OLD FLR(M) waiting times Thread

[waitwaitwait]

Dear all

I am almost happy to announce the arrival of our passports today, together with a letter advising that my wife's BRP should arrive sometime in the next 7 days. I say almost because my wife and stepson were booked to fly YESTERDAY to Japan on £1500 worth of non refundable tickets. Is that a coincidence?? That little mistake cost me £1290 in cancellation costs - I only got back some of the taxes - so I've lived and learned! Anyway, that's my problem, and I guess the good news for all of you who are waiting and wondering is that there does appear to be life still within the hallowed halls of UKBA. One thing worth noting perhaps is that I did write in after exactly 6 months had elapsed requesting the return of my own (sponsor's) passport. Did that in itself cause someone to look at our file and realise it was suitable for approval?? I guess I'll never know, but it may be a method which others could try. May I wish you all the very best of luck.

Date applied: 14 January 2012
Biometrics: 27 March 2012
Passports recieved: 26 July 2012
BRP: expected soon

Congratulations mate
It gives me hope as my date of app is 08/02 and biometrics done on 22/03
Good luck to everyone here.

[bobobo]

All, Overjoyed as we got our passports back today in the morning with a letter saying that BRP card should follow in the next couple of days. So exactly 5 months to get this all done.

A few tips that might help (if you have been waiting for around the 5th month mark)- These are all from personal experience and should be just used for guidance, Not all cases are the same:
1. Send a fax to 0114-207 2536 specifying to return the documents of the sponsor (make sure you add a line in bold - that the application should not be withdrawan) - When they open the file to return your passport they will see >= 5 months and would generally process your visa. I did this on the 19th of July.
2. If you have any compassionate reasons i.e no job, close family unwell then please do the same as mentioned above (make sure you attach some sort of proof when mentioning someone is unwell like a doctors letter)
3. Make sure you call the number on the HO letter (0870 606 7766) with you HO ref and request your passport back as well. this is a general call centre and they really do not have any information on the status of an application, they can only give you a high level overview, but can often raise requests like return of passports that might help you.
4. Writing to Ministers in my view is a waste of time, however to build pressure on the HO please do so, it will not harm you
5. Please do not think that requesting the passport back will anger the HO, the person dealing with this application is human (if I am not making too big an assumption) and would know where you are coming from. these delays are to a certain extent not becasue these guys are incompotent but because of the cuts that this govt has done reducing teams by upto 80% of their original strength.
6. (note to self) - Next time spend that extra £300 and get it done in Person!!!

Hope all of you waiting out there hear something positive soon.

[reetzk]

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...

Hi there, update on my status.

I submitted my FLR(M) on 19 June and withdrew it on 25 June.

Booked a PEO on 1 Aug.

Asked my MP to chase for the return of documents (as I did not want to risk not having them back by 1 Aug)

I received my documents today (13 July) and in it was a letter stating:
"Thank you for your request to withdraw your FLR(M) application, however when looking at your application I was able to make an immediate decision"

I also received a letter stating my biometrics will be with me in 7 working days.

This is partly good news.

Because....

I never received a Biometric letter and never submitted my Biometrics!?!
Called UKBA & was advised to write to my case worker to explain that I've kinda skipped a step in the whole process.

Will keep updating as I try to rectify this.

My application is now finished. Timeline as follows:

Submitted FLR(M) : 18 June 2012
UKBA received app: 19 June 2012
Withdrew app: 25 June 2012
Payment taken: 26 June 2012
Email MP for help: 2 Jul 2012
Received docs: 13 Jul 2012 (but with a decision!)
Biometrics letter: 18 Jul 2012
Submitted biometrics: 19 Jul 2012
BRP card received: 26 Jul 2012


Every forum you read, everyone is experiencing long delays in their application which is what got my paranoid & decided to withdraw my app asap. But just wanted to point out that UKBA are working on apps & your letters & faxes do get read. Everytime I post a letter to the relevant personnel, something happens the next day or so. Persistence is the key!
Hang in there people! Best of luck!!

[reetzk]

In my experience, withdrawing my app seems to have worked in my favour. I was prepared to loose the £561 postal fee & pay again in person (£800+).

I didn't think that when you withdrew, they will actually look at your application! I thought they would just pick your file up, put it in an envelope & post it back to you but apparently, they do look into it when you withdraw.

Don't assume that you will definitely get your application looked at if you withdraw. And be prepared for the paying almost £1300+ if you do.

