I received the ILR approval email at 10.42 this morning from the email address
UKVISETM@homeoffice.gov.uk. SET (M) application decisions seem to have been very slow in coming - mine has taken 5 months and 1 week since the original application date of 1st May 2020.
I used the IDV app on 27 August 2020, and then did an in-person biometrics submission in Croydon 4 weeks later (23rd September). I'll be interested to see which photo they use for the BRP, IDV app or Croydon photo.
I also made a submission to the call for evidence by the Chief Inspector of Borders & Immigration for his inspection of Home Office/UKVI and its partners' "front end services" before the closing date last week. I drew attention to misinformation provided, including screenshots as corroboration:
Misleading information on the UKVCAS web site, e.g.
19 Sept 2020 UKVCAS web site:
“UKVI will send updates to customers with an application in progress over the next 2 weeks to let you know what’s happening with your application.” This never happened and this message has subsequently disappeared!
24 Sept 2020 UKVCAS web site:
“UKVI have told us that they aim to deal with ALL applications in date order. This means that your case will be dealt with by UKVI based on the date of your registration with UKVI/UKVCAS.” ...which is demonstrably untrue, as SET (M) decisions came very slowly compared to other categories and even then not in order of application/registration date.