Updated timeline:
10/09/2018 applied online and paid the fee
10/09/2018 received payment confirmation email
11/09/2018 received an email stating my Case ID and notifying me my application is being considered
11/09/2018 sent documentation via DHL
12/09/2018 documentation signed for in Liverpool (info via DHL tracking service, no official acknowledgment from UKVI)
23/09/2018 Passport and UKVI cover letter sent from Liverpool
02/10/2018 Passport and UKVI cover letter received
15/11/2018 biometric enrolment letter received (by email)
19/11/2018 ammended biometric enrolment letter received by email (after contacting the Home Office at
NationalityBiometricsOverseas@homeoffice.gov.uk and explaining they had sent wrong instructions)
22/11/2018 biometric appointment request sent to TLS (no response)
27/11/2018 biometric appointment request sent to TLS (no response)
03/12/2018 biometric appointment request sent to TLS (no response)
04/12/2018 contacted the Home Office again (
NationalityBiometricsOverseas@homeoffice.gov.uk) where I asked for assistance with making the biometric enrolment appointment; they said they sent an email to the TLS technical team marked down as URGENTLY REQUIRED
07/12/2018 contacted the Home Office again (
NationalityBiometricsOverseas@homeoffice.gov.uk) asking for an update on my case
10/12/2018 the HO responded by telling me they escalated my issues to the new Team Leader at the TLS Technical Team and that this would be rectified by the end of the week, also telling me not to worry about the timescale of the letters (30-day period to enrol biometrics)
10/12/2018 FINALLY - TLS responds by email, letting me know they scheduled the appointment for 12/12/2018
12/12/2018 Biometric data enroled at the local TLS VAC