All, Overjoyed as we got our passports back today in the morning with a letter saying that BRP card should follow in the next couple of days. So exactly 5 months to get this all done.

A few tips that might help (if you have been waiting for around the 5th month mark)- These are all from personal experience and should be just used for guidance, Not all cases are the same:
1. Send a fax to 0114-207 2536 specifying to return the documents of the sponsor (make sure you add a line in bold - that the application should not be withdrawan) - When they open the file to return your passport they will see >= 5 months and would generally process your visa. I did this on the 19th of July.
2. If you have any compassionate reasons i.e no job, close family unwell then please do the same as mentioned above (make sure you attach some sort of proof when mentioning someone is unwell like a doctors letter)
3. Make sure you call the number on the HO letter (0870 606 7766) with you HO ref and request your passport back as well. this is a general call centre and they really do not have any information on the status of an application, they can only give you a high level overview, but can often raise requests like return of passports that might help you.
4. Writing to Ministers in my view is a waste of time, however to build pressure on the HO please do so, it will not harm you
5. Please do not think that requesting the passport back will anger the HO, the person dealing with this application is human (if I am not making too big an assumption) and would know where you are coming from. these delays are to a certain extent not becasue these guys are incompotent but because of the cuts that this govt has done reducing teams by upto 80% of their original strength.
6. (note to self) - Next time spend that extra £300 and get it done in Person!!!

Hope all of you waiting out there hear something positive soon.

[bobobo]

reetzk I said if you have been waiting for arounsd the 5 month mark, not like yourself as you withdrew after just a few days. if you withdraw they do look at your application and where it stands, trust me. your case was different than most of the cases here....

In my experience, withdrawing my app seems to have worked in my favour. I was prepared to loose the £561 postal fee & pay again in person (£800+).

I didn't think that when you withdrew, they will actually look at your application! I thought they would just pick your file up, put it in an envelope & post it back to you but apparently, they do look into it when you withdraw.

Don't assume that you will definitely get your application looked at if you withdraw. And be prepared for the paying almost £1300+ if you do.

All, Overjoyed as we got our passports back today in the morning with a letter saying that BRP card should follow in the next couple of days. So exactly 5 months to get this all done.

A few tips that might help (if you have been waiting for around the 5th month mark)- These are all from personal experience and should be just used for guidance, Not all cases are the same:
1. Send a fax to 0114-207 2536 specifying to return the documents of the sponsor (make sure you add a line in bold - that the application should not be withdrawan) - When they open the file to return your passport they will see >= 5 months and would generally process your visa. I did this on the 19th of July.
2. If you have any compassionate reasons i.e no job, close family unwell then please do the same as mentioned above (make sure you attach some sort of proof when mentioning someone is unwell like a doctors letter)
3. Make sure you call the number on the HO letter (0870 606 7766) with you HO ref and request your passport back as well. this is a general call centre and they really do not have any information on the status of an application, they can only give you a high level overview, but can often raise requests like return of passports that might help you.
4. Writing to Ministers in my view is a waste of time, however to build pressure on the HO please do so, it will not harm you
5. Please do not think that requesting the passport back will anger the HO, the person dealing with this application is human (if I am not making too big an assumption) and would know where you are coming from. these delays are to a certain extent not becasue these guys are incompotent but because of the cuts that this govt has done reducing teams by upto 80% of their original strength.
6. (note to self) - Next time spend that extra £300 and get it done in Person!!!

Hope all of you waiting out there hear something positive soon.

[shiali]

Omgggggg guys I still have NO news whatsoever regarding my visa, NOR any payment has been taken since they received it on the 16th July. It's been almost 2 weeks now! I've even contacted my bank twice to ask if they've attempted but no! OMGGGG I AM GOING CRAZY I AM SOOOO WORRIED I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!!! PLUS I CAN'T GET THROUGH TO THEM ALL THE TIME!!!

[viking12]

Omgggggg guys I still have NO news whatsoever regarding my visa, NOR any payment has been taken since they received it on the 16th July. It's been almost 2 weeks now! I've even contacted my bank twice to ask if they've attempted but no! OMGGGG I AM GOING CRAZY I AM SOOOO WORRIED I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!!! PLUS I CAN'T GET THROUGH TO THEM ALL THE TIME!!!

Hi Shiali,

You have to calm down, they only sent your app on the 16th, everything is taking longer with all these delays.

