ILR Application at Croydon - Issues with Biometric system

[vstressedout]

Hello all,

I have been a long time lurker on this forum and have always found the information and advice useful, so I'm hoping to get some today.

I went to the Croydon Premium service centre on Saturday June 23rd, and applied for settlement (Set(O)) after the completion of 5 years of Tier 2 General. After finishing up with document check and biometrics I noticed that the Biometric Acknowledgement queue had not moved at all. I don't think any cases were going through. At about 2:00 pm the case workers started calling people for collection and gave us a letter saying unfortunately due to IT issues they could not do the same day service and they would return the documents via registered post.

I also got a call from my caseworker asking me about why my spouse didn't apply (not eligible yet), and during the call he did say my documents looked fine.

It's been 2.5 working days since then and I've been stressed out waiting for my documents to arrive or a call saying a decision has been made.

Are there any others out there with the same issue or who have gone through the same this year? I've seen posts from 2012 and 2013 where applicants have had to go to their local MP to speed up the process. Do I need to do this? Or wait a few more days?

[CR001]

It has only been 2 days. Just wait a few more days. These things happen.

[vstressedout]

Thank you, does anyone know approximately how long it can take?
I'm moving house in a few weeks and went in for the premium appointment hoping I would have everything sorted by then.

[sparkyram]

Just out of curiosity..

If some technical glitch happens like this would UKVI refund the premium service money ? Because these delay is caused by them isn't it ?

[CR001]

Just out of curiosity..

If some technical glitch happens like this would UKVI refund the premium service money ? Because these delay is caused by them isn't it ?

Unlikely I think as decisions are usually processed within a few days. Note that a technical system glitch is different to 'application held for further checks' which takes weeks/months.

[trueblue19]

Just out of curiosity..

If some technical glitch happens like this would UKVI refund the premium service money ? Because these delay is caused by them isn't it ?

Funny as it may sound, I had a Tier2 extension back in 2016, and IT systems went down the same day. Premium processing fee (I think it was around £500 back then) was indeed refunded back.

[Akorotaeva]

Had the same issuw in Croydon in 2012... no refund AND they took weeks to inform me of the outcome, despite telling me they would call the next day. No-one ever called, just got my BRP and docs one day.

[apsk]

Just out of curiosity..

If some technical glitch happens like this would UKVI refund the premium service money ? Because these delay is caused by them isn't it ?

Worth asking for refund, atleast of £610 (same day service fees)

[vstressedout]

I have emailed for a refund as they even held my documents without letting me know the outcome. No harm in trying IMO. I didn't get a call or an email, and they never answered the phone at the centre.

And just as an update: I did get the documents back today and my BRP yesterday, with the date on the BRP being the next working day.