BRP(RC) applications

[plantagenetgirlchild]

Thanks! Fingers crossed big time

[rajbiometric]

have anyone got biometric card......recently?

[rajbiometric]

Actually, the fact that so many people are posting here (with almost exactly the same story, i.e. five weeks between sending in and receiving biometric letter, then a long wait after biometrics) makes me think that the UKBA is just overworked/behind. I saw from the website that for many of the actual permit applications (as opposed to our replacement id cards) they are looking at applications where the person had their biometrics done in mid-Feb! So maybe they are just backlogged with everything.

Still if anyone does get there card (or has done so already, recently) it would be great to know the timeline details!

have u received ur document or biometric cards?

[zaheeruk]

My tinelines

Applied: 31st Jan 2012
First Letter: 4th Feb 2012
Biometric Letter received: 18th April 2012
Biometrics done: 19th April 2012
Passport received: 24th April 2012
Card received: 02nd May 2012. The card is with DX. will be delivered tomorrow.

Please do not go by the quick turnaround in biometrics and card received. My biometric letter was sent after 8 weeks due to teh case worker forgetting to send the letter. The letter was sent only after i called UKBA.

[rajbiometric]

My tinelines

Applied: 31st Jan 2012
First Letter: 4th Feb 2012
Biometric Letter received: 18th April 2012
Biometrics done: 19th April 2012
Passport received: 24th April 2012
Card received: 02nd May 2012. The card is with DX. will be delivered tomorrow.

Please do not go by the quick turnaround in biometrics and card received. My biometric letter was sent after 8 weeks due to teh case worker forgetting to send the letter. The letter was sent only after i called UKBA.

can u give me UKBA number as i am trying but not getting through..
plz let me known the number u called

[veronf]

I have also the same problem, I urgently need my passport by the 5th of June. It took ages to get the biometric letter and now, apparently is taking around 8 weeks to get your documents back after the biometrics...

My timelines:

Applied: 4th February 2012
First Letter: 10th February
Biometric Letter received: 24th April 2012
Biometrics done: 26th April 2012
Passport received: pending
Card received: pending

[veronf]

Update from my side.

I finally was able to talk to someone in UKBA. This is what the update they gave me. The case worker has not even bothered to look at my application. The person has put in information now. This is really frustrating. 2 months i have waited and I was told casually that there was a miss.
Anyway the number to call is 0870 606 7766. Select option 4 and then 2. You will only get through to a person on this selection. Do not select the option which says status update.

Hi Zaheeruk, did they allowed you to ask questions about your app even though it hasn't been more the six months? I have tried to get information but they keep shutting me down! Will try with this number and see, hoping for the best!

[afcdon83]

I suggest you all contact your local MP to write a letter to UKBA and ask them to deal with your application urgently. That is what I did and I received my docs and BRP back within 3 working days of them receiving the letter. In total it took 7 weeks to get docs back after biometrics provided.

You have nothing to lose.

[rajbiometric]

I suggest you all contact your local MP to write a letter to UKBA and ask them to deal with your application urgently. That is what I did and I received my docs and BRP back within 3 working days of them receiving the letter. In total it took 7 weeks to get docs back after biometrics provided.

You have nothing to lose.

My case is same as i given biometric on 13th march & till now no reply. I provide royal mail envelop with my application, but while tracking message coming up ''Sorry, there has been a problem with reference number you've entered. Please try again.''
I am thinking follow ur suggestion to contact my MP. how did u get that letter from MP to process urgently?
I need my passport & BRP urgently, it's really stressful now as 9 weeks from the biometric...

[afcdon83]

according the the freedom of information act, around 300 applications were made in Jan 12 relating to applications made and average processing times after submitting biometrics was 21 days. Mine was significantly more than this.

What this tells me is that they either do not process applications in date order or they needlessly carry out further validation checks.

Or of course, they could be lying - I would not rule out this option.

[weedskee]

guys, i also applied for a change in name. when you got the letter to enrol your biometrics, was the letter still addressed to your maiden name?

[plantagenetgirlchild]

Hi, just an update, I'm still waiting for my passport (and marriage certificate) and new card and I am at 8.5 weeks since biometrics! So frustrating!!!! Also, all my correspondence has arrived addressed in my married name.

[weedskee]

^thanks i need my stuff back before july so i have enough time to take the life in the uk test. they messed up my name for the letter on my biometrics. the 1st letter confirming the application was sent after a week after i applied under my married name, then the enrollment of the biometrics letter came 2 weeks from application under my maiden name. it's just so inefficient & they post these letters 2nd class. i have to ring them before registering my biometrics because my name is wrong. :/

[captaincanary]

my wife is in the same boat..

Got married and changed her surname.
Applied for BRP(RC) on Jan 27th 2012
Got Biometric letter 7th March 2012 AFTER we sent chaser letter and got the MP onto UKBA.
Gave Biometrics on 7th March (same day that we received letter to do so).
Send second chaser letter to UKBA and got the MP to follow up AGAIN.
Still awaiting passport back and updated BRP card.

Had to cancel some flights already. got more flights approaching mid-June...

over quarter of a YEAR to change a surname on an already approved and issued BRP???!!!

