ILR PEO deferred Apps - Further checks/Additional docs cases

Hello friends,
It will be very useful to all if you can please mention what additional documents they asked for.
Thanks,

Hi all

I'm a long term browser, first time poster and I've found this thread very helpful so far. I'm a bit concerned that this thread has died recently but I'll post our story so far here anyway.

I suppose on the positive side the lack of recent posts here could be because UK V&I have improved suddenly, although I rather expect that's not the case!

Anyway, we went to the Croydon PEO around a week ago for the 'one day service' for my wife's ILR SET (M) and got the dreaded 'further enquiries' letter. The case worker told us that there was 'nothing to worry about' and that we had submitted lots more documents than she needed and that there were no problems with our documents but that she still couldn't give us ILR there and then. She said something about some of our documents being 'somewhere else' whatever that means (maybe she meant the embassy where we made her original spouse visa application?). This (and her somewhat reassuring tone) suggested to me that she may think it's just a minor technicality, but then again she might say this to everyone.

We came home feeling pretty rubbish at having effectively wasted £400 for Premium Service but reading some of the horror stories on here it looks like we will be (best case scenario) waiting 1-3 months, or if we're unlucky the best part of a year! We've booked to go abroad to see family in August so I really hope we'll be done by then. I don't know whether my nerves (or those of my wife) will take months of waiting with no information so I'm really hoping that we won't have to go through too much.

I can understand them not being able to process all applications made at PEOs in a day. What I don't understand is the murkiness and total lack of accountability. If they can't process in a day, then the least I expect for my money is to be processed significantly faster than the postal people and also be given some indication of what the 'complication' is, especially when they say all our documents are in order.

Anyway, thought I'd post here and would be very happy to hear from others currently going through this purgatory (which we are apparently only just starting).

FireballXL5 wrote:Hi all

I'm a long term browser, first time poster and I've found this thread very helpful so far. I'm a bit concerned that this thread has died recently but I'll post our story so far here anyway.

I suppose on the positive side the lack of recent posts here could be because UK V&I have improved suddenly, although I rather expect that's not the case!

Anyway, we went to the Croydon PEO around a week ago for the 'one day service' for my wife's ILR SET (M) and got the dreaded 'further enquiries' letter. The case worker told us that there was 'nothing to worry about' and that we had submitted lots more documents than she needed and that there were no problems with our documents but that she still couldn't give us ILR there and then. She said something about some of our documents being 'somewhere else' whatever that means (maybe she meant the embassy where we made her original spouse visa application?). This (and her somewhat reassuring tone) suggested to me that she may think it's just a minor technicality, but then again she might say this to everyone.

We came home feeling pretty rubbish at having effectively wasted £400 for Premium Service but reading some of the horror stories on here it looks like we will be (best case scenario) waiting 1-3 months, or if we're unlucky the best part of a year! We've booked to go abroad to see family in August so I really hope we'll be done by then. I don't know whether my nerves (or those of my wife) will take months of waiting with no information so I'm really hoping that we won't have to go through too much.

I can understand them not being able to process all applications made at PEOs in a day. What I don't understand is the murkiness and total lack of accountability. If they can't process in a day, then the least I expect for my money is to be processed significantly faster than the postal people and also be given some indication of what the 'complication' is, especially when they say all our documents are in order.

Anyway, thought I'd post here and would be very happy to hear from others currently going through this purgatory (which we are apparently only just starting).

I had the same experience. I also applied for SET(M) using premium service on the 28th Feb. Received the same answer and a letter. Now two months after i am still waiting. I have asked one of the MPs to help me chase up. Only received their reply yesterday stating not all decision can be made on the day, which i have already known after tons of research. The reply from Home Office is pretty much useless and they said they will contact me as soon as possible.

I am just hoping i can receive my documents and decision by next months. You are right, it is frustrating as they don't care to speed up even we have paid the premium fee.

Good luck anyway!

