Choosing which visa office to process application - Singapore or UK?

[BT1975]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone has advice about our situation. I'm Canadian, sponsoring my Finnish husband to come to Canada. We live in Singapore at the moment. When filling out the papers we see that we can choose to have our application processed in Singapore, but also there seems to be an option to have it processed in the country handling the visas for the sponsored person's country of citizenship. That would be the London, UK office for Finnish nationals. The wait time listed for Singapore is 18 months while the wait time for the UK is only 9 months. We feel that our application is very straightforward as my husband previously studied in Canada and we have been married for 11 yrs already etc. My husband doesn't have a complicated or dodgy personal history. Is there a lot of face-to-face liaising between applicants/sponsorees and the visa office, or is it mostly done by email and phone? What would you do - apply in Singapore since that is where we reside, or apply in the UK office, which has a shorter processing time?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[CharlieD10]

He retains the option to have it processed where applications for persons of his nationality are handled, in this case, London. London is a good choice, especially since you have a straightforward relationship and plenty of history together.

Interviews are required where the IO has concerns regarding the genuineness of the relationship, or possibly issues with documentation presented. With a well-prepared and documented application, you stand a good chance of having it waived.

London does a great deal of its communication via email, from what I have seen.

 

[canadianwoman]

I would go with London because of the much shorter average wait time. However, if there is an interview he would have to go to London for it. Submit a really good application with a lot of evidence that your relationship is genuine, and he may not need an interview.

 

[BT1975]

Thanks for your advice, it is much appreciated!

 

[suva]

since ur case is very straight forward then London or singapore doesnt matter..ur case will be done in just few months. good luck