ILR postal applications (excluding 10/14 yr.)

[meemyself&I]

Date of posting: 5 April 2013
Received by HO: 8 April 2013
Fee taken: 12.04.13 old fee £991.00
Acknowledgement letter: Received 15.34.13
Biometric letter: Not yet
Biometric completed: Not yet
BRP received on: Not yet
Docs and approval: Not yet[/quote]

[ahtesham4all]

Hi,

I have applied ILR on tier 1 general visa after completion of 5 years.
Acknowledgement Letter - 25/09/12
Biometric Done - 04/12/12
ILR - Waiting

It will be 7 months on 22/04/13 and still no reply from ukba. Is anyone has got same timeline. Can someone please advice how to go through for making a complain. I already met mp last month and all i recieved is the letter written to mark harper (immigration minister) by mp but no response.

I am going to meet mp again this friday .. anyone has got similar situation

Regards

[mike_k]

OK, from the links posted by gmx above,

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... 026931.pdf

we know that only 53% of applications made in July were completed within six months. Similarly, only 51% of applications made in August were completed within six months. This isn't as bad as I had originally thought but is still significantly below the 95% target.

From table 1 of the following document we know that there was a 'spike' in applications in July of 2012 (presumably there was a rule change or some other reason for this?) with roughly double the applications being made in this month relative to the preceding six.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... 026061.pdf

So, although the UKBA are not anywhere near hitting their targets for July/August, they could possibly be forgiven for having let things slip given the July spike. Although, if the July spike was due to a rule change then I would have thought a properly run organisation would have been able to anticipate this...

My six months is up this week and I will be writing to my MP as well as ringing regularly for updates. In my letter I will be including the above statistics as a basis for this complaint and was wondering whether anybody else could find similar a similar stat for September and May/June. I'd also be grateful if someone could explain the likely cause of the July 'spike' to me.

Also, I watched the show on channel 4 last night which detailed the poor performance of the UKBA. It was a little disappointing that they focused mainly on the fact that illegal immigrants weren't being deported promptly or efficiently rather than on the legal immigrants who are getting shafted by this poorly run organisation (I guess this is understandable as it is probably what most Britons are interested in...). One thing that wasn't clear to me was whether this show was dealing with the same department that processed ILR applications. Could someone let me know?

The reason is that the UKBA assure us that our applications will be processed in order of recepit. The differences in processing times is apparently due to the fact that different cases are more complex than others and therefore take more time to process. However, (from memory) the UKBA manager stated on several occasions that this was not in fact the case and that cases were dealt in a more haphazard manner. I have recorded the show and if it turns out that this department does deal with ILR applications then I might be tempted to include the contents of this show as a separate point of complaint in my letter. Grateful for any other suggestions.

cheers,

[gmx]

Well, Mr Chief Executive himself already explained the reason why it's taking longer than the published service standard. I guess the manager is not trained to give standard answer.

Please read starting from Q89 on page 77 of this document: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... 03/603.pdf

And for more reading if you have time:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... 92/792.pdf

OK, from the links posted by gmx above,

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... 026931.pdf

we know that only 53% of applications made in July were completed within six months. Similarly, only 51% of applications made in August were completed within six months. This isn't as bad as I had originally thought but is still significantly below the 95% target.

From table 1 of the following document we know that there was a 'spike' in applications in July of 2012 (presumably there was a rule change or some other reason for this?) with roughly double the applications being made in this month relative to the preceding six.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... 026061.pdf

So, although the UKBA are not anywhere near hitting their targets for July/August, they could possibly be forgiven for having let things slip given the July spike. Although, if the July spike was due to a rule change then I would have thought a properly run organisation would have been able to anticipate this...

My six months is up this week and I will be writing to my MP as well as ringing regularly for updates. In my letter I will be including the above statistics as a basis for this complaint and was wondering whether anybody else could find similar a similar stat for September and May/June. I'd also be grateful if someone could explain the likely cause of the July 'spike' to me.

Also, I watched the show on channel 4 last night which detailed the poor performance of the UKBA. It was a little disappointing that they focused mainly on the fact that illegal immigrants weren't being deported promptly or efficiently rather than on the legal immigrants who are getting shafted by this poorly run organisation (I guess this is understandable as it is probably what most Britons are interested in...). One thing that wasn't clear to me was whether this show was dealing with the same department that processed ILR applications. Could someone let me know?

The reason is that the UKBA assure us that our applications will be processed in order of recepit. The differences in processing times is apparently due to the fact that different cases are more complex than others and therefore take more time to process. However, (from memory) the UKBA manager stated on several occasions that this was not in fact the case and that cases were dealt in a more haphazard manner. I have recorded the show and if it turns out that this department does deal with ILR applications then I might be tempted to include the contents of this show as a separate point of complaint in my letter. Grateful for any other suggestions.

cheers,

[mike_k]

Well, Mr Chief Executive himself already explained the reason why it's taking longer than the published service standard. I guess the manager is not trained to give standard answer.

Please read starting from Q89 on page 77 of this document: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... 03/603.pdf

And for more reading if you have time:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... 92/792.pdf

Thanks mate, that was an interesting read. At the very least it is encouraging that they are getting some heat put on them. I saw they mentioned (Q91) a 'spike in applications for one particular product' which I am guessing could be the 'July spike' I mentioned. Out of interest, does anyone know was the reason for this spike? I also note that Rob Whiteman twice states in his response to Q89 that applications are processed in order of date received. Can anyone explain why some applications appear to be processed within a few weeks of receipt whilst (most) others take 6 months? In my opinion this does not (reasonably) tally with processing applications in order regardless of whether or not some are more complicated than others.

Assuming more complicated cases are dealt with separately, is there a document describing how applications might be filtered into either a 'complicated' or a 'simple' pile?

[gmx]

I think the 'spike' most probably is related to either one or both of these changes:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... settlement
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... -migration

Well, Mr Chief Executive himself already explained the reason why it's taking longer than the published service standard. I guess the manager is not trained to give standard answer.