@ 1unicorn.My friend set M application also was deferred for further checks on documents, he attended PEO OFFICE and waited several hours before the caseworker eventually turn around and say there's need for further enquiries and letters was issued to that effect. I think PEO for applications on set M attract further enquiries or is it random? My friend appointment was on 3rd march 2014 and up till this moment still expecting decision on his application. It's very unfair to pay extra £400 for premium service and not getting quality services. Please share your experiences when you get feedback from Homeoffice. Thanks

FireballXL5 wrote:Hi all

I'm a long term browser, first time poster and I've found this thread very helpful so far. I'm a bit concerned that this thread has died recently but I'll post our story so far here anyway.

I suppose on the positive side the lack of recent posts here could be because UK V&I have improved suddenly, although I rather expect that's not the case!

Anyway, we went to the Croydon PEO around a week ago for the 'one day service' for my wife's ILR SET (M) and got the dreaded 'further enquiries' letter. The case worker told us that there was 'nothing to worry about' and that we had submitted lots more documents than she needed and that there were no problems with our documents but that she still couldn't give us ILR there and then. She said something about some of our documents being 'somewhere else' whatever that means (maybe she meant the embassy where we made her original spouse visa application?). This (and her somewhat reassuring tone) suggested to me that she may think it's just a minor technicality, but then again she might say this to everyone.

We came home feeling pretty rubbish at having effectively wasted £400 for Premium Service but reading some of the horror stories on here it looks like we will be (best case scenario) waiting 1-3 months, or if we're unlucky the best part of a year! We've booked to go abroad to see family in August so I really hope we'll be done by then. I don't know whether my nerves (or those of my wife) will take months of waiting with no information so I'm really hoping that we won't have to go through too much.

I can understand them not being able to process all applications made at PEOs in a day. What I don't understand is the murkiness and total lack of accountability. If they can't process in a day, then the least I expect for my money is to be processed significantly faster than the postal people and also be given some indication of what the 'complication' is, especially when they say all our documents are in order.

Anyway, thought I'd post here and would be very happy to hear from others currently going through this purgatory (which we are apparently only just starting).

It's sad to pay such money and no quality service. My friend application Set M was also deferred for further checks and letter was given to her on the appointment day, nearly two months still waiting for decision. PEO now waste of money if you can't get same day decision. Please update when you get feedback. Many thanks.

shineangel wrote:
It's sad to pay such money and no quality service. My friend application Set M was also deferred for further checks and letter was given to her on the appointment day, nearly two months still waiting for decision. PEO now waste of money if you can't get same day decision. Please update when you get feedback. Many thanks.

It's been a month since application now and still no joy. I've been doing a bit of research (based on past FOI requests by others) into whether deferred PEO Premium applications basically become postal applications, with some interesting results.

Firstly, two separate responses suggest that PEO applications are not put in the same pile as postals and that in fact the average time for deferred apps is 10 days, with an aim to "not extend a case for longer than a month"

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... 2.pdf.html (see questions 3 and 8 )

and

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... n.pdf.html

This information just does not appear to stack up with the evidence on here, which seems to suggest that deferred Premium takes about as long as postal in most cases. In fact, I have been unable to find a single case on these forums of someone's application being resolved in less than 1 month having been deferred for further enquiries (IT problems excepted). In fact, most seem to be waiting 3-6 months with some waiting even longer. Weirdly, having read this entire thread it appears that additional documents cases are solved significantly faster than cases where all documents are present and correct.

I just wish we didn't have to play at these guessing games and that more information about the decision making process was made public.

Any news from anyone else?

FireballXL5 wrote:

shineangel wrote:
It's sad to pay such money and no quality service. My friend application Set M was also deferred for further checks and letter was given to her on the appointment day, nearly two months still waiting for decision. PEO now waste of money if you can't get same day decision. Please update when you get feedback. Many thanks.

It's been a month since application now and still no joy. I've been doing a bit of research (based on past FOI requests by others) into whether deferred PEO Premium applications basically become postal applications, with some interesting results.

