Applications live in a package

When you start your first application, the portal creates a package around it. The package is the container. Each application is a form inside it. Related applications can share one package. You submit the package, not the application.

Start a new VAT Stamp application begins the journey. Add another application to a draft package grows the package.

Until you submit, everything stays under Draft Applications. Your work there stays editable. Save an application as a draft covers saving. Find draft and submitted applications explains the two areas.

Ready To Submit is not submitted

Each application moves from Draft to Ready To Submit when it is complete. Ready means it can go with the package when you submit. Nothing has been sent yet.

Draft package with its Submit Package action and an application at Ready To Submit status, still inside Draft Applications

Every application must be ready before the package can be submitted. Mark an application Ready To Submit explains readiness, and Fix issues that block Ready To Submit helps when an application cannot become ready.

Two points save the most confusion:

  • If you edit and save a ready application before you submit, it can return to Draft. You may need to mark it ready again.
  • Selecting Submit Package is the moment of submission. It sends the whole package.

After you submit

Your work moves to Applications and opens read-only. Each submitted application becomes a case. You can follow its progress through the stages shown on the case, from Assign Officer through Completed.

Submitted case in the read-only view, showing its progress stages and Case Summary

The journey may still need you:

Check the portal for these steps. Do not rely on email alone, because message receipt is not guaranteed.