Please read starting from Q89 on page 77 of this document: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... 03/603.pdf

And for more reading if you have time:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... 92/792.pdf

Thanks mate, that was an interesting read. At the very least it is encouraging that they are getting some heat put on them. I saw they mentioned (Q91) a 'spike in applications for one particular product' which I am guessing could be the 'July spike' I mentioned. Out of interest, does anyone know was the reason for this spike? I also note that Rob Whiteman twice states in his response to Q89 that applications are processed in order of date received. Can anyone explain why some applications appear to be processed within a few weeks of receipt whilst (most) others take 6 months? In my opinion this does not (reasonably) tally with processing applications in order regardless of whether or not some are more complicated than others.

Assuming more complicated cases are dealt with separately, is there a document describing how applications might be filtered into either a 'complicated' or a 'simple' pile?

[sanks]

Nice to see some action after a few dull days here. Its interesting to read these. I guess the heat is on but then on the other hand I don't see any improvement to the old cases. I think they have decided to start all over again from Jan 2013 and picked 2013 applications to do so. As a result you can see 2013 applications are getting processed sooner. I also think they have kind of abandoned the July August and partially September applicants. I read someone saying that the new applications are being processed in offices of UKBA other than Liverpool, where its flooded with the July-Sep applications (may be true).

I will be finishing 8 months in a weeks time, still call them every week and last week I spoke to a nice lady and she told me that the case worker has my file but hasn't left any sort of remark on it to say why is it taking longer to finish. So now I understand that they can look into the case workers comments if they want to .

Anyway lets keep this forum alive and it really helps to share your thoughts.


Cheers guys

I think the 'spike' most probably is related to either one or both of these changes:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... settlement
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... -migration

Well, Mr Chief Executive himself already explained the reason why it's taking longer than the published service standard. I guess the manager is not trained to give standard answer.

Please read starting from Q89 on page 77 of this document: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... 03/603.pdf

And for more reading if you have time:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... 92/792.pdf

Thanks mate, that was an interesting read. At the very least it is encouraging that they are getting some heat put on them. I saw they mentioned (Q91) a 'spike in applications for one particular product' which I am guessing could be the 'July spike' I mentioned. Out of interest, does anyone know was the reason for this spike? I also note that Rob Whiteman twice states in his response to Q89 that applications are processed in order of date received. Can anyone explain why some applications appear to be processed within a few weeks of receipt whilst (most) others take 6 months? In my opinion this does not (reasonably) tally with processing applications in order regardless of whether or not some are more complicated than others.

Assuming more complicated cases are dealt with separately, is there a document describing how applications might be filtered into either a 'complicated' or a 'simple' pile?

[Nobbly]

I received my approval letter dated 25/03/13 and it mentioned that BRP would be sent within 7 days.. The letter mentions that you should email or write if you do not get the BRP within 10 days...

It's now 14th day and I emailed ukba on the 5th and again yesterday.. Below is the same automated response which is clearly out of date...makes me wonder do these emails get any attention if the response is so out of date?

Thank you for your enquiry regarding the delivery of your Biometric Residence Permit. If we require further information to help us answer your enquiry, we will contact you. Provided we have all the information we require, your enquiry will be answered within 5 working days of receipt. Please do not reply to this e-mail or re-send your enquiry unless we ask you to do so.

Please note that this office will be closed 29th March 2013 – 2nd April 2013.
If you have not received a response to your enquiry within 28 days of sending your original enquiry, you should re-send it or write to us at:

Freepost RRYX-GLYU-GXHZ
Returns Unit
P.O. Box 163
Bristol BS20 1AB

You are advised not to make any travel arrangements while this matter is being investigated.


Thank you
BRP Management Service

My patience has ran out and replaced with frustration but hope will keep me going!!

Hi all

Finally received my BRP, for some reason am not even that excited just glad I can move on with my life.
My approval letter is dated 25/03/13 and the BRP is dated 11/04/13, what a gap.

I watched channel 4 dispatches "Immigration undercover" on 4OD last night and its shocking what has been going on at UKBA. It seems though that all those submitting their applications after Easter will be dealt with quicker than the old ones.

Please take my advise, DO NOT PLAN ANY TRAVELS UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED EVERYTHING that way you will be saving yourself from frustration.

Good luck to all.

[ubk]

That's positive news sanks. Now you know your file has been assigned to a case worker.

Last I heard about my case was that it was assigned to a case working unit but not yet to a case worker. I'll give them a call tomorrow to find out what's up. Today marks 7 months for me.

Nice to see some action after a few dull days here. Its interesting to read these. I guess the heat is on but then on the other hand I don't see any improvement to the old cases. I think they have decided to start all over again from Jan 2013 and picked 2013 applications to do so. As a result you can see 2013 applications are getting processed sooner. I also think they have kind of abandoned the July August and partially September applicants. I read someone saying that the new applications are being processed in offices of UKBA other than Liverpool, where its flooded with the July-Sep applications (may be true).

I will be finishing 8 months in a weeks time, still call them every week and last week I spoke to a nice lady and she told me that the case worker has my file but hasn't left any sort of remark on it to say why is it taking longer to finish. So now I understand that they can look into the case workers comments if they want to .

Anyway lets keep this forum alive and it really helps to share your thoughts.


Cheers guys

I think the 'spike' most probably is related to either one or both of these changes:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... settlement
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... -migration

Well, Mr Chief Executive himself already explained the reason why it's taking longer than the published service standard. I guess the manager is not trained to give standard answer.