As long as you have proof of postage you should be fine.

[viking12]

reetzk- You are one lucky person.

Congrats!!

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...

Hi there, update on my status.

I submitted my FLR(M) on 19 June and withdrew it on 25 June.

Booked a PEO on 1 Aug.

Asked my MP to chase for the return of documents (as I did not want to risk not having them back by 1 Aug)

I received my documents today (13 July) and in it was a letter stating:
"Thank you for your request to withdraw your FLR(M) application, however when looking at your application I was able to make an immediate decision"

I also received a letter stating my biometrics will be with me in 7 working days.

This is partly good news.

Because....

I never received a Biometric letter and never submitted my Biometrics!?!
Called UKBA & was advised to write to my case worker to explain that I've kinda skipped a step in the whole process.

Will keep updating as I try to rectify this.

My application is now finished. Timeline as follows:

Submitted FLR(M) : 18 June 2012
UKBA received app: 19 June 2012
Withdrew app: 25 June 2012
Payment taken: 26 June 2012
Email MP for help: 2 Jul 2012
Received docs: 13 Jul 2012 (but with a decision!)
Biometrics letter: 18 Jul 2012
Submitted biometrics: 19 Jul 2012
BRP card received: 26 Jul 2012


Every forum you read, everyone is experiencing long delays in their application which is what got my paranoid & decided to withdraw my app asap. But just wanted to point out that UKBA are working on apps & your letters & faxes do get read. Everytime I post a letter to the relevant personnel, something happens the next day or so. Persistence is the key!
Hang in there people! Best of luck!!

[mrsclc78]

Congrats to everyone who's received their documents back recently, that's fantastic news! I'm so happy for you!

Shiali, I wouldn't get too anxious just yet. If I had paid via postal order or card details on the posted application, I would still be waiting for it to be taken, too. I applied online on 22 June and they received the docs on 25 June. I paid via debit card online so the money was taken out immediately. But I've not been put in their system yet and no biometrics notification has been generated; therefore, if I hadn't used my debit card online the money wouldn't have been taken out yet for me either. I think it's better to try not to get too anxious just yet because it could be a long wait and it'll only drive you crazy.

Fingers crossed for everyone else who's waiting at whatever stage. I hope this means a block has been removed and things will start happening again soon

P.S. I was going to try the tactic of withdrawing and then applying for a PEO, but quickly realised that would mean I'd be subject to the new 9 July rules, and I certainly don't want to have to wait 5 years before applying for settlement, so I nixed that. Might have to ask for my husband's passport soon though as he's got to go to France for work in September.

[shiali]

You guys are right. I need to damn well calm down. It's just so frustrating I've never gone through this long wait before. The fact that I'm writing this during work proves how anxious and worried I am, lol. But thanks a lot for the comfort guys, I really appreciate every response I get here. It's helping me alot mentally, lol.

[bobobo]

Received the BRP card as well today. Finally all done and good lessons learnt.

All, Overjoyed as we got our passports back today in the morning with a letter saying that BRP card should follow in the next couple of days. So exactly 5 months to get this all done.

A few tips that might help (if you have been waiting for around the 5th month mark)- These are all from personal experience and should be just used for guidance, Not all cases are the same:
1. Send a fax to 0114-207 2536 specifying to return the documents of the sponsor (make sure you add a line in bold - that the application should not be withdrawan) - When they open the file to return your passport they will see >= 5 months and would generally process your visa. I did this on the 19th of July.
2. If you have any compassionate reasons i.e no job, close family unwell then please do the same as mentioned above (make sure you attach some sort of proof when mentioning someone is unwell like a doctors letter)
3. Make sure you call the number on the HO letter (0870 606 7766) with you HO ref and request your passport back as well. this is a general call centre and they really do not have any information on the status of an application, they can only give you a high level overview, but can often raise requests like return of passports that might help you.
4. Writing to Ministers in my view is a waste of time, however to build pressure on the HO please do so, it will not harm you
5. Please do not think that requesting the passport back will anger the HO, the person dealing with this application is human (if I am not making too big an assumption) and would know where you are coming from. these delays are to a certain extent not becasue these guys are incompotent but because of the cuts that this govt has done reducing teams by upto 80% of their original strength.
6. (note to self) - Next time spend that extra £300 and get it done in Person!!!

Hope all of you waiting out there hear something positive soon.

