**** COVID19 and UKVCAS Appointments **** (ONLY discuss here)

[claraluh]

Have you guys seen any SET(M) decisions for October applicants? We have applied end of October but haven’t received anything yet! Starting to get anxious

[I VE A LIFE WITHOUT TIER2]

Have you guys seen any SET(M) decisions for October applicants? We have applied end of October but haven’t received anything yet! Starting to get anxious

Keep an eye on the SET M timeline, a 28th of Oct approval was reported yesterday. I don't believe you'll have to wait that much longer. I am 13th of Nov so looking at the next 4 weeks going by what I can see on the timeline.

[claraluh]

Have you guys seen any SET(M) decisions for October applicants? We have applied end of October but haven’t received anything yet! Starting to get anxious

I was wondering if I should contact them, my partner cannot work because the company is not accepting the proof of application, they want an official letter from UKVA and during this pandemic is so hard to rely only on one furlough payment.

[sanahtalha]

Have you guys seen any SET(M) decisions for October applicants? We have applied end of October but haven’t received anything yet! Starting to get anxious

I applied for my husband on 8th October and still waiting. It’s so frustrating!!!

[AlexAlexAlex]

Its a joke, on Facebook someone reported applying for ILR set me on 27th of Feb 2021 got approved few days ago and we still see people applied on October/ November still waiting for decision

[sanahtalha]

Its a joke, on Facebook someone reported applying for ILR set me on 27th of Feb 2021 got approved few days ago and we still see people applied on October/ November still waiting for decision

I’ve been checking all set m approvals and most of them are around the 23 week mark give or take a few days. We’ll be 24 weeks on Thursday so fingers crossed he hear something in the next day or so.

[AlexAlexAlex]

Its a joke, on Facebook someone reported applying for ILR set me on 27th of Feb 2021 got approved few days ago and we still see people applied on October/ November still waiting for decision

I’ve been checking all set m approvals and most of them are around the 23 week mark give or take a few days. We’ll be 24 weeks on Thursday so fingers crossed he hear something in the next day or so.

Yes but thats not the point, point is HO can't even process the applications in order, they guys must be really thankful to have job and not blaming the laziness on covid

[wty889]

I applied ILR SET(LR) on 18/11/2020, since I am approaching the average waiting time (4 month 10 days), I sent an reminder to my solicitor and this is the reply I have got:

Please note that the majority of ILR(LR) applications I have submitted in the past months are taking nearly 6 months and sometimes even longer to be processed.

I phoned the Home Office helpline on a few occasions and the agents I spoke to admitted there is a backlog due to the Home Office caseworkers not being able to work at full capacity during the lockdown. Therefore the processing of your application could take a bit longer than anticipated.

I am curious has anyone here actually waited 6 months for their set(LR) decision? I would assume that people applied in Aug/Sep would be waiting longer but Nov application is speeding up. Thoughts?

[srd1982]

Has anyone here that applied for ILR Set (M) in early September used the IDV app for uploading documents and biometrics had a successful outcome?
I ask because I applied on 5/09/2020 and received email on 17/09/2020 to use the IDV app, which I immediately did. I'm now 14 days off the 6 month mark and still have not heard anything.
I escalated to my MP prior to Christmas, and today he has forwarded me an email only received today (2 months later) from Home Office saying that I've never submitted my biometrics and need to attend an appointment. I'm furious if this is the case, as there has been no contact.
The UKVCAS website still says that you cannot book appointments if you've already submitted via the apps - so I'm now completely unclear about what is going on. Has everyone that received their ILR in September only completed in-person biometrics?.... Or is there any successful applicants here that have only used the IDV App?
Thanks all in advance

I've just posted an update on the ILR timeline thread, I finally got my decision approval letter late yesterday, 6 months and 3 weeks later. I want to share what happened in case anyone else finds it helpful.

You'll see my post above I submitted via IDV App and never had an appointment.
I've been at my wit's end getting no information from the UKV&I call centre, everyone refused to even take my application number and even look at my file, even after the 6 month SLA passed.

When my MP escalated before Christmas a case worker told my MP that my biometrics hadn't been submitted and I should make an appointment. I made repeated phone calls to UKV&I and VCAS and all told me I can not have an appointment because I used the app. The case worker would only liaise with my MP, and wouldn't respond to any of my direct emails.

On Saturday 20th March I had had enough, and found an email address for Abi Tierney (Director General of Home Office) and copied in the MP email addresses for Boris Johnson and Priti Patel. I wrote a very long complaint about the process and said there had been no compassion. They continue to over-use blame on Covid for the delays, and yet they now have the capacity to open same-day service and turn around business visas in 5 or 6 days - so why can't they sort out their 6 month old backlogs. I said no private sector company would get away with charging £2,400 and then provide no level of customer service.

