Immigrationboards.com

bobobo · Sage Joined: 29 Aug 2008 Posts: 742

I understand your frustration mate, we are all in the same boat. But honestly its not all their fault. This govt has gone crazy firing people and sc*****g us over.

I spoke to HO a couple of times and got through to one decent man, who actually told me that some depts have had 80% of the staff cut down. so if a team had 15 people they now have 3 people doing the job. If this is the case then we will expect delays, things were much better last year.

I hate the con-lib govt, bunch of pr***s who are making life hell for everyone

nholler · Junior Member Joined: 28 May 2012 Posts: 27

I agree, the government have well and truly made a stupid decision in cutting jobs especially in the Olympic year when they knew applications would no doubt increase and pressure would be on at the airports. The con/libs will definitely not be getting my vote at the next election.

Not only is the wait unbearable, my wife and I have to endure neighbours from hell on top of this. It's not like we can go and rent somewhere else as we don't have our documents!

So frustrating, I just wish we would all hear soon as the waiting is like groundhog day.

badger111 · Member Joined: 09 May 2012 Posts: 61

Application sent: 5.3.2012.
Biometrics taken: 30.3.2012.
Documents: still waiting
BRP: still waiting

I do support strict immigration control, but they have made it way to difficult for genuine people!
I can understand they lack staff, but I cannot justify waiting for 6 months or more, because for cca. 1400 £ they do it on the same day. They don't lack staff when you pay extra!!!

The only problem my partner and I have is that we had nobody to tell us to pay extra money, and get everything done in a matter of days. It wasn't about the extra money, but we weren't in a hurry, and we though why give more money for something that will take couple of weeks to 2 months max. Boy were we wrong!!!

And of course, we are not going to change our minds because that would mean a loss of almost 1000 £!

I have missed my sister's wedding, my graduation ceremony...if only I was allowed to volunteer, but I cannot even do that. They have waisted months and months of our lives. And for what? How hard can it be to deal with one application? If I was civil servant dealing with applications I would do 10 a day myself!!!

And I do not believe that they are dealing with more and more applications. How can that be when at the same time rules and laws are getting more strict???

tommyc · Junior Member Joined: 02 May 2012 Posts: 27

Similar timeline to you Badger111, applied 3rd March, Biometrics 31st march.

Supposed to be flying to spain on friday, but guess that won't be happening Sad

Contacted my MP over a month ago, and got a letter back yesterday saying he's contacted them to complain, but I don't expect it to do much. I just hope that when they are 'working to rule' after their full strike on friday that they will still be processing visas, otherwise we all have at least another month to wait....

badger111 · Member Joined: 09 May 2012 Posts: 61

brooc93 · Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 10:49 pm Post subject:

Hi,

Wonder if anyone can help. My husband applied to renew his FLRm

We had a PEO appt in Croydon on 11 July - which was chaotic up there with changes and then IT problems.

After waiting 8 hours (with our 4 mth old baby and travelled 300 miles!) the caseworker called us over to state that as I hadn't included a letter from my employer (the visa is for my husband FLR) that it was being deferred to Sheffied whilst we obtained it and sent it in. My boss immedietly offered to fax / email / call to help - but they wanted a hard copy.
So despite P60's from me and my husband, pay slips galore, savings of over £15,000 we had to send in a letter which said exactly as my P60 but just said I was in continous employment (could kick myself more for not doing it tbh!)

Anyway, enough rambling...basically, since it got moved to Sheffield now, are we now treated like a postal application even though paid PEO application in Croydon?

If I try to ring am I likely to get anywhere with them?!

Thanks !

mrsclc78 · Junior Member Joined: 12 Jun 2012 Posts: 43

Docs sent: 22/06/12
Ack. Letter: 2/07/12
Biometrics letter: still waiting
Visa Type : FLR(M) for spouse
Visa From: PSW

It's been 4 weeks since the UKBA received my application, and though I received my acknowledgement letter quickly, my biometrics notification letter has yet to be sent. To me this is more frustrating than the second part of the wait, because every day I don't have my biometrics letter is another day I know they're doing nothing about my actual application.

I called on Friday and was told by a nice chap that if I hadn't received the letter in today's post, to call back and request it be sent.

I called today and spoke to a grumpy woman who looked up my reference number, confirmed it hadn't been sent yet, and simply said I wasn't in the system as having had the biometrics letter printed yet, so I "simply have to wait."

At least once I've done my biometrics I can labour under the illusion that I could get my docs back any day. Sad

reetzk · Junior Member Joined: 21 Jun 2012 Posts: 10

Know this isn't a usual case that will help anyone but maybe it goes to show that letters are being read and constant persistent chasing will work

I sent a letter to the address on my decision letter explaining I never received a Biometrics letter. The next day, my caseworker called me & apologised for not realising that.

The decision still stays (phew!)