Firstly, two separate responses suggest that PEO applications are not put in the same pile as postals and that in fact the average time for deferred apps is 10 days, with an aim to "not extend a case for longer than a month"

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... 2.pdf.html (see questions 3 and 8 )

and

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... n.pdf.html

This information just does not appear to stack up with the evidence on here, which seems to suggest that deferred Premium takes about as long as postal in most cases. In fact, I have been unable to find a single case on these forums of someone's application being resolved in less than 1 month having been deferred for further enquiries (IT problems excepted). In fact, most seem to be waiting 3-6 months with some waiting even longer. Weirdly, having read this entire thread it appears that additional documents cases are solved significantly faster than cases where all documents are present and correct.

I just wish we didn't have to play at these guessing games and that more information about the decision making process was made public.

Any news from anyone else?

I now believe dedered application are on similar que as postal application looking at how long it takes to get decision. Recently most postal application are decided around 4-6months while deferred application also takes up to 6 mths. My is only counting month after month until it reach four months. It's painful to wait this long after paying for premium service.

Now adding insult to injury, the Home Office sent us an email today...

"Having recently received a decision on your application, UK Visas and Immigration would like to ask for your feedback in a short online survey."

Recently received a decision I wish!

This has however slightly raised my hopes (probably falsely). Maybe they really have decided and just not told us yet. Judging by other threads though, this just could be a standard "1 month anniversary present" from the HO to everyone who applied at a PEO.

Has anyone else got this survey email a long time before receiving a decision? If not then it would seem that I might have cause for hope.

FireballXL5 wrote:Now adding insult to injury, the Home Office sent us an email today...

"Having recently received a decision on your application, UK Visas and Immigration would like to ask for your feedback in a short online survey."

Recently received a decision I wish!

This has however slightly raised my hopes (probably falsely). Maybe they really have decided and just not told us yet. Judging by other threads though, this just could be a standard "1 month anniversary present" from the HO to everyone who applied at a PEO.

Has anyone else got this survey email a long time before receiving a decision? If not then it would seem that I might have cause for hope.

The same stupid survey message was sent to my friend and yet no decision received. Disregard the survey or use survey to express dissatisfaction about PEO service.

FireballXL5 wrote:Now adding insult to injury, the Home Office sent us an email today...

"Having recently received a decision on your application, UK Visas and Immigration would like to ask for your feedback in a short online survey."

Recently received a decision I wish!

This has however slightly raised my hopes (probably falsely). Maybe they really have decided and just not told us yet. Judging by other threads though, this just could be a standard "1 month anniversary present" from the HO to everyone who applied at a PEO.

Has anyone else got this survey email a long time before receiving a decision? If not then it would seem that I might have cause for hope.

I have also received this stupid email long time ago. Around early April or end of March i think. I even faxed them about it. But i still havent received any decision from them. It has been almost three months and I am still waiting.

1unicorn wrote:I have also received this stupid email long time ago. Around early April or end of March i think. I even faxed them about it. But i still havent received any decision from them. It has been almost three months and I am still waiting.

Thanks 1unicorn and shineangel. Although I was rather hoping for a different answer. That email was really rubbing our noses in it.

I know I shouldn't have got my hopes up but with the total lack of information, you try and grab hold of anything you can. I just don't understand what the problem is - our case should be straightforward. It seems that SET (M) is being particularly targeted at the moment (strange because it should be the most straightforward category). Do any of you have any inkling about why they might have stretched your cases out this long?

FireballXL5 wrote:

1unicorn wrote:I have also received this stupid email long time ago. Around early April or end of March i think. I even faxed them about it. But i still havent received any decision from them. It has been almost three months and I am still waiting.

Thanks 1unicorn and shineangel. Although I was rather hoping for a different answer. That email was really rubbing our noses in it.

I know I shouldn't have got my hopes up but with the total lack of information, you try and grab hold of anything you can. I just don't understand what the problem is - our case should be straightforward. It seems that SET (M) is being particularly targeted at the moment (strange because it should be the most straightforward category). Do any of you have any inkling about why they might have stretched your cases out this long?

