OLD FLR(M) waiting times Thread

[badger111]

We are very happy for those that have received word or BRP on their visas. However, I have a couple burning questions. Several folks from June onward have received their BRP or docs back while scores of us with biometrics taken and submitted from January to April linger in information limbo. So my questions are:

1. How is it that June applicants have been processed before applicants submitted months earlier?

2. What does that mean for the limbo applicants that have reached, surpassed, or are nearing their six month mark? Where the heck are our docs? Is there some black hole zone in UKBA where the January to April visa applications are in stasis?

We even used a solicitor to ensure our docs were correct before submitting the application! What the heck?

3. Does anybody really have an inside scoop on that section of applications? MPs don't seem to have the power to move things along for that group.

Hungry for information

Docs received by UKBA: 5 April 2012
Biometrics letter recd: 20 April 2012
Biometrics taken: 20 April 2012 (Harlow site)
Waiting: 19 weeks!

There is no information that anybody could give you. UKBA is the most protected group of people in the world as you can see. I wrote a letter to my MP two days ago, and waiting for his reply. Next Thursday is the last day I should get my documents back as it will be 24 weeks, but I know that I won't get anything.
I have sent my application on March the 5th, and have enrolled biometrics on March the 30th.

[2222]

Hi backagain and badger111,

Don't worry too much, I applied on 27th Feb 2012 and I am still waiting.

My time line:

From - Tier 4 (Valid till 30th Sep 2012)
FLR M applied on 27th February
Payment out of the bank: 29th February
Acknowledgement letter: I didn't get one!!
Biometric letter received on 16th March
Biometric completed in Glasgow office on 28th March
Document return: still waiting!!!
Biometric card: still waiting !!!

[indespair]

Hi backagain and badger111,

Don't worry too much, I applied on 27th Feb 2012 and I am still waiting.

My time line:

From - Tier 4 (Valid till 30th Sep 2012)
FLR M applied on 27th February
Payment out of the bank: 29th February
Acknowledgement letter: I didn't get one!!
Biometric letter received on 16th March
Biometric completed in Glasgow office on 28th March
Document return: still waiting!!!
Biometric card: still waiting !!!

I submitted my application on the 14th of Feb. UKBA received it the next day. I hit the 6 month mark last week. Called them but learned nothing new apart from what I'd already known: "It has not been completed yet". So still waiting. So frustrated.....

[badger111]

Hi backagain and badger111,

Don't worry too much, I applied on 27th Feb 2012 and I am still waiting.

My time line:

From - Tier 4 (Valid till 30th Sep 2012)
FLR M applied on 27th February
Payment out of the bank: 29th February
Acknowledgement letter: I didn't get one!!
Biometric letter received on 16th March
Biometric completed in Glasgow office on 28th March
Document return: still waiting!!!
Biometric card: still waiting !!!

The biggest problem is that we cannot do anything, nor will we ever be able to do anything. That is what frustrates me most. To deny people right to work, right to health care etc. for more than 6 months shoud be seriously dealt with. But next elections are in 2015. so will ever do anything about it until then? Probably not.

[nholler]

It's a terrible situation, denying people the right to integrate into UK society. You wouldn't think we were in the year 2012 the way we are being treated by the UKBA.

I called them this morning to request my passport back as I'm the sponsor and I don't agree that they should hold onto my ID for over 6 months.

Regarding my wifes application, they just said it was still processing and obviously no further details given.

We applied on 13th February.

[ak145m]

Hi all I understand how frustrating waiting for your documents can get, Its very sad that after paying extortionate charges most of us have to wait more than 6 months and still no word from UKBA, they are ridiculous. shame on UKBA's incompetence. Some people who called were told that application has not been given to caseworker yet and they can't say anything else.

There are so many forums filled with people like us. Email address to complain is UKBACustomerComplaints@Homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

I have sent couple of complaints and waiting on the response from UKBA.


Hi
Please visit the above website and notice public frustration regarding your service.
If you search web, you will find many forums filled up with public disappointment and frustration about UKBA service and treatment of applicants.
This is shocking and disgraceful, is UKBA really not bothered about its incompetence?

Hi
I would like to raise a complaint regarding the incompetence of UKBA, what kind of Service is 6 months to 12 months?
You charge huge fees but provide useless service. UKBA should be ashamed of the way they work.
Could you please explain why an application processing times can’t be given to FLR (M) on the website and why it takes 6 months for an application to be processed?

