UK Visa Application Stuck in Processing? How to Track and Speed Up the Process

It is extremely annoying when the Home Office takes longer to complete a visa or immigration application than it says on its website. Even more so when the situation in Ukraine is already causing significant UK visa processing time delays.

Home Office processing time delays for UK visa and immigration applications can create hardship by keeping applicants from working in the UK or spending time with loved ones, disrupting travel plans, and increasing uncertainty. Applicants must see that they fulfil all the requirements, as a UK Visitor Visa refusal can further complicate reapplications.

If your application for UK Visa is taking longer than expected to process, this article explains how to track UK visa application.

When Does the Waiting Period Start for UK Visa Processing?

According to the Home Office website, the UK visa decision waiting times start once you have submitted your application online. It ends when you get a letter or an email with a decision for applications submitted from within the United Kingdom.

The waiting period for applications submitted from outside the UK begins when you show up for your appointment and submit your fingerprints and a photo at a visa application center. Submitting your biometric information is one of the most important UK Visit Visa Requirements. When you receive an email containing the decision on your application, the waiting period is over.

If you are applying for a UK visa from Dubai, you can track your application status through the UK Visa and Immigration website or contact the visa application center.

How to Follow Up on a Delayed Immigration or UK Visa Decision

1) Get Help by Contacting UK Visas and Immigration

The following step is to track UK visa application status by contacting UK Visas and Immigration and asking for an update on the status of your application if you are having delays in processing it and have not heard back from the Home Office.

UK Visas and Immigration should be able to tell you the reasons for delay in visa processing and whether there is anything you can do to speed it up. You need to record all the calls and emails you have made to the Home Office regarding your application.

2) Grievances Regarding Immigration and Visas in the UK

If contacting the Home Office does not work, the next step is to submit a complaint to UK Visas and Immigration by filling out an online form. Another option is to send an email or write a letter to the complaint allocation center. Complaints should be made no later than 3 months after the date of the incident.

3) Get in touch with your local MP

Many applicants have been successful in asking their MPs to step in on their behalf if they have not heard back from the Home Office. According to the Parliament website, you should get in touch with your Member of Parliament if you feel you have been treated unfairly by a government office or agency. You can write a letter to them. This way, you can make sure that you give them all the facts related to your complaint, including the details of the actions you have taken.

4) File a Complaint with the Ombudsman of the Parliamentary and Health Services

You might want to request that your MP forward your complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman if their letter to the Home Office is unsuccessful. Although this service is free, you can only use it after using the UKVI complaints procedure. The Ombudsman is legally only allowed to look into complaints regarding UK government departments when they are referred to them by an MP. You can fill out the complaint form on their behalf, have your MP sign it, and submit it.

5) Pre-Action Protocol Letter

You might think about getting legal counsel about suing the Home Office if you have finished all of the procedures. According to the legislation, you can only file a lawsuit against the Home Office under extreme circumstances. Pre-action protocol letters or PAPs must be filed with the Home Office as the first legal step.

You can get advice from our immigration lawyers on the benefits of going through the PAP process. This is probably only suitable in cases when delays have caused you to suffer serious consequences, including losing a job opportunity or being unable to spend time with ailing family members.

6) The Judicial Review

As a last resort, judicial review should be used. The procedure of contesting the Home Office delay in front of a judge is expensive, intricate, and time-consuming. It is best to get legal advice regarding the benefits of starting Judicial Review proceedings.

In Conclusion

To learn about common causes of processing delays and how to prevent them, view the UK Visa FAQs.