From what I observed in this forum we should expect decision within 4-6months. I bet this is the period we will get decision.

FireballXL5 wrote:

1unicorn wrote:I have also received this stupid email long time ago. Around early April or end of March i think. I even faxed them about it. But i still havent received any decision from them. It has been almost three months and I am still waiting.

Thanks 1unicorn and shineangel. Although I was rather hoping for a different answer. That email was really rubbing our noses in it.

I know I shouldn't have got my hopes up but with the total lack of information, you try and grab hold of anything you can. I just don't understand what the problem is - our case should be straightforward. It seems that SET (M) is being particularly targeted at the moment (strange because it should be the most straightforward category). Do any of you have any inkling about why they might have stretched your cases out this long?

I have no idea.On the day the case worker told me everything looked fine and there was nothing to worry about. I asked her if there is anything held us back that I cant get the decision on the same day. She wouldnt tell me the reason, just said occasionally they cant make the decision on the same day and it is common. She just kept reinsuraning me there was nothing to worry about. She even said given my case was premiem one, the case will be treated with priority. Obviously it doesnt look like this is the case.

Is it true I can call them after 12 weeks of waiting? Any idea of this please?

1unicorn wrote:I have no idea.On the day the case worker told me everything looked fine and there was nothing to worry about. I asked her if there is anything held us back that I cant get the decision on the same day. She wouldnt tell me the reason, just said occasionally they cant make the decision on the same day and it is common. She just kept reinsuraning me there was nothing to worry about. She even said given my case was premiem one, the case will be treated with priority. Obviously it doesnt look like this is the case.

Is it true I can call them after 12 weeks of waiting? Any idea of this please?

Your case sounds exactly the same as ours. The same reassurances that everything was fine and that there was nothing to worry about but very little specific information (aside from something vague about file location, which sounds like more their fault than mine).

I really hope it isn't 4-6 months as shineangel suggests or else we're going to go totally mad (and have to cancel a lot of expensive plans). Earlier on in this thread there are examples of people who seem to have got theirs in 1-3 months (look into the cases of vtp11321 or mfb123 and more if you search) after having been served with the further enquiries letter, but these are mostly from 2012, so maybe they've made things even worse since then.

In terms of ringing them up, I don't think you have to wait that long, I have rung them up once already. But it'll do you a fat lot of good, they'll just look up your case on a database and tell you that your application is 'not completed'. The operators only have minimal information so they can't tell you anything else.

FireballXL5 wrote:

1unicorn wrote:I have no idea.On the day the case worker told me everything looked fine and there was nothing to worry about. I asked her if there is anything held us back that I cant get the decision on the same day. She wouldnt tell me the reason, just said occasionally they cant make the decision on the same day and it is common. She just kept reinsuraning me there was nothing to worry about. She even said given my case was premiem one, the case will be treated with priority. Obviously it doesnt look like this is the case.

Is it true I can call them after 12 weeks of waiting? Any idea of this please?

Your case sounds exactly the same as ours. The same reassurances that everything was fine and that there was nothing to worry about but very little specific information (aside from something vague about file location, which sounds like more their fault than mine).

I really hope it isn't 4-6 months as shineangel suggests or else we're going to go totally mad (and have to cancel a lot of expensive plans). Earlier on in this thread there are examples of people who seem to have got theirs in 1-3 months (look into the cases of vtp11321 or mfb123 and more if you search) after having been served with the further enquiries letter, but these are mostly from 2012, so maybe they've made things even worse since then.

In terms of ringing them up, I don't think you have to wait that long, I have rung them up once already. But it'll do you a fat lot of good, they'll just look up your case on a database and tell you that your application is 'not completed'. The operators only have minimal information so they can't tell you anything else.

Honestly it's sad PEO decision taking too long and we just need to be patient I only suggest 4-6 months because of my research on this forum and also it appears PEO deferred is on similar que with postal application. Fingers crossed.

