Applied for a family (spouse) extension with biometrics on 16/03/2022 using super priority.
The first time I applied was using Priority service and I got a decision within around 3 days (in 2019). At that time I was switching from another category and had what I believed a complex nuance. Apparently they didnt feel that way.
This extension however seemed to me like a very straightforward application with nothing special about it and almost the same stuff all over again.. Well over financial requirement with stamped banked statements, employment letter and last 6m payslips, plenty of cohabitation evidence from both sides over requirement evenly spaced out over 2y, mortgage statement, joint council tax, marriage certificate, passports, brp, prc, uk degree, consent forms, soft evidence like photos visiting parents from both sides, and everything else. Exactly by the book and arranged neatly with a cover letter and an index file showing what file is what..
But no decision yet
A few hours after submission I received a copy paste email.
"Thank you for your application for permission to stay in the UK.
We apologise for the inconvenience, but, due to needing to carry out further checks on your application, we are not able to meet our usual service standards.
We would normally decide an application by the end of the next working day after biometric enrolment, unfortunately this may not possible in this case due to the reasons mentioned above."
What further checks they need on such an easy application is beyond me.
Verify employment? Employer not contacted.
Verify utility bills or bank statements?
Really not sure..
Could this just be a template response because they are overloaded, or they pick out random applications to check more thoroughly?
I've been digging a lot through these forums and this is what I see so far:
+ Super Priority applicants for ILR specifically experience delays but are getting responses within a week, though some were delayed for a month.
+ For standard applications at least, there is a large backlog and delays of up to 3 months.
+ Those applying from outside are no longer able to choose priority due to Ukrainian refugee applications. I would imagine this would also have at least some impact on us who are applying from within. We can only speculate.
So Im basically wondering whether Super Priority delays are the new normal these days, or whether its likely something went sideways with my application?
How likely are we to receive a refund, esp since they didnt state the case was complex but merely gave a copy paste response about some elusive 'checks'? Its like they can just shoot the same template email to everyone and get ez money without delivering
It’s been more than 3 weeks that I gave my biometrics
