reliable-mate wrote:got a phone call back from the home office call centre (a pleasant surprise!) as promised. not very encouraging news - once application has been loaded into their database it could take anything between 5 and 14 weeks to be processed. Now that my application has not been loaded into the database due to the backlog, I don't know when should I actually expect it to be processed. The biggest disappointment is that if my case has not been loaded due to a backlog, how have some Mar applicants got their documents back? (Please do not misunderstand me - I am happy for people who have got it but am not able to understand if it is the backlog or something else that has prevented my case to be loaded and considered).
She could not tell me how long will it actually take them to load my application into their database.
I think by far this is the most true picture someone has bothered to provide me instead of telling me to wait for standard 9 weeks. This has not made my day though. Anyway, good luck everyone and am watching this space for your comments, experiences etc.
First thing that I would ask you is when does your visa expires? the reason that I am asking you this is that I am my couple of friends applied on 26th of Feb 2008. One of those friends did send send his passports on 12th of March and got his visa stamped on 8th of April and received documents on 11th of April ( his visa was running out on 12th april).
Now
My case ( oh I forgot to mention I got visa stamped till 2011 april 20)
Application sent : 26th Feb
Applicatin received: 27th Feb
Amount deducted : 27th Feb
All required documents were sent with application
Visa stamped on 16th April
Response received on 18th April.
So your visa expires late they will process it late (I think this because what * I have observed or I believe* is that they have queue based on when your current leave to remain expires.
I wish you good luck and also all those who are waiting for their response, Hopefully you will get your visa sooner than later.