SAR - Subject Access Request

[hoods24]

Hi,

Sorry if not posting in the right place. I wanted to ask if anyone has recently requested subject access request from UKVI?

1. How do they send you the requested information? Is it by post or email?

2. How long does it take to process the request? It says 40 days but I’ve heard it may take months?

[Frontier Mole]

It is usually printed matter rather than electronic format. However it depends on what records there are, how / when they were created and how they are stored currently. The older the information the more likely it will held as hard copy only, it would be more likely to be photocopied rather than scanned.

Time - unless the case is recent (3-5 years), there is minimal records and not a complex case you are unlikely to get your SAR answered in the stated 40 days. It can take weeks for cases to even retrieve archived files from storage facilities. Most storage facilities are not owned or managed by the Home Office so that can add considerable time.