[neveragain]

Great news, Bobobo. Maybe see you in a couple of years at the final (hopefully) stage - which I'd guess we'll ALL be doing by personal interview!! Best of luck to all in the queue. Write those letters and send those faxes!

[sam2106]

Here is my partner's approval timeline for FLR(M), Spouse / Unmarried Partner Visa.

She applied FLR(M) Unmarried partner on 10th of May 2012.

I could not enclose my passport for her as my ILR on SET(O) was under consideration. We wrote and explained in a letter this situation.

I received my ILR and passport on the 13th July 2012.

She has just received her passport and documents back on the 23rd July 2012 with approval followed by biometric card 2 years visa on the 24th July 2012.

TimeLine: 10 weeks

[Dsin]

Congrats to everyone who's received their documents back recently, that's fantastic news! I'm so happy for you!

Shiali, I wouldn't get too anxious just yet. If I had paid via postal order or card details on the posted application, I would still be waiting for it to be taken, too. I applied online on 22 June and they received the docs on 25 June. I paid via debit card online so the money was taken out immediately. But I've not been put in their system yet and no biometrics notification has been generated; therefore, if I hadn't used my debit card online the money wouldn't have been taken out yet for me either. I think it's better to try not to get too anxious just yet because it could be a long wait and it'll only drive you crazy.

Fingers crossed for everyone else who's waiting at whatever stage. I hope this means a block has been removed and things will start happening again soon

P.S. I was going to try the tactic of withdrawing and then applying for a PEO, but quickly realised that would mean I'd be subject to the new 9 July rules, and I certainly don't want to have to wait 5 years before applying for settlement, so I nixed that. Might have to ask for my husband's passport soon though as he's got to go to France for work in September.

Hi,

We applied online on 10th June and so payment was also taken immediately for us. We also haven't received the biometrics letter so assume we're nt in the system yet.

As far as I know the 9th July deadline is for those who start the family settlement route after this date. The settlement route is considered to have been started as soon as you apply for the fiance(e) visa so presumably most of us started the process some time ago. See point 23 of this article, published on the UKBA website:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... am-mig.pdf

So if you had already applied for, or had been granted leave to enter/stay as a partner prior to July 9th, you could withdraw your application and still be judged by the old criteria, not the new.

Congrats to everyone who received their visas this week. Although we have a few months to wait, it does give us a glimmer of hope

[2222]

My time line:

FLR M applied 0n 27th February
Biometric letter: 16th March
Biometric completed in Glasgow: 28th March
Document return: still waiting
Biometric card: still waiting

5 months and 1 day and I am still waiting!!!!!!!!! not happy at all.

[waitwaitwait]

My time line:

FLR M applied 0n 27th February
Biometric letter: 16th March
Biometric completed in Glasgow: 28th March
Document return: still waiting
Biometric card: still waiting

5 months and 1 day and I am still waiting!!!!!!!!! not happy at all.

Same here -
Date Docs sent: 08/02/12 
Date Ack. Letter received: 20/02/12 
Date biometrics booking letter received: 20/03/12 (dated 16/03/12) 
Date biometrics enrolled (at Holborn post office): 22/03/12 
Date BRP received: waiting 
Date Docs received: waiting 

Visa type: FLR(M)
From - Tier 4 

5 months and 21 days , still waiting.

[badger111]

They said it can take UP TO 24 weeks. So all of us who have enrolled biometrics in March should receive everything in the next 4 weeks, so end of August. I am scared that they might make fools of us even then!

[aditipritam]

They said it can take UP TO 24 weeks. So all of us who have enrolled biometrics in March should receive everything in the next 4 weeks, so end of August. I am scared that they might make fools of us even then!

24 weeks is 6 months.. so whats new??

[badger111]

They said it can take UP TO 24 weeks. So all of us who have enrolled biometrics in March should receive everything in the next 4 weeks, so end of August. I am scared that they might make fools of us even then!

24 weeks is 6 months.. so whats new??

I think you misunderstood what I wrote. I said I was afraid of ever more waiting, because who is to say that they will respect 24 weeks? They broke the 12 week timespan, so what is stopping them to brake 24 week timespan?

As you can see almost nobody who enrolled biometrics in March got their documents back. You don't think that is very concerning? According to our experiences with UKBA I somehow doubt that they will deal with ALL of our applications in the next 3 weeks. I lost hope.

[aditipritam]

They said it can take UP TO 24 weeks. So all of us who have enrolled biometrics in March should receive everything in the next 4 weeks, so end of August. I am scared that they might make fools of us even then!