FireballXL5 wrote:

1unicorn wrote:I have no idea.On the day the case worker told me everything looked fine and there was nothing to worry about. I asked her if there is anything held us back that I cant get the decision on the same day. She wouldnt tell me the reason, just said occasionally they cant make the decision on the same day and it is common. She just kept reinsuraning me there was nothing to worry about. She even said given my case was premiem one, the case will be treated with priority. Obviously it doesnt look like this is the case.

Is it true I can call them after 12 weeks of waiting? Any idea of this please?

Your case sounds exactly the same as ours. The same reassurances that everything was fine and that there was nothing to worry about but very little specific information (aside from something vague about file location, which sounds like more their fault than mine).

I really hope it isn't 4-6 months as shineangel suggests or else we're going to go totally mad (and have to cancel a lot of expensive plans). Earlier on in this thread there are examples of people who seem to have got theirs in 1-3 months (look into the cases of vtp11321 or mfb123 and more if you search) after having been served with the further enquiries letter, but these are mostly from 2012, so maybe they've made things even worse since then.

In terms of ringing them up, I don't think you have to wait that long, I have rung them up once already. But it'll do you a fat lot of good, they'll just look up your case on a database and tell you that your application is 'not completed'. The operators only have minimal information so they can't tell you anything else.

Hi FireballXL5 and shineangel, today I had a little update, but not quite a good one. I received a letter from home office when i got home today, they were asking us to attend an interview in Liverpool after a month. I guess they are suspicious about our marriage but i am not sure. I am a bit stressed out as i have to wait for another month, but at least they were looking into my case. Me and my other half are together for 7 years and I am not too worry about the interview. Although I do wonder how the interview is going to be like. Now the only thing i can think is probably my husbands financial situation. He is a contractor and self-employed, and for the last two years (unlucky) he didnt have much luck in job market, although he did have some short term contracts here and there, which means i am the main supporter for the house. I thought with the old 2- year policy, financial situation isnt a issue, plus even with my own income its beyond the new financial requirement anyway. and we did handed in a cover letter to explain that at the time, they know that already, which is why i dont quite understand. I wish they interviewed us three months ago instead. But anyway, I hope you guys dont need to go through the hassle! and fingers crossed to my own case lol.

1unicorn wrote:
Hi FireballXL5 and shineangel, today I had a little update, but not quite a good one. I received a letter from home office when i got home today, they were asking us to attend an interview in Liverpool after a month. I guess they are suspicious about our marriage but i am not sure. I am a bit stressed out as i have to wait for another month, but at least they were looking into my case. Me and my other half are together for 7 years and I am not too worry about the interview. Although I do wonder how the interview is going to be like. Now the only thing i can think is probably my husbands financial situation. He is a contractor and self-employed, and for the last two years (unlucky) he didnt have much luck in job market, although he did have some short term contracts here and there, which means i am the main supporter for the house. I thought with the old 2- year policy, financial situation isnt a issue, plus even with my own income its beyond the new financial requirement anyway. and we did handed in a cover letter to explain that at the time, they know that already, which is why i dont quite understand. I wish they interviewed us three months ago instead. But anyway, I hope you guys dont need to go through the hassle! and fingers crossed to my own case lol.

Well, at least it means they're looking at your case... There was another case on this thread similar to this if you read back into 2012 (chweetgurl) but this situation appears to be rare indeed.

Are you the sponsor or the applicant? If you're the sponsor, and your wage is enough then whether your husband is self employed should not matter at all. Which means that they must be somehow suspicious about the relationship - but how can they be without any kind of evidence? Was there anything in your application that could have caused their suspicion? Did you hand in enough joint letters etc? But the fact you've been together 7 years seems to make even this unlikely.

Maybe it's just that they pick out every 100 applications or so and say "OK let's make these people's life a misery" without any kind of other reason and you're one of the unlucky ones.

I suppose I don't really have a massive problem with them wanting to interview people. It's the fact that your "Premium" application probably sat in a dusty pile in the depths of the Home Office for 3 months before they bothered to tell you this that's totally unacceptable.

