OLD FLR(M) waiting times Thread

[Dsin]

Question for you more experienced folks out there...

It's been nearly 6 weeks since my application was received and my payment taken, and while I received my acknowledgement letter, no biometrics letter yet.

Most cases on here seem to show the biometrics letter comes within 1-4 weeks, but I do see where in some cases it's 6 weeks and some even much longer.

My current situation is that my husband will need to travel to France for work in September. I was told to request his passport back no later than 20 working days prior to when he'll need it, but I'm afraid to request it back just yet because without my biometrics letter, I know they've not yet even inputted me into the system, nor assigned me to a caseworker.

If I request his passport now, I'm afraid they'll have to ask for it back and this will cause even more delay to the lengthy process. I've got another few days to hold out before the 20-working-day mark. It's a bit of a long shot.

I wonder if it's worth sending a letter to the UKBA address on the ack. letter, or the fax number, and inquiring about my biometrics letter and if its been lost in the post, or if it will be generated soon? I don't want to request his passport back too soon, but I also can't wait forever. Not sure what to do :-/

Hi there,

Just a quick update - my husband received his biometrics letter in the post today I know we still have a long wait but at least it feels like we have moved a step forward.

We're off to enrol his biometrics at the post office today so will post on here if we have any difficulties in doing so.

Hope this means your letter will also be arriving soon

Our dates are:

Applied online & payment taken: 10.06.12
Acknowledgement letter: 22.06.12 (dated 20.06012)
Biometrics letter: 04.08.12 (dated 01.06)
Biometrics enrolled: hopefully today!

Quick update - we called the number on the biometrics letter and were told to go to Milton Keynes post office about 30 miles away. We got over there as soon as we could only to be told that their biometrics machine wasn't working so could we come back in half an hour. We were too late by then to get to the next closest PO in Oxford so waited.

45 minutes later they admitted that the machine had actually been broken for 2 days and couldn't be fixed until an engineer came out on Monday. They told us to come back on Monday but as a) I work full-time and b) they can't guarantee what time the engineer will come or if he can even fix it, we've decided to skip Milton Keynes altogether.

My husband will now be trying to find his way to Oxford by bus on Monday or Tuesday as I can't just take time off work at such short notice

Only a short delay I know but so disappointing when you feel like the process is already so long and difficult.

Fingers crossed everything works in Oxford!!

[hellostarry]

Date Docs sent: 05/04/12
Date Ack. Letter received: 21/04/12 (forgot about the exact day, but within these 2 or 3 days)
Date biometrics booking letter received: between 01/05/12 to 03/05/12, sent from Sheffield
Date biometrics enrolled: 05/05//12
Date BRP received: 03/08/12
Date Docs received: 03/08/12
(sent from Sheffield)

Visa type: FLR(M)
From - Tier 4


Good luck everyone who is still waiting and thank you all for sharing information. We have benefit from the forum so much so we hope we could help as well.

[Dsin]

Date Docs sent: 05/04/12
Date Ack. Letter received: 21/04/12 (forgot about the exact day, but within these 2 or 3 days)
Date biometrics booking letter received: between 01/05/12 to 03/05/12, sent from Sheffield
Date biometrics enrolled: 05/05//12
Date BRP received: 03/08/12
Date Docs received: 03/08/12
(sent from Sheffield)

Visa type: FLR(M)
From - Tier 4


Good luck everyone who is still waiting and thank you all for sharing information. We have benefit from the forum so much so we hope we could help as well.

Congratulations great news! Always nice to hear that someone has made it through to the other end!

[2222]

Congratulations Dsin,

But how come I applied before you (27 February) Visa type: FLR (M)
From - Tier 4 and I am still waiting!! ?? lucky you!!
Hope mines will come through soon.

[Dsin]

Congratulations Dsin,

But how come I applied before you (27 February) Visa type: FLR (M)
From - Tier 4 and I am still waiting!! ?? lucky you!!
Hope mines will come through soon.

Hi there,

We haven't got our visa yet, it was hello starry who got it. They did get it through quickly though - although four months is still a long time to wait so I'm sure they were equally frustrated at times.

You're nearly at 6 months - hope you will be chasing them as soon as we get to 27 th August

Good luck with it all

[waitwaitwait]

Congratulations Dsin,

But how come I applied before you (27 February) Visa type: FLR (M)
From - Tier 4 and I am still waiting!! ?? lucky you!!
Hope mines will come through soon.

Dont worry, im still waiting too.

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 

[nholler]

In the same boat too. It's getting quite unbearable.