My time line:

From - Tier 1 (Valid till 30th July 2012)
FLR M applied: 27th March
Biometric letter received: 10 April
Biometric completed in post office on 11 April

Documents returned: Still waiting!!!
Biometric card: Still waiting !!!

[kshah]

It's a terrible situation, denying people the right to integrate into UK society. You wouldn't think we were in the year 2012 the way we are being treated by the UKBA.

I called them this morning to request my passport back as I'm the sponsor and I don't agree that they should hold onto my ID for over 6 months.

Regarding my wifes application, they just said it was still processing and obviously no further details given.

We applied on 13th February.

Hello nholler,

When you requested your passport back, did they gave you any reference no for your request or did they ask you to send the request in writing ?

Did they say aything about the impact that asking for your passport have on your wife's application.

I also called them and they asked me to send a letter in writing for return of my passport When asked what impact will it have on my wife's application, they did not say anything.

Good Luck and hope to hear from you.

[ak145m]

Hello nholler,

When you requested your passport back, did they gave you any reference no for your request or did they ask you to send the request in writing ?

Did they say aything about the impact that asking for your passport have on your wife's application.

I also called them and they asked me to send a letter in writing for return of my passport When asked what impact will it have on my wife's application, they did not say anything.

Good Luck and hope to hear from you.

I called to ask for my wife's passport back but they said they need to speak with her and said they have taken a copy and checked its authentic so they don't need it again and it will have no impact on my application.
After confirming her identity by phone they sent the passport back.

[kshah]

Hello nholler,

When you requested your passport back, did they gave you any reference no for your request or did they ask you to send the request in writing ?

Did they say aything about the impact that asking for your passport have on your wife's application.

I also called them and they asked me to send a letter in writing for return of my passport When asked what impact will it have on my wife's application, they did not say anything.

Good Luck and hope to hear from you.

I called to ask for my wife's passport back but they said they need to speak with her and said they have taken a copy and checked its authentic so they don't need it again and it will have no impact on my application.
After confirming her identity by phone they sent the passport back.

Thanks Ak145m,

When they took your wife's request for passport, did they give you any reference number as evidence of your request and how much time it took them to send her passport back ? Did they send your wife passport by normal post or special delivery ?

Will you be sending her passport again to support your application ?

Thanks

[ak145m]

Thanks Ak145m,

When they took your wife's request for passport, did they give you any reference number as evidence of your request and how much time it took them to send her passport back ? Did they send your wife passport by normal post or special delivery ?

Will you be sending her passport again to support your application ?

Thanks

I don't remember about any reference I don't think we received any.

PP was sent back in normal post, they said within 20 days but we received after a week. We don't need to send the PP back as they said they have taken a copy and we don't have to send it back again. they checked it genuine so why would they need it again.

[nholler]

Hi kshah,

When I requested my passport back I didn't get a reference number. I asked them to post it to my work address and they took the address details and put a note on their system that I needed my passport urgently.

The lady said the standard guidelines are 20 working days to receive the passport but they would post it back to me sooner as I require it for a business trip.

They said that it wouldn't impact my wife's visa application at all and they didn't ask me to send a letter in confirming return of passport either.

Hope that helps.

[tommyc]

I got my passport (sponsor) back today, requested it on 10th August. I had hoped it would trigger them to complete my partners application but no such luck... in a way I feel a bit relieved that at least I now know that it hasnt been lost!!!

Applied 3rd March 2012
Biometrics submitted 31st March 2012

[kshah]

Hi kshah,

When I requested my passport back I didn't get a reference number. I asked them to post it to my work address and they took the address details and put a note on their system that I needed my passport urgently.

The lady said the standard guidelines are 20 working days to receive the passport but they would post it back to me sooner as I require it for a business trip.

They said that it wouldn't impact my wife's visa application at all and they didn't ask me to send a letter in confirming return of passport either.

Hope that helps.

Thanks nholler for your response. I will call them again tomorrow .

regards

[kshah]

Thanks Ak145m,

When they took your wife's request for passport, did they give you any reference number as evidence of your request and how much time it took them to send her passport back ? Did they send your wife passport by normal post or special delivery ?

Will you be sending her passport again to support your application ?

Thanks

I don't remember about any reference I don't think we received any.

PP was sent back in normal post, they said within 20 days but we received after a week. We don't need to send the PP back as they said they have taken a copy and we don't have to send it back again. they checked it genuine so why would they need it again.

