OLD FLR(M) waiting times Thread

[Flrm agony]

I wonder if it will help if some of us fill that form too ?
One other point I would like to make . If we go back to the first page of this forum, we can see that the waiting time for the whole application was about a month. Now people are waiting for 2 months and haven't even had the Biometrics letter.


[quote="ak145m"]I have completed BBC online form to send info about us and requested to create a news article, hopefully the will do something about it, we pay tv license fee as well why would BBc always seem to provide reports supporting UKBA.

[quote="Flrm agony"]Hi guys,
I have been watching this forum closely for a while and can see that most of us are stuck in the same position.
I just have some points to make , yesterday the UKBA released their new figures about the net immigration and the reduction of 36,000 people.
If 8,000 flrm applications have been made since January and many people are still waiting, i am assuming that those applications have not been counted in their so-called reduction.

The same situation is occurring with a few other visas that the UKBA should issue. There are other forums with loads of students being tortured stuck in the UK over summer with no hope of going home during the vacation.

I noticed something interesting in the following link http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/p ... ing-298846

It can be seen that after he/she put them under pressure, they gave in and offered him/her feedback on their application which I find a bit unfair. But I so much admire his/her reply, where they stood up for us and did not fall for their trick.

Now I wonder if we could contact the BBC or any other news agency and ask them to make our case clear for the public . I am sure there are enough of us here and other forums that we can offer a solid case.

all that because the UKBA seems to be showing off their good dos and nothing about people who are still waiting. I just can not believe we paid that much money for such a service.

My time line is :
docs sent : 7/ july
ack letter : dated 16/ july
payment taken: 17/July
Bio letter : still waiting
Docs returned : still waiting[/quote][/quote]

[kshah]

One of the things I often wonder is if the UKBA scrutinise certain applications more closely than others, based solely on the applicant's nationality. It might explain why some applications are processed in just a couple of months, while others are dragged out for six or more.

Hi Ken2mj, I've often wondered the same thing. My wife (applicant) is Canadian so I thought it would be a seamless process. A friend of mine applied for the FLR (M) in November 2011 and his wife is Chinese and their application took 5 weeks. However, this was before the Olympics excuse which has been floating around since the new year.

I requested my passport back last Monday 20th August in the hope it would kickstart my application. Still haven't received passport as of yet.

Hello Nholler,

Have you received your passport back ? I also applied for return of my passport, the same day as yourself, but have not received it yet ? People on this forum said they have received their passport within a week and i was expecting mine to come through this week, but it didn't, just wondered if you received yours ?

Regards

[TnT-FreaK]

All,

Here is an update for July applicants. I called the UKBA today and there was some good news in the form that they confirmed that my application is now in the system and they have printed the biometrics letter. The letter has not been posted yet but will be done so over the course of next week.

The turnover time is basically 58 days from the day of application. This should give others a rough time frame of how long it takes to get the biometrics letter. Needless to say the application will only be reviewed from there on.

I would actually recommend UKBA to put on their website, "please note due to the number of applications we will not even open your application for 2 months at least" . The 'processing time' starts from there on.

[mrsclc78]

All,

Here is an update for July applicants. I called the UKBA today and there was some good news in the form that they confirmed that my application is now in the system and they have printed the biometrics letter. The letter has not been posted yet but will be done so over the course of next week.

The turnover time is basically 58 days from the day of application. This should give others a rough time frame of how long it takes to get the biometrics letter. Needless to say the application will only be reviewed from there on.

I would actually recommend UKBA to put on their website, "please note due to the number of applications we will not even open your application for 2 months at least" . The 'processing time' starts from there on.

So just to clarify, did they say the "turnover time" of 58 days is the time between the day they receive the application and the day they send the biometrics letter? Or is that turnover time for allegedly how long the application takes?

It's interesting how different staff tell us different stories. I was told the biometrics letter should only take 2-3 weeks after the application is received. Mine didn't come until I requested my husband's passport, and when we called to request it, the woman that time inferred that we were quite early in expecting to be in the system already (at 6 weeks). Others have posted that it only took a week. So how often do the UKBA need to update what they're telling people who phone in?

Something's got to give! The UKBA can't operate like this forever. I hope!

[TnT-FreaK]

All,

Here is an update for July applicants. I called the UKBA today and there was some good news in the form that they confirmed that my application is now in the system and they have printed the biometrics letter. The letter has not been posted yet but will be done so over the course of next week.