My wife and I want to move asap to get away from our noisy neighbours. Does anyone think if we move and then re-direct all our post from the Royal Mail to our new address so when we do finally get an answer, it would be okay? Or when the UKBA do their checks this may mean that our case would become invalid?


Date applied & paid online: 13/02/12
Date Docs sent: 16/02/12
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: Fiance Visa

[mrsclc78]

Hi there,

Just a quick update - my husband received his biometrics letter in the post today I know we still have a long wait but at least it feels like we have moved a step forward.

We're off to enrol his biometrics at the post office today so will post on here if we have any difficulties in doing so.

Hope this means your letter will also be arriving soon

Our dates are:

Applied online & payment taken: 10.06.12
Acknowledgement letter: 22.06.12 (dated 20.06012)
Biometrics letter: 04.08.12 (dated 01.06)
Biometrics enrolled: hopefully today!

Wow, so happy for you! I'm really hoping mine shows up soon too, especially since tomorrow my husband has off work so we can call the UKBA together and request his passport back, as he'll need it to go to France for work in early September, and we're running out of 20-working-days-prior time.

As I've said, hate to request his passport before they've even put me in their computer system, but there's not much I can do about it. I'm hoping that in digging my file out of whatever pile on the floor its sitting in, they might actually look at it.

Thank you for sharing!

[mrsclc78]

Quick update - we called the number on the biometrics letter and were told to go to Milton Keynes post office about 30 miles away. We got over there as soon as we could only to be told that their biometrics machine wasn't working so could we come back in half an hour. We were too late by then to get to the next closest PO in Oxford so waited.

45 minutes later they admitted that the machine had actually been broken for 2 days and couldn't be fixed until an engineer came out on Monday. They told us to come back on Monday but as a) I work full-time and b) they can't guarantee what time the engineer will come or if he can even fix it, we've decided to skip Milton Keynes altogether.

My husband will now be trying to find his way to Oxford by bus on Monday or Tuesday as I can't just take time off work at such short notice

Only a short delay I know but so disappointing when you feel like the process is already so long and difficult.

Fingers crossed everything works in Oxford!!

How frustrating!! I hope you're able to get to a working machine soon. That thought hadn't even occurred to me. The way things have been going, it wouldn't surprise me if the'd told you "All the engineers qualified to fix these machines are on strike..." Ludicrous

[Dsin]

Quick update - we called the number on the biometrics letter and were told to go to Milton Keynes post office about 30 miles away. We got over there as soon as we could only to be told that their biometrics machine wasn't working so could we come back in half an hour. We were too late by then to get to the next closest PO in Oxford so waited.

45 minutes later they admitted that the machine had actually been broken for 2 days and couldn't be fixed until an engineer came out on Monday. They told us to come back on Monday but as a) I work full-time and b) they can't guarantee what time the engineer will come or if he can even fix it, we've decided to skip Milton Keynes altogether.

My husband will now be trying to find his way to Oxford by bus on Monday or Tuesday as I can't just take time off work at such short notice

Only a short delay I know but so disappointing when you feel like the process is already so long and difficult.

Fingers crossed everything works in Oxford!!

How frustrating!! I hope you're able to get to a working machine soon. That thought hadn't even occurred to me. The way things have been going, it wouldn't surprise me if the'd told you "All the engineers qualified to fix these machines are on strike..." Ludicrous

Yes, we don't even want to risk going back there to hear that the engineer can't fix it/is on strike/is stuck in a traffic jam etc etc! We'll just try Oxford and hope for the best.

Let us know how you go with requesting your husband's passport back. As you say, it might bring your application to the top and help it progress a bit....

[kid13]

We had the same problems regarding broken machines! We waited till my day off to go and get the biometrics done at a main post office. We sat and waited more than an hour till it was our turn. As soon as they started doing my husband's biometrics, the machine broke. They told us to sit and wait while they tried to fix it. Nearly an hour later they told us they had to call an engineer out, and it probably wouldn't be fixed that day. They also couldn't guarantee if it would be fixed the next day. It was so annoying!!! Had to wait till my next day off and drive to another post office much further away.

To be honest the few days extra won't make a difference in the whole 6-month scheme of things, but it was annoying nonetheless!

[Dsin]

We had the same problems regarding broken machines! We waited till my day off to go and get the biometrics done at a main post office. We sat and waited more than an hour till it was our turn. As soon as they started doing my husband's biometrics, the machine broke. They told us to sit and wait while they tried to fix it. Nearly an hour later they told us they had to call an engineer out, and it probably wouldn't be fixed that day. They also couldn't guarantee if it would be fixed the next day. It was so annoying!!! Had to wait till my next day off and drive to another post office much further away.

To be honest the few days extra won't make a difference in the whole 6-month scheme of things, but it was annoying nonetheless!