Anyway, so much for the "you have nothing to worry about" assurances you got from your original caseworker....

FireballXL5 wrote:

1unicorn wrote:
Hi FireballXL5 and shineangel, today I had a little update, but not quite a good one. I received a letter from home office when i got home today, they were asking us to attend an interview in Liverpool after a month. I guess they are suspicious about our marriage but i am not sure. I am a bit stressed out as i have to wait for another month, but at least they were looking into my case. Me and my other half are together for 7 years and I am not too worry about the interview. Although I do wonder how the interview is going to be like. Now the only thing i can think is probably my husbands financial situation. He is a contractor and self-employed, and for the last two years (unlucky) he didnt have much luck in job market, although he did have some short term contracts here and there, which means i am the main supporter for the house. I thought with the old 2- year policy, financial situation isnt a issue, plus even with my own income its beyond the new financial requirement anyway. and we did handed in a cover letter to explain that at the time, they know that already, which is why i dont quite understand. I wish they interviewed us three months ago instead. But anyway, I hope you guys dont need to go through the hassle! and fingers crossed to my own case lol.

Well, at least it means they're looking at your case... There was another case on this thread similar to this if you read back into 2012 (chweetgurl) but this situation appears to be rare indeed.

Are you the sponsor or the applicant? If you're the sponsor, and your wage is enough then whether your husband is self employed should not matter at all. Which means that they must be somehow suspicious about the relationship - but how can they be without any kind of evidence? Was there anything in your application that could have caused their suspicion? Did you hand in enough joint letters etc? But the fact you've been together 7 years seems to make even this unlikely.

Maybe it's just that they pick out every 100 applications or so and say "OK let's make these people's life a misery" without any kind of other reason and you're one of the unlucky ones.

I suppose I don't really have a massive problem with them wanting to interview people. It's the fact that your "Premium" application probably sat in a dusty pile in the depths of the Home Office for 3 months before they bothered to tell you this that's totally unacceptable.

Anyway, so much for the "you have nothing to worry about" assurances you got from your original caseworker....

I am the applicant, maybe that's why? We have enough evidence, if not I presume the case worker would have asked in the first place. You are right, I don't mind getting interviewed, it's the fact they took so long to reply me that botheres me, especially the interview is another month away. And what's the point of paying premium service after all. If they are suspicious they should have interviewed us on the same day when I applied. Since then I also joined contracting and self - employed. Which means I don't have holiday pay. I have to take a day off, lose a day pay, and travel to Liverpool from London, need to get a hotel as well, which makes it even more expensive. I wonder if I can claim my expense from them lol

1unicorn wrote:

FireballXL5 wrote:

1unicorn wrote:
Hi FireballXL5 and shineangel, today I had a little update, but not quite a good one. I received a letter from home office when i got home today, they were asking us to attend an interview in Liverpool after a month. I guess they are suspicious about our marriage but i am not sure. I am a bit stressed out as i have to wait for another month, but at least they were looking into my case. Me and my other half are together for 7 years and I am not too worry about the interview. Although I do wonder how the interview is going to be like. Now the only thing i can think is probably my husbands financial situation. He is a contractor and self-employed, and for the last two years (unlucky) he didnt have much luck in job market, although he did have some short term contracts here and there, which means i am the main supporter for the house. I thought with the old 2- year policy, financial situation isnt a issue, plus even with my own income its beyond the new financial requirement anyway. and we did handed in a cover letter to explain that at the time, they know that already, which is why i dont quite understand. I wish they interviewed us three months ago instead. But anyway, I hope you guys dont need to go through the hassle! and fingers crossed to my own case lol.

Well, at least it means they're looking at your case... There was another case on this thread similar to this if you read back into 2012 (chweetgurl) but this situation appears to be rare indeed.

Are you the sponsor or the applicant? If you're the sponsor, and your wage is enough then whether your husband is self employed should not matter at all. Which means that they must be somehow suspicious about the relationship - but how can they be without any kind of evidence? Was there anything in your application that could have caused their suspicion? Did you hand in enough joint letters etc? But the fact you've been together 7 years seems to make even this unlikely.

