It is becoming noticeable that more and more people are struggling to book Premium Service appointments. If you are an applicant intending to use this service, it is imperative that you plan carefully.
There are eight Premium Service centres in the UK (Belfast, Cardiff, Croydon, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Sheffield and Birmingham), which can be booked 45 days in advance. The Premium Service appointment must be booked and attended before your current visa expires, otherwise this could lead to the application being refused. Every applicant must attend the appointment in person, including any dependants.
The decision time at Premium Service centres varies but should be made on the day of the appointment, and in rare cases it may not be possible to get the decision on the same day (for example, if extra checks are needed). Once the decision has been made, the application documents will be returned and a letter of approval issued. The new Biometric Residence Permit (“BRP”) should arrive at the applicant or representative’s given address within 7 to 10 working days.
However, we have become aware that Premium Service appointments are becoming increasingly difficult to book for both Indefinite Leave to Remain applications and replacement BRPs due to high demand. As the Premium Service became for many applicants a quick solution to replacing a lost BRP, this has caused disruption and stress for many frequent travellers who are unable to schedule a Premium Appointment in time to honour travel commitments.
The alternative submission method for both Indefinite Leave to Remain or replacement BRP applications is either a submission via the Super Premium Service or a postal application.The Super Premium Service is a simple and straightforward mobile service. A courier collects the application forms and documents, and a Premium Service staff member will visit the applicant to take the biometric information (photographs and fingerprints) and signature. Although the Super Premium Service may be the most convenient option, the charge per visit is £10,500.
The only other option is a postal application. This, however, can be a lengthy process, in most cases taking between 3-4 months or approximately 6 months for Indefinite Leave to Remain applications. Whilst waiting for the result the applicant cannot travel until the new BRP is issued.
In the event that you have any specific queries relating to any of the application methods described above, please do not hesitate to contact us.
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please don’t hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
©Gherson 2018