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Dear Sir or Madam,
I've just finished reading the 18 September 2012 House of Commons, Home Affairs Committee report on The Work of the UK Border Agency (April 2012 - June 2012). Additionally I've scoured relevant Freedom of Information Act responses to the issue of processing times for FLR(M) settlement visa between January and June 2012.
Although the individual UKBA persons that we have spoken to on occasion have been polite and helpful to a point, the overall system for handling visa applications is abysmal and further exacerbated by a lack of communication. Even filing a complaint is a navigational challenge of dead ends. For instance, the UKBA web site allows for complaints on the subject "I am unhappy about the standard of service received from the UK Border Agency (other than in the categories listed above)," but does not allow for complaints for applications filed within the UK, only outside the UK.
Where I note a problem in regard to standard of service is in the negligent processing of Q2 2012 settlement visas applied by post. I've analysed a spreadsheet for a FOI respose (FOI ref 1721/24218) on the questions of processing times and prioritization of processing. According the spreadsheet attached to the response dated 16 October 2012, the following represents the progress or lack thereof on FLR(M) applications:
Feb - No. Cases 1,818 Proc within 6 Mos 48% Pending 51%
Mar - No. Cases 1,914 Proc within 6 Mos 23% Pending 77%
Apr- No. Cases 1,423 Proc within 6 Mos 44% Pending 56%
May- No. Cases 1,936 Proc within 6 Mos 25% Pending 75%
Jun - No. Cases 2,025 Proc within 6 Mos 9% Pending 91%
How can these number possible represent a quality of service that UKBA achieved in 2011? Using the numbers provided under FOIA, that means approximately 3190 applications or 61% of 5155 are pending beyond six months. From what I gather, the FLR(M) visa application is appropriate for couples that have already undergone some previous visa requirement. Our application is a conversion from a fiance visa. While our straightforward application waits in filing limbo, applicants from latter months gain decisions with no more validation than our story.
We appreciate the need to screen applications for what MP Theresa May refers to as "sham marriages" (Sunday Politics 21 October 2012) or other applicants determined to milk from the UK system. We can also appreciate that there may actually be a large number of noted applications. However, we are not in that category. Somehow we have been trapped in this bureaucratic quagmire and been disallowed from making a full contribution to the betterment of the society. While Mr. Whiteman has a daunting task to implement corrective measures on a poorly conceived and failed previous immigration policy, the system he has employed feels punitive and lacks systemic structure to effectively process applications.
Our visa application is probably near a decision as we are approaching seven months since I applied. My complaint letter is unlikely to have any impact on my decision. I am complaining on behalf of the next man, woman, or family with a legitimate request for a visa. No person deserves such delays without due process and effective communications from an agency that hold lives in their hands.
Thank you backagain for this, and your other recent posts. I haven't had chance to read the whole transcript but did look at the questions you highlighted. Interesting reading indeed. Mr Whitehouse seems to find it rather difficult to accept responsibility or to fully acknowledge the impact that these delays have on our lives. It's easy to sit in an office and forget that the names on these applications forms are real people with real problems resulting from begin unable to work/study/build a life.backagain wrote:Just read the following House of Parliament transcript on the questioning of UKBA Chief Executive Rob Whiteman. You learn about the company hired to "help" clear the backlog and the £40m price tag attached, the impact of the Olympics on the process, and a rash of convoluted double-talk from Whitehouse regarding why his organization is so far behind. I found Q10, Q92-94 of particular interest.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... c60301.htm
Anyway, good reading. I think I will join the list of those that have filed complaints. After reading this, even the House Affairs Committee investigation on the work of UKBA between Jan - Jun 2012 is not getting decent answers. This abysmal excuse for visa processing must be held accountable for the way they mess with people's lives.
Great news jackal6735, congratulations!jackal6735 wrote:dear friends
i have been following this thread regularly for few months and was very helpful to keep track
i had applied for my wife and son
think many of those who applied in march are waiting
the solicitor just got the approval letter and documents back
will hopefully receive biometric permit in 10 days time
my appx timeline-dnt have exact dates with me
date docs sent- 8/03/2012
acknowledegemt letter appx 2 weeks time
biometric done appx about 28/3/2012
approval letter received-22/10/2012
brp-waiting
all the best!
congrates and thanks for sharing. Good to see March on the list nowjackal6735 wrote:dear friends
i have been following this thread regularly for few months and was very helpful to keep track
i had applied for my wife and son
think many of those who applied in march are waiting
the solicitor just got the approval letter and documents back
will hopefully receive biometric permit in 10 days time
my appx timeline-dnt have exact dates with me
date docs sent- 8/03/2012
acknowledegemt letter appx 2 weeks time
biometric done appx about 28/3/2012
approval letter received-22/10/2012
brp-waiting
all the best!