The turnover time is basically 58 days from the day of application. This should give others a rough time frame of how long it takes to get the biometrics letter. Needless to say the application will only be reviewed from there on.

I would actually recommend UKBA to put on their website, "please note due to the number of applications we will not even open your application for 2 months at least" . The 'processing time' starts from there on.

So just to clarify, did they say the "turnover time" of 58 days is the time between the day they receive the application and the day they send the biometrics letter? Or is that turnover time for allegedly how long the application takes?

It's interesting how different staff tell us different stories. I was told the biometrics letter should only take 2-3 weeks after the application is received. Mine didn't come until I requested my husband's passport, and when we called to request it, the woman that time inferred that we were quite early in expecting to be in the system already (at 6 weeks). Others have posted that it only took a week. So how often do the UKBA need to update what they're telling people who phone in?

Something's got to give! The UKBA can't operate like this forever. I hope!

Apologies for the confusion. The turnover time for the biometrics letter is more of an estimate I have stated for my own application. It was not something the UKBA staff gave. It roughly matches the 8 weeks time it is taking for other applicants who have applied for FLR M to get their biometrics letter.

You are right that the biometrics letter timing has varied over the course of the year and is different for different type of applications, as I see that Tier 1 renewals are getting their biometrics in a shorter time frame.

[nholler]

Hi Kshah,

I haven't received my passport back yet, hopefully it will turn up next week. As there was a bank holiday this week I presume many staff would have taken an extended weekend so it doesn't surprise me it hasn't turned up.

I'll post a message when I receive it.

[aditipritam]

I applied on 4th Jul and no biometrics letter yet..

2 months and no progress.. as if they are doing it for free !!

[Skonky]

Just gonna share our waiting times....
Application sent 2/7/2012
Money taken 5/7/2012
Acknowledgement letter 9/7/2012

Awaiting biometrics letter....

Biometric letter.......1/9/2012........
Biometrics done...1/9/2012

[ID29]

Been reading awhile and was intending to post something in reply to the idea about informing the media of the long waiting times... however, today, we've had some good news which might be of use/comfort to others.

Our application for FLR(M) was submitted by post on the 2nd July 2012 and today we found upon our doormat a letter inviting submission of biometrics. The letter was dated 30th August and posted 2nd Class.

I'm aware from previous posts that a great many folks submitted applications around the same time so, for you, the wait for the illusive biometrics letter is almost over

I've included our timeline below and will update it as appropriate.

For the record; I am the male sponsor of the applicant. My long term partner (of 8 years) applied for permission to enter the UK as my proposed civil partner in January of this year and landed in the UK at the beginning of April. We always assumed the route to his being allowed to take up employment would be something like 6 months but how wrong we were. Our first set-back was learning that we would have to wait six weeks merely to get a simple appointment to register for a civil partnership at a designated registry office. Although we have managed to complete the ceremonial part of the process its been a long old slog and its far from over yet. Frankly, I'm astonished how slowly the machine is grinding along.

Whatever the reasons for the delays, and there might well be valid reason why, its simply inexcusable that the UKBA isn't communicating to the many thousands left in limbo. At the very least they should publish expected waiting times on their website.

John.

[Flrm agony]

Hello,
I think informing the media might still be valid. Because they only start considering the application after the submission of the Biometrics .
Looking at the experience of the early sufferers , some people have waited for 6 months after submitting the Biometrics. So we might so will be up for a big wait.

[essexb]

Hi all,

Thought I would share my experience with you all, as may be of benefit:

My wife is Colombian and we applied just before the rules changed in July (dates below). As I know lots of people probably applied at this time (and knowing about the time it took PSW apps to be processed) we prepared ourselves to wait the long wait. We got the acknowledgement letter a week or so after, but then nothing for a few weeks.

However my wife was then offered a new job and so required her documents. I was under the impression that the only way to do this was to withdraw your application (unless you were the sponsor requesting your passport). However it turns out that unless it's for travel purposes, you can request your passport and visa back (after spending half hour on the phone waiting to speak to someone). So we did this, then the very next day received a letter requesting biometrics! We were told to wait 20 days to have the documents with us, but then last week we received all the documents back PLUS a letter stating the visa would be with us within 10 working days!