Because of this escalation, on Tuesday 23rd March I had an email from the UKVI Secretariat's office apologising that they found a technical error in the biometrics and have fixed the problem, and then I had my approval email sent to me 5 hours later.

It's been such a terrible process, and now I'm about to embark on the Citizenship process (married to British Citizen, so can immediately start Citizenship process).... here we go again... wish me luck!!

[AlexAlexAlex]

Has anyone here that applied for ILR Set (M) in early September used the IDV app for uploading documents and biometrics had a successful outcome?
I ask because I applied on 5/09/2020 and received email on 17/09/2020 to use the IDV app, which I immediately did. I'm now 14 days off the 6 month mark and still have not heard anything.
I escalated to my MP prior to Christmas, and today he has forwarded me an email only received today (2 months later) from Home Office saying that I've never submitted my biometrics and need to attend an appointment. I'm furious if this is the case, as there has been no contact.
The UKVCAS website still says that you cannot book appointments if you've already submitted via the apps - so I'm now completely unclear about what is going on. Has everyone that received their ILR in September only completed in-person biometrics?.... Or is there any successful applicants here that have only used the IDV App?
Thanks all in advance

I've just posted an update on the ILR timeline thread, I finally got my decision approval letter late yesterday, 6 months and 3 weeks later. I want to share what happened in case anyone else finds it helpful.

You'll see my post above I submitted via IDV App and never had an appointment.
I've been at my wit's end getting no information from the UKV&I call centre, everyone refused to even take my application number and even look at my file, even after the 6 month SLA passed.

When my MP escalated before Christmas a case worker told my MP that my biometrics hadn't been submitted and I should make an appointment. I made repeated phone calls to UKV&I and VCAS and all told me I can not have an appointment because I used the app. The case worker would only liaise with my MP, and wouldn't respond to any of my direct emails.

On Saturday 20th March I had had enough, and found an email address for Abi Tierney (Director General of Home Office) and copied in the MP email addresses for Boris Johnson and Priti Patel. I wrote a very long complaint about the process and said there had been no compassion. They continue to over-use blame on Covid for the delays, and yet they now have the capacity to open same-day service and turn around business visas in 5 or 6 days - so why can't they sort out their 6 month old backlogs. I said no private sector company would get away with charging £2,400 and then provide no level of customer service.

Because of this escalation, on Tuesday 23rd March I had an email from the UKVI Secretariat's office apologising that they found a technical error in the biometrics and have fixed the problem, and then I had my approval email sent to me 5 hours later.

It's been such a terrible process, and now I'm about to embark on the Citizenship process (married to British Citizen, so can immediately start Citizenship process).... here we go again... wish me luck!!

Congrats and well done, would you be able to share the email address, it will be coming handy for escalation

[muhammadimranpak]

Hi same situation here with me also when I call homeoffice they did not take my name or details when I call ukvi they said they submitted on 28th August can i have the emails addresses where you sent your all information not the MP the other emails thanks and congrats

[CULLINAN]

Hi same situation here with me also when I call homeoffice they did not take my name or details when I call ukvi they said they submitted on 28th August can i have the emails addresses where you sent your all information not the MP the other emails thanks and congrats

Abi.Tierney@homeoffice.gov.uk (available online on google)
https://www.gov.uk/government/people/abi-tierney

boris.johnson.mp@parliament.uk

Priti Patel:
withammp@parliament.uk

[CULLINAN]

Note: Clocks change on Sunday 28 March. UK will follow BST. However UKVCAS/UKVI follows GMT (at least in my experience).

For example if someone will apply on 00:01 BST 30th March, the payment reference will show 23:01 GMT 29th March.

Date of application is important so be careful with that.

Apply 00:01 GMT if you want to apply on that particular date not BST.

Also, booking slots will be released 12AM GMT or 1AM BST. Manage accordingly.

[rmz27]

Ive sent my wifes ILR Set M application online yesterday 28/03/2021 and when im trying to search for UKVCAS appointments there are no slots available close to my area!

The UKVI application states that biometric must be done by 28/05/2021 if we still cant get an appointment by this date would will happen?

[claraluh]

Are you guys receiving decisions by letter or email? I got confused as I’ve seen “decision letter received” on the timelines topic, but I’ve seen people reporting they’ve received an email. So I don’t know what to expect. This waiting is killing me

[zeeshi1122]

Ive sent my wifes ILR Set M application online yesterday 28/03/2021 and when im trying to search for UKVCAS appointments there are no slots available close to my area!

