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Hello, my wife who is Indian applied for ILR for 5 years on a spousal visa on 17th March 2024. She got an email today from the home office saying:

"Although we would normally decide your application within six months from the date it was submitted, unfortunately due to further actions required, meeting our usual service standard has not been possible in this instance.

Please note we are unable to respond to specific enquiries regarding timescales. However please be assured we are doing all we can to make a decision on your case as soon as possible."

Should we be concerned and also does anyone have an idea of how much longer the application decision might be delayed? It is frustrating that there is no clear way to check on the application timelines if you reside in the UK. Thanks for the help!

No one can tell an applicant when to expect an answer. Each application is unique and decided in its own timeframe.

Hi Zimba, thanks for the reply. Since the application is past is original SLA though, any idea what "further action" would mean and how much longer are we looking at? If I knew they would be so slow I would have gone for priority, this waiting and uncertainty is just flat-out awful.

When UKVI consider that an application is not straightforward, it is put in the long queue even if it's been submitted as a priority. This service is not guaranteed.

Nobody knows what the "further actions" means or the timeframe to provide a response, you might need to wait for further communications from UKVI.

After six months with no updates, you can start chasing them.

Although, each application is unique and may have different timescales to decide. However, I can see that SET (M) Standard Application approvals have generally slowed down. As per the timelines thread, a couple of months ago these kinds of applications were getting approval in 12-16 weeks on average. Not sure, what's wrong at the Home Office, but they need to pick up some speed. Even My application is pending which was submitted on 15th May 2024 and Biometrics done on 6th June 2024.

The worst part is - one cannot travel out of the UK till the application is decided. Nor can you find out the status of your application. Let's hope for the best and positive responses soon.

Hello, there is still no reply from the home office so I think is time to start chasing and escalating. Is there any guideline of how much they can reasonably delay after saying they need to take further action? It has been 8 months since my wife applied and nearly 3 months since the last home office community. We have filed a freedom of information request nearly a month ago and there is still no reply on that either. I am planning to raise with our MP next. Any advice or guidance is welcome as we are getting quite worried because of the delay and no communication from the home office.

This is not an immigration advise, just a friendly one which could help. One of my friend got his ILR expedited (only helpful if it is after the SLA) mailing details including UAN, Name and Date of birth to this email ID-

WorkSponsored@homeoffice.gov.uk

I know waiting hurts. Hope this helps.