So it isn't all that uncommon then! Like you say, it doesn't make much difference in the long run, it's just one more frustration in what is already a frustrating process. Thanks for posting though, it's lovely to have support as we go though this

[laurenb]

Hey All,

I'm not sure if it helps because I know when I was looking at this board and seeing people who had applied after me receiving their BRP's and docs it was kind of frustrating but at the same time gave a little hope they were working on stuff.. so here's my timeline


Date Docs sent: 26/04/2012
Date Ack. Letter received: 14/05/2012
Date biometrics booking letter received: 16/05/2012
Date biometrics enrolled (at Canning Town post office): 17/05/12
Date BRP received: 1/08/2012
Date Docs received: 3/08/2012
Visa Type: FLR (M) spouse
From: Tier 5 Youth Mobility

I'm thinking its just luck of the draw depending on which case officer your application is assigned to and how quickly they are processing them..

Anyways I just wanted to say good luck to all those still waiting, I completely understand the frustration of the entire situation and am just hoping that this is sign that things are moving through the system..

[Dsin]

Hey All,

I'm not sure if it helps because I know when I was looking at this board and seeing people who had applied after me receiving their BRP's and docs it was kind of frustrating but at the same time gave a little hope they were working on stuff.. so here's my timeline


Date Docs sent: 26/04/2012
Date Ack. Letter received: 14/05/2012
Date biometrics booking letter received: 16/05/2012
Date biometrics enrolled (at Canning Town post office): 17/05/12
Date BRP received: 1/08/2012
Date Docs received: 3/08/2012
Visa Type: FLR (M) spouse
From: Tier 5 Youth Mobility

I'm thinking its just luck of the draw depending on which case officer your application is assigned to and how quickly they are processing them..

Anyways I just wanted to say good luck to all those still waiting, I completely understand the frustration of the entire situation and am just hoping that this is sign that things are moving through the system..

Congrats Lauren, great to hear your good news. I'm sure it is luck of the draw - I'll take your case officer please

[highly skilled]

Hello everyone,

Joining You all in anxious waiting! My wife has submitted her application for FLR (M) based on my ILR on 26th June and we have received our aknowledgement letter on the 3rd of July (dated the 29th June). Nothing since then! Although we were told that biometrics letter arrives within 2-3 weeks of application (evident through some of the timelines in this forum as well!), we have not received anything to date.

I guess my question to everyone is - has anyone on this forum who has applied on or around 26th June received a biometrics letter? Have you had any further developments or tried to follow up on this? Any advice?

Thank you very much!

Our timeline would be:

Application submitted: 26 June 2012
Acknowledgement received: 3 July 2012 (dated 29 June 2012)
Biometrics letter: waiting
Documents: waiting
Biometric permit: waiting

[Dsin]

Hello everyone,

Joining You all in anxious waiting! My wife has submitted her application for FLR (M) based on my ILR on 26th June and we have received our aknowledgement letter on the 3rd of July (dated the 29th June). Nothing since then! Although we were told that biometrics letter arrives within 2-3 weeks of application (evident through some of the timelines in this forum as well!), we have not received anything to date.

I guess my question to everyone is - has anyone on this forum who has applied on or around 26th June received a biometrics letter? Have you had any further developments or tried to follow up on this? Any advice?

Thank you very much!

Our timeline would be:

Application submitted: 26 June 2012
Acknowledgement received: 3 July 2012 (dated 29 June 2012)
Biometrics letter: waiting
Documents: waiting
Biometric permit: waiting

Hi there,

We applied on 10th June and received the biometrics letter on 4th August (dated 1st August). I guess that means they are now sending out letters for the June applications so hopefully your letter will be on its way soon.

Fingers crossed

[highly skilled]

[quote="Dsin"][quote="highly skilled"]Hello everyone,

Joining You all in anxious waiting! My wife has submitted her application for FLR (M) based on my ILR on 26th June and we have received our aknowledgement letter on the 3rd of July (dated the 29th June). Nothing since then! Although we were told that biometrics letter arrives within 2-3 weeks of application (evident through some of the timelines in this forum as well!), we have not received anything to date.

I guess my question to everyone is - has anyone on this forum who has applied on or around 26th June received a biometrics letter? Have you had any further developments or tried to follow up on this? Any advice?

Thank you very much!

Our timeline would be:

Application submitted: 26 June 2012
Acknowledgement received: 3 July 2012 (dated 29 June 2012)
Biometrics letter: waiting
Documents: waiting
Biometric permit: waiting[/quote]

Hi there,

We applied on 10th June and received the biometrics letter on 4th August (dated 1st August). I guess that means they are now sending out letters for the June applications so hopefully your letter will be on its way soon.

