Skilled worker visa delay inside UK

[Niha]

Hi, I have applied for visa on March 2023 and no update since March. Is there anyone facing skilled worker visa delay inside UK? its been more than 12 weeks now, i dont know what to do next. please advice

[CR001]

Under you other username (multiple usernames are not permitted) you posted you applied for FLR(FP) after presumably being an overstayer since 2021. What happened with this application?

If this is the case, any application you make is going to take long.

[Frontier Mole]

Can I ask what role you applied for?

[Niha]

Care Assistant

[Niha]

Under you other username (multiple usernames are not permitted) you posted you applied for FLR(FP) after presumably being an overstayer since 2021. What happened with this application?

If this is the case, any application you make is going to take long.

Hi, My FLR FP application was refused with 14 days time to submit the appeal. As I got sponsorship I have applied for a new visa rather than submitting an appeal.

[Frontier Mole]

Because the healthcare worker route is subject to large scale abuse you may find that your sponsor is under scrutiny and your application is held up pending further review. Your move into that role and your immigration history sets off alarm bells for the Home Office.

[Niha]

Because the healthcare worker route is subject to large scale abuse you may find that your sponsor is under scrutiny and your application is held up pending further review. Your move into that role and your immigration history sets off alarm bells for the Home Office.

Hi, Thank you for the reply
My sponsor company is one of the prestigious ones in the UK. I have submitted over 500 applicants to various companies. I have attended their two interviews, done reference checks, done my work eligibility checks, etc. It was a long process.
I was waiting for my COS at that time, but just one day before I received my COS, I received FLR refusal email.

[Niha]

Under you other username (multiple usernames are not permitted) you posted you applied for FLR(FP) after presumably being an overstayer since 2021. What happened with this application?

If this is the case, any application you make is going to take long.

Hi, I applied for this visa before my previous visa expired so I am not an overstayer. Thank you!

[lolo2]

Considering it's been several months since you submitted your application - provided you also attended a biometrics appointment on time - you can submit a complaint to understand the reason why your application is delayed.

See: Complain about UKVI

Complaints procedure

[Frontier Mole]

I am afraid the words private care provision and prestigious do not sit well together in a sentence. The Home Office has taken licences away from the largest providers including Southern Cross Healthcare - which was the final straw for their business.

So forgive me for not being overly impressed with that statement.

Although your COS was received just before your refusal that is not a material issue. You have been refused leave and then presented a known abuse route skilled worker application after your refusal. Simply looks like an attempt to remain in the U.K. Don’t be too surprised about the view the Home Office has about the application. No doubt it will be thoroughly vetted before a decision is made.

[Niha]

Considering it's been several months since you submitted your application - provided you also attended a biometrics appointment on time - you can submit a complaint to understand the reason why your application is delayed.

See: Complain about UKVI

Complaints procedure

Thank you!

[Erra2030]

It will be 16 weeks this Thursday since I have submitted my in-country skilled worker visa application using priority service.

I still have not received a decision, my previous similar visa in 2021 was resolved positively in 3 days so I am not sure what's happening this time around.

My immigration history is squeaky clean and I have never been refused a visa or breached any rules.

I have pulled every lever I possibly can including raising a complaint, writing a letter, speaking to my immigration partner and involving my MP.

The only response is you have to wait - it's mentally and financially taxing when you are asked to wait indefinitely.

Is anyone facing the same and can you share any additional insights ?

Type of application: Skilled Worker Visa - Employer Switch
Number of additional dependents applying at the same time: 0
Type of application submitted:Priority
Date application submitted: 15/06/2023
Date payment debited: 15/06/2023
Payment mode: Card
Date of biometrics enrolment: N/A (IDV CHECK APP)
Date of upload of evidence: 15/06/2023 (No further evidence has been requested)
Date of decision: Waiting
Date of BRP received: Waiting

[AmazonianX]

It will be 16 weeks this Thursday since I have submitted my in-country skilled worker visa application using priority service.

I still have not received a decision, my previous similar visa in 2021 was resolved positively in 3 days so I am not sure what's happening this time around.

My immigration history is squeaky clean and I have never been refused a visa or breached any rules.

I have pulled every lever I possibly can including raising a complaint, writing a letter, speaking to my immigration partner and involving my MP.

The only response is you have to wait - it's mentally and financially taxing when you are asked to wait indefinitely.

Is anyone facing the same and can you share any additional insights ?