The UKVI application states that biometric must be done by 28/05/2021 if we still cant get an appointment by this date would will happen?

Try at midnight as all appointments releases 12 in the night.

[zeeshi1122]

Note: Clocks change on Sunday 28 March. UK will follow BST. However UKVCAS/UKVI follows GMT (at least in my experience).

For example if someone will apply on 00:01 BST 30th March, the payment reference will show 23:01 GMT 29th March.

Date of application is important so be careful with that.

Apply 00:01 GMT if you want to apply on that particular date not BST.

Also, booking slots will be released 12AM GMT or 1AM BST. Manage accordingly.

Clock goes forward at 1am, so at 1am clock goes forward to 2am so that it won't effect the date.

[CULLINAN]

Note: Clocks change on Sunday 28 March. UK will follow BST. However UKVCAS/UKVI follows GMT (at least in my experience).

For example if someone will apply on 00:01 BST 30th March, the payment reference will show 23:01 GMT 29th March.

Date of application is important so be careful with that.

Apply 00:01 GMT if you want to apply on that particular date not BST.

Also, booking slots will be released 12AM GMT or 1AM BST. Manage accordingly.

Clock goes forward at 1am, so at 1am clock goes forward to 2am so that it won't effect the date.

Probably you did not read properly what I meant.

[zeeshi1122]

Note: Clocks change on Sunday 28 March. UK will follow BST. However UKVCAS/UKVI follows GMT (at least in my experience).

For example if someone will apply on 00:01 BST 30th March, the payment reference will show 23:01 GMT 29th March.

Date of application is important so be careful with that.

Apply 00:01 GMT if you want to apply on that particular date not BST.

Also, booking slots will be released 12AM GMT or 1AM BST. Manage accordingly.

Clock goes forward at 1am, so at 1am clock goes forward to 2am so that it won't effect the date.

Probably you did not read properly what I meant.

Yes my bad.. I tried to delete my post but unable to do that.
Apologies..!!

[aka007]

Has anyone here that applied for ILR Set (M) in early September used the IDV app for uploading documents and biometrics had a successful outcome?
I ask because I applied on 5/09/2020 and received email on 17/09/2020 to use the IDV app, which I immediately did. I'm now 14 days off the 6 month mark and still have not heard anything.
I escalated to my MP prior to Christmas, and today he has forwarded me an email only received today (2 months later) from Home Office saying that I've never submitted my biometrics and need to attend an appointment. I'm furious if this is the case, as there has been no contact.
The UKVCAS website still says that you cannot book appointments if you've already submitted via the apps - so I'm now completely unclear about what is going on. Has everyone that received their ILR in September only completed in-person biometrics?.... Or is there any successful applicants here that have only used the IDV App?
Thanks all in advance

I've just posted an update on the ILR timeline thread, I finally got my decision approval letter late yesterday, 6 months and 3 weeks later. I want to share what happened in case anyone else finds it helpful.

You'll see my post above I submitted via IDV App and never had an appointment.
I've been at my wit's end getting no information from the UKV&I call centre, everyone refused to even take my application number and even look at my file, even after the 6 month SLA passed.

When my MP escalated before Christmas a case worker told my MP that my biometrics hadn't been submitted and I should make an appointment. I made repeated phone calls to UKV&I and VCAS and all told me I can not have an appointment because I used the app. The case worker would only liaise with my MP, and wouldn't respond to any of my direct emails.

On Saturday 20th March I had had enough, and found an email address for Abi Tierney (Director General of Home Office) and copied in the MP email addresses for Boris Johnson and Priti Patel. I wrote a very long complaint about the process and said there had been no compassion. They continue to over-use blame on Covid for the delays, and yet they now have the capacity to open same-day service and turn around business visas in 5 or 6 days - so why can't they sort out their 6 month old backlogs. I said no private sector company would get away with charging £2,400 and then provide no level of customer service.

Because of this escalation, on Tuesday 23rd March I had an email from the UKVI Secretariat's office apologising that they found a technical error in the biometrics and have fixed the problem, and then I had my approval email sent to me 5 hours later.

It's been such a terrible process, and now I'm about to embark on the Citizenship process (married to British Citizen, so can immediately start Citizenship process).... here we go again... wish me luck!!

