Still Waiting After 8 & half months

[BigSam]

Thanks for your best wishes mate!! I have only been waiting for over 3 months and the wait is killing me. Some applications are approved in a matter of 3-4 weeks while some people wait anything from 2 months to over a year as we can see here...

I have been here for 11 years (all residance extensions made in time) and I only ever paid taxes, I never claimed any benefit of any kind. Yet, I still appreciate that I get to apply for citizenship. It is unfortunate that there is no time scale for applications though

When I ordered pizza delivery for me and the lads at work yesterday, I had a timescale of 20-30 minutes, if Dominos said you can wait anytihng from 20 minutes to 10 years, I wouldn't have bothered!!!

Only if the naturalisation application was that simple

Good luck to you too. And of course to Roney, Malik, Black Hole, RonK chicona, me.... and everyone else still waiting...

[SpokenHands]

I would collect a chronological trail of all correspondence and make an appt with the MP at his/her surgery. I would explain my case in a polite, organised way stressing you have waited a fair and reasonable time, and the ongoing delay is now causing you upset.

I would request specifically that The MPs office write to the UKBAs MP Enquiry Team about reason for delay and expected timeframe for consideration. This should take 1-2 weeks and the MPs office will come back to you with details they have been told.

At this stage, ask for another appt with the MP to discuss your options(gt advice here).

I have followed this simple but effective approach twice with excellent results. My MP spoke to he CEO of the UKBA Rob Whiteman once, when all reasonable efforts to query a delayed response were unsatisfactory; before suggesting to Mr Whiteman he was happy to raise the issue with the minister. Matter sorted in 1 day.

[BigSam]

Thanks for your adveise SpokenHands! Could you please give us more details about your experience?

1- I take it in both cases, you waited six months first?
2- After the six months, you made a formal complaint to UKBA?
3- They responded with a vague answer and no target date for a decision?
4- You saw your MP?

Thanks again, your experience is highly appreciated

[SpokenHands]

Hello:

I was making a formal complaint about UKBA in the first instance using the guidelines I provided to other forum members here previously - http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=116167

1. Following the complaint, I waited 4 months - but made several phone/email requests for information when i did not receive any UKBA correspondence at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks or 16 weeks.
2. After 4 months, I made an appt with my MP who agreed with my chronological evidence of poor service levels and unsatisfactory response. His office wrote to the UKBA's MP Enquiry Team - who responded within 2 weeks with a vague and unhelpful answer to the MP (and subsequently to me)
3. I made another appt with my MP who agreed this was unsatisfactory and last week, spoke to the CEO of the UKBA in advance of bringing up the matter with the Immigration Minister (not about the case itself - that decision rests with the UKBA within the guidelines of law) but about the delay and poor service levels, and the effects on the applicants.
4. I heard from the UKBA the next day in a more satisfactory manner.

Whilst both my interventions with the UKBA do NOT refer to Citizenship applications in themselves, the process can be applied alternatively to waiting in distress indefinitely after a fair and reasonable time has elapsed (especially if there is a processing time standard set out).

NOTE: this has no impact on outcome of the case (that rests entirely on due application of law) but it does ensure 'lost cases' are treated as a matter of urgency.

[BigSam]

Thanks a lot SpokenHands! Yes I saw your other thread, I am sure this will be useful to many lost cases.

Just one final thing please, am I right in assuming that you waited 6 months from the date of your application before you made the complaint? so all in all you waited for 10+ months?

Thanks

[SpokenHands]

Yes.

I have heard anecdotally that some MPs are unhelpful. I cannot comment on all, and i guess some don't care enough or take the time and trouble to understand the nuances of a case if the complainant hasnt taken the trouble to present the case properly itself. I prepared a detailed briefing note citing due section of the immigration law, UKBA case worker guidance and all relevant appendices; my complaint itself was very well-evidenced; and so I have always been treated with great courtesy and professionalism. It helps my MP is also a Tory whip, I suppose.

AGAIN: this does not change the outcome of the decision, only ensures that the case is taken up in a satisfactory manner with a professional response to the complainant.

Thank you.

[BigSam]

Ok thanks for your help mate!!

All the best

[Blackhole]

Hello:


3. I made another appt with my MP who agreed this was unsatisfactory and last week, spoke to the CEO of the UKBA in advance of bringing up the matter with the Immigration Minister (not about the case itself - that decision rests with the UKBA within the guidelines of law) but about the delay and poor service levels, and the effects on the applicants.

can u provide a sample of your letter or at least part of it

as i am planing to give it a try?

thanks mate