Please read starting from Q89 on page 77 of this document: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... 03/603.pdf

And for more reading if you have time:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... 92/792.pdf

Thanks mate, that was an interesting read. At the very least it is encouraging that they are getting some heat put on them. I saw they mentioned (Q91) a 'spike in applications for one particular product' which I am guessing could be the 'July spike' I mentioned. Out of interest, does anyone know was the reason for this spike? I also note that Rob Whiteman twice states in his response to Q89 that applications are processed in order of date received. Can anyone explain why some applications appear to be processed within a few weeks of receipt whilst (most) others take 6 months? In my opinion this does not (reasonably) tally with processing applications in order regardless of whether or not some are more complicated than others.

Assuming more complicated cases are dealt with separately, is there a document describing how applications might be filtered into either a 'complicated' or a 'simple' pile?

[Wheresmyilr]

As a matter of interest how do you know the 2013 applications are being processed sooner?

Nice to see some action after a few dull days here. Its interesting to read these. I guess the heat is on but then on the other hand I don't see any improvement to the old cases. I think they have decided to start all over again from Jan 2013 and picked 2013 applications to do so. As a result you can see 2013 applications are getting processed sooner. I also think they have kind of abandoned the July August and partially September applicants. I read someone saying that the new applications are being processed in offices of UKBA other than Liverpool, where its flooded with the July-Sep applications (may be true).

I will be finishing 8 months in a weeks time, still call them every week and last week I spoke to a nice lady and she told me that the case worker has my file but hasn't left any sort of remark on it to say why is it taking longer to finish. So now I understand that they can look into the case workers comments if they want to .

Anyway lets keep this forum alive and it really helps to share your thoughts.


Cheers guys

I think the 'spike' most probably is related to either one or both of these changes:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... settlement
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... -migration

Well, Mr Chief Executive himself already explained the reason why it's taking longer than the published service standard. I guess the manager is not trained to give standard answer.

Please read starting from Q89 on page 77 of this document: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... 03/603.pdf

And for more reading if you have time:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... 92/792.pdf

Thanks mate, that was an interesting read. At the very least it is encouraging that they are getting some heat put on them. I saw they mentioned (Q91) a 'spike in applications for one particular product' which I am guessing could be the 'July spike' I mentioned. Out of interest, does anyone know was the reason for this spike? I also note that Rob Whiteman twice states in his response to Q89 that applications are processed in order of date received. Can anyone explain why some applications appear to be processed within a few weeks of receipt whilst (most) others take 6 months? In my opinion this does not (reasonably) tally with processing applications in order regardless of whether or not some are more complicated than others.

Assuming more complicated cases are dealt with separately, is there a document describing how applications might be filtered into either a 'complicated' or a 'simple' pile?

[sathishc]

SET(O) Tier 1
Date of Application: 21-Sep-2012
Date of Acknowledgement: 24-Sep-2012
Date of Biometrics Rec/Done: 29-Nov-2012
Date application Expedited: 08-Apr-2013
Date of Approval Letter: 13-Apr-2013
Date BRP received: 16-Apr-2013

Expedited on compassionate grounds with compelling reasons to travel due to medical condition. Provided letter from GP and specialist. CCed MP requesting follow up.

It had been a painful wait of nearly 7 months. It did change the course of life - hopefully for good. This forum has proven very helpful. Wish my fellow mates in the forum receive theirs soon.

[gmx]

Congrats sathishc!

All the best

SET(O) Tier 1
Date of Application: 21-Sep-2012
Date of Acknowledgement: 24-Sep-2012
Date of Biometrics Rec/Done: 29-Nov-2012
Date application Expedited: 08-Apr-2013
Date of Approval Letter: 13-Apr-2013
Date BRP received: 16-Apr-2013

Expedited on compassionate grounds with compelling reasons to travel due to medical condition. Provided letter from GP and specialist. CCed MP requesting follow up.

It had been a painful wait of nearly 7 months. It did change the course of life - hopefully for good. This forum has proven very helpful. Wish my fellow mates in the forum receive theirs soon.

[nasatic]

Hi,

Acknowledgement received on 27/09/2013
Biometrics attended on 28/11/2013
ILR Approved - still waiting

This is 6 months and 3 weeks now and am still waiting. i wrote to the home office myself but i was told by people that that letter will go straight to the bin.
I have an appointment tomorrow to see my MP about this. This is ridiculous. i lost my job about a month ago and don't see how i can find one without a visa.

[gmx]

an example?

As a matter of interest how do you know the 2013 applications are being processed sooner?

Nice to see some action after a few dull days here. Its interesting to read these. I guess the heat is on but then on the other hand I don't see any improvement to the old cases. I think they have decided to start all over again from Jan 2013 and picked 2013 applications to do so. As a result you can see 2013 applications are getting processed sooner. I also think they have kind of abandoned the July August and partially September applicants. I read someone saying that the new applications are being processed in offices of UKBA other than Liverpool, where its flooded with the July-Sep applications (may be true).

I will be finishing 8 months in a weeks time, still call them every week and last week I spoke to a nice lady and she told me that the case worker has my file but hasn't left any sort of remark on it to say why is it taking longer to finish. So now I understand that they can look into the case workers comments if they want to .

Anyway lets keep this forum alive and it really helps to share your thoughts.


Cheers guys

I think the 'spike' most probably is related to either one or both of these changes:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... settlement
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... -migration

Thanks mate, that was an interesting read. At the very least it is encouraging that they are getting some heat put on them. I saw they mentioned (Q91) a 'spike in applications for one particular product' which I am guessing could be the 'July spike' I mentioned. Out of interest, does anyone know was the reason for this spike? I also note that Rob Whiteman twice states in his response to Q89 that applications are processed in order of date received. Can anyone explain why some applications appear to be processed within a few weeks of receipt whilst (most) others take 6 months? In my opinion this does not (reasonably) tally with processing applications in order regardless of whether or not some are more complicated than others.

Assuming more complicated cases are dealt with separately, is there a document describing how applications might be filtered into either a 'complicated' or a 'simple' pile?

