OLD FLR(M) waiting times Thread

Xiaozhu · Post by **Xiaozhu** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 2:51 pm

They sent me a link to their customer feedback form in one of their emails responding to a complaint.

http://feedback.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ ... 34273xcfyg

It didn't work until I tried it today...

Xiaozhu · Post by **Xiaozhu** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 3:08 pm

Get the impression they've been trying to hide this sort of thing from us. Well we've found them out now!

luckyjinx · Post by **luckyjinx** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 3:12 pm

Thanks Xiaozhu - I've sent them a very, very poor evaluation and comments.

Xiaozhu · Post by **Xiaozhu** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 3:14 pm

Haha, yes, send them your vitriol. In fact, why not share with your friends - if enough people fill it in they may get the message...

luckyjinx · Post by **luckyjinx** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 3:19 pm

I have done - shared on the UK Yankee forum where there are some more very pissed off (and depressed) people.

luckyjinx · Post by **luckyjinx** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 3:35 pm

For anyone interested in the UKBA's profit margins on marriage visas...

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/p ... a_applicat

Xiaozhu · Post by **Xiaozhu** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 3:36 pm

That is disgusting.

luckyjinx · Post by **luckyjinx** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 3:38 pm

Agreed. I fail to see how they can't afford enough staff to process applications and respond to complaints in a timely and decent fashion.

Xiaozhu · Post by **Xiaozhu** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 3:40 pm

Have forwarded the link on to Diane Taylor. I am completely appalled (I didn't think it was possible that I could be any more appalled with the UKBA). I'm not even going to tell my husband, I think it would be the last straw for him...

luckyjinx · Post by **luckyjinx** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 3:41 pm

To be honest, I was hoping when I asked the question that it would be the last straw for a lot of people, in the sense that MPs might be forced into action.

Xiaozhu · Post by **Xiaozhu** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 3:43 pm

Can you contact the immigration minister? I am losing the strength...

luckyjinx · Post by **luckyjinx** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 3:54 pm

And say what? He agreed to it - fees have to go through Parliament:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012 ... 971_en.pdf

And I imagine he will just parrot back the following:

7.1 The fees contained in these regulations are set above the administrative cost of providing the application, process or service in line with the Government’s flexible charging model. Charging above the cost of delivery helps raise the revenue required to fund the overall immigration system and to cross subsidise fees set below cost for other immigration routes where a lower fee supports wider government objectives. By charging above the administrative cost of delivery on the application types referred to in this instrument, the UK Border Agency is able to generate sufficient revenue to ensure the UK border is secure and public confidence in the immigration system is maintained.

I'm afraid this might have to be one for the papers

Xiaozhu · Post by **Xiaozhu** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 3:55 pm

True. I await Diane's reply.

curlyk · Post by **curlyk** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 3:58 pm

OMG! I am so shocked by this!

egoneo · Post by **egoneo** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 4:03 pm

management up top know the best way to keep their big bonuses and hefty salaries is the cut the workforce as much as possible below while simultaneously increasing the application fees

luckyjinx · Post by **luckyjinx** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 4:20 pm

If you're shocked and outraged, consider writing to everyone you can think of - MPs, journalists, papers/news blogs, etc - so that word gets out. Like egoneo said...they have no problem using this profit to award themselves hefty bonuses (that they refuse to pay back when performance drops), but they can't hire a few more case workers to make sure we long-suffering applicants can get on with our lives in less than 6 months.

bustednotch · Post by **bustednotch** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 6:21 pm

Just got a call from my lawyer. Shocked, over the moon, speechless so thrilled to have been granted FLR(M) under the old rules!!!!!!!!!!!

Applied: 7th July 2012
Application Acknowledged: 11 July 2012
Biometric Invitation: 7th September 2012
Biometrics Enrolled: 8th September 2012
FLR(M) Granted: 13 February 2013

My lawyer said he'd give me a call when my documents arrive and I'll go pick them up. Will update you then.

Congrats to everyone receiving their visas and fingers crossed to all of those still waiting. This 7+ month wait has been such a strain for me, I don't think I've ever been pushed so far to the limit. Thankfully, a supportive family, friends, and all of you on this board have helped so much. Thank you!!!

shendean · Post by **shendean** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 6:26 pm

bustednotch wrote:Just got a call from my lawyer. Shocked, over the moon, speechless so thrilled to have been granted FLR(M) under the old rules!!!!!!!!!!!

Applied: 7th July 2012
Application Acknowledged: 11 July 2012
Biometric Invitation: 7th September 2012
Biometrics Enrolled: 8th September 2012
FLR(M) Granted: 13 February 2013

My lawyer said he'd give me a call when my documents arrive and I'll go pick them up. Will update you then.

Congrats to everyone receiving their visas and fingers crossed to all of those still waiting. This 7+ month wait has been such a strain for me, I don't think I've ever been pushed so far to the limit. Thankfully, a supportive family, friends, and all of you on this board have helped so much. Thank you!!!

CONGRATS BUSTEDNOTCH!!

Xiaozhu · Post by **Xiaozhu** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 6:36 pm

Hurrah! Good for you.

Do people think that now they are almost done with the pre-9 July applications they might be a bit quicker given that there may have been fewer after this date?

ID29 · Post by **ID29** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 8:09 pm

Xiaozhu wrote:Do people think that now they are almost done with the pre-9 July applications they might be a bit quicker...

