UKVCAS Super Priority Service

[himanshuc]

Do we really need to return the old BRP?

The language in the ILR approval letter is vague "if you hold a BRP because your leave has expired, or you were issued with a replacement you must now return it to the home Office, as it is no longer valid".

Please advise.

[Timothy Tao]

I thought I am the only one that is still waiting since 28 Nov. I am also on SET O 5 year T2 to ILR route.
Your delay is even longer than mine. I am also waiting for some results from MP's help done last week. Shake hands ))

It has been a month now of submitting application at Sopra center with super priority service. I am bit optimistic for my application as they mentioned applications made in transition period are being reviewed to be cleared in January , and I believe my application is one such case as it was submitted online before this new Sopra service introduced but appointment was later booked with Sopra.
Last Friday when I called to front end service, they offered whether I want phone from HO or email reply, I confirmed phone is better. Hopefully I will get a call this week.

My wife waited 6 weeks for her decision. I have been actively involved in her case and it is our experience the HO customer service line 'escalation' does not speed up the decision process in the slightest.

I have had numerous conversations with a number of call handlers and some have let slip a few things. Firstly, your escalation does not reach the case worker; it is seen by a HO front desk person who does not have any access to any cases and will simply send out a generic reply. Secondly, they do not check whether your case has been allocated as super priority or not, the 'we aim to process within 24 hour service standard' is a generic email they send out if the query is about a super priority application. Thirdly, the mode of reply (email or telephone) makes no difference as it is still the same front desk person replying with a generic reply. Simply put, the customer service line 'escalation' isn't in fact an escalation; to me it seems like something HO has placed to meet government defined standards rather than it having any true function.

From our personal experience and from being a silent reader of this board for 6 weeks, there appears to be only two ways you can potentially speed things up.

First is by making an official complaint using the email provided on UKVI website. It cannot be a coincidence a few of the 'older' members getting their decisions after being contacted by the complaints department on the same day. They have a 20 working day turn around policy and I think some of the 'older' members are getting their decisions after the complaints department looked in to their complaints and contacted the specific case work team, my wife's case possibly included (please remember this is my assumption).
My wife's case was a straightforward 5 year tier 2 visa route and I personally don't buy the non-sense that complicated applications take longer to process. In my humble opinion the delays are likely from system errors and severe teething problems with the new electronic super priority service. The HO may slowly be getting a handle on things but I suspect some people are still going to get stranded like we were.

Second is by asking your MP to make a parliamentary enquiry regarding your case. When your MP's case worker contacts the HO (their parliamentary liaison team) again there is a 20 working day turn around policy. The liaison team then contacts the case work team who will report back to the liaison team with the case progress. I was told they cannot give a generic reply to a parliamentary enquiry and need to give details of progress. I suspect if your case was stuck in the wrong file or something this will help retrieve it, again this is my conjecture.

To me there appears to be no logical way of explaining why there has been such severe delays for some cases and some are getting quicker decisions. Also it does not seem like the HO is processing cases on 'first delayed first served' basis, which I feel is unethical. This may be to do with the HO having a number of different sites and many more subdivided case work teams who aren't singing from the same hymn sheet. I think some people simply have been luckier than others. The 6 week wait has been excruciating and I think many people on this board shared and is still sharing our pain. My wife deserves a holiday..

Rightly said cyt0987....

Heartfelt Congrats to all those who have got their’s, esp the ones like Badhour....hope you all get ur well deserved refunds soo too...it’s like being ‘family’ in here !!!!....just calms you down a bit, once you know that you are not alone...

I’m still waiting since -
Biometrics submitted on 24th Nov for SET (O) - 5 yrs Tier 2 ILR application 24-hr (not yr !&) priority service...pretty straight forward one...

Four phone call escalations with zero effect....

Lately I did e-mail my MP....received a beaut letter from him, the very next day-bless him...it says he has raised it with the Director General @ HO which I received last week...

hoping this week turns out to bear some fruits ...and I don’t think this killer wait is worth the 600/- anyway...it’s worth much much more....but something better than nothing...getting the ILR still remains the main priority...so let’s waaaaait.

[Timothy Tao]

I'm in. Even I get my ILR this week I still won't be happy, I have to sue them to make myself happier. Plus I wasn't able to travel in Christmas as well. I am also due to travel for work in Feb. All screwed because HO doesn't do their job. £3000 is one person month salary to just look on my documents. Is this money stealing or fraud selling?

madeeha i’m going to sue them for all the stress and anxiety they have caused me over the last 6 weeks plus i had to cancel travel plans. Let me know if anyone else wants to gang up with me. We will share the cost and will obviously do it after we get our decisions!
they promised something which they did not deliver on. Even my mp agrees with me.

