9 week processing time on my UK student visa

As a long time lurker and first time poster, I would like the forums opinion on my current situation.
I applied for the UK Student visa to study at a college in the UK(reputed uni, within top 6 worldwide) for their masters program.
Biometrics Submitted on: 06/06/2024
Interview on: 24/06/2024
9 weeks have elapsed since my biometrics were taken.

I have contacted UKVI multiple times regarding my application, but they reply with the boilerplate answer of ' it is yet to be processed'. My parents live in the UK and I had applied for a settlement visa before(which was rejected). Hence, the UKVI probably thinks that I will settle in the UK, but I made it clear during the interview that I had no intentions of doing so(the interview lasted an hour and 45 minutes, with an apparent "server error" on their end causing a 20min delay).

Considering that my classes start in the beginning of September, I am slightly concerned about my visa, especially since I have offers from the US, but I chose the UK because it is a shorter program and cheaper, and now if my visa is further delayed, I may not have enough time to apply for the aforementioned backup schools. I have notified the school in the UK about this issue and they have agreed to extend my start date.

While nobody can give a definite answer, it would help me out a lot if anyone could give their opinion on what steps I should take next, and if someone has encountered such a situation before. Also, maybe this is paranoid, but is it possible that the UKVI is purposely delaying the decision on my application so that I withdraw my application on my own?, especially since they know I have backup options.

P.S I had contacted an M.P who had reached out to the HO regarding my application, but they too received the same standard reply

shaky_possum wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 09, 2024 2:06 pm

it would help me out a lot if anyone could give their opinion on what steps I should take next

Just wait for the outcome. Your university is happy to allow you to enrol late.

shaky_possum wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 09, 2024 2:06 pm

maybe this is paranoid, but is it possible that the UKVI is purposely delaying the decision on my application so that I withdraw my application on my own?

No. You are over-thinking.

Thanks for the info sah. I’ll keep the forum posted.