Not necessarily. There will be those that began their route to settlement just prior to the 9th July 2012 that will be still be going through the system and will be considered under the old rules for months to come.

Few applications will have been considered yet under the new rules and it might be argued that when these fully kick in there will inevitably be some performance issues as the UKBA wrestle with the old and the new applications. The numbers of applications will certainly fall but (excepting the pre-July spike) will only fall gradually over many months. Even now, folks are applying for fiancée visas in their home countries that are completely unaware the rules have changed.

ID29 · Post by **ID29** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 8:37 pm

balasinor.bristol wrote:... Lads how long does the biometric takes to come through? There is no letter in the mail stating the visa has refused so what shall I assume??

...I don't really think MP or asking the sponsor passport back will really affect and speed up the application.

Documents/passports and the biometric card usually arrive within a day or so of each other but by different carriers (hence the sometimes different delivery times/dates). My advice; stay close to the letter box tomorrow and assume its good news until/unless you hear differently.

And I agree there is little evidence that requesting sponsor's passports or involving your MP will speed up a particular application. In fact, in my opinion, it could slow some down.

Anyway, good luck, I'm sure good news is on its way

Xiaozhu · Post by **Xiaozhu** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 9:37 pm

ID29 wrote:
And I agree there is little evidence that requesting sponsor's passports or involving your MP will speed up a particular application. In fact, in my opinion, it could slow some down.

Not so sure - we've made a hell of a fuss with our MP and our application was decided on 6 Feb (see my earlier posts). However, as we have not yet received the docs back this remains to be seen...

lekmat01 · Post by **lekmat01** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 10:16 pm

I had been a silent follower in this forum since I joined the wonderful and glorious forum,this is my timeline which I have been happy since I received a call from my solicitor at about 12.50pm

Applied: 5th July 2012
Application Acknowledged: 19 July 2012
Biometric Invitation: 4th September 2012
Biometrics Enrolled: 8th September 2012
FLR(M) Granted: 13 February 2013
Converted from Visiting Visa

I was granted due to my son is a british citizen but did a wedding ceremony at the registry office with my wife as well but the head of the caseworker stated that they can't expel my family life because I have built a strong geniune and substiting relationship with my son.My application was decided on the 9th of February.I was so happy to hear that I was granted 30months.I just want any people who still waiting for his/her good news to keep praying and also congratulated those that received their visas today.The letter was signed by Temporary Migration Team 23,Please I am here to help anybody for assistance

chquin · Post by **chquin** » Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:03 am

Hi everyone,

I've been a silent follower since submitting my application in early January. Like so many, I've been feeling very frustrated by this process but have grown even more so in the last 24 hours. I've been applying for some jobs while waiting for everything to be processed (under the terms of my extended Tier 4 Student visa I can work) and was recently offered a full-time permanent position with a really good company. As is procedure, they used the Employers Checking Service Request at the UKBA to confirm my eligibility to work. The UKBA did indeed say I can work but also advised of an additional restriction that I wasn't aware of: "the work you do must not fill a full-time permanent vacancy".

For the time being the company has asked that I submit paperwork from my old uni that indicates that I am no longer a student and then take it from there. I'm so angry and know that it's my fault for not being completely aware of the restrictions. It hasn't been that long since I originally submitted my application but all the same, I feel like I'm being held hostage in this country without any means of travelling to visit my family in Canada (where I'm from) or to work.

Any advice?

--
Timeline for Tier 4 to FLR(M) Spouse
Applied: 3 Jan 2013
Appl ack'd: 7 Jan 2013
Payment taken: 11 Jan 2013
BM letter dated: 31 Jan 2013 (arrived 7 Feb 2013)
BM given: 8 Feb 2013 (Holborn)
FLR(M) granted: waiting
Docs rec'd: waiting

shendean · Post by **shendean** » Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:50 am

chquin wrote:Hi everyone,

I've been a silent follower since submitting my application in early January. Like so many, I've been feeling very frustrated by this process but have grown even more so in the last 24 hours. I've been applying for some jobs while waiting for everything to be processed (under the terms of my extended Tier 4 Student visa I can work) and was recently offered a full-time permanent position with a really good company. As is procedure, they used the Employers Checking Service Request at the UKBA to confirm my eligibility to work. The UKBA did indeed say I can work but also advised of an additional restriction that I wasn't aware of: "the work you do must not fill a full-time permanent vacancy".

For the time being the company has asked that I submit paperwork from my old uni that indicates that I am no longer a student and then take it from there. I'm so angry and know that it's my fault for not being completely aware of the restrictions. It hasn't been that long since I originally submitted my application but all the same, I feel like I'm being held hostage in this country without any means of travelling to visit my family in Canada (where I'm from) or to work.

Any advice?

--
Timeline for Tier 4 to FLR(M) Spouse
Applied: 3 Jan 2013
Appl ack'd: 7 Jan 2013
Payment taken: 11 Jan 2013
BM letter dated: 31 Jan 2013 (arrived 7 Feb 2013)
BM given: 8 Feb 2013 (Holborn)
FLR(M) granted: waiting
Docs rec'd: waiting

Ur BM letter arrived quicker.. they speeding up now..

i cant give u advice lots of people here will give u a comment theyre helpful. just wait theyre not log on yet.

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OLD FLR(M) waiting times Thread

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