[nasatic]

Hi,

Date correction to my earlier post:

Acknowledgement received on 27/09/2012
Biometrics attended on 28/11/2012
ILR Approved - still waiting

This is 6 months and 3 weeks now and am still waiting. i wrote to the home office myself but i was told by people that that letter will go straight to the bin.
I have an appointment tomorrow to see my MP about this. This is ridiculous. i lost my job about a month ago and don't see how i can find one without a visa.

[mike_k]

Hi everyone. I have drafted the following letter of complaint to the UKBA. I have decided to post it here so that I can receive feedback/corrections before sending it early next week. Thanks to everyone (gmx and wherismyilr in particular) for your comments on my previous posts.

To whom it may concern,
The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention the fact that the applications for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the United Kingdom made by myself and my wife are still being processed six months after they were received by the UKBA. Six calendar months from the date of receipt is the length of time by which the UKBA advertises it will have processed 95% of applications. Whilst I appreciate that some applications must therefore take longer than six months, I have good reason to believe that nowhere near this percentage of applications made in the latter half of 2012 are processed within this time. I am also concerned about the order in which applications are processed once they are received by the UKBA. In the letter below I make two specific complaints regarding these points and also several suggestions as to how the UKBA may improve the services which it provides to applicants for ILR. However, before detailing these, I would like to draw to your attention the personal cost at which these delays have caused our family.
• My job requires me to occasionally travel overseas to meetings and conferences. I am currently unable to do so.
• We have been unable to take our new child overseas to meet his grandparents, or indeed to see our friends and other family members or to simply go on holiday.
My first point of complaint is with regards to the processing time of ILR applications. According to ref. [1] only 53% of ILR set (O) applications made in July 2012 were completed within six months. Similarly, only 51% of such applications made in August 2012 were completed within six months. This is significantly below the target of 95% which is clearly stated on the UKBA website. Advertising a service standard which the UKBA does not even come close to meeting is clearly misleading for applicants. Given that your passport is held whilst the application is being processed, I am sure that many applicants would not opt for the postal service if they knew their application was likely to take longer than six months, as opposed to having a 1 in 20 chance of it taking longer than six months if the advertised service standards were met.
I would propose that the UKBA publish statistics on the progress of postal ILR applications made within a certain month on its website. This would not only provide applicants with useful information when deciding whether to opt for the postal or premium route, but would also provide information for postal service applicants whose documents are currently being processed. Presumably such statistics are readily available, so I would not have thought that this would be a difficult task. I would also suggest that publishing this data would significantly reduce the number of requests for such information made through the freedom of information act, thus reducing the time spent by UKBA staff responding to such requests.
My second point of complaint is with regards to the order in which postal applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain are processed. According to statements made by the CEO of the UKBA, Mr Rob Whiteman, postal applications are processed in order of date received (footnote: This fact was stated twice in response to a question from the House of Commons home affairs committee (question 89 of ref. [2])). However, this statement appears to be in conflict with data contained in table 1 of ref. [3] which shows that at the time the data was collated (presumably the end of December 2012) a number of ILR set (O) applications made in each of the first eleven months of 2012 were pending whilst applications made in subsequent months had been processed. Whilst a certain amount of overlap is understandable, for example due to a complex application being worked on in parallel with simpler applications, or work being divided up unevenly between offices, the only way that I can reasonably interpret the data contained in ref. [3] is that applications are not in fact processed in order of receipt. For example, from table 1 of ref. [3], 325 applications made in November 2012 had been processed at the time the data was collated (presumably the end of December 2012) however, at this time 2565 applications made in July 2012 were still pending. I would be grateful if you could please clarify exactly what is the official policy of the UKBA regarding the order in which postal applications for ILR are processed and if this is official policy, what quality assurance procedures are in place to ensure it is adhered to? Finally, and more specifically, could you please explain why at the time at which the data in ref. [3] was collated, a large number of applications for ILR made in November of 2012 had been granted whilst a very significant number of applications made in July 2012 were still pending?

Yours faithfully,

mike_k

References
[1] https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... 026931.pdf
[2] http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... 03/603.pdf
[3] https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... 026061.pdf

[ubk]

Done.

SET(O) HSMP/Tier 1
Date of Application: 17-Sep-2012
Date of Acknowledgement: 19-Sep-2012
Date of Biometrics Done: 24-Nov-2012
Date of Approval Letter: 16-Apr-2013
Date BRP received: 19-Apr-2013

7 months.

Worth noting that at 6 months, I got my MP involved asking her to intervene. She responded saying she couldn't help unless I had compelling reasons but did say she sent a letter of enquiry to UKBA and would let me know of their response - I never got a response. At the same time, I also sent a letter of enquiry and a letter of complaint to UKBA but got no responses back.

Good luck.

[Wheresmyilr]

Good letter, it will be interesting to see if you get a straight answer or the usual Orwellian doublespeak. The typical answer where they talk about protecting the countries borders and numerous checks carried out with various government departments, trying to pretend there is any army of people beavering away on each application during the many many months it is with the UKBA when the reality is that apart form the few hours it actually takes to process an application it is simply gathering dust.

I had a couple of suggestions about how they could improve the service, not sure if you want to include because you probably don't want to overload the letter.

Like you a bit more transparencey around their processing stats would be useful, something like the recent FOI request showing the month by month breakdown. This would be even better if it was interactive enabling people to slice and dice it a little by additional attribute such as what type if Visa the applicant is currently on.

Another idea would be that on receiving an application the required passport details are check and the passports returned along with some sort of special visa renewable every six months at no cost until the application is completed.

But at the end of the day these suggestions are just designed to mitigate the fact that they can't get their act together. I don't know if you saw the recent C4 dispatches showing behind the scenes at the Sheffield office, I can't help feeling if they showed half the creativity and industriousness in actually processing applications as they seem to spend trying to recategoirse applications so they can pretend there is no backlog we would all be a lot better off.

