Over 6 months since submission

Hi all,

I submitted an application using form UKF on 20th May 2019; I did my biometrics on 5th June. I heard nothing at all from UKVI after the email on the 20th May confirming my application had been submitted.

A couple of days ago I called the helpline to see if they could tell me why I hadn't had a decision. They took all my details and about an hour after the call, I received an email that just said that they can't always meet the 6 month target and that they will contact me when they are in a position to take a decision on my case.

They have not asked for any extra documentation or indicated that there might be any kind of problem processing my application - UKVI service standards stipulate that they should contact you within 12 weeks of submission to let you know if there is outstanding documentation or an expected delay.

Does anyone know why this might have happened? Has anyone else experienced this?

Thank you in advance!

Similar questions are raised frequently here on the forum.
There's no way of knowing why some applications should take six months or longer, without UKVI communicating any queries or requests for additional documents. Note that the people on the helpline can only give limited advice and do not have direct access to case workers or case files - it's an outsourced service.

Hi alterhase,

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply!

I do know that the helpline staff (who were actually very kind and polite on this occasion!) did not have any access to my records, as they told me so, explicitly
That's why I was posting here: because there are people at all stages of the process on this site, and I thought that someone might have had a similar experience and may have some insight.

I take it you have no direct personal experience of this particular response?

My application went through in three months which was standard in late 2016 so I'm just monitoring what experiences are shared on the forum.

I’m at 3-1/2 months wait myself, so I can absolutely sympathise with you! As they say, it’s a privilege, not a right, so I think we just need to wait it out. At least we don’t need to worry about expiring visa dates anymore..?