She sent a Biometrics letter Special Delivery & I received the next day. I went to my local post office & did my Biometrics.

Gonna leave it 7 working days before contacting my caseworker again...

AngieLynn09 · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 4:57 pm Post subject: Almost 5 months

Although I am sincerely happy for those who have had their decisions made and documents returned, it almost doubles my frustration with the UKBA. I'm very confused as to how applications are decided. How is it that some people from January and February (like me!) are still waiting yet there are people from April, May, and June that have had their decision made?

We contacted our MP again today and they agreed to make a fresh enquiry into our application. Fingers crossed for something other than "awaiting caseworker's decision"

Congratulations to those who've received news and good luck to everyone else!

Applied: 22/01/12
Returned as invalid: 22/02/12
Fiance visa expired: 22/02/12
Fresh out of time application made: 28/02/12
Acknowledgement letter: Dated 01/03/12
Biometrics letter: Dated 22/03/12
Biometrics enrolled: 26/03/12
MP contacted UKBA, told "case is awaiting caseworker decision" and to mail them two new passport photos: 16/05/12
Mailed photos: 17/05/12
Photos delivered to UKBA 18/05/12

Dsin · Junior Member Joined: 28 Jun 2012 Posts: 37

kiwi87 · Newbie Joined: 04 May 2012 Posts: 8

same boat as Angielynn09....
nearly exactly same situation. Sent application away middle of January...came back invalid...by the time we sene fresh application which was around end of February, current visa had expired. Then new application received 6th March and Biomentrics done on 26th March.... haven't heard a damn thing since. Do you think we will hear something in the next 2 weeks? Because if I don't I am going to have to withdraw the application to get my passport back etc and go home back to NZ. I really wanted to get this visa otherwise I will be penalised and not allowed back into the UK for about a year. Leaving UK on 4th September!!!! What do you think?

tommyc · Junior Member Joined: 02 May 2012 Posts: 27

we considered withdrawing application and applying in person but the online booking service didnt have any appointments at all in any of the UK PEO centres (currently only can search up til october). So stuck in the waiting game...

shiali · Junior Member Joined: 24 Jul 2012 Posts: 20

Dear all,

I recently found this discussion board and decided to join in because I am worried about my recent flr(m) visa application. I sent it in on the 13/7 and they received it on the 16/7. However, until this date (24/7) no acknowledgement whatsoever has been sent to me, neither has ANY payment been taken from my bank account (I applied through post as the new version of the flr(m) visa application does not have an online form).
Usually to my knowledge the UKBA takes the payment as the FIRST step, and usually clears within 3 days at MOST (I gave my debit card details on the payment form with my application form). However I've been checking everyday since my parcel was delivered (I used royal mail tracking service) but no payment has been taken yet. At least I'd know they've looked at my application if they've taken payment, but so far nothing yet and I'm feeling so restless and worried everyday wondering where my huge parcel went to!!! Sad

. We did everything so nicely as well we put all our documents in order, organized in a big folder with different sections.

I'm so afraid to lose my documents they are my life. Please advise. Anyone Crying or Very sad

anil1978 · Junior Member Joined: 12 Apr 2012 Posts: 16

Hi shiali you dont have to worry money will be taken, In my case I have sent the application on May 17th and the payment was taken on 28th May and biometrics came through after a week after the payment has been taken. After that its all mystery. Acknowledgement letter will come only after they have taken the payment it came same day as the biometrics for me. So the payments will be taken mostly on Mondays so keep an eye on Monday

shiali · Junior Member Joined: 24 Jul 2012 Posts: 20

Oh thank you so much for your swift reply anil! It's a relief to know that. Thanks so much Smile

. Also I'm wondering if it's because of the olympics period that the UKBA is busier and clearing up alot of visas... plus apparently they are going on strike this week! Bummer Sad

.
Thanks again. I'll update here if I receive any news!

bobobo · Sage Joined: 29 Aug 2008 Posts: 742

HO are out on strike for just a day to the best of my knowledge, not sure what impact will that have (not that they seem to do anything when they are at work!!!)
waiting since 23 February, Bio metrics done by Missus on the 29/03, No response yet!!!

shiali · Junior Member Joined: 24 Jul 2012 Posts: 20

Thanks bobobo. Was the application made by post? Do you remember how long it took for them to take your/her money? Ha, you're right about the UKBA. This is ridiculous, since Feb! Hopefully everything goes well. This is SUCH A PAIN. Hate it. This is probably the first and only time I'm desperate for my money to be taken. At least then I'll know they've seen it =__=.

bobobo · Sage Joined: 29 Aug 2008 Posts: 742

Application was made by Post. We filled it online, made the payment online by debit card and attached the proof of payment with the application, everything including the biometrics was done and dusted within a month. its gone quiet ever since...

waitwaitwait · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 1:05 pm Post subject:

mrsclc78 · Junior Member Joined: 12 Jun 2012 Posts: 43