Fingers crossed [/quote]

Hi Dsin - thank you for your update! Yes, indeed hopefully this means that ours is on its way. It seems however that the real wait can come after the biometrics are enrolled? Based on the posts in this thread they can go into months?!

We will need our passports by 4th of September, so seems like we may be in a bit of trouble?

Thanks!

[mrsclc78]

Hi Dsin - thank you for your update! Yes, indeed hopefully this means that ours is on its way. It seems however that the real wait can come after the biometrics are enrolled? Based on the posts in this thread they can go into months?!

We will need our passports by 4th of September, so seems like we may be in a bit of trouble?

Thanks!

I think the backlog is as thick as ever, unfortunately. They received my docs on 25 June, and I received my acknowledgement letter on 2 July, and I've still not had my biometrics letter. It's been 6 weeks for me as well, and I'm still not in their system.

My husband and I called them this morning and requested his (sponsor's) passport back as he has to go to Toulouse for work in September. I think the 2-3 weeks for the biometrics is now optimistic.

I'm afraid if you both need your passports back by the 4th of September, you might be in for a bit of a wait, as most folks seem to be waiting about 6 months to get their applications processed. Though I wish you good luck!

[andyb123]

had all the letters, money taken, confirmations and done biometrics within 2 months of sending off

now been waiting another 4 so I'm a few days off the 6 month mark

very frustrating!

[highly skilled]

[quote="mrsclc78"][quote="highly skilled"]

Hi Dsin - thank you for your update! Yes, indeed hopefully this means that ours is on its way. It seems however that the real wait can come after the biometrics are enrolled? Based on the posts in this thread they can go into months?!

We will need our passports by 4th of September, so seems like we may be in a bit of trouble?

Thanks![/quote]

I think the backlog is as thick as ever, unfortunately. They received my docs on 25 June, and I received my acknowledgement letter on 2 July, and I've still not had my biometrics letter. It's been 6 weeks for me as well, and I'm still not in their system.

My husband and I called them this morning and requested his (sponsor's) passport back as he has to go to Toulouse for work in September. I think the 2-3 weeks for the biometrics is now optimistic.

I'm afraid if you both need your passports back by the 4th of September, you might be in for a bit of a wait, as most folks seem to be waiting about 6 months to get their applications processed. Though I wish you good luck![/quote]

Hi mrsclc78,

Thank you for your reply. Can I ask which number you called to request the sponsor's passport back? Were you successful? We mailed two letters requesting my (sponsor) documents back asap as I needed to go to a business trip on 30 July. We received no response whatsoever and I had to miss my business trip.

Also some people mentioned that they called a number where they had an update on whether their biometrics letter was sent out - is this the number on the letter? Should it only be the main applicant that can call that number and inquire about status?

Thank you!

[mrsclc78]

Hi mrsclc78,

Thank you for your reply. Can I ask which number you called to request the sponsor's passport back? Were you successful? We mailed two letters requesting my (sponsor) documents back asap as I needed to go to a business trip on 30 July. We received no response whatsoever and I had to miss my business trip.

Also some people mentioned that they called a number where they had an update on whether their biometrics letter was sent out - is this the number on the letter? Should it only be the main applicant that can call that number and inquire about status?

Thank you!

Hi Highly Skilled,

Yes, I called the number on the acknowledgement letter (08706067766). I've called about 6 times or so, usually on hold from 10-40 minutes. It's not cheap though (I've been using Skype).

I'm so sorry you missed your business trip! When I dialled that number, I pressed 2 (I think), whichever number corresponds with requesting the return of documents. The woman asked us for our HO reference number, and a few other personal details, and then asked for the mailing address we wanted the passport sent back to. She then gave us her name and said to write down the time and day in case we needed to reference it. She also said she noted that we needed the passport urgently, but that it may take up to 20 working days (which we already knew).

From what others have said here, it sounds like a combination of calling and requesting, and faxing (though where the fax number comes from, I'm not certain as I've not faxed a letter in yet) gets the document returned.

As for calling about the biometrics letter, I've done that, too. It's the same number, and I press the number that corresponds to biometrics enquiries (forget which one but they list them off on the phone). One person told me it takes 4-5 weeks, full stop, to receive the biometric letter from the date they received the documents. Another person said for me to call back the next day if I hadn't received it. When I did, that third person told me that I simply wasn't in their computer system so there was nothing I could do. A fourth person a week later told me the same - keep waiting, they're backlogged. So they're not hugely helpful, but I imagine that if I WAS in their system and a letter had been sent, they'd be able to tell me that.