Maybe it's just that they pick out every 100 applications or so and say "OK let's make these people's life a misery" without any kind of other reason and you're one of the unlucky ones.

I suppose I don't really have a massive problem with them wanting to interview people. It's the fact that your "Premium" application probably sat in a dusty pile in the depths of the Home Office for 3 months before they bothered to tell you this that's totally unacceptable.

Anyway, so much for the "you have nothing to worry about" assurances you got from your original caseworker....

I am the applicant, maybe that's why? We have enough evidence, if not I presume the case worker would have asked in the first place. You are right, I don't mind getting interviewed, it's the fact they took so long to reply me that botheres me, especially the interview is another month away. And what's the point of paying premium service after all. If they are suspicious they should have interviewed us on the same day when I applied. Since then I also joined contracting and self - employed. Which means I don't have holiday pay. I have to take a day off, lose a day pay, and travel to Liverpool from London, need to get a hotel as well, which makes it even more expensive. I wonder if I can claim my expense from them lol

If it is because of the self-employed status, interviewing you would be a very strange way of finding out more. Surely, they would just ask for more financial documentation? But the other option around your relationship, which makes more sense at face value in the sense that an interview would be able to allay (or theoretically confirm!) any suspicions, seems stupid in your case if you've been together for 7 years and have submitted all the normal evidence.

Anyway, I'm glad we submitted additional evidence in the form of family and holiday photos etc...But I must say it does seem incredibly random. Did you submit just the minimum 6/12 joint letters, or did you put in significantly more? Were they properly spread across the 2 years? Were you living apart for any period at all? Sorry to ask but I'm trying to work out how they could possibly have singled you out.

My money is still on random selection of people to torture, as there seems to be no rhyme or reason to this.

i think we submitted more than the minumum requirements. Some are not for the whole 2 years as some might miss one month or two, but we have enough resource to cover that i think. I was going to submit some photos,card, letters etc as well, but given when i applied for spouse visa they didnt bother to even take the photos and etc with them,we didnt bother this time. I will bring some photos from the last 7 years for the interview though. I did some research it looks like they do random checks sometimes. As long as i am not the only one i dont mind. Good luck to your case anyway, i am sure you will be fine, especially you submitted photos and other evidence.

1unicorn wrote:i think we submitted more than the minumum requirements. Some are not for the whole 2 years as some might miss one month or two, but we have enough resource to cover that i think. I was going to submit some photos,card, letters etc as well, but given when i applied for spouse visa they didnt bother to even take the photos and etc with them,we didnt bother this time. I will bring some photos from the last 7 years for the interview though. I did some research it looks like they do random checks sometimes. As long as i am not the only one i dont mind. Good luck to your case anyway, i am sure you will be fine, especially you submitted photos and other evidence.

Good luck and please let us know interview questions just be ready in case we are selected for interview.

1unicorn wrote:i think we submitted more than the minumum requirements. Some are not for the whole 2 years as some might miss one month or two, but we have enough resource to cover that i think. I was going to submit some photos,card, letters etc as well, but given when i applied for spouse visa they didnt bother to even take the photos and etc with them,we didnt bother this time. I will bring some photos from the last 7 years for the interview though. I did some research it looks like they do random checks sometimes. As long as i am not the only one i dont mind. Good luck to your case anyway, i am sure you will be fine, especially you submitted photos and other evidence.

I came across this on another part of the forum. http://www.immigrationboards.com/eea-ro ... 11750.html

Seems to suggest that they do this to random people sometimes, so maybe this is what happened to you. You should definitely try and get a refund from them if this is the case. It also seems to suggest that it'll be about your relationship rather than anything else.

Still no news on my side unfortunately. This horrible wait is starting to seriously affect us. Both of us are having nightmares, panic attacks and starting to get symptoms of stress/anxiety. Every day I get up and pray that this will be the day, but nothing ever happens. I'm beginning to think it'll never end - and I'm only about 6 weeks into the wait. If this ends up being 6 months we'll probably both be in the loony bin.

