Post
by endivolac » Sat Apr 28, 2012 6:57 pm
Applied/Docs sent: 12/12/11
Received Ack. Letter: 19/12/11
Biometrics booking letter arrived: 13/02/12
Biometrics Appointment Glasgow Office: 17/02/12
HO Requesting Additional Docs: 20/04/12
New Docs Recieved by HO: 23/04/12
Docs/Passport/Letter Saying Permit Will Arrive: 28/04/12
Biometric Card Received from HO:
Visa Type: FLR(M) for spouse
Visa From: Fiancee
Very happy to have passports and docs returned today with a letter saying that my biometric permit will arrive within 10 working days! It seems the UKBA doesn't actually give a letter saying 'Approved', just that you will get your permit. Thank you to all the advice given by members here, very stressful process that I would not wish on anyone! I wish everyone else good luck and a speedy processing time.
For others waiting, I would strongly suggest writing to your MP (you can find your one on a gov website) and ask to make an enquiry. Mine made an enquiry by email and 4 days later, I received a letter asking for some more docs. Although this was very irritating (basically meant the application hadn't been looked at for 4 months), it meant that someone was at least assigned (was given a named contact to post documents to). Once the docs were recieved by the UKBA, it was approved in 3 days. I was amazed at the effect our MP's enquiry had, they were a fantastic help, God knows how long it would have taken otherwise.
It seems that a few people here have also contacted their MP's, some have been very helpful, others haven't been able to find out anything. I would say that only asking to make an enquiry as the application has taken a while seems to be not enough of a reason. In my case my passport would run out before 6 months elapsed. So if you do contact your MP, really make your case, state how long it has been, any circumstances that are causing huge anxiety (not being able to work, straightforward case etc). Perhaps even booking a face to face appointment with your MP may also help.
In summary here is my advice:
- If you are at the start, pay the extra £300 odd for visa application rather than postal (although most people here are under this category, I cannot stress that enough to those who are just starting their app)
- If doing by post, I would suggest paying by direct debit (i.e filling in card details method), worked fine for me
- Post everything by recording delivery and include 2 recorded delivery envelopes to allow tracking and save you worrying about if it has been received
- Don't make ANY travel arrangements, seems even simple cases can take 8 months +, no need to add financial loss to this horrendous process
- Don't bother calling the UKBA before 6 months elapses, waste of time and money unless you are calling to get some vital docs back (spouse passport etc). They are utterly useless.
- Contact your MP you feel your app is taking longer than it should, although these apps should be done in a matter of weeks, your MP may not be able to have any impact at the UKBA if only 3-4 months has passed
Now that most of the stress in my life has vanished, I will check in here to offer any advice. Don't let it get to you, it is a stupid bureaucratic mess but it will get sorted.
Good luck to everyone!