Thanks ak145m for your response. I will call them again tomorrow.

regards

[shiali]

Hey guys been awhile since I've updated my situation since the panic attack that my payment was never taken. Well payment has been taken and acknowledgement letter received, however no biometrics letter yet. Here is my timeline:

13/7/12 - sent off app
16/7/12 - delivered to ukba
23/7/12 - payment taken
24/7/12 - acknowledgement letter received
No biometrics letter yet...

So as u can see it's been almost a month since I've received the acknowledgement letter yet no biometrics letter to be seen. From what ive gathered from here people seem to be getting their biometrics letter pretty soon after the acknowledgement letter. I'm not sure if I should contact the UKBA, or wait? Advice?

Thanks.
Steph.

[ak145m]

Hey guys been awhile since I've updated my situation since the panic attack that my payment was never taken. Well payment has been taken and acknowledgement letter received, however no biometrics letter yet. Here is my timeline:

13/7/12 - sent off app
16/7/12 - delivered to ukba
23/7/12 - payment taken
24/7/12 - acknowledgement letter received
No biometrics letter yet...

So as u can see it's been almost a month since I've received the acknowledgement letter yet no biometrics letter to be seen. From what ive gathered from here people seem to be getting their biometrics letter pretty soon after the acknowledgement letter. I'm not sure if I should contact the UKBA, or wait? Advice?

Thanks.
Steph.

Even if you contact UKBA, that stubborn organisation will not help you in anyway, they are not even helping people who contact them after 6 months.

Unfortunately, Just have to wait , you may receive it by next month end.
they are taking ages these days using Olympic as excuse I believe.

[mrsclc78]

Great to hear you got your biometrics letter. Looks like quite a few June applications have received their letters recently so hopefully things are moving along a bit at the UKBA!

Hope you managed to get your biometrics done and your passport back..... We managed to do my husband's biometrics last Tuesday (7th) in Oxford. Just got to try and be patient now......

Haven't been on the board in awhile because I've found it all too depressing, but I wanted to reply!

Yes, my bio letter was dated the day after we requested my husband's passport. We called on Monday, and I received the letter on Friday and enrolled my bios that same day, thankfully no troubles with the machine!

Glad to hear you were able to get yours done as well. My husband's passport came quickly - 7 days from the day we requested, and we were told that they've photocopied his passport so they shouldn't need it back. Just maddening in a way to know they held my docs in their hand for that brief period of time. But I'm not giving up hope. It's a lottery; some people get their results quickly, in a matter of weeks. Others are so unlucky.

It makes no sense the UKBA is churning out news of finding and removing overstayers. If they're keen to do this, shouldn't they also be keen to process visas for legal immigrants before their visas expire? They need a complete overhaul.

Fingers crossed and good luck!!

Payment taken: 22/06/12
App rec'd: 25/06/12
Ack. letter dated: 28/06/12
Biometrics letter dated: 7/8/12
Biometrics letter rec'd: 10/8/12
Date biometrics enrolled: 10/8/12
Date docs received:
Date BRP received:
Visa Type : FLR(M) for spouse
Visa From: PSW

[Dsin]

Great to hear you got your biometrics letter. Looks like quite a few June applications have received their letters recently so hopefully things are moving along a bit at the UKBA!

Hope you managed to get your biometrics done and your passport back..... We managed to do my husband's biometrics last Tuesday (7th) in Oxford. Just got to try and be patient now......

Haven't been on the board in awhile because I've found it all too depressing, but I wanted to reply!

Yes, my bio letter was dated the day after we requested my husband's passport. We called on Monday, and I received the letter on Friday and enrolled my bios that same day, thankfully no troubles with the machine!

Glad to hear you were able to get yours done as well. My husband's passport came quickly - 7 days from the day we requested, and we were told that they've photocopied his passport so they shouldn't need it back. Just maddening in a way to know they held my docs in their hand for that brief period of time. But I'm not giving up hope. It's a lottery; some people get their results quickly, in a matter of weeks. Others are so unlucky.

It makes no sense the UKBA is churning out news of finding and removing overstayers. If they're keen to do this, shouldn't they also be keen to process visas for legal immigrants before their visas expire? They need a complete overhaul.

Fingers crossed and good luck!!

