Immigrationboards.com

Posted: **Tue Nov 06, 2012 1:14 pm**

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/e ... ing-328598

UKBA wrote:You have also enquired as to why it takes a long time to issue a certificate of application in respect of EEA 2 applications submitted. The European casework department endeavours to issue certificates of application within 10 days of receipt of a valid application where possible. I can confirm that there is currently no reported delay in issuing certificate of applications where valid applications are received. If you have waited longer than 10 days for a certificate of application to be issued, please contact the Immigration Enquiry Bureau on 0870 606 7766. A certificate of application confirms the applicant's entitlement to seek employment, and is valid for a period of six months.

This is quite interesting. I have earlier asked and been told UKBA has no target at all for when the COA, which must be issued "immediately" by law, should be issued.

Posted: **Tue Nov 06, 2012 1:56 pm**

I think the key word is their response is valid applications. It can take them weeks until an application is validated (I suspected mainly due to backlog/understaffed).

Also, it nice that they have targets, but if (according to their own admission. See below the response to this FOI), they can’t easily retrieve data related to the CoA, then there is no easy way for them to check they actually meet the target.

We are only able to report on data that is captured in certain mandatory fields on the UK Border Agency’s Case Information Database (CID). Additional data relating to specific details of a case are only recorded in the case notes sections within the database or held solely on the case file. This is the case with regard to issuing the COA.

Posted: **Tue Nov 06, 2012 2:06 pm**

I agree with you partially.

But "within 10 days of receipt of a valid application" is implies that it is 10 days from receipt. They obviously do not issue the COA ever when it is an invalid application.

Posted: **Tue Nov 06, 2012 3:44 pm**

My guess is they currently score a whopping 0 (zero) % against this target.
Does anyone know somebody who actually received a CoA within 10 days??

And would this also mean that whenever the UK government (or a local council, or the police, etc.) requires me to do something immediately, I can wait for 10 days (calendar days or working days) with impunity??

Posted: **Tue Nov 06, 2012 4:17 pm**

fysicus wrote:Does anyone know somebody who actually received a CoA within 10 days??

I do - Me!: My CoA (for PR) was issued in 4 days and I received it on the 9th day.

It might be worth mentioning that I also applied 6 weeks in advance of my 5th anniversary.

Posted: **Tue Nov 06, 2012 8:47 pm**

fysicus wrote:And would this also mean that whenever the UK government (or a local council, or the police, etc.) requires me to do something immediately, I can wait for 10 days (calendar days or working days) with impunity??

I had a similar thought! :D Any maybe also with tax payment?

Immigrationboards.com

COA target: 10 days

COA target: 10 days