The most frustrating part is that in terms of obligations and commitments it is all one way traffic. We are obliged to cross every t and dot every I, pay outrageous fees, meet strict deadlines, use the correct ever changing forms..... Make one mistake, miss a deadline by a single day, not have kept the correct piece of paper from five years ago and it is game over. From them there is no commitment or obligation to do anything withing any timeframe and not meeting and targets has no consequences whatsoever.

Sorry, this is turning into a bit of a rant rather than a helpful critique of your letter, I guess it's the frustration of feeling completely helpless and having no recourse to any legal mechanism which could force them to process an application in a timely manner. Dealing with the UKBA really makes you feel like a second class citizen with no rights.

Hi everyone. I have drafted the following letter of complaint to the UKBA. I have decided to post it here so that I can receive feedback/corrections before sending it early next week. Thanks to everyone (gmx and wherismyilr in particular) for your comments on my previous posts.

To whom it may concern,
This purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention the fact that the applications for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the United Kingdom made by myself and my wife are still being processed six months after they were received by the UKBA. Six calendar months from the date of receipt is the length of time by which the UKBA advertises it will have processed 95% of applications. Whilst I appreciate that some applications must therefore take longer than six months, I have good reason to believe that nowhere near this percentage of applications made in the latter half of 2012 are processed within this time. I am also concerned about the order in which applications are processed once they are received by the UKBA. In the letter below I make two specific complaints regarding these points and also several suggestions as to how the UKBA may improve the services which it provides to applicants for ILR. However, before detailing these, I would like to draw to your attention the personal cost at which these delays have caused our family.
• My job requires me to occasionally travel overseas to meetings and conferences. I am currently unable to do so.
• We have been unable to take our new child overseas to meet his grandparents, or indeed to see our friends and other family members or to simply go on holiday.
My first point of complaint is with regards to the processing time of ILR applications. According to ref. [1] only 53% of ILR set (O) applications made in July 2012 were completed within six months. Similarly, only 51% of such applications made in August 2012 were completed within six months. This is significantly below the target of 95% which is clearly stated on the UKBA website. Advertising a service standard which the UKBA does not even come close to meeting is clearly misleading for applicants. Given that your passport is held whilst the application is being processed, I am sure that many applicants would not opt for the postal service if they knew their application was likely to take longer than six months, as opposed to having a 1 in 20 chance of it taking longer than six months if the advertised service standards were met.
I would propose that the UKBA publish statistics on the progress of postal ILR applications made within a certain month on its website. This would not only provide applicants with useful information when deciding whether to opt for the postal or premium route, but would also provide information for postal service applicants whose documents are currently being processed. Presumably such statistics are readily available, so I would not have thought that this would be a difficult task. I would also suggest that publishing this data would significantly reduce the number of requests for such information made through the freedom of information act, thus reducing the time spent by UKBA staff responding to such requests.
My second point of complaint is with regards to the order in which postal applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain are processed. According to statements made by the CEO of the UKBA, Mr Rob Whiteman, postal applications are processed in order of date received (footnote: This fact was stated twice in response to a question from the House of Commons home affairs committee (question 89 of ref. [2])). However, this statement appears to be in conflict with data contained in table 1 of ref. [3] which shows that at the time the data was collated (presumably the end of December 2012) a number of ILR set (O) applications made in each of the first eleven months of 2012 were pending whilst applications made in subsequent months had been processed. Whilst a certain amount of overlap is understandable, for example due to a complex application being worked on in parallel with simpler applications, or work being divided up unevenly between offices, the only way that I can reasonably interpret the data contained in ref. [3] is that applications are not in fact processed in order of receipt. For example, from table 1 of ref. [3], 325 applications made in November 2012 had been processed at the time the data was collated (presumably the end of December 2012) however, at this time 2565 applications made in July 2012 were still pending. I would be grateful if you could please clarify exactly what is the official policy of the UKBA regarding the order in which postal applications for ILR are processed and if this is official policy, what quality assurance procedures are in place to ensure it is adhered to? Finally, and more specifically, could you please explain why at the time at which the data in ref. [3] was collated, a large number of applications for ILR made in November of 2012 had been granted whilst a very significant number of applications made in July 2012 were still pending?

Yours faithfully,

mike_k

References
[1] https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... 026931.pdf
[2] http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... 03/603.pdf
[3] https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... 026061.pdf

[gmx]

Both of you have already made very good case. I wonder what else I can add.

Important thing is to get it to the right person(s) who will READ it and TAKE ACTION upon it.

Not sure if I 've shared this: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... /uc924.pdf

You can jump to Q68 if you'd like and read the rest later

Good letter, it will be interesting to see if you get a straight answer or the usual Orwellian doublespeak. The typical answer where they talk about protecting the countries borders and numerous checks carried out with various government departments, trying to pretend there is any army of people beavering away on each application during the many many months it is with the UKBA when the reality is that apart form the few hours it actually takes to process an application it is simply gathering dust.

I had a couple of suggestions about how they could improve the service, not sure if you want to include because you probably don't want to overload the letter.

Like you a bit more transparencey around their processing stats would be useful, something like the recent FOI request showing the month by month breakdown. This would be even better if it was interactive enabling people to slice and dice it a little by additional attribute such as what type if Visa the applicant is currently on.

Another idea would be that on receiving an application the required passport details are check and the passports returned along with some sort of special visa renewable every six months at no cost until the application is completed.

But at the end of the day these suggestions are just designed to mitigate the fact that they can't get their act together. I don't know if you saw the recent C4 dispatches showing behind the scenes at the Sheffield office, I can't help feeling if they showed half the creativity and industriousness in actually processing applications as they seem to spend trying to recategoirse applications so they can pretend there is no backlog we would all be a lot better off.

The most frustrating part is that in terms of obligations and commitments it is all one way traffic. We are obliged to cross every t and dot every I, pay outrageous fees, meet strict deadlines, use the correct ever changing forms..... Make one mistake, miss a deadline by a single day, not have kept the correct piece of paper from five years ago and it is game over. From them there is no commitment or obligation to do anything withing any timeframe and not meeting and targets has no consequences whatsoever.