It seems that requesting the docs had somehow triggered some action on behalf of the UKBA. I understand this may not work for every case (and our case was very straight forward - married, bank statements for both of us for past 2 years, all documents required), but I know how difficult and stressful the whole situation is, so thought it was worth sharing with people.

Good luck to those who are still waiting and keep having hope. If all else fails, I would try to request docs back (but be explicit not to withdraw the app).



My time line is :
docs sent : 28th June
ack letter : dated 7th july
Bio letter : 24th Aug
Docs returned : 31st Aug
BRP sent: Waiting

[mrsclc78]

Hi all,

Thought I would share my experience with you all, as may be of benefit:

My wife is Colombian and we applied just before the rules changed in July (dates below). As I know lots of people probably applied at this time (and knowing about the time it took PSW apps to be processed) we prepared ourselves to wait the long wait. We got the acknowledgement letter a week or so after, but then nothing for a few weeks.

However my wife was then offered a new job and so required her documents. I was under the impression that the only way to do this was to withdraw your application (unless you were the sponsor requesting your passport). However it turns out that unless it's for travel purposes, you can request your passport and visa back (after spending half hour on the phone waiting to speak to someone). So we did this, then the very next day received a letter requesting biometrics! We were told to wait 20 days to have the documents with us, but then last week we received all the documents back PLUS a letter stating the visa would be with us within 10 working days!

It seems that requesting the docs had somehow triggered some action on behalf of the UKBA. I understand this may not work for every case (and our case was very straight forward - married, bank statements for both of us for past 2 years, all documents required), but I know how difficult and stressful the whole situation is, so thought it was worth sharing with people.

Good luck to those who are still waiting and keep having hope. If all else fails, I would try to request docs back (but be explicit not to withdraw the app).



My time line is :
docs sent : 28th June
ack letter : dated 7th july
Bio letter : 24th Aug
Docs returned : 31st Aug
BRP sent: Waiting

Wow! Congratulations, that's fantastic news! I applied a few days before you did, and thought perhaps requesting my husband's (sponsor's) passport back, after 6 weeks with no biometrics letter, might trigger something. We got the bio letter right away as well as his passport, but unfortunately it hasn't yet triggered getting my visa processed quickly (it was a shot in the dark, as, after all, so many have been waiting MUCH longer than us).

So just to clarify, did you request your WIFE'S passport and visa back? I'm not sure how this worked out because I was under the impression if you requested the passport of the applicant back (for any reason), your application was forfeit.

I've been job hunting for 2 years after graduating and been worried that if I'm FINALLY offered something I won't be able to accept it without my passport. Can I really request to get my passport back for this reason?

Thanks for sharing your experience. So lucky!!

[calculette]

Just thought I'd share my timeline here, seems like I'm in the same boat as a lot of you guys!

Application sent: 6 July
Acknowledgement letter received: 19 July
Biometrics: Not received yet as of 3 September

One problem I have is that I'm moving house in about two weeks - I sent a letter to the UKBA address listed on my acknowledgement letter telling them to redirect all my correspondence to my new address. Would that be the correct address to send a letter to? What number should I ring to check that they've received my letter?

Also, it seems like people have gotten a much faster response if a request for the sponsor passport is made. Is this something I should do? My husband doesn't need his passport urgently, but I'd be up for doing anything that speeds up a response from the otherwise sluggish UKBA...

Thank you all, and good luck! This forum has been such a lifesaver since I found it.

[nholler]

Just thought I'd share my timeline here, seems like I'm in the same boat as a lot of you guys!

Application sent: 6 July
Acknowledgement letter received: 19 July
Biometrics: Not received yet as of 3 September

One problem I have is that I'm moving house in about two weeks - I sent a letter to the UKBA address listed on my acknowledgement letter telling them to redirect all my correspondence to my new address. Would that be the correct address to send a letter to? What number should I ring to check that they've received my letter?

Also, it seems like people have gotten a much faster response if a request for the sponsor passport is made. Is this something I should do? My husband doesn't need his passport urgently, but I'd be up for doing anything that speeds up a response from the otherwise sluggish UKBA...

Thank you all, and good luck! This forum has been such a lifesaver since I found it.

