Does the UKBA close for Christmas?

[tony_franklin]

I'd applied for my PSW extension on the 14th of November. Received the Biometrics letter on the 1st of December, and submitted the biometrics via Post Office on the 2nd.

1. I've had a friend tell me that the UKBA shuts down for Christmas from the 15th of December. Can anyone please confirm this?

2. Also, the processing times section of the UKBA website states that they are "currently considering applications where the applicant has taken their biometrics on or before December 1." - Since I gave mine on Dec 2, is there a chance it may be delayed?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

[bobobo]

Think of the UKBA as any other organisation. They will have reduced staff working over christmas and applications will be impacted, just as anywhere in europe. The do not officially close but people do go on holidays, so tell your friemd to get hios facts straight and stop scaring you

I'd applied for my PSW extension on the 14th of November. Received the Biometrics letter on the 1st of December, and submitted the biometrics via Post Office on the 2nd.

1. I've had a friend tell me that the UKBA shuts down for Christmas from the 15th of December. Can anyone please confirm this?

2. Also, the processing times section of the UKBA website states that they are "currently considering applications where the applicant has taken their biometrics on or before December 1." - Since I gave mine on Dec 2, is there a chance it may be delayed?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

[tony_franklin]

Think of the UKBA as any other organisation. They will have reduced staff working over christmas and applications will be impacted, just as anywhere in europe. The do not officially close but people do go on holidays, so tell your friemd to get hios facts straight and stop scaring you

Hah! Thanks, will tell him that! What about the processing times given at the site then? Is it just a rough guideline or do they actually stick to it?

[arsenal49]

75% of the time they do!

[transpondia-2011]

The Christmas Card that UKBA sent to their stakeholders said they would be closed 23 Dec to 3 Jan. I got mine on 8 Dec, which was plenty of notice. Of course staff will be working during that period, but some of their front-facing operations will be in curtailment during the period mentioned...