OLD FLR(M) waiting times Thread

[Phdswati]

How in the world are applications in June getting approved before those submitted in Feb, Mar, Apr, and May? What is the miracle queue jumping magic going on?

I was wondering the same myself.

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/f ... ing-318946

I don't think I asked the quesiton in a way that will get me a good answer. But this is what happens after 7 months of frustration!

I m impressed the way you ask the questions, it's mine 7th month as well 27 th feb and as for as I can see my application was pretty straight forward. Will look closely and do the same if I haven't heard any news on mine although I have sent a complaint without any acknowledgement.
Welldone

[LE80]

Thanks both but I think for the second part of the question, at best they will just say that some cases are complex and are taking longer. Since they won't define a complex case, or tell an applicant when their case is considered complex, I have no evidence on which to challenge that sort of answer, which we know to be untrue.

I am getting worried because we plan to spend Christmas in Australia, something which is important to the family. I think we will have to consult a solicitor about the implications of cancelling the application (after all this time) and then applying from within Aus.

I hate that it has gotten to this, never in my wildest dreams did I think it would take this long, and I would like some answers.

[slamminsamuns]

Hi all,

My girlfriend and I have been following this forum for a while.

She is Australian and was in the UK on a youth mobility visa (expiring in July 2012). She submitted the spousal visa application in May and we were slightly worried about getting the documents back, as we planned to go travelling in November to Russia.

We were advised that one way to hurry up simple applications was to ask for the passports to be returned for ID purposes only. Apparently the UKBA have to return your docs if you need them for identification. We made sure they understood that the application was not being withdrawn and they were fine with returning both passports.

8 days later the passports arrived, along with notification that the residency permit would be delivered. 4 days later this arrived.

Might not work for everyone, but is certainly worth a try.

[Roadmaster]

Hi there -

Update on my case which is turning out to be a nightmare.

Has anybody after a long wait received their application back as invalid with all documentation returned? I applied 3 July online with online payment and all my documentation was returned stating I used the incorrect version of the form? I cannot see how this is possible if I used the online method.

I assume this leaves me in a position where I will have to re-file a new application under the new rules? It is so frustrating having all the documentation returned with an application that I would have categorised as a very easy application!

Any advice or similar status information will be appreciated.

[Skonky]

To road master......

I'm not aware of an online application form for the flrm if u are within the uk......so perhaps it was the wrong one?

[Dsin]

Hi there -

Update on my case which is turning out to be a nightmare.

Has anybody after a long wait received their application back as invalid with all documentation returned? I applied 3 July online with online payment and all my documentation was returned stating I used the incorrect version of the form? I cannot see how this is possible if I used the online method.

I assume this leaves me in a position where I will have to re-file a new application under the new rules? It is so frustrating having all the documentation returned with an application that I would have categorised as a very easy application!

Any advice or similar status information will be appreciated.

I don't see how the form could be the wrong one either. We applied online in June, had the acknowledgment letter after 10 days and the biometrics in August. Nothing since - I hope they won't return it as invalid as my husband would then have to leave the country since his fiancé visa has expired.

Someone else posted on here that they applied online and it was returned as invalid. Their solicitor wrote back saying that if that was the case it was their fault for putting the wrong form online. Not sure if going to a solicitor is an option for you? Gets expensive but perhaps worth getting some initial advice?

[Skonky]

Where exactly on the web is the flrm online application form ?

[Roadmaster]

Dsin - I agree. At the time of my application I chose the FLR(M) application document that was available online.

When I say Online application - it is an electronic form that you can fill in like an active /editable PDF document. After the document is completed you pay online and it generates the PDF document that you then print out and post to them with all your supporting documents.

I did seek legal advice today and will make a decision in the morning. I am on a ICT tier 2 visa at the moment but will have to stop work with no income until this is resolved. It feels unbelievable that their actions can have such profound impacts on people’s lives.

I will really appreciate if anybody that applied in July can share their document version number with me. The form I completed was version 2.0.4.

[rockstar1]

wow we are on the same deck. I submitted my application on 12 June 2012 and enrolled my bio-metrics on 08 August as same as you did. Have you got any response afterwards ?

So our biometrics letter arrived today and we have already enrolled our biometrics! Our new timeline is:

Application submitted: 26 June 2012
Acknowledgement received: 3 July 2012 (dated 29 June 2012)
Biometrics letter received: 8 August 2012 (dated 3 August 2012)
Biometrics enrolled: 8 August 2012
Documents: waiting
Biometric permit: waiting

Planning to send out another letter requesting urgent treatment for my (sponsor) passport and for the whole application just in case.