24 weeks is 6 months.. so whats new??

I think you misunderstood what I wrote. I said I was afraid of ever more waiting, because who is to say that they will respect 24 weeks? They broke the 12 week timespan, so what is stopping them to brake 24 week timespan?

As you can see almost nobody who enrolled biometrics in March got their documents back. You don't think that is very concerning? According to our experiences with UKBA I somehow doubt that they will deal with ALL of our applications in the next 3 weeks. I lost hope.

I agree and I am in the same boat, just wish there was something we could have done.. feel helpless

[zc29]

Hi everybody

My husband who is a doctor came to the UK on a tier 2 visa, and we got married and applied for his FLR M april 4th his biometrics were done 3 weeks later, we have had no response from the UKBA as yet regarding a decision.. His tier 2 visa expires august 31, and he has recently gotten a new position with a new hospital effective this week.

DO WE NEED TO INFORM THE UKBA OF HIS EMPLOYMENT CHANGE as his employment contract with this hospital ended july 31 anyways.
who should we send the letter to and what should it include

YOUR HELP IS MUCH APPRECIATED

[badger111]

They said it can take UP TO 24 weeks. So all of us who have enrolled biometrics in March should receive everything in the next 4 weeks, so end of August. I am scared that they might make fools of us even then!

24 weeks is 6 months.. so whats new??

I think you misunderstood what I wrote. I said I was afraid of ever more waiting, because who is to say that they will respect 24 weeks? They broke the 12 week timespan, so what is stopping them to brake 24 week timespan?

As you can see almost nobody who enrolled biometrics in March got their documents back. You don't think that is very concerning? According to our experiences with UKBA I somehow doubt that they will deal with ALL of our applications in the next 3 weeks. I lost hope.

I agree and I am in the same boat, just wish there was something we could have done.. feel helpless

Nothing we can do. But I hope the Government will deal with this soon. I also feel helpless. Cannot see a doctor because I have no NI number. cannot see a dentist (yes, they will treat you if it's a desperate emergency, but I need to do some tests) , cannot visit my family, I have been here since January and I still cannot look for a job...

[nholler]

To badger111

The NHS is free for everybody, you don't need an NI number for that.

You can enroll at your local doctors who will give you an NHS number.

[tommyc]

The NHS is not free. Until you get settlement status you can only get emergency treatment, and even that has a financial limit, to stop a minority of people abusing the system.

[NTAN202]

[quote="brooc93"]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 ![/quote]


Dear brooc93,

I had similar case as you.

I am switching from Tier 2(General) to FLR(M), and downloaded the application form end-of-June. We managed to book a premium service appointment at Croydon for 20th July. As I didn’t realise there were new form and rules since 9th July so we attended with the old form. We were told by the payment officer that we were using the old form but he said it was fine as long as my sponsor or myself make £18,000 a year, payment was then taken. I got through to the biometric and waited for an hour to see our caseworker.

He seemed to be alright that we were using the old form, all was good until he decided he needed my partner’s or mine employer letter and contract (which we didn’t know were needed after the changed of new rules). He said the application was approved but he had to send the application to Sheffield for further assessment, he reassured us when the Sheffield officer received the required documents, they will send everything back to me, the application will still be treated as premium service and will not go under the pile. However, on 25th July, I received all my documents back from Sheffield office saying my application was invalid because of the old form but am lucky that on the letter it was stated I will have my premium service fees back.

I was planning to send my application via post but after reading all the threads here, I am quite concern about the waiting times. I had been trying to book another premium appointment but there were no more slots left from 1st August – 14th Sept (when my T2 expired) for all the PEO! I tried this morning and managed to find a slot for 10th Sept at Liverpool (we are both living in London) and I am thinking if its worth to make the trip to Liverpool. As my partner (a British citizen) needs to travel in October so if I were to send my application in post, I will need to send his certified passport copy instead of original. I called HO 3 times to double-check and was told it was ok to send a certified copy but then again, I am sceptical about if their information is reliable.

May I ask if anyone here was told it is ok to send a certified passport copy? My partner is a solicitor qualified in banking and finance and he is quite certain that he can ask one of his colleagues to certify his passport copy. I am not sure if this is true, anybody else have the answer for this?

Good luck to everyone that are still waiting for the biometric card, hopefully you will receive your card soon!

Kind regards,
Nichole