After 20 Calendar Days

Yes. They usually remove any folder you put the docs in. No matter how lavish.

H

How do I give the documents then? Won't it scatter?

Yes, I did submit an NBI clearance even though it wasn't part of the requirements. And yes, they will be removing the folders or envelopes. I still used envelopes just to keep the paper organized.

Another question for you, @Timmers:

How many days the visa will take effect once the applicant received it from VFS?

Arrive with them in a folder. But they will remove them once you are there.

No need to spend a lot of money on a folder.

It depends on the date they give you. Ours was forward dated by a couple of weeks so wasn't valid immediately. It seems to vary. And... you can't get the CFO sticker until the visa valid date.

Congrats Anne!!!

when will you fly to UK?

Anne, I wondered if you'd mind posting a list of what you included in your application? Only if you have time - would be interesting to compare, and to see if there's anything we need that we haven't thought of.

When you applied for the visa you will have given them a date when you proposed to go to the UK. In our case the date on the visa was one week before she intended to fly to the UK.

And of course the six month UK visa starts counting down after this date, not the date when you enter the UK.

Use bulldog clips to hold it all together.

What if the visa takes a long time to get? For example if you put an early date (in the hope that you get your visa as fast as Anne ;0) but it actually takes 3 months, do they still use your date so you lose almost half the visa time? Or do they put a later date on?

We actually put a date around the three month mark in anticipation of it taking that long. Whatever date they put on it will be after they have granted the visa, they will not pre date it for the reason you stated.

No. I believe they always post date it to some degree. Unless they make a mistake, which they do occasionally.

Good point John, make sure you check the dates on the visa when it arrives

Ahh ok so we can put a nice early date on just in case we get lucky then

Yes. Visalogic told me to do that. She said they do make mistakes sometimes.

Yes. As you saw Anne's was quicker than some of the others....

very quick--i thought timmers was quick. best not to assume its the norm. 90 days is more like it.

Thanks ja. Have you set an appointment or you just show up at VFS? I'm having a hard time booking an appointment with them.