Choosing the Visa Office

[cantab]

Dear All,

I am applying for the skilled worker category. I am originally from Pakistan but have been working in Saudi Arabia for the last two and a half years.

It says in the guide that I can choose my home country visa office (Islamabad) or the office for the country of my residence provided I have been living there for more than a year. I checked that Saudi Arabia is covered by the London visa office. I was wondering if it would be a good idea to choose London Office instead of my home office as it would probably be faster.

However there is a possibility that I may move to another country in the next couple of years. Will it be possible for me to change the visa office if this happens?

Any advice will be greatly welcome.

 

[zulkfal]

better if you choose the visa office which deals with applications from Saudi Arabia.

 

[rupeshhari]

Its usually easier to apply where you live but as in the case of those living in the US (but are foreigners), the processing time looks longer.

you should check where they would expect you to come for an interview (if an interview is needed).
I think Islamabad is going pretty fast at the moment.
You could check trackitt.com

You could figure out your tradeoff between cost of going for interview (if needed). vs timelines.

 

[cantab]

Thank you all for your advice.

I was wondering if I choose London office and they call me for an interview would they issue me a visa? I mean would it be issued easily or would I have to go through a lengthy process? I have lived in UK for a couple of years (as a student) so I guess that should help.

Also what if I move to Canada or US for doctoral studies? Can I change my visa office accordingly?

I am looking forward to further advice.

 

[rupeshhari]

So if you apply from Saudi Arabia, don't they conduct the interview in Saudi Arabia even if the visa office is London. Can someone confirm that or not?

Changing visa office is tough because the applications are moving very fast at the moment.

 

[cantab]

How long does it take for the preliminary review these days?

 

[rupeshhari]

no idea but i think i read 2 to 3 months on this forum

 

[cantab]

wow thats quick!

 

[rupeshhari]

that is prelim review at CIO.

 

[cantab]

that is prelim review at CIO.

So on average how long does it take after successfully completing the PR stage?