Apparently I have "failed" to submit biometrics...

Applied via NCS in mid April. Did the biometrics at the Post Office the very same day that I received the letter from them in May.

Now, lo and behold, I come home to a brown envelope. I knew it wasn't the good one as no-one has received approvals from April yet. It was another biometric letter, this time telling me off for not enrolling my biometrics and threatening that the application will fail unless it's done in 10 working days.

Going abroad soon for two weeks. What should I do? Pay yet another £19.20 to do it again? Ignore it?

In my experience with the Home Office every answer is always the "wrong" answer. If I do it again, it'll confuse the system with two sets of data. If I don't, they could reject the application. If I ask them (which I have done) they'll take 2 months to respond.

I remember doing this the last time round for ILR, they had to try several times as hands were too cold or something. Is it possible that the enrolment failed. But if this is the case, why haven't they just said this?

Anyway. Another application, another Home Office administrative dogs breakfast. Just when I was hoping that they wouldn't mess it up this time...No. That would be too easy.

Any advice would be welcome. Has this happened to anyone else?

just re do it

Do you have a receipt for the biometrics?

vinny wrote:Do you have a receipt for the biometrics?

Yes. They put a sticker on the biometric barcode letter as proof and you also get a normal receipt. We went down to the Post Office on Saturday to ask them whether I could do it again. They said, no, you've clearly done it already. If they want you to do it again they should say so and give you a letter with a prepaid barcode.

I've also emailed the Home Office attaching a scan of the proof of biometric. And will call tomorrow morning. Not holding my breath though for a decent answer.

Anyway, if there's anyone else whose been in a similar situation it would be useful to know.

In case anyone else is ever in a similar situation thought I'd post what happened with this in the end.

Emailed them (at nationalitybiometrics@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk) attaching a copy of the biometric reciept asking for them to confirm that the second letter was a mistake and that they do have the biometrics.

After getting no response for over a month, gave them another ring asking the same question. After a few days, they rang back, confirming to my OH that her biometrics have been recieved.

Interestingly, when I rang the HO, they told me that lots of people were ringing with the same question, so I suspect quite a few people got the same letter when they had already submitted biometrics (in our case a whole month after we had done them).

Anyway, moral of story: don't do the biometrics twice but do email them with the evidence so they can't claim you haven't done it.

Hi ,

FireballXL5 very good and thanks for your advice.

Its really useful for other members in the forum.

Good luck for your Approval.

Many thanks

FireballXL5 wrote:In case anyone else is ever in a similar situation thought I'd post what happened with this in the end.

Emailed them (at nationalitybiometrics@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk) attaching a copy of the biometric reciept asking for them to confirm that the second letter was a mistake and that they do have the biometrics.

After getting no response for over a month, gave them another ring asking the same question. After a few days, they rang back, confirming to my OH that her biometrics have been recieved.

Interestingly, when I rang the HO, they told me that lots of people were ringing with the same question, so I suspect quite a few people got the same letter when they had already submitted biometrics (in our case a whole month after we had done them).

Anyway, moral of story: don't do the biometrics twice but do email them with the evidence so they can't claim you haven't done it.

Thanks, good advice.

FireballXL5 wrote:After getting no response for over a month, gave them another ring asking the same question. After a few days, they rang back, confirming to my OH that her biometrics have been recieved.

What number? The standard Nationality helpline or some other?

sushdmehta wrote:What number? The standard Nationality helpline or some other?

Yes the standard Nationality number (0300 123 2253). You have to select "other enquiries" instead of saying that you've already applied as they just hang up unless you applied more than 6 months ago.