Sorry, this is turning into a bit of a rant rather than a helpful critique of your letter, I guess it's the frustration of feeling completely helpless and having no recourse to any legal mechanism which could force them to process an application in a timely manner. Dealing with the UKBA really makes you feel like a second class citizen with no rights.

Hi everyone. I have drafted the following letter of complaint to the UKBA. I have decided to post it here so that I can receive feedback/corrections before sending it early next week. Thanks to everyone (gmx and wherismyilr in particular) for your comments on my previous posts.

To whom it may concern,
This purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention the fact that the applications for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the United Kingdom made by myself and my wife are still being processed six months after they were received by the UKBA. Six calendar months from the date of receipt is the length of time by which the UKBA advertises it will have processed 95% of applications. Whilst I appreciate that some applications must therefore take longer than six months, I have good reason to believe that nowhere near this percentage of applications made in the latter half of 2012 are processed within this time. I am also concerned about the order in which applications are processed once they are received by the UKBA. In the letter below I make two specific complaints regarding these points and also several suggestions as to how the UKBA may improve the services which it provides to applicants for ILR. However, before detailing these, I would like to draw to your attention the personal cost at which these delays have caused our family.
• My job requires me to occasionally travel overseas to meetings and conferences. I am currently unable to do so.
• We have been unable to take our new child overseas to meet his grandparents, or indeed to see our friends and other family members or to simply go on holiday.
My first point of complaint is with regards to the processing time of ILR applications. According to ref. [1] only 53% of ILR set (O) applications made in July 2012 were completed within six months. Similarly, only 51% of such applications made in August 2012 were completed within six months. This is significantly below the target of 95% which is clearly stated on the UKBA website. Advertising a service standard which the UKBA does not even come close to meeting is clearly misleading for applicants. Given that your passport is held whilst the application is being processed, I am sure that many applicants would not opt for the postal service if they knew their application was likely to take longer than six months, as opposed to having a 1 in 20 chance of it taking longer than six months if the advertised service standards were met.
I would propose that the UKBA publish statistics on the progress of postal ILR applications made within a certain month on its website. This would not only provide applicants with useful information when deciding whether to opt for the postal or premium route, but would also provide information for postal service applicants whose documents are currently being processed. Presumably such statistics are readily available, so I would not have thought that this would be a difficult task. I would also suggest that publishing this data would significantly reduce the number of requests for such information made through the freedom of information act, thus reducing the time spent by UKBA staff responding to such requests.
My second point of complaint is with regards to the order in which postal applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain are processed. According to statements made by the CEO of the UKBA, Mr Rob Whiteman, postal applications are processed in order of date received (footnote: This fact was stated twice in response to a question from the House of Commons home affairs committee (question 89 of ref. [2])). However, this statement appears to be in conflict with data contained in table 1 of ref. [3] which shows that at the time the data was collated (presumably the end of December 2012) a number of ILR set (O) applications made in each of the first eleven months of 2012 were pending whilst applications made in subsequent months had been processed. Whilst a certain amount of overlap is understandable, for example due to a complex application being worked on in parallel with simpler applications, or work being divided up unevenly between offices, the only way that I can reasonably interpret the data contained in ref. [3] is that applications are not in fact processed in order of receipt. For example, from table 1 of ref. [3], 325 applications made in November 2012 had been processed at the time the data was collated (presumably the end of December 2012) however, at this time 2565 applications made in July 2012 were still pending. I would be grateful if you could please clarify exactly what is the official policy of the UKBA regarding the order in which postal applications for ILR are processed and if this is official policy, what quality assurance procedures are in place to ensure it is adhered to? Finally, and more specifically, could you please explain why at the time at which the data in ref. [3] was collated, a large number of applications for ILR made in November of 2012 had been granted whilst a very significant number of applications made in July 2012 were still pending?

Yours faithfully,

mike_k

References
[1] https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... 026931.pdf
[2] http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... 03/603.pdf
[3] https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... 026061.pdf

[varundhyani]

Whether you are thinking what I am thinking now -on what to do to set UKBA ILR process on alert and acountability?

I think time right and ripe to give legal spank to UKBA on unacceptable delay. Equally legal twist required on laws/guidelines to deal with ILR issue.

With heavy muddled beauracratic wall, UKBA is totally un-accountable.

By the way, is ILR application assessment a very specialist job? I think ILR applicant does a specialist job in setting and putting up the application with all documents. The applicant takes on maximum 15-30 days to do that job while the ASSESSOR dozes for most part of the six months and picks up to finish at 6+month period without being followed up.

And we pay fortunes to these very ASSESSORS along with our application.

UKBA is "smartly" served if they "outsource" this otherwise simple job rather than leave the applicant's anxiety, patience and purity at the hands of UKBA high handed officials.

By the way, just to update my general knowledge, is there any other country in this universe (Mars included!) where they take more than 6 months for processing any type of visa? If you know, do let me know. Atleast that will give me previlege and reason to take pride on UKBA!!

Regards

Varun Dhyani

[mike_k]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I spotted a few small typos but other than that I think I'll send this off to the UKBA and copy it to my MP with a separate covering letter explaining my personal situation.

gmx - that was an 'enraging read'!! cheers.

I agree with all of you here that the real issue is the lack of accountability. They simply have all the power and we have almost none.

The only ways that I can think of us being able to hold them to account is to either give them unwelcome media attention or alternatively bring legal action against them (ok legal action is unlikely, but dreams are free!!). Therefore, I wonder whether our next step should be to bring this to the attention of the media. Maybe if we got a few articles in some of the main broadsheets we might get the attention of a few MPs or lawyers. I am aware that there were a few articles in the TNT (?) magazine recently, however, maybe we need to go a bit more mainstream.

[balixonline]

glad to see some progress. Mate don't just stop sending out a complaint. Do send it recorded, give them 20 days including weekends, if no response chase it. Include copies of previous and write them again, give them 3 weeks and write them again. Nag them unless they listen.