To be continued...

[Dsin]

wow we are on the same deck. I submitted my application on 12 June 2012 and enrolled my bio-metrics on 08 August as same as you did. Have you got any response afterwards ?

So our biometrics letter arrived today and we have already enrolled our biometrics! Our new timeline is:

Application submitted: 26 June 2012
Acknowledgement received: 3 July 2012 (dated 29 June 2012)
Biometrics letter received: 8 August 2012 (dated 3 August 2012)
Biometrics enrolled: 8 August 2012
Documents: waiting
Biometric permit: waiting

Planning to send out another letter requesting urgent treatment for my (sponsor) passport and for the whole application just in case.

To be continued...

We're also on the same timeline - applied on June 10th online, payment taken the same day and biometrics enrolled on 7th August. Haven't heard anything since.

Will post on here if we do get any news. Frustrated that later applications are being resolved sooner - can't imagine how all those waiting since Feb/Mar must be feeling. There doesn't seem to be any recognition of the fact that people's entire lives are on hold waiting for the visa to come through.

[Dsin]

Dsin - I agree. At the time of my application I chose the FLR(M) application document that was available online.

When I say Online application - it is an electronic form that you can fill in like an active /editable PDF document. After the document is completed you pay online and it generates the PDF document that you then print out and post to them with all your supporting documents.

I did seek legal advice today and will make a decision in the morning. I am on a ICT tier 2 visa at the moment but will have to stop work with no income until this is resolved. It feels unbelievable that their actions can have such profound impacts on people’s lives.

I will really appreciate if anybody that applied in July can share their document version number with me. The form I completed was version 2.0.4.

Hi there,

I've just checked the form we completed and it says 2.0.5 in the top right hand corner so I guess that's the version number? We completed this on the 10th June. We answered some questions first which amended the form to suit your application (ie; it didn't ask about us to prove our relationship as we had already done that at the fiance visa stage). We then had to fill in a few pages and yes, we got a printable PDF at the end of it which we posted off along with the payment receipt.

It looks like we had a different form to you but regadrless of that - how could you have completed the wrong form if it was an online application? Surely the links just lead you to the form and you complete it. You don't have an option to choose a 'wrong' version??

Keep us updated - I really hope you make some progress with your application. We'll keep our fingers crossed for you!

[loziecanuck]

Hi LE80. I too have a trip booked two weeks from today. Im pretty sure that I am not going.
I am so frustrated that June July applicants are getting their leave approved so quickly. I have contacted my MP to request expedition of my case, but apparently holidays are not considered valid compassionate grounds for approval.

I reckon that the UKBA are prioritising June, July Aug applications so they can meet those performance targets! As in the March April May apps are a lost cause in terms of KPIs so they are just not bothering with them. (lets put it this way- my MP caseworker did not *disagree* with my hypothesis...)

In terms of sending letters and faxes, I have tried all of the above- I even got to the point of sending 2 faxes per day to sheffield to get them to pay attention. On Friday I got a letter from the UKBA telling me they would not speed up my case. 5 months of waiting.

Tier2- FLRM
Applied 3 May
Biometrics- 22nd May
requested husbands passport back 11th May
(husband missed holiday....)
then nothing.....
and more nothing.....

I applaud those who are writing to UKBA under freedom of information. I think that if a critical mass of people complain about the services then we will be heard. I plan on filing a formal complaint via the ombudsman.

Good luck everyone and congrats those of you who have been successful

[backagain]

Thank you for the great information and tips. Seems the critical mass of discontent is growing with every post-May application that is approved. While I am happy that their pain is ended, those of that have endured longer have reached our limit. The search engine in this forum is not precise. If anybody has the information readily available, can you concisely post the following for the benefit of all?

1. The link for Request Return of Documents
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... ent-return

2. Information on filing a complaint with UKBA, the Home Office, or specific influencer of Home Office policy and customer service.

3. Recommendations for contacting the media. With all the news about illegal persons and a botched immigration policy, some news group should be interested in a mass of legitimate people wanting to be here and contribute to the economic growth and recovery of this country. Especially if it is true that the UKBA is skipping older applications to process newer ones for the sake of fudging their numbers.

(We are requesting docs back today for my wife so she can travel for work. We did not expect to have to go past 6 month in waiting.)