My hope is that my case will be like zeee123 in this other thread who got his in 7 weeks! http://www.immigrationboards.com/indefi ... 48-20.html

A quick update on my situation:

I received another letter from the Home Office. Unfortunately, no new information in it though.

It was exactly the same standard ‘further enquires’ letter they gave us at the PEO when we applied, but just signed by a different person.

Could it mean that they’ve passed our application on twice now? i.e. From the PEO to team A and now from team A to team B. Or is it just another standard holding response?

I don’t think they would have bothered to send me the exact same letter again if they thought they were about to make a decision, so I reckon it’s more likely to be bad news than good. On the other hand, I suppose it at least means that someone might have looked at it since we applied.

Did anyone else get this second letter? Or am I special?

Hi Fireball,

Have you applied in Croydon? Is your second letter, by any chance, signed by an Amanda W*** or something like that?

Exactly same here. My daughter applied 29th April in Croydon, different category than you, different scenario -- case was held because she had TOEFL and they have put all TOEFL cases on hold. Caseworker said it was going to be with him until we send in results from a different English test. Which we did. Nothing further yet.

However before they received our new test results, they sent us a letter about further enquiries, it's a standard letter as I gather from the Internet. It is not the same letter as our first letter given on the day, because that letter was about TOEFL -- but it is also signed by a different person, not our original caseworker.

I am also a bit confused because it came recorded delivery, while it did not contain any original documents nor requested any information. It was actually quite meaningless as it seems.

We have also been trying to figure out whether this means it was passed on to some other team and whether that team is also in Croydon. our caseworker in fact told us it is going to stay with him and not going to be passed anywhere.

Our case was very straightforward and did not really contain anything one could possibly additionally enquire about. The caseworker said there was no problem of any kind and nothing further was needed, except to resolve the TOEFL issue.

Maybe someone there is just on some weird letter-sending spree ))

BTW has your wife used TOEFL for her English, by any chance?

sagareva wrote:Hi Fireball,

Have you applied in Croydon? Is your second letter, by any chance, signed by an Amanda W*** or something like that?

Exactly same here. My daughter applied 29th April in Croydon, different category than you, different scenario -- case was held because she had TOEFL and they have put all TOEFL cases on hold. Caseworker said it was going to be with him until we send in results from a different English test. Which we did. Nothing further yet.

However before they received our new test results, they sent us a letter about further enquiries, it's a standard letter as I gather from the Internet. It is not the same letter as our first letter given on the day, because that letter was about TOEFL -- but it is also signed by a different person, not our original caseworker.

I am also a bit confused because it came recorded delivery, while it did not contain any original documents nor requested any information. It was actually quite meaningless as it seems.

We have also been trying to figure out whether this means it was passed on to some other team and whether that team is also in Croydon. our caseworker in fact told us it is going to stay with him and not going to be passed anywhere.

Our case was very straightforward and did not really contain anything one could possibly additionally enquire about. The caseworker said there was no problem of any kind and nothing further was needed, except to resolve the TOEFL issue.

Maybe someone there is just on some weird letter-sending spree ))

Yes! Exactly the same letter. And from exactly the same person as you (Amanda). And, yes, we applied at Croydon.

Our situation may be the same, as our certificate was the TOEFL ibt - maybe this is the reason we're being put on hold? However, unlike you, they did not tell me that this was a problem and haven't given me any reason whatsoever for the delay. We applied a little earlier than you, before they actually went public with this TOEFL problem.

If TOEFL IS the problem, why don't they flipping well tell us? If they want us to do another test they could have told us on the day surely?

If this is the case, UKVI appear to be contradicting their own guidelines as they officially say that only tests taken after 17 April 2014 are no longer being accepted. See https://www.gov.uk/government/world-loc ... uage-tests

Unless you did take your test after 17 April 2014?

And none of this explains why have they kept you waiting even though you submitted another certificate.