UK Student Visa question
 

Can anyone comment on the length of time to receive a visa from the UK? I sent my application and passport in to LA, and it was received last Tuesday. I'm currently in Dallas. I leave in 5 weeks for a postgrad course, and I'm starting to worry that I've left it too close. My application was pretty straightforward, but I did send in a fair amount of supplementary materials. It seems like most are processed the same day, but if that's the case then shouldn't I have received it by now? Maybe there's just a backlog, as this is a busy time.

Any thoughts/comments? I seem to remember it not taking very long when I applied in 2004-5.

Anything I can do to expedite the process? I e-mailed them right before sending it off to ask a question, and they responded very promptly, so I guess I could e-mail to check in if need be.

Thanks.

I do this for a living and it's not possible to answer the question, since the time will vary from mission to mission.

I find the ECOs in our Asian mission to be horribly rude and unhelpful, but there may be more of a service ethos in LA. Phone them. The number SHOULD be on the web.

Thanks. What does ECO mean? It seems that LA has transferred all Visa queries to another company that costs over $2 per minute ... I won't be calling that number!

I read on the LA site that it might take 5 days to process not including mailing time, but that it could take longer in the summer and Christmas. This is probably what's happening now.

Entry Clearance Officer.

All visa offices are busy now as they process student visas for those starting in September/October.
Wait for a few more days and then email.

I just got the following automated e-mail:

"Your application has been approved and the visa has been issued."

Yeah! It was very nice of them to e-mail back.

So it looks like I should be getting it in the next day or two, if it isn't already at home.