[RAJ007]

I'm in. Even I get my ILR this week I still won't be happy, I have to sue them to make myself happier. Plus I wasn't able to travel in Christmas as well. I am also due to travel for work in Feb. All screwed because HO doesn't do their job. £3000 is one person month salary to just look on my documents. Is this money stealing or fraud selling?

madeeha i’m going to sue them for all the stress and anxiety they have caused me over the last 6 weeks plus i had to cancel travel plans. Let me know if anyone else wants to gang up with me. We will share the cost and will obviously do it after we get our decisions!
they promised something which they did not deliver on. Even my mp agrees with me.

Has anyone got the refund back so far, who got late decision ?

I will also like to claim back my refund, as it almost 4 weeks now.

Thanks

[brittobe2020]

Finally! The solicitors received my BRP card in the post. It's got issue date of 10th Jan and it was delivered today (14th Jan). I had my biometrics appointment on the 17th Dec @ Croydon, 5 year Tier 2 to ILR.

Thanks for the moral support. Good luck to those waiting.

[preet8899]

I'm in. Even I get my ILR this week I still won't be happy, I have to sue them to make myself happier. Plus I wasn't able to travel in Christmas as well. I am also due to travel for work in Feb. All screwed because HO doesn't do their job. £3000 is one person month salary to just look on my documents. Is this money stealing or fraud selling?

madeeha i’m going to sue them for all the stress and anxiety they have caused me over the last 6 weeks plus i had to cancel travel plans. Let me know if anyone else wants to gang up with me. We will share the cost and will obviously do it after we get our decisions!
they promised something which they did not deliver on. Even my mp agrees with me.

Has anyone got the refund back so far, who got late decision ?

I will also like to claim back my refund, as it almost 4 weeks now.

Thanks

When was your biometric enrolment?

[RY83]

Finally! The solicitors received my BRP card in the post. It's got issue date of 10th Jan and it was delivered today (14th Jan). I had my biometrics appointment on the 17th Dec @ Croydon, 5 year Tier 2 to ILR.

Thanks for the moral support. Good luck to those waiting.

Hi brittobe2020

Many congratulations!
Did you any receive any approval email pervious to BRP ??

[RAJ007]

I'm in. Even I get my ILR this week I still won't be happy, I have to sue them to make myself happier. Plus I wasn't able to travel in Christmas as well. I am also due to travel for work in Feb. All screwed because HO doesn't do their job. £3000 is one person month salary to just look on my documents. Is this money stealing or fraud selling?

madeeha i’m going to sue them for all the stress and anxiety they have caused me over the last 6 weeks plus i had to cancel travel plans. Let me know if anyone else wants to gang up with me. We will share the cost and will obviously do it after we get our decisions!
they promised something which they did not deliver on. Even my mp agrees with me.

Has anyone got the refund back so far, who got late decision ?

I will also like to claim back my refund, as it almost 4 weeks now.

Thanks

When was your biometric enrolment?

Done biometric on 22nd December.

[brittobe2020]

Finally! The solicitors received my BRP card in the post. It's got issue date of 10th Jan and it was delivered today (14th Jan). I had my biometrics appointment on the 17th Dec @ Croydon, 5 year Tier 2 to ILR.

Thanks for the moral support. Good luck to those waiting.

Hi brittobe2020

Many congratulations!
Did you any receive any approval email pervious to BRP ??

I did my application through solicitors but doesn't sound like they got an email prior to receiving the card. Also, the lawyer said she "chased the priority team" so perhaps that means that they have direct contacts at the HO?

[FarooqShah86]

Timothy i went for my biometrics on 1st of December. Nothing as yet. Tier 2 General to ilr.

[Ritchie12]

Hi,

Its so difficult and frustrating to wait for so long. I am also waiting since 8th November. Tried 4 escalations, contact to MP and complaint email but no news so far. Fed up of receiving the same generic emails again and again. Unfortunately, we cant do anything else but just wait.

When did you have your biometrics? Was it 8th of Nov?

Yes, I did my biometrics on 8th of November in Coventry Central Library. Online application was submitted on 5th of November.

Also, many times i have requested customer service people to put my case under urgent escalation as i am in my last trimester of my pregnancy and i need to travel but i don't think they pay any attention to anyone's situation. They juts keep sending generic emails.