[kshah]

Hi all,

My girlfriend and I have been following this forum for a while.

She is Australian and was in the UK on a youth mobility visa (expiring in July 2012). She submitted the spousal visa application in May and we were slightly worried about getting the documents back, as we planned to go travelling in November to Russia.

We were advised that one way to hurry up simple applications was to ask for the passports to be returned for ID purposes only. Apparently the UKBA have to return your docs if you need them for identification. We made sure they understood that the application was not being withdrawn and they were fine with returning both passports.

8 days later the passports arrived, along with notification that the residency permit would be delivered. 4 days later this arrived.

Might not work for everyone, but is certainly worth a try.

Hello slamminsamuns,

Congratulations for getting your passport back.

Can I ask, when you told them that you need passport for ID purposes, do you have to elaborate on it...like require passport for job / travel etc or just said identification ? Do they ask for specific reason ?
Did requesting main applicant passport not treated as withdrawing application ? Are you from Non EU nation ?

I'm planning to request main applicant passport back but just worried that it will treated as withdrawn and also the reason to give.

Your help will really help. MY FLR M application is approaching six month mark with no clear resolution.

Thanks

[Roadmaster]

Dsin - I agree. At the time of my application I chose the FLR(M) application document that was available online.

When I say Online application - it is an electronic form that you can fill in like an active /editable PDF document. After the document is completed you pay online and it generates the PDF document that you then print out and post to them with all your supporting documents.

I did seek legal advice today and will make a decision in the morning. I am on a ICT tier 2 visa at the moment but will have to stop work with no income until this is resolved. It feels unbelievable that their actions can have such profound impacts on people’s lives.

I will really appreciate if anybody that applied in July can share their document version number with me. The form I completed was version 2.0.4.

Hi there,

I've just checked the form we completed and it says 2.0.5 in the top right hand corner so I guess that's the version number? We completed this on the 10th June. We answered some questions first which amended the form to suit your application (ie; it didn't ask about us to prove our relationship as we had already done that at the fiance visa stage). We then had to fill in a few pages and yes, we got a printable PDF at the end of it which we posted off along with the payment receipt.

It looks like we had a different form to you but regadrless of that - how could you have completed the wrong form if it was an online application? Surely the links just lead you to the form and you complete it. You don't have an option to choose a 'wrong' version??

Keep us updated - I really hope you make some progress with your application. We'll keep our fingers crossed for you!

Yes - I completed in the same way you have described here. My options were different as I was switching from Tier 2. Anyway as stated my version was 2.0.4 and was turned down as invalid. I will update hopefully soon.

[loziecanuck]

In response to the return of ID, I am fairly certain that if the applicants passport is returned then the application is considered withdrawn. I have asked several UKBA officers about this, as well as my MP and this is the case. Additionally, I received a letter from them on Friday basically telling me to stop calling, faxing etc as they were not going to speed up the case.

Enclosed was a withdrawl application so i am fairly certain that asking for your passport back =cancelled application.

Any May people having luck as of yet?

[loziecanuck]

[quote="backagain"]Thank you for the great information and tips. Seems the critical mass of discontent is growing with every post-May application that is approved. While I am happy that their pain is ended, those of that have endured longer have reached our limit. The search engine in this forum is not precise. If anybody has the information readily available, can you concisely post the following for the benefit of all?

1. The link for Request Return of Documents
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... ent-return

2. Information on filing a complaint with UKBA, the Home Office, or specific influencer of Home Office policy and customer service.

3. Recommendations for contacting the media. With all the news about illegal persons and a botched immigration policy, some news group should be interested in a mass of legitimate people wanting to be here and contribute to the economic growth and recovery of this country. Especially if it is true that the UKBA is skipping older applications to process newer ones for the sake of fudging their numbers.

(We are requesting docs back today for my wife so she can travel for work. We did not expect to have to go past 6 month in waiting.)[/quote]


Backagain I am so with you on this. maybe try local paper first and see what happens?? I am filing a case with the ombudsman for NHS/parliament. Your MP has to action/endorse it for you. You also have to have tried to contact the UKBA complaints to resolve the case on your own first. As 20 business days have passed since my complaint, I am now asking my MP to take it further.

I appreciate that my case is not as complex/worrying as others as I am currently still able to work. However what about all the people on this forum who are restricted from working? It's truly unjust.

