JeffWebb wrote: ↑Fri Feb 19, 2021 6:41 pm
I've just posted an update on the ILR timeline thread, I finally got my decision approval letter late yesterday, 6 months and 3 weeks later. I want to share what happened in case anyone else finds it helpful.
You'll see my post above I submitted via IDV App and never had an appointment.
I've been at my wit's end getting no information from the UKV&I call centre, everyone refused to even take my application number and even look at my file, even after the 6 month SLA passed.
When my MP escalated before Christmas a case worker told my MP that my biometrics hadn't been submitted and I should make an appointment. I made repeated phone calls to UKV&I and VCAS and all told me I can not have an appointment because I used the app. The case worker would only liaise with my MP, and wouldn't respond to any of my direct emails.
On Saturday 20th March I had had enough, and found an email address for Abi Tierney (Director General of Home Office) and copied in the MP email addresses for Boris Johnson and Priti Patel. I wrote a very long complaint about the process and said there had been no compassion. They continue to over-use blame on Covid for the delays, and yet they now have the capacity to open same-day service and turn around business visas in 5 or 6 days - so why can't they sort out their 6 month old backlogs. I said no private sector company would get away with charging £2,400 and then provide no level of customer service.
Because of this escalation, on Tuesday 23rd March I had an email from the UKVI Secretariat's office apologising that they found a technical error in the biometrics and have fixed the problem, and then I had my approval email sent to me 5 hours later.
It's been such a terrible process, and now I'm about to embark on the Citizenship process (married to British Citizen, so can immediately start Citizenship process).... here we go again... wish me luck!!