Intend to marriage visa

[danielle]

Hiya,
I need some reassurance / guidance over my visa application. I am Australian and my fiance is Welsh.
I lived with my partner/fiance for two years in the UK. As my visa was due to expire we decided to settle in Australia together this year. But were unable to sell or rent our house in Wales due to economic downturn.
So we've decided to continue our life together in the UK, me applying for the intend to marry visa.
The FAQ section on the visa website said my application should take 25 days to process. But, it's been longer than that.
If it was 25 days from when I pressed "apply" on the keyboard and paid for the application - I should have had a visa two weeks ago.
If it was 25 days from when I got my biometric info taken and sent doc's to ACT - I should have got my visa on Friday.
It's now Monday and I'm starting to get worried.

Does anyone know how long it actually takes for an Australian to get a fiance's visa approved??

Any comment appreciated, D.

[Casa]

Are you applying from Australia? You intend to marry in the UK within 6 months of arrival?

[danielle]

Yes. I'm in Melbourne now. Was hoping to return to the UK by the end of April, don't think that's going to happen now (have to give notice at work).
Plan to set a date and get married as soon as I get back. Already got the dress.

[Casa]

I know this isn't the news you may be hoping for, but fiance and settlement visas appear to be taking around 12 weeks at present from Oz. There's a lengthy thread on this on www.ukresident.com/forums

[danielle]

You're right, I didn't want to hear that. But, thanks for your comments and the link.
Just wondering why they would advertise 25 days if it's nowhere near that in actual fact. Bugger!