I feel your pain and frustration RY83. I know this is a personal circumstance. Our second child is due in March 2019. We are both due ILR(LR) already and i pray it goes smoothly and we get approval next day. I pray you also get a good decision very soon and breath calmly.

[Ritchie12]

Congrats, Finally got to see a SETLR approval

There's been a few here. Members like groot5, frmglasgow, kiwijane123 and vpruk have been on the ILR(LR) route and have received their approval. Some have been quick and others have taken longer.

[Ritchie12]

I am in exactly same limbo. I want my ILR to be approved before mid march as i have holidays booked for abroad all paid. I too have valid leave expiring next year. I too think that i will be ok to travel on valid leave but again you never know what home office would do to your ILR application then

Mate, i would advise you stay as others have advised. Lets hope we get approvals the same day or day after. I'm hopeful approvals will be same day. Hope is good

[Ritchie12]

Do we really need to return the old BRP?

The language in the ILR approval letter is vague "if you hold a BRP because your leave has expired, or you were issued with a replacement you must now return it to the home Office, as it is no longer valid".

Please advise.

There is no harm returning it back to Home Office as you have received a new BRP with new start and end dates.
If you had a few more day or years on the previous leave to remain BRP, the question is whether you want to spend money returning it? The old BRP is cancelled now so its unusable. I hope that helps

[Ritchie12]

Congrats mate. If oldmankensey list was being compiled, you would have been on top today . Honestly, im chuffed for you. Well done.

Update!!

I received the decision!!! And it has been granted on the same day. Tonight I am celebrating!

I am really praying for all those who are waiting still,I can understand how frustrating and nerve wracking it could be. Good luck and thanks for all those who helped me in the forum!

Timeline:

1. Applied on 8th January 2019 SET(M) super priority service
2. Received generic email stating that my application could take 6 months on 9th January 2019
3. Attended appointment on 14th January 2019
4. Waiting...

Note: I haven’t received any email after attending my appointment (so far)

[R-graphite]

Thank you Ritchie12

Congrats mate. If oldmankensey list was being compiled, you would have been on top today . Honestly, im chuffed for you. Well done.

Update!!

I received the decision!!! And it has been granted on the same day. Tonight I am celebrating!

I am really praying for all those who are waiting still,I can understand how frustrating and nerve wracking it could be. Good luck and thanks for all those who helped me in the forum!

Timeline:

1. Applied on 8th January 2019 SET(M) super priority service
2. Received generic email stating that my application could take 6 months on 9th January 2019
3. Attended appointment on 14th January 2019
4. Waiting...

Note: I haven’t received any email after attending my appointment (so far)

[madihaali_304]

madeeha i’m going to sue them for all the stress and anxiety they have caused me over the last 6 weeks plus i had to cancel travel plans. Let me know if anyone else wants to gang up with me. We will share the cost and will obviously do it after we get our decisions!
they promised something which they did not deliver on. Even my mp agrees with me.

I agree, let's wait for our decisions to come through and action accordingly.

[King G]

Hi guys
I got my bmrp appointment on 25 of January.i
have choose to upload my documents at home
but my problem is
1 should scan all the pages of each month bills eg my mobile phone bill comes like 4 or 5 pages.,do I have to scan all or only the front page where my address is?
2 I’m applying for unmarried partner extension, do I need to scan family photos to support my application.thanks guys your help
Will be much appreciated

[Sam1394]

Hi

I just wanted to update

Online application tier 1 to ilr (10years): 19 dec 2019

Biometric appointment: 9 Jan 2019

My soliciter received the letter today: 14 Jan 2019

Waiting for BPR ......

Thanks all for your help

[UK-IMIGRANT-2007]

I would like to share my story here

EEA2 to ILR (10 years) applied 6th December 2018

Bio-metric 18th December 2018

H/O Asked for more supporting documents on 3rd January 2019

Approval Letter 14th January 2019

Waiting for BRP now........

Almost a month long process, after paying for 24 hour service.

[badhodor]

Guys, further good news. I got the refund back to my credit card automatically today. I say automatically, As I do not believe HO got the letter I sent yesterday afternoon has even reached them yet. So I am guessing it was due to the complaints email.

I read the posts from other users and I completely understand the pain and the anxiety and suffering this is causing to everyone waiting but I would like to summarize somethings in the following points to help everyone:

1. Making a second application won't make any difference at the moment as you are likely to get your first application+ money forfeited.

2. While your application is being processed you are completely fine living in the UK.

3. If for an emergency you have to leave UK your application will be withdrawn automatically, however you might be able to claim the fee back by writing to HO. ( This is more on an exceptional basis and not for things like leisure travel etc).