I feel for you mate! This is a pathetic experience specially for spouses of British citizens. People with such straightforward cases where both spouses are working and meet the eligibility criteria are being denied a fair service. What is the justification for prioritising other settlement applications? They should process cases in order. ILR SET(M) used to be processed in a day with the previous Super priority service and now it's being mismanaged. Clearly this is due to additional case load being taken up in prioritising SET(O) and other visa categories. This affects honest and hardworking folks. After the 5 year visa validity expires, sometimes companies are not ready to accept proof of application for continuation of employment. SET(M) applicants are still paying a fortune but getting an appalling service in return compared to other settlement applicants. I have submitted my application on 9th March and got a biometric appointment after a month. For SET(O) I can see on this forum that people a getting earlier appointment slots as well.

Can folks here please raise FOI requests? (Freedom of Information) The Home Office ought to be answerable for these blunders and crappy service. Only then they will come under pressure and respond.

[Ameline]

I agree mate. We have to keep complaining and making our voice heard. I have got my approval on 18/02/21, almost after 6 months since I applied for SET(M) on 04/09/20. I have been through very difficult time.

Although now the stress is over for me and I have already made naturalisation application on 23/02/21 but I am up to complain for the process to be changed and still waiting for responses for the complaints I have made and ready to be part of any other complaints.

I've just posted an update on the ILR timeline thread, I finally got my decision approval letter late yesterday, 6 months and 3 weeks later. I want to share what happened in case anyone else finds it helpful.

You'll see my post above I submitted via IDV App and never had an appointment.
I've been at my wit's end getting no information from the UKV&I call centre, everyone refused to even take my application number and even look at my file, even after the 6 month SLA passed.

When my MP escalated before Christmas a case worker told my MP that my biometrics hadn't been submitted and I should make an appointment. I made repeated phone calls to UKV&I and VCAS and all told me I can not have an appointment because I used the app. The case worker would only liaise with my MP, and wouldn't respond to any of my direct emails.

On Saturday 20th March I had had enough, and found an email address for Abi Tierney (Director General of Home Office) and copied in the MP email addresses for Boris Johnson and Priti Patel. I wrote a very long complaint about the process and said there had been no compassion. They continue to over-use blame on Covid for the delays, and yet they now have the capacity to open same-day service and turn around business visas in 5 or 6 days - so why can't they sort out their 6 month old backlogs. I said no private sector company would get away with charging £2,400 and then provide no level of customer service.

Because of this escalation, on Tuesday 23rd March I had an email from the UKVI Secretariat's office apologising that they found a technical error in the biometrics and have fixed the problem, and then I had my approval email sent to me 5 hours later.

It's been such a terrible process, and now I'm about to embark on the Citizenship process (married to British Citizen, so can immediately start Citizenship process).... here we go again... wish me luck!!

I feel for you mate! This is a pathetic experience specially for spouses of British citizens. People with such straightforward cases where both spouses are working and meet the eligibility criteria are being denied a fair service. What is the justification for prioritising other settlement applications? They should process cases in order. ILR SET(M) used to be processed in a day with the previous Super priority service and now it's being mismanaged. Clearly this is due to additional case load being taken up in prioritising SET(O) and other visa categories. This affects honest and hardworking folks. After the 5 year visa validity expires, sometimes companies are not ready to accept proof of application for continuation of employment. SET(M) applicants are still paying a fortune but getting an appalling service in return compared to other settlement applicants. I have submitted my application on 9th March and got a biometric appointment after a month. For SET(O) I can see on this forum that people a getting earlier appointment slots as well.

Can folks here please raise FOI requests? (Freedom of Information) The Home Office ought to be answerable for these blunders and crappy service. Only then they will come under pressure and respond.

[venkatRK]

Good News !!!!

Opened Priority / Super Priority Services for most of the VISA Categories including ILR Long Residence

https://www.gov.uk/faster-decision-visa ... ide-the-uk

[CULLINAN]

Good News !!!!

Opened Priority / Super Priority Services for most of the VISA Categories including ILR Long Residence

https://www.gov.uk/faster-decision-visa ... ide-the-uk

Great news for SET(M) too!!

[zeeshi1122]

Good News !!!!

Opened Priority / Super Priority Services for most of the VISA Categories including ILR Long Residence

https://www.gov.uk/faster-decision-visa ... ide-the-uk

Great news for SET(M) too!!

There are still a backlog of Set M and set LR applications so why did they open the priority service? Just curious..

[ahmedash]

Hi,
If we applied using standard service when Super Priority Service was not available, can we now change the standard service to super priority service as it is available now for Set (M) ILR?

Applied for SET (M)
I have applied on 4th Feb
Biometric on 3rd April
Want to pay extra for super priority service and get decision within a day

Please let me know if possible and how.

Many thanks.