Payment taken: 22/06/12
App rec'd: 25/06/12
Ack. letter dated: 28/06/12
Biometrics letter dated: 7/8/12
Biometrics letter rec'd: 10/8/12
Date biometrics enrolled: 10/8/12
Date docs received:
Date BRP received:
Visa Type : FLR(M) for spouse
Visa From: PSW

Yes, it does all seem like a bit of a lottery. We're now just hoping to have things resolved by the end of the year so we can start the New Year in a better position to start building our life here.

I've been reading the latest news articles with interest. Hopefully some focus will fall on our group of people who don't want to overstay and want to contribute to UK society but are unable too because of the visa fiasco!

Fingers crossed for that you hear something soon

[Dsin]

Hey guys been awhile since I've updated my situation since the panic attack that my payment was never taken. Well payment has been taken and acknowledgement letter received, however no biometrics letter yet. Here is my timeline:

13/7/12 - sent off app
16/7/12 - delivered to ukba
23/7/12 - payment taken
24/7/12 - acknowledgement letter received
No biometrics letter yet...

So as u can see it's been almost a month since I've received the acknowledgement letter yet no biometrics letter to be seen. From what ive gathered from here people seem to be getting their biometrics letter pretty soon after the acknowledgement letter. I'm not sure if I should contact the UKBA, or wait? Advice?

Thanks.
Steph.

Hi Steph,

Glad to hear there has been some progress with application, no matter how small!

Just to answer your question - we received our acknowledgement letter after 10 days but it was a further 7 weeks before the biometrics letter came. There seemed to be quite a few of us receiving letters in the first week or so of August so perhaps the same thing will happen in September and yours will come then. We'll keep our fingers crossed for you!

[travelerzee]

HI Steph,

the UKBA received our application on 5 July. we still havent received the biometrics letter yet! we're called twice and have been told that my application 'isnt on the system yet' so they cant even request it for us. as always, the best/ only advice, according to the UKBA, is 'be patient'...

[waitwaitwait]

Still no news on my app.
I have changed my corresp address to my home add as when i applied the visa i gave my brothers add as correspondence address as he has a 24 hour conceirge in his building who can sign for/receive any parcel/package. But now my brother has moved house so i had to change it to my own home address. I updated it online as ukba website has that option but as most of the times there is a "system issue" i sent them a letter by special delivery too.

I hope they can action it and send me the outcome of my app soon cuz its been 6 and a half months since i applied and 5 months since my biometrics were done.

Good luck everyone.

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 

[ken2mj]

Hey guys been awhile since I've updated my situation since the panic attack that my payment was never taken. Well payment has been taken and acknowledgement letter received, however no biometrics letter yet. Here is my timeline:

13/7/12 - sent off app
16/7/12 - delivered to ukba
23/7/12 - payment taken
24/7/12 - acknowledgement letter received
No biometrics letter yet...

So as u can see it's been almost a month since I've received the acknowledgement letter yet no biometrics letter to be seen. From what ive gathered from here people seem to be getting their biometrics letter pretty soon after the acknowledgement letter. I'm not sure if I should contact the UKBA, or wait? Advice?

Thanks.
Steph.

Take a look at my timeline below, it took us 6 weeks to get our biometrics letter.

[Roadmaster]

Hi all,

I have been following this thread for some time now and thought I will share my info too.

I have applied just before the 9th July deadline and are still awaiting my Biometrics Letter. It's been 7 weeks today. I am changing from Tier 2 work permit and this has a huge impact on my ability to travel on business.

I guess I will just have to wait....like everyone else, but this is so frustrating and I realise this is early days in comparison to some folks on this thread reaching over 6 months!

My detail:

From - Tier 2 (Valid till 30th Sep 2012)
FLR M applied online – 3th July 2012
Payment out of the bank: 03/Jul/2012 19:29:44
Acknowledgement letter dated: 13 July 2012
Biometric letter received: Waiting
Biometric completed: Waiting
Documents / BRP: Waiting

[badger111]

Just a quick update - nothing changed.

24 weeks today, and NOTHING!

Applications sent: 5.3.2012.
Payment taken: 8.3.2012.
Biometrics enrolled: 30.3.2012.
Documents received: WAITING
BRP received: WAITING

[2222]

No changes to my waiting time!!

Visa From - Tier 4 (Valid till 30th Sep 2012)
FLR M applied on 27th February
Payment out of the bank: 29th February
Acknowledgement letter: I didn't get one!!
Biometric letter received on 16th March
Biometric completed on 28th March
Document return: still waiting!!!
Biometric card: still waiting !!!

It will be 6 months on Monday. I can't wait any longer. I really need to go home and see my family.