Application timelines during COVID and any recourse or means to expedite
Posted: Thu May 21, 2020 11:23 pm
Hi there,
I have applied for ILR (set m) on a 5 year route using the super-priority service. I did my biometrics on 23rd March the day before we went into lockdown. I was hoping to hear within 24 hours, but that didn't happen. My application was straightforward. Same address and job for 5 years, travel history all ok, financial requirement met etc.
As I hadn't heard from them in 24 hours I emailed the HO on 25th March (after 2 days). They replied on 1 April after 5 days to say "I can confirm your application is in the final stages of assessment and we are currently awaiting the return of mandatory checks". They could not give a timeline due to the covid disruptions. Nothing came through and not having heard from them i emailed again on 24 April (one month after biometrics). They were unable to uphold my complaint and said that the application will be processed once normal service resumes (which is different from what they had said earlier).
It has now been 2 months since biometrics. I have seen on this forum that standard applications are being processed in 2 months even during these covid times, so I am not sure what has happened. My leave to remain has now expired and i have received a job offer which requires a valid leave to remain.
My question to this forum is:
1) Does anyone know at what capacity the HO is working at and how long the delays are due to Covid?
2) What options do i have to lodge a complaint and chase the application?
3) How do i go about getting a refund of the 800 super priority fee?
Any other advice will be appreciated.
Thanks
Kamal
I have applied for ILR (set m) on a 5 year route using the super-priority service. I did my biometrics on 23rd March the day before we went into lockdown. I was hoping to hear within 24 hours, but that didn't happen. My application was straightforward. Same address and job for 5 years, travel history all ok, financial requirement met etc.
As I hadn't heard from them in 24 hours I emailed the HO on 25th March (after 2 days). They replied on 1 April after 5 days to say "I can confirm your application is in the final stages of assessment and we are currently awaiting the return of mandatory checks". They could not give a timeline due to the covid disruptions. Nothing came through and not having heard from them i emailed again on 24 April (one month after biometrics). They were unable to uphold my complaint and said that the application will be processed once normal service resumes (which is different from what they had said earlier).
It has now been 2 months since biometrics. I have seen on this forum that standard applications are being processed in 2 months even during these covid times, so I am not sure what has happened. My leave to remain has now expired and i have received a job offer which requires a valid leave to remain.
My question to this forum is:
1) Does anyone know at what capacity the HO is working at and how long the delays are due to Covid?
2) What options do i have to lodge a complaint and chase the application?
3) How do i go about getting a refund of the 800 super priority fee?
Any other advice will be appreciated.
Thanks
Kamal