I finally picked it up this morning. So glad to have my passport back but at the same time sad to have had to withdraw my application due to the delay.

mokikeoj:
Hope you were able to get it today?

Hi bigbus,

Please do you have anyone I could contact in BDHC who will be able to help me retrieve my passport. I need my passport back like yesterday mehn.. Thanks

bigbus:


Well, my current visit visa was issued in Sheffield. It says so on the visa. My previous visas were issued in Nigeria (in the days of the black and red VFS bags).
Furthermore, I needed my passport back (similar long delays then) and I went to BDHC to retrieve it. (Two days back and forth before they let me in and a nice competent authority attended to me.) They couldn't give it back, but were able to check and told me specifically that the visa was issued in Sheffield some days back: it still took another week or so for it to arrive in Nigeria and TLS (all couriered via UPS). I can only speak of my own experience; but I think that if you receive your passport with a visa issued in Shefo, your passport has visited UK and while you were waiting.
Part of the delays seemed to be caused by the courier time and logistics. #JustMyTake, #NotForArgument(s).

Nothing yet ooo.. If I wait till afternoon tomorrow and still nothing yet, I'll have to check the application centre again.

mokikeoj:
Hiya ddonsly, any news??

I think Canada gives you that option where they call for your passport later.

ekpotek:


I stand to be corrected. I have never heard of an embassy allowing applicant to keep their passport until a decision is made. If you're eager to get a decision same day, pay of 24 hours service. Haba

Alright, will do.

mokikeoj:
Hi ddonsly, i just submitted my form. Please let me know if they actually give you back your passport on or beforeTuesday.

Yea, they will reply letting you know that they have escalated your case. Have you replied them yet?

toscott:
Hello house,
Pls UKVI sent me a mail today after i sent an enquiry to through email asking some questions like reason for escalation, full name, Passport number, date of biometrics etc. Will they send me another mail confirming escalation or this is all they send?

They'll just give you a form-like letter to fill out. You just have to fill in the details requested on the form and submit back to them. They will give you back a copy and that'll be all.

mokikeoj:
Thanks. I sent a May yesterday and also placed a call across to them. So from what you Said I still have to go to TLS office to submit the application for withdrawal? If so, what is the format for the letter?

ddonsly:
Hi mokikeoj,

Well I had to call the UKVI back yesterday since the last number I was told to call only handles UK Citizens and dependants. It was a guy that picked up this time and he saw reason with me. He was honest enough to admit that the previous agent hadn't even logged or submitted my cancellation request hence my application status remaining at 'Awaiting Decision'. He went on to send me an email with instructions on the cancellation which I actually replied with another request for cancellation.

So today, I don carry myself go the TLS office to submit another cancellation request. I was told it would take about 2 days. So by Monday or Tuesday, I hope to have my passport back. It was interesting to know that I wasn't the only one fed up with these guys as others were there to withdraw their application as well.

Also this afternoon, the UKVI have sent me another email acknowledging my reply which basically says that my case has been escalated to the concerned authority. Not sure whether it means much sha..

So that's it sha

Hi mokikeoj,

Well I had to call the UKVI back yesterday