I have a just recently had to withdraw my application due to the length of time of this.
Timeframe:
22.5.17 Letter to Home Office (Durham)- sent by recorded delivery. Home Office website says 20 working days to process. (see attached)
8.6.17 Letter from Home Office to acknowledge receipt of my application (ONLY received on the 12th June) which clearly sets out the process regarding a biometric test. I must attend a biometric centre within the next 15 days. It also clearly sets out that if any of the details were incorrect in the letter I must inform them immediately. (See page 2) which I did on the same day.
12.6.17 email from myself to the Home Office to advise that they (the Home Office) spelt my middle name wrong awaiting further instructions.
21.6.17 email from Home Office to WARN ME that if I did not turn up for my biometric test within the next 2 days they would throw my application out - see attached.
21.6.17 Drove to St Albans to have my biometrics carried out with the WRONG name. The Post Office agreed to do so as it was my middle name that was spelt incorrectly.
2.7.17 Finally Acknowledgement of my biometrics by the Home Office and that my name was wrong it could be another 20 working days. (The Home Office website clearly states if the Home Office were not able to process the application in 20 working days they would notify me. This is incorrect and false information given on the website.)
3.7.17 Withdrew application due to forthcoming Holiday.
The Government website states 20 working days but that is rubbish. After 7 weeks of waiting the Home Office made me attend a Biometric test with the wrong name or my application would be thrown out and I would lose all the money?!?!? that was 2 weeks ago and despite being told my passport would be returned within 7 to 10 days, I was informed on the 3rd July that my application has only been passed to a case worker and will be a further 20 working days - possibly longer.
ON taking this matter to my local MP, who has been brilliant, she has established that due to the enormous back log applications can take up to 6 months. all my emails sent are returned with automated responses. You can't talk to anyone. All I would say is clear your diary for 6 months prior to applying. By all means pay the extra for premium service but if you read previous posts you are still looking at a couple of months. Disgraceful.