If I were you, I would collect as maximum possible solid evidence and take them to court for loss of income n all. Believe you me, if people starts taking them to court for legal loss of income. They will make some positive changes to change the system.

Minimum standards, taking 6 months or more aren't an excuses or legal argument for them understand this.

I copy my recent complaint to UKBA also I have submitted a FOI request to see how many complaints they are in receipt of between 15 April 2012- 15April 2013. How many were successfully answered/solved and are there any procedures in place to determine level of customer satisfaction.

@Mike. I copy my complaint here, it may not be the best one but I try as everyone else : ). Oh also a suggestion, do write specific examples instead of general problems which you face. Honestly it does make a difference, may not immediate but if you were to take them to court later or would consider legal action. These specific examples makes a hell lot of difference. I have been there and I have practically experience the difference.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

I am writing to complain about the time the UKBA is taking to process my Indefinite Leave To Remain (SET M) application. My application was received by your office on 26 February 2013 and I had my biometrics done on 12 March 2013. I am to yet hear from UKBA for a decision on my application.

I understand not all applications are straight forward but being a professional and chartered secretary student I particularly made sure to include documents covering 100% of the requirements. I had also included supporting documents and arranged them in manner (indexing and numbering) that even a lay man would not have any difficulty finding any document let alone an immigration officer. Despite of all my best efforts I have been left wondering and waiting and surely this is not humane as I face difficulty in my day to day life. To summarize in a polite way it is a humiliating experience. Considering short space I state two of many problems my wife and I have experienced already:

(1) My car was in garage for necessary mechanical and body repair. I had no option but to rent a car to commute which was refused as I was not able to produce licence counterpart being it is with UKBA as a supporting proof of address causing loss of business for me.

(2) My licence was refused because the UKBA initial documentation does not clearly state my continued status in the UK. It took me 4 weeks writing back and forth eventually they temporary renewed it for 1 year instead of full three years, only when I officially informed them taking legal action for loss of income.

I do not have any immediate travel plans but my partner is being prevented from travelling abroad which is restricting her freedom of movement and is causing stress since she visit her paralyzed father abroad quiet frequently for his wellbeing.

All applicants have a right to be treated in a fair, considerate and timely manner which the Home Office is clearly failing to do at present. It is obvious to those of us unfortunate enough to have to deal with the UKBA that it is unfit for purpose, a situation that is only getting worse.

A friend of mine who was in a similar situation and who I personally prepared his ILR documentation for, did manage to get an appointment in UKBA Solihull office and travelled and same day was able to get his application approved, travelled the next day out of country as he had all his travel documents returned after a wait of few hours whereas my application who I can practically prove has more primary and secondary documents is still with UKBA unattended.

I was unable to attend UKBA office in person is due to non-availability for appointments on UKBA website (I can provide screen shots of which) also that my wife and I, both work and it isn’t always possible for us to make an appointment unless we plan ahead and mark it in diaries.

I would appreciate an explanation why the Home Office/UKBA can process similar application in person same day, often with no more than twenty to thirty minutes effort and a couple of days for Biometric Residence Permit to be issued yet keep postal applicants waiting for months. For this instance, both my friend’s and my application were prepared by me. My application with much more explained documents sent by post is still in process where as my friend’s application was dealt within 20 minutes just because managed to travel to your Solihull office in person.

I accept some applications are more complicated than others and enquiries are required on occasions but this does not account for the difference in service standards detailed on your website or on official published reports. If 90% of applications can be processed on the same day please explain why it is felt acceptable for 95% of, presumably similar, postal applications to take up to 6 – 12 months to be processed. The length of time for postal applications makes it difficult or impossible to find work because employers are not sure about the outcome of the application. This can and does lead to significant hardship for many families like myself.

Over the last few years the processing times appear to have increased from weeks to eighteen or more weeks. At the same time application fees have risen astronomically. Why is it taking up to months to complete applications that take minutes to process? What steps are being taken to improve the standards of service? Is it acceptable to use minimum standards as targets?

I am copying this letter of complaint to honourable Rob Whiteman (Chief Executive UKBA), Seema Malhotra, (MP Feltham & Heston) and Mark Harper MP (Minister of state of Immigration) and would greatly appreciate their time and response.

I await your response with interest!

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

[ukdreamer]

HI mike_k, i am with you, we need to protest this kind rules from UKBA, we are restricted for no reason..I made big mistake by sending by post, now i am ready to pay premium difference now and get my passport back.

Hi everyone, I am a long time reader of this forum, but this is my first post. My wife and I applied for ILR almost 6 months ago and have not heard anything since. We applied via the postal route on the basis that according to UKBA guidance "we will: decide 95% of postal applications within six months..." (http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas ... tingtimes/). Clearly we rolled the dice here, but I given those odds I thought it was better to wait a month or two extra rather than fork over the extra cash for the premium service. However, after finding this document

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... 026061.pdf

it is clear that the advertised standards are not even close to being met. The reply to the freedom of information request referenced above is dated 5/4/13, so that means that September applicants have been waiting for longer than six months. However, 78% of applications are still pending. The statistics for the previous 2 months are almost as bad (both have 66% still pending).

This has had quite an impact on my life. We have not been able to travel back to see friends and family. My parents have not been able to see their new grandson, etc. Aside from the emotional/family stuff, I do feel that this delay has also come with a financial penalty. I have not been able to travel for work, and this is beginning to impact on my ability to do my job. I am an expert in a specialist field of engineering. My work requires me to travel occasionally to meet with other technical specialists - particularly if we are working on collaborative projects funded via the EU. Obviously I have not been able to fulfill this component of my job and I feel this is beginning to harm my career progression. However, given the application has been with the UKBA so long, I am loathe to pull it now and lose the £1500 application fee.