For the return of documents for the sponsor, it needs to be the sponsor calling. For checking on a biometrics letter, it can be the applicant. Just have your HO reference number ready and be prepared to wait on hold for awhile listening to eine kleine nachtmusik...

Good luck!

[mrsclc78]

My post posted twice and I can't figure out how to delete it - sorry

Highly Skilled - let us know how you get on!

[Dsin]

Hi mrsclc78,

Thank you for your reply. Can I ask which number you called to request the sponsor's passport back? Were you successful? We mailed two letters requesting my (sponsor) documents back asap as I needed to go to a business trip on 30 July. We received no response whatsoever and I had to miss my business trip.

Also some people mentioned that they called a number where they had an update on whether their biometrics letter was sent out - is this the number on the letter? Should it only be the main applicant that can call that number and inquire about status?

Thank you!

Hi Highly Skilled,

Yes, I called the number on the acknowledgement letter (08706067766). I've called about 6 times or so, usually on hold from 10-40 minutes. It's not cheap though (I've been using Skype).

I'm so sorry you missed your business trip! When I dialled that number, I pressed 2 (I think), whichever number corresponds with requesting the return of documents. The woman asked us for our HO reference number, and a few other personal details, and then asked for the mailing address we wanted the passport sent back to. She then gave us her name and said to write down the time and day in case we needed to reference it. She also said she noted that we needed the passport urgently, but that it may take up to 20 working days (which we already knew).

From what others have said here, it sounds like a combination of calling and requesting, and faxing (though where the fax number comes from, I'm not certain as I've not faxed a letter in yet) gets the document returned.

As for calling about the biometrics letter, I've done that, too. It's the same number, and I press the number that corresponds to biometrics enquiries (forget which one but they list them off on the phone). One person told me it takes 4-5 weeks, full stop, to receive the biometric letter from the date they received the documents. Another person said for me to call back the next day if I hadn't received it. When I did, that third person told me that I simply wasn't in their computer system so there was nothing I could do. A fourth person a week later told me the same - keep waiting, they're backlogged. So they're not hugely helpful, but I imagine that if I WAS in their system and a letter had been sent, they'd be able to tell me that.

For the return of documents for the sponsor, it needs to be the sponsor calling. For checking on a biometrics letter, it can be the applicant. Just have your HO reference number ready and be prepared to wait on hold for awhile listening to eine kleine nachtmusik...

Good luck!

Hi there,

Just caught up with a few posts and yes - it does seem like the main delay comes after submitting biometrics although of course, not everyone's case is the same. Someone posted over the weekend - their application had taken 4 months in total but they had received acknowledgement and biometrics letters very quickly, with most of the waiting being post-biometrics.

As mrsclc78 said, 2-3 weeks for biometric letters seems to be on the optimistic side. We waited nine weeks for our letter. I did wonder if they might be delaying biometrics letters in order to control the flow of applications to the case workers? From what I understand, an application is only given to a specific case worker once biometrics have been enrolled (could be wrong there) so by controlling when they send out the letters they have some control over how many cases are landed on each case worker per month. Just a thought.....

Keep updating on here as your experiences might help someone else in the same boat!

[bobobo]

All I am gettign loads of Private messages regarding a few things I have said here, so wanted to clarify:
1. I was given this Fax number by the Person I spoke to for return of docs. Sending a fax here ensures that it goes to the correct team handling your case.
2. If requesting your/ sponsor's passport back the relevant person needs to speak to the HO. the applicant cannot request the passport back on behalf of the sponsor and viceversa.
3. Try not to just send a fax requesing your docs back, please try calling and speak to someone and request the docs back in Person. make sure they leave a note on the system which the caseworker can then see.
Hope this helps everyone and hope you guys hear something positive soon.

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.

[mrsclc78]

All I am gettign loads of Private messages regarding a few things I have said here, so wanted to clarify:
1. I was given this Fax number by the Person I spoke to for return of docs. Sending a fax here ensures that it goes to the correct team handling your case.
2. If requesting your/ sponsor's passport back the relevant person needs to speak to the HO. the applicant cannot request the passport back on behalf of the sponsor and viceversa.
3. Try not to just send a fax requesing your docs back, please try calling and speak to someone and request the docs back in Person. make sure they leave a note on the system which the caseworker can then see.
Hope this helps everyone and hope you guys hear something positive soon.

Thanks for the clarification. When my husband called (on speaker phone so I heard what was being said) this morning to request his passport, they didn't say we'd need to fax or do anything else. She put us on hold for awhile because my info wasn't coming up, then came back and verified our personal details, asked where he wanted the passport sent, and gave us her name.

Cheers for your advice!