Hi there,

Just use the online form if you have to change your correspondance address, much easier.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/about ... y-details/

[essexb]

Wow! Congratulations, that's fantastic news! I applied a few days before you did, and thought perhaps requesting my husband's (sponsor's) passport back, after 6 weeks with no biometrics letter, might trigger something. We got the bio letter right away as well as his passport, but unfortunately it hasn't yet triggered getting my visa processed quickly (it was a shot in the dark, as, after all, so many have been waiting MUCH longer than us).

So just to clarify, did you request your WIFE'S passport and visa back? I'm not sure how this worked out because I was under the impression if you requested the passport of the applicant back (for any reason), your application was forfeit.

I've been job hunting for 2 years after graduating and been worried that if I'm FINALLY offered something I won't be able to accept it without my passport. Can I really request to get my passport back for this reason?

Thanks for sharing your experience. So lucky!!

I know! To be honest I'm amazed, but it seems that someone has been sensible somewhere and thought rather than sending the documents to us, then waiting for them to be returned, they decided to just make a decision!

To clarify, I'm a British national and we specifically requested my wife's documents back. Apparently if you request them back for the purposes of travel, your application is considered withdrawn. However if you request them back just for the purposes of ID, then you can send them back in with your application without withdrawing it. It takes 20 working days - but if you are worried about jobs etc, it's definitely an option for you. As is the Employer Checking Service (which didn't work for us, but apparently can be used by some employers).

[taimhash]

hi sent document on 5th July Flr (m) for wife. Acknowledgment letter recived on 10th of July. After a long wait recived Biometrics letter today.

[Aus25]

Hi everyone,

Long time lurker, first time poster here.

I just wanted to share my timeline with you all as it seems I am in a similar boat to Skonky, Travelerzee and TnT-freak, and I'm sure [i]many[/i] others! This is slowly driving me bonkers, but I'm trying not to feel stressed about it as it won't do any good... and it certainly won't speed up the process.

[b]Exxexb[/b] - who told you you could request the applicant's passport back, without suffering consequence? That is the first time I've heard it. Congratulations on getting a decision so soon (even though I'm so envious!).


My timeline:

FLR(M) posted: 03/07/2012
Acknowledgement letter: 06/07/2012
Payment taken: 10/07/2012
Biometrics letter: 31/08/2012
Biometrics enrolled (Battersea P.O.): 03/09/2012
Passport/Docs: One trillion light years away...
Biometric Card: One trillion light years away...

Visa Type : FLR(M) Unmarried Partner
Visa From: Tier 5 YMS

[mrsclc78]

I know! To be honest I'm amazed, but it seems that someone has been sensible somewhere and thought rather than sending the documents to us, then waiting for them to be returned, they decided to just make a decision!

To clarify, I'm a British national and we specifically requested my wife's documents back. Apparently if you request them back for the purposes of travel, your application is considered withdrawn. However if you request them back just for the purposes of ID, then you can send them back in with your application without withdrawing it. It takes 20 working days - but if you are worried about jobs etc, it's definitely an option for you. As is the Employer Checking Service (which didn't work for us, but apparently can be used by some employers).

Right on. Again, thanks for sharing that. It's good to know, and (fingers crossed) it might come to that for me soon as I've got some interviews coming up. I heard from a friend in HR about this employer checking service, but she indicated that it hasn't worked for her (on the other end of things) at all, so I guess at least some folks at UKBA are sympathetic to this. It's always nice to hear about someone acting with decency and speed!

[TnT-FreaK]

So peeps, as expected, we got the biometrics letter today. Not much of an update otherwise, we just now join the long queue of people waiting for their visas.

So if I was to play the estimation game, would it be fair to say that once UKBA receives the biometrics information, your application could end up in one of two buckets.

Bucket 1) UKBA thinks your application is straight forward and your visa is granted in roughly 45 days (from biometrics)
Bucket 2) UKBA due to some random reason thinks that there is something suspicious with your application and your application goes into this 6 month+ category

Am I generalising too much or is there any truth to do this?


Timeline fore reference:

Date applied/docs sent: 04/07/2012
Date application received by UKBA: 05/07/2012
Date received ack. letter: 11/07/2012 Dated 09/07/2012
Date biometrics booking letter arrived: 03/09/2012
Date biometrics appointment: 04/09/2012
Date Passport/Docs received from HO: pending...
Biometric Card Received: pending...
Visa Type : FLR(M) Spouse
Visa From: PSW

[2222]

Still no changes to my waiting time!! 6 months and 8 days since I applied.