CDNgirl wrote:waitwaitwait,
You stated that you are switching from a Tier 4 Student visa to the FLR(M), have you been working full time while you have been awaiting the approval of your application?
Thanks to everyone who continues to post on this thread, it makes the whole process easier to bare. I recenetly applied for my FLR(M) and my timeline so far, which isn't much is:
Applied for: FLR(M) Unmarried partners Visa
From: Tier 4
Applied by post: 25/09/12
Money taken: 01/10/12
Letter of acknowledgement from UKBA: 08/10/12
Biometrics request letter: waiting
sorry to hear that 2222 after a long wait they are still wanting more documents from you but hopefully it will all work out for you? btw the docs they requested do they have anything to do with you being on tier 4??2222 wrote:I have some news - Read below
FLR M applied on: 27th February 2012
Payment out of the bank: 29th February 2012
Acknowledgement letter: I didn't get one!!
Biometric letter received on: 16th March 2012
Biometric completed on: 28th March 2012
Requested my partner’s passport: 10/10/2012
Partner’s passport received: 17/10/2012
More documents requested by UKBA: 22/10/2012
Document return: still waiting!!!
Biometric card: still waiting!!!
TODMATT wrote:Congratulation Dsin
Documents sent: 21/6/2012 (received by UKBA 22/6/2012)
Acknowledgement letter: 26/6/2012 (dated 19/6)
Biometrics letter received: 5/8/2012
Biometrics submitted: 20/8/2012
Documents received: Waiting
Biometric permit received: waiting
Visa: FLR(M) from Tier 4
Any june applicants apart from dsin??
It's quite frustrating because this UKBA are just playing with peoples life.
CDNgirl wrote:waitwaitwait:
Are you still currently studying?
Is there anyone who has applied for FLR(M) who has finished their course and is now working full time while they wait for their application to be processed? I finished my two year course this June, however my tier 4 visa is valid until November 31st. Since I have applied I beleive I can work on a temporary contract full time until my vias has been decided? Is anyone in a simular situation?
Also, on the acknowledgement letter from UKBA, it states their refrence number, but it is blank beside where it says, 'Your refrence'...was anyone elses blank as well?
Congratulations waitwaitwait, really happy to hear your news. Our docs were returned today, BRP on its way.....waitwaitwait wrote:Hello again,
It gives me immense pleasure to be able to write my final timeline here. I want to share it here as it feels like we are a family here discussing same issues everyone is facing and everyone is supporting each other.Thanks everyone here for the support and i wish everyone luck who is waiting.
Date Docs sent: 08/02/12
Date Ack. Letter received: 20/02/12
Date biometrics booking letter received: 20/03/12 (dated 16/03/12)
Date biometrics enrolled (at Holborn post office): 22/03/12
Date BRP received: 22/10/12 (by my solicitor)
Date Docs received: 19/10/12 (by my solicitor)
Visa type: FLR(M)
From - Tier 4
It has been a very long wait of 8 and a half months. We never requested any document back as I dint want to be selfish and wanted to wait my turn. Me and my wife are very happy as I have collected all my documents and BRP from my solicitor. Now we can defo plan a trip to rome for our first wedding anniversary
Well CDNgirl about your questions I can certainly tell you that I am still studying and finishing my studies in november. Now as far as work is concerned for any person who is a student i.e Tier4 is only allowed to work part time. Moreover my solicitor confirmed what ukba has clarified on their website that until an application is decided the applicant's current immigration status remains in place. So it means until FLR M has been granted , all the student visa restrictions still apply. My sol did mention that while deciding an app and in order to make decision UKBA can call college to check if applicant is a genuine student and has been attending college or not because students are allowed to switch within the country provided they are not in breach of their tier4 visa. Similarly they can either see on your employment contract or payslip if you are working part time or not. They can call employer to confirm this too. So you have to be safe and make sure until your visa is granted you try to follow the tier4 rules. Now as you have mentioned that your course is already over, unfortunately it still doesn't mean that the visa status is changed. It is different for other categories if they are already in the country and have been working full time. So i would advise you to see a solicitor if possible and make sure you are doing the right thing. If solicitor says its not a problem for you to work full time then its fine but my solicitor did clarify this when i asked that student has to stick to all the restrictions until their visa category changes.
I do sincerely wish you good luck and i hope you get your good news soon.
For everyone else here I will still be checking this forum for a while and if anyone wants to ask any q or advise I would love to help.
Until then good luck everyone and I am sure I wont be applying for my indefinite by post in 2 years time