4. You can't just Sue the HO without material loss and without following the normal procedure of escalations and complaints. I explored this route throughly. If you want to still do that the process will be for you to first write to the complaints email, wait 20 working days and also write to your MP. If this has passed and HO has not contacted you etc., Ask your MP to refer your case to parliamentary ombudsman service. If parliamentary ombudsman service are unable to find a resolution, then you are in your right to take the HO to court. There are other grounds and ways as well which are more relevant for refusals etc. But what I have quoted above is based on my personal research and experience. I did speak with parliamentary ombudsman service as well in preparation of this and was told that I have to first exhaust the normal route.

5. Refunds - I believe if you write to complaints email they will sort out everything from the decision to refunds. The only downside is have to wait 20 working days. Also, writing to MP will have some impact in getting decision but not sure about refunds via. MP.


I hope it helps with the anxiety and frustration. Hang in there everyone.

[bipink]

All, do you know what we need to do with the old BRP when you get the new one? I didn’t see any instructions on the paper received with the new BRP..

[mumbai2003]

All, do you know what we need to do with the old BRP when you get the new one? I didn’t see any instructions on the paper received with the new BRP..

How long did it take you to receive your BRP as have been waiting for 6 days now and no sign of it, did receive Approval letter but no BRP yet

[shashankverma6]

Hi,

I have been reading so many of these posts for weeks now. I finally have my appointment tomorrow, and will update every on my experience and timelines, so it can used as reference for other users.
I have a couple of questions before I go for my appointment today, I would appreciate it, someone, with the knowledge, could kindly reply.

1. Travel Outside of the UK

I am applying for a transfer of visa Tier 2 ICT to Tier 2 General Dependant.
Can I travel outside the country, after I have received an email , that my application is approved? I realise I will not have the BRP when I travel out, but my SO, can bring the BRP with them, as they are coming a couple of weeks later?
Will that be okay?

2. Scanning of the documents

My understanding is the Scanning Service is included if you take the Super Prioirty Service. Is that correct?
What do people recommend? Should I scan them before hand, anyway? I don't want to have any issues with the quality of scan, etc. so do not know what approach to take.
I know people have shared their experiences on scanning on this thread, but I wanted to get a recommendation, on which approach to take, instead of me making an inference.


I appreciate all your help.

And thank you in advance.

[bibi2]

Guys, further good news. I got the refund back to my credit card automatically today. I say automatically, As I do not believe HO got the letter I sent yesterday afternoon has even reached them yet. So I am guessing it was due to the complaints email.

I read the posts from other users and I completely understand the pain and the anxiety and suffering this is causing to everyone waiting but I would like to summarize somethings in the following points to help everyone:

1. Making a second application won't make any difference at the moment as you are likely to get your first application+ money forfeited.

2. While your application is being processed you are completely fine living in the UK.

3. If for an emergency you have to leave UK your application will be withdrawn automatically, however you might be able to claim the fee back by writing to HO. ( This is more on an exceptional basis and not for things like leisure travel etc).

4. You can't just Sue the HO without material loss and without following the normal procedure of escalations and complaints. I explored this route throughly. If you want to still do that the process will be for you to first write to the complaints email, wait 20 working days and also write to your MP. If this has passed and HO has not contacted you etc., Ask your MP to refer your case to parliamentary ombudsman service. If parliamentary ombudsman service are unable to find a resolution, then you are in your right to take the HO to court. There are other grounds and ways as well which are more relevant for refusals etc. But what I have quoted above is based on my personal research and experience. I did speak with parliamentary ombudsman service as well in preparation of this and was told that I have to first exhaust the normal route.

5. Refunds - I believe if you write to complaints email they will sort out everything from the decision to refunds. The only downside is have to wait 20 working days. Also, writing to MP will have some impact in getting decision but not sure about refunds via. MP.


I hope it helps with the anxiety and frustration. Hang in there everyone.

People are free to take any one to court without 'exhausting other possible solutions' (except some matters which are subject to arbitration - even in those cases, you can start a claim but will then have go through the relevant procedures). So no, you don't have to first lodge a complaint with the UKVI if you want to 'sue' the department. However, no one will get any compensation as the same material which sets the 24 hour service standard, also, sets the results of faiure of the UKVI to meet the standard, which is a refund. If you want to rely on that document (I assume this is the intention), you cannot just read teh part you like and ignore the rest of the document.

Claim for financial loss will also be dismissed as: 1. the UKVI has no obligation to applicants (other than the defined service standard); 2. applicants are advised to not make any flight, hotel booking before thay actually receive their residence permit.