Set(O) ancestry application, booking issues

[Ryan_UK_ZA]

Hi, I am in the process of applying for ILR. I've been living in the UK since 2 October 2013, and my current UK ancestry visa expires on 1 October 2018 (14 days from today). I have completed the Set(O) application form and have all necessary supporting documents as well as evidence of passing the English exam and Life in the UK test.

For the past few days, I've been trying to book a PSC appointment but all of the centres are returning the message, "We do not have any appointments in the next 45 business days at your selected location." Based on numerous related posts, this does not currently seem to be an uncommon problem.

At this point, I am doubtful I'll be able to get a PSC appointment within the next 14 days and would therefore very much appreciate any advice on how to best proceed. Would the best option be to submit the application by post now to ensure confirmation from the Home Office that they have received my application (so as to extend my current right to remain and work in the UK until a decision has been reached)? After that, would I be able to upgrade from postal to premium service? I expect my case is a straight forward one (continuous work for the past 5 years at the same company with a relatively high salary, no criminal convictions or anything of the sort, less than 180 days total spent outside of the UK over the past 5 years, etc). I am planning a wedding with my (British) fiance and, to confirm the registrar, the council requires me to prove permanent residency by November time, lest we go via the Home Office route...

[Lynz1988]

I can't see how the post + PSC would work without you paying twice but stick at it. There was a long thread about booking an appointment about a week ago and can take some time. It took me about 36 hours of constantly trying but managed to get an appointment. Midnight on a Monday morning (technically) on my mobile is what got me an appointment (much faster than my laptop)

[Ryan_UK_ZA]

Thank you, Lynz1988. I'm glad to hear you've had some success.

I have read the various posts of other people struggling to find a booking and have also tried the advice of keeping browsers open and regularly refreshing them on both my phone and computer during various times of the day for the past 5 days, to no avail unfortunately. I rang and emailed the HO shortly after my post above, and the advice I received was similar to what others have already posted too - that the HO have tested the online system and can confirm that there is no reported problem, and that if a suitable appointment date cannot be found then a postal application may need to be considered.

The lady on the phone did advise that, when the postal application has been sent and the funds have cleared, then I may request a faster reply to the visa application by filling out and sending a 'request and payments form'. According to the gov website, this costs an additional £510 per person.

However, I'm still unsure about this as it also says:
"You can get a faster reply if you used the SET (O) form and both of the following are true:
- your case isn’t covered by immigration rules
- you applied to settle in the UK after completing 6 years discretionary leave granted under the transitional arrangement."

I'm not sure what constitutes a case being 'covered by immigration rules', and if the request would anyway be accepted since I've lived in the UK for 5 years rather than 6.

Can anyone advise, please?