Type of application: Skilled Worker Visa - Employer Switch
Number of additional dependents applying at the same time: 0
Type of application submitted:Priority
Date application submitted: 15/06/2023
Date payment debited: 15/06/2023
Payment mode: Card
Date of biometrics enrolment: N/A (IDV CHECK APP)
Date of upload of evidence: 15/06/2023 (No further evidence has been requested)
Date of decision: Waiting
Date of BRP received: Waiting

Check the timeline threads and posts, there are delays across board. As you were told to wait, exercise patience.

[Erra2030]

Thank you for your response.I’m fully aware of the ongoing delays and I’m prepared, to an extent, to wait.

However, I'm keen to receive specific data or insights regarding the Skilled Worker Visa when submitted in-country using the priority service.As previously noted, I’m currently in week 16 of waiting, and my financial resources are depleting. In these challenging times, leveraging existing experiences and insights could be invaluable in navigating the situation effectively.

-What's the current average waiting times?
-Is there additional levers to pull that may yield some results?
-What are top 3 - 5 reasons applications are delayed if you have a clean immigration history and never breached any rules?

Thanks everyone in advance.

[meself2]

I'm afraid you would have to ask HO on this, especially the latter - I do not think HO provides detailed reasons for delays on the usual.

[AmazonianX]

Thank you for your response.I’m fully aware of the ongoing delays and I’m prepared, to an extent, to wait.

However, I'm keen to receive specific data or insights regarding the Skilled Worker Visa when submitted in-country using the priority service.As previously noted, I’m currently in week 16 of waiting, and my financial resources are depleting. In these challenging times, leveraging existing experiences and insights could be invaluable in navigating the situation effectively.

-What's the current average waiting times?
-Is there additional levers to pull that may yield some results?
-What are top 3 - 5 reasons applications are delayed if you have a clean immigration history and never breached any rules?

Thanks everyone in advance.

If you need the statistics and are keen, the government body that handles it will be the best source, approach HO for FoI.

[Niha]

Hi, Yesterday have got an email from the home office and they informed me that my COS is not valid and informed me to ask my employer to provide new COS within 10 working days. I was shocked. I have been waiting for this visa for almost seven months now. As soon as received the email, I have contacted my employer and they said they have canceled my COS in July but never informed before. When I have asked the reason they said they don't need more employees like that. Not provide a valid reason and asked me look for another job. I asked, why they didn't inform me of this earlier and they said, they didn't know and they had other jobs. Replied in a kind of rude way. I am really shocked on their response.
If they had informed me earlier, I may find a new job but now I have very limited time and must go back to my country.
Is there anything else I can do? Is that possible to complain about this? Please help

[Frontier Mole]

It is entirely a matter between you and the prospective employer. There is no formal process that involves the Home Office.

[Niha]

Thank you for the response!

[Frontier Mole]

It is beyond poor practice for an employer to withdraw a COS without informing the potential employee. As you say this could have been resolved months ago.

If you can’t recover your application fee I would suggest that the employer repays you. Not holding my breath that they do that though.

At this stage in the process it might be too late to get your application fee back but I think you should try. This is an extract from the UKVI site.

You can ask to cancel (withdraw) an application for a visa, visa extension or citizenship if you’ve not yet received a decision.
You’ll get a refund of the immigration health surcharge if you cancel before a decision has been made about your application.
You may get a refund of the application fee. This depends on what stage your application is at when you cancel.
You may also be able to get a refund of the ‘priority service’ fee if you paid one.

https://www.gov.uk/cancel-visa

[Niha]

Thank you so much!

[Niha]

It is beyond poor practice for an employer to withdraw a COS without informing the potential employee. As you say this could have been resolved months ago.

If you can’t recover your application fee I would suggest that the employer repays you. Not holding my breath that they do that though.

At this stage in the process it might be too late to get your application fee back but I think you should try. This is an extract from the UKVI site.

You can ask to cancel (withdraw) an application for a visa, visa extension or citizenship if you’ve not yet received a decision.
You’ll get a refund of the immigration health surcharge if you cancel before a decision has been made about your application.
You may get a refund of the application fee. This depends on what stage your application is at when you cancel.
You may also be able to get a refund of the ‘priority service’ fee if you paid one.

https://www.gov.uk/cancel-visa

Hi,
On a recent email UKVI has informed me my COS is not valid. My employer never informed this I have only few days left to submit a new COS. A different employer is ready to sponsor me.
Do I need to withdrew my current application and submit a new one ? Or is that okay to submit this new COS via given email and explain regarding the change in sponsorship via covering letter? Please advice