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!!!
Any one applied after me and got Visa??

[ak145m]

2222, I applied after a month and submitted my biometric on 11 April but still no response, hopefully you will receive soon.
As your wait has passed 6 months, did you not call UKBA yet?

Still no changes to my waiting time!! 6 months and 8 days since I applied.

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!!!
Any one applied after me and got Visa??

[LE80]

So if I was to play the estimation game, would it be fair to say that once UKBA receives the biometrics information, your application could end up in one of two buckets.

Bucket 1) UKBA thinks your application is straight forward and your visa is granted in roughly 45 days (from biometrics)
Bucket 2) UKBA due to some random reason thinks that there is something suspicious with your application and your application goes into this 6 month+ category

Am I generalising too much or is there any truth to do this?

I for one hope you are generalising! I am approaching 6 months. From reading this forum I have guessed that applications are allocated to one of a number of teams, and the size/performance of that team is a major factor in how quickly the application gets processed. I hope we are not a suspicious case!

[Roadmaster]

So peeps, as expected, we got the biometrics letter today. Not much of an update otherwise, we just now join the long queue of people waiting for their visas.

So if I was to play the estimation game, would it be fair to say that once UKBA receives the biometrics information, your application could end up in one of two buckets.

Bucket 1) UKBA thinks your application is straight forward and your visa is granted in roughly 45 days (from biometrics)
Bucket 2) UKBA due to some random reason thinks that there is something suspicious with your application and your application goes into this 6 month+ category

Am I generalising too much or is there any truth to do this?


Timeline fore reference:

Date applied/docs sent: 04/07/2012
Date application received by UKBA: 05/07/2012
Date received ack. letter: 11/07/2012 Dated 09/07/2012
Date biometrics booking letter arrived: 03/09/2012
Date biometrics appointment: 04/09/2012
Date Passport/Docs received from HO: pending...
Biometric Card Received: pending...
Visa Type : FLR(M) Spouse
Visa From: PSW

Really glad for you TnT-FreaK. My timeline is similar to yours but I am still waiting for my biometrics letter

From - Tier 2 (Valid till 30th Sep 2012)
FLR M applied online – 3rd July 2012
Payment out of the bank: 3rd July 2012
Acknowledgement letter dated: 13th July 2012
Biometric letter received: Waiting……..
Biometric completed: Waiting………….
Documents returned: Waiting……………..
Biometric card: Waiting………………

[stephanielqy]

Hi everyone, I'm one of those January/February black hole applications. It's been more than 6 months since my documents were sent in and 5 months post-biometrics appointment.

2222 - Don't worry you're not alone! Maybe we're assigned to the same donkey caseworker, who knows.


My timeline :

Date applied/docs sent: 16/02/2012
Date application received by UKBA: 20/02/2012
Date received ack. letter: 23/02/2012
Date biometrics booking letter arrived: 22/03/2012
Date biometrics appointment: 03/04/2012
Date passport/docs received from HO: Waiting
Biometrics card received: Waiting
Visa Type : FLR(M) Spouse
Visa From: Fiancee

[nholler]

Hi everyone, I'm one of those January/February black hole applications. It's been more than 6 months since my documents were sent in and 5 months post-biometrics appointment.

2222 - Don't worry you're not alone! Maybe we're assigned to the same donkey caseworker, who knows.


My timeline :

Date applied/docs sent: 16/02/2012
Date application received by UKBA: 20/02/2012
Date received ack. letter: 23/02/2012
Date biometrics booking letter arrived: 22/03/2012
Date biometrics appointment: 03/04/2012
Date passport/docs received from HO: Waiting
Biometrics card received: Waiting
Visa Type : FLR(M) Spouse
Visa From: Fiancee

I'm in the same boat as you guys, groundhog day does exist!

As sponsor I requested my passport back on 20th August and that still hasn't turned up either.

Date applied: 13/02/2012
docs sent: 16/02/2012
Date application received by UKBA: 17/02/2012
Date received ack. letter: 27/02/2012
Date biometrics booking letter arrived: 19/03/2012
Date biometrics appointment: 22/03/2012
Date passport/docs received from HO: Waiting
Biometrics card received: Waiting
Visa Type : FLR(M) Spouse
Visa From: Fiancee