[cityboy25]

Hi mates,
have filled the form "http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... ent-return" for return of document twice to ask for return of my spouse passport and each time they reply me with "Thank you for your request for return of documents.
In order to return the documents you have requested, we need the form to be completed by the document owner.
Please resubmit the form to the usual email address."
Has anyone fill this form before to request a documents back because, to me there is no place in the form that indicated who is making the request.
Can someone please help me out as we need the passport back.

My timeline:
FLR M applied on 6th of February 2012
Acknowledgement letter received
Biometric letter received
Biometric completed
Document return: still waiting!!!
Biometric card: still waiting!!!

[LE80]

Hi mates,
have filled the form "http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... ent-return" for return of document twice to ask for return of my spouse passport and each time they reply me with "Thank you for your request for return of documents.
In order to return the documents you have requested, we need the form to be completed by the document owner.
Please resubmit the form to the usual email address."
Has anyone fill this form before to request a documents back because, to me there is no place in the form that indicated who is making the request.
Can someone please help me out as we need the passport back.

My timeline:
FLR M applied on 6th of February 2012
Acknowledgement letter received
Biometric letter received
Biometric completed
Document return: still waiting!!!
Biometric card: still waiting!!!

I would recommend calling them to request the passport back, but it should be your spouse who does so.

[Shehz16]

FLR M applied on 2nd July 2012
Payment out of the bank: 5th July 2012
Acknowledgement letter: 10th July 2012
Biometric letter received on 28th August 2012
Biometric completed on 3th Sept 2012
Document return: still waiting!!!
Biometric card: still waiting!!!


Did any guys apply on July or 2nd of July received their visa granted. Please help.
Thanks

[Roadmaster]

FLR M applied on 2nd July 2012
Payment out of the bank: 5th July 2012
Acknowledgement letter: 10th July 2012
Biometric letter received on 28th August 2012
Biometric completed on 3th Sept 2012
Document return: still waiting!!!
Biometric card: still waiting!!!


Did any guys apply on July or 2nd of July received their visa granted. Please help.
Thanks

I applied on the 3rd July and below is my update -

FLR(M) applied online – 3 July 2012
Payment out of the bank: 3 Jul 2012
Acknowledgement letter dated: 13 July 2012
Biometric letter received: 14 September 2012
Biometrics letter dated: 12 September 2012
Biometric submitted: 14 September 2012
4 October 2012 - All documents returned and application labelled as invalid after 3 months of waiting.

It is clear that they have not even looked at any of my supporting documents. They waited 3 months to claim that I have used an incorrect version of the application form but I applied online using their website to produce the correct application form.

I thought these things only happen in 3rd world countries but apparently not. How it could have taken them 3 months to inform someone that they have used the wrong form is beyond me. They play with people’s lives and they get away with it.

[Merianz]

At Roadmaster i come from a third World country and the most time the process a Visa is only 3 weeks.They never delay like what i have seen in the UK ,this is the most incompetent Country i have ever seen in my life ,It is like they are doing this for free thus making our life impearable.

My timeline


FLR M applied on 13th February 2012
Acknowledgement letter: 16th February 2012
Biometric letter received on 16th March 2012
Biometric completed on 26th March 2012
Document return: still waiting!!!
Biometric card: still waiting!!
Visa Type : FLR(M) for spouse
Visa From:Fiancee

[waitwaitwait]

Well i have officially completed 8 months on 8th october and started 9th month of wait now.
Even a baby is born in 9 months in actual life, dont know why it takes that long for people to decide our application after charging us £550
We have written to our mp, damian green , theresa may. Each time ukba sent standard response.
Even my solicitor got standard response few days ago" in order for us to be fair to all applicants we decide applications on the basis of date they are applied, please wait for your turn". If that is true then how come people who applying in may june july getting their visas? I fail to understand.
Dont know how long we need to wait and why?

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: waiting
Date Docs received: waiting

Visa type: FLR(M)
From - Tier 4

[2222]

Still no changes to my long waiting time!! 7 months and 15 days now since I applied.

FLR M applied on 27th February 2012
Money 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
Document return: still waiting!!!
Biometric card: still waiting!!!

Any February applicants still waiting????

[Phdswati]

Still no changes to my long waiting time!! 7 months and 15 days now since I applied.

FLR M applied on 27th February 2012
Money 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
Document return: still waiting!!!
Biometric card: still waiting!!!

Any February applicants still waiting????

Hello 222
I have exact same dates as yours and am still waiting. So you aren't alone.