockholm confirmed receiving envelope from VFS London: 17-May-23
VFS Stockholm is sending passports back to us by courier: 17-May-23
DHL picked up the envelope from VFS: 19-May-23
Passports received from DHL: 22-May-23

Note that VFS never shared any tracking numbers for DHL, not even when contacted by email. They also decided to send separate DHL envelopes for each of family member's passport, which we were not aware of. When I called DHL I only got 1 tracking number because it was for my name and my phone number, but my wife found out about her envelope only after it was delivered to DHL service point, since no one was at home. It's ridiculous service from VFS, but they are a monopoly and we can't do anything about it. Also, despite paying for SMS notifications they never sent one, although I reminded them about the service and promised to subscribe me.

Finally!!! Congratulations!
It's poor service to pay for a service and not receive it, neither do you receive a refund or an apology. But glad the journey with them is over for you...not gonna happen again

 

[omosoja]

Updating timeline for PR visa / paper COPR issue:

RFV: 18-Apr-23
Envelope sent to VFS Stockholm: 18-Apr-23
VFS Stockholm received envelope: 19-Apr-23
VFS Stockholm sent envelope to London VO: 19-Apr-23
London VO confirmed passport receival: 24-Apr-23
GU on the GCKey tracker - Application approved and visa issued: 10-May-23
London VO is sending decision envelope to VFS London: 15-May-23
VFS Stockholm confirmed receiving envelope from VFS London: 17-May-23
VFS Stockholm is sending passports back to us by courier: 17-May-23
DHL picked up the envelope from VFS: 19-May-23
Passports received from DHL: 22-May-23

Note that VFS never shared any tracking numbers for DHL, not even when contacted by email. They also decided to send separate DHL envelopes for each of family member's passport, which we were not aware of. When I called DHL I only got 1 tracking number because it was for my name and my phone number, but my wife found out about her envelope only after it was delivered to DHL service point, since no one was at home. It's ridiculous service from VFS, but they are a monopoly and we can't do anything about it. Also, despite paying for SMS notifications they never sent one, although I reminded them about the service and they promised to subscribe me.

Congratulations. I've called VFS a couple of times. When I asked them for my passport they were asking if I've paid for courier. Told them my courier had been paid for and I included a return envelope. They also asking for evidence when I already included evidence in the package. Been a week now. Still no parcel. Absolutely terrible service

 

[walnorez]

Congratulations. I've called VFS a couple of times. When I asked them for my passport they were asking if I've paid for courier. Told them my courier had been paid for and I included a return envelope. They also asking for evidence when I already included evidence in the package. Been a week now. Still no parcel. Absolutely terrible service

It’s pretty bad service. I told them early on in the process that I don’t receive SMS notifications and they answered me back that I need to submit them a consent form to talk to them via email, which is the same form we submitted physically with the VFS package. Then they asked me to show proof thar I paid for SMS service, something they could have checked by entering my VFS tracking number in their computer, but no - they wanted me to send them the transfer proof with the VFS invoice second time around. And then they said “OK, you’re signed up”. And nothing. And each time I reminded them - there was no reaction.