Given the above, I am eager to hear the opinions of those on this forum about the possibility of seeking compensation from the UKBA for the inconvenience that they are causing. The grounds for the action would be that the UKBA do not accurately advertise their processing times and that this misadvertisment induces people to apply via the postal route at significant emotional/financial cost. I am not too sure about proceeding with a case by myself, but am interested in hearing your thoughts on whether it would be possible to organise a class-action type lawsuit to prosecute this case.

[gmx]

Regarding the number of complaints they have received, you can read this one (up to Q3 2012):

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... iew=Binary

* The number of service complaints for first three Quarters of 2012 have already exceeded the whole of 2011
* Percentage completed within service standard are decreasing

I might be wrong but those are the facts

glad to see some progress. Mate don't just stop sending out a complaint. Do send it recorded, give them 20 days including weekends, if no response chase it. Include copies of previous and write them again, give them 3 weeks and write them again. Nag them unless they listen.

If I were you, I would collect as maximum possible solid evidence and take them to court for loss of income n all. Believe you me, if people starts taking them to court for legal loss of income. They will make some positive changes to change the system.

Minimum standards, taking 6 months or more aren't an excuses or legal argument for them understand this.

I copy my recent complaint to UKBA also I have submitted a FOI request to see how many complaints they are in receipt of between 15 April 2012- 15April 2013. How many were successfully answered/solved and are there any procedures in place to determine level of customer satisfaction.

@Mike. I copy my complaint here, it may not be the best one but I try as everyone else : ). Oh also a suggestion, do write specific examples instead of general problems which you face. Honestly it does make a difference, may not immediate but if you were to take them to court later or would consider legal action. These specific examples makes a hell lot of difference. I have been there and I have practically experience the difference.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

I am writing to complain about the time the UKBA is taking to process my Indefinite Leave To Remain (SET M) application. My application was received by your office on 26 February 2013 and I had my biometrics done on 12 March 2013. I am to yet hear from UKBA for a decision on my application.

I understand not all applications are straight forward but being a professional and chartered secretary student I particularly made sure to include documents covering 100% of the requirements. I had also included supporting documents and arranged them in manner (indexing and numbering) that even a lay man would not have any difficulty finding any document let alone an immigration officer. Despite of all my best efforts I have been left wondering and waiting and surely this is not humane as I face difficulty in my day to day life. To summarize in a polite way it is a humiliating experience. Considering short space I state two of many problems my wife and I have experienced already:

(1) My car was in garage for necessary mechanical and body repair. I had no option but to rent a car to commute which was refused as I was not able to produce licence counterpart being it is with UKBA as a supporting proof of address causing loss of business for me.

(2) My licence was refused because the UKBA initial documentation does not clearly state my continued status in the UK. It took me 4 weeks writing back and forth eventually they temporary renewed it for 1 year instead of full three years, only when I officially informed them taking legal action for loss of income.

I do not have any immediate travel plans but my partner is being prevented from travelling abroad which is restricting her freedom of movement and is causing stress since she visit her paralyzed father abroad quiet frequently for his wellbeing.

All applicants have a right to be treated in a fair, considerate and timely manner which the Home Office is clearly failing to do at present. It is obvious to those of us unfortunate enough to have to deal with the UKBA that it is unfit for purpose, a situation that is only getting worse.

A friend of mine who was in a similar situation and who I personally prepared his ILR documentation for, did manage to get an appointment in UKBA Solihull office and travelled and same day was able to get his application approved, travelled the next day out of country as he had all his travel documents returned after a wait of few hours whereas my application who I can practically prove has more primary and secondary documents is still with UKBA unattended.

I was unable to attend UKBA office in person is due to non-availability for appointments on UKBA website (I can provide screen shots of which) also that my wife and I, both work and it isn’t always possible for us to make an appointment unless we plan ahead and mark it in diaries.

I would appreciate an explanation why the Home Office/UKBA can process similar application in person same day, often with no more than twenty to thirty minutes effort and a couple of days for Biometric Residence Permit to be issued yet keep postal applicants waiting for months. For this instance, both my friend’s and my application were prepared by me. My application with much more explained documents sent by post is still in process where as my friend’s application was dealt within 20 minutes just because managed to travel to your Solihull office in person.

I accept some applications are more complicated than others and enquiries are required on occasions but this does not account for the difference in service standards detailed on your website or on official published reports. If 90% of applications can be processed on the same day please explain why it is felt acceptable for 95% of, presumably similar, postal applications to take up to 6 – 12 months to be processed. The length of time for postal applications makes it difficult or impossible to find work because employers are not sure about the outcome of the application. This can and does lead to significant hardship for many families like myself.

Over the last few years the processing times appear to have increased from weeks to eighteen or more weeks. At the same time application fees have risen astronomically. Why is it taking up to months to complete applications that take minutes to process? What steps are being taken to improve the standards of service? Is it acceptable to use minimum standards as targets?

I am copying this letter of complaint to honourable Rob Whiteman (Chief Executive UKBA), Seema Malhotra, (MP Feltham & Heston) and Mark Harper MP (Minister of state of Immigration) and would greatly appreciate their time and response.

I await your response with interest!

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

[varundhyani]

Dear all,

I need information from those candidates who have already received ILR. May I know what date they are granted ILR i.e choose among the following:
___Is it the date when your date of expiry of last visa extension?
----Is is the date when they posted the ILR acceptance letter?
___ Or is it some other date?

I heard that post 1 yr from the date one gets ILR, one can apply for Citizenship. So the date on which ILR awarded becomes critical that way.

Particularly for people like me who submitted ILR application on 10th September 2012, had visa expiring on 8th Oct 2012 and have not received ILR yet even after 7 m onths.

If I get the ILR, say for hypothetical case, tomorrow with ILR date of tommorow would mean I have lost 7 months of time in applying for Citizenship. Or in other words, the delay in applying for date for citizenship.

If anybody knows on this, do please reply to my thread.

Regards

Varun Dhyani