[rajbiometric]

My Mp already sent letter to UKBA on last Monday still no reply... don't known how long i have to wait.. it frustrating just keep on waiting from 13th march

[captaincanary]

@rajbiometric we asked our MP to send a letter to the UKBA last Monday and got a reply today saying they don't speed up application if you have flights booked or ill family members etc.. They also said that they quoted a processing time for the Replacement Biometric Permit card of 14 weeks from when they receive your application but added that they rarely hit that target time. So i guess it is just a waiting game now.

I should imagine that processing times are taking longer no due to UKBA now requiring all non-EU foreign national to have a BRP for the UK so their processing loads have probably gone up a lot, and, given that they have made lots of cuts to staffing numbers, they are probably backed up.

[rajbiometric]

@captaincanary how u got the reply from MP or letter from UKBA.. AS i received acknowledgement letter MP that letter has been sent to UKBA & any feedback will be forwarded to me.... i think people getting their BRP(RC) but randomly like few got within four weeks of biometric enrolment..

[jnaidu]

@captaincanary how u got the reply from MP or letter from UKBA.. AS i received acknowledgement letter MP that letter has been sent to UKBA & any feedback will be forwarded to me.... i think people getting their BRP(RC) but randomly like few got within four weeks of biometric enrolment..

@Raj I have been following this tread. I have applied for a BRP (RC) ON 12/April. Do you know anyone who has received BRP replacement in 4 week after bio metrics. 14 weeks for a name change, That is just unacceptable.

[rajbiometric]

Plz update if any got their documents or biometric recently. I think letters from MP's aswell worthless to shorten the delay of replacement biometric cards!!!

[afcdon83]

@rajbiometric

I beg to differ. I did my biometrics at the end of Feb and I got no documents back for 7 weeks. My MP wrote then direct to the Chief Executive at UKBA and I got my documents and new BRP card back within a week.

[afcdon83]

I think the key to success here is to mention to your MP that the guidelines on the BRP(RC) website are incorrect and misleading.

Goto to this link:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... 020091.pdf

These are the latest guidelines and and consistent with previous guidance notes.

In section 12, it clearly says:
"The Biometric Residence Permit(s) should reach you within seven working days of your APPOINTMENT. If you do not receive your Biometric Residence Permit(s) within ten working days you must e-mail BRPdelivery@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk providing your full name, date of birth, nationality and case reference number."

Now this is misleading, it gives the impression that you will get your docs back within 7 days after giving biometrics. Correct me if I'm wrong. UKBA actually agreed with me as did my MP. It appears as if the Chief Exec agreed too.

I suggest you all print this out and fax it to UKBA (I did this too). At least ask your MP to send this to UKBA and have this relevant section highlighted. It says nothing about 14 weeks, it even says they aim to process applications quickly. It more than 8 weeks after biometrics deemed to be quick??

You have nothing to lose in doing this. I don't want to see any of you suffer any longer waiting.

[plantagenetgirlchild]

I agree, but these aren't really the guidelines. It is pretty clear if you look at the guidance notes for various forms that all UKBA did was copy and paste the details from the same day appointment (at Croydon, etc) for obtaining residence permits into the BRP(RC) form. So when it says appointment, they mean your appointment at a UKBA premium centre (i.e. Croydon), not an appointment to give biometrics.

[afcdon83]

I agree, but these aren't really the guidelines. It is pretty clear if you look at the guidance notes for various forms that all UKBA did was copy and paste the details from the same day appointment (at Croydon, etc) for obtaining residence permits into the BRP(RC) form. So when it says appointment, they mean your appointment at a UKBA premium centre (i.e. Croydon), not an appointment to give biometrics.

I'm just making a suggestion which worked for me and interpret it how you may. The fact is, regardless of how UKBA put together those guidelines, those ARE the official BRP(RC) guidelines even if that's not how they intended it. As I mentioned, UKBA agreed with me when I spoke to them that they had made a mistake. In any case, appointment could mean anything. I went to post office to give my biometrics - it's still an appointment although it doesn't need to be booked. Also for BRP(RC) some people do book an appointment at Croyden for example to give biometrics which makes the case even stronger

[plantagenetgirlchild]

Yes, they should take responsibility for what they put on the guidelines, even if it is a mistake. I was just pointing out that it is more likely that they just revise the guidelines to say ten days from receiving your docs back (as the postal application guidelines for leave to remain do) than to actually speed up the process.

[afcdon83]

Yes, they should take responsibility for what they put on the guidelines, even if it is a mistake. I was just pointing out that it is more likely that they just revise the guidelines to say ten days from receiving your docs back (as the postal application guidelines for leave to remain do) than to actually speed up the process.

They can't change the guidelines and apply them retrospectively. In my case (and I can only speak from experience) clearly they did not just change the guidelines and they did speed up the application. The fact that you say the postal guidelines are more specific makes your case even stronger that they should give ur docs back within 7 days of appointment.

Ultimately, I'm just making a suggestion, it's not worth going into the specific details, because if I did, I would still be waiting for my docs. I took action and I suggest everyone else does too.