In Process

One of the most frustrating things about the immigration process is that most of the time, you're totally in the dark as to how things are coming along. The only thing we have to go by is something called e-CAS - or electronic Client Application Status - where you log in using your client number and it gives you a one or two word idea about where your application is up to. It's not updated very often and the information is fairly vague, but when you log on for the hundredth time to find your status has changed, it can be very exciting. For a while now, Isaac's name has had 'Decision Made' next to it, which occurred when they approved him as a sponsor (though we had to wait till they sent us a letter before we discovered what the decision was) and mine has had 'Not Available', since they hadn't started processing my bit yet.

However, after sponsorship was approved the file got forwarded to the London office and today I finally got a status change: 'In Process'. It doesn't say much, but it's amazing how two words can put a smile on your face by confirming that someone, somewhere, has received the file and is doing something with it!

So fingers crossed everyone please, for a swift resolution to this interminable process. Even though I only sent the application in December I've had the paperwork in my hands since November the previous year and have been slowly putting it together and digesting it all since then. Because we ARE a genuine couple, it shouldn't - in theory at least - be that complicated a process but with medicals flying around the world one way and police checks flying the other, plus background checks on me* you just have to hope it all comes together quickly and positively.

*though as a long-confirmed 'good girl' if anything untoward came back I'd eat my hat! My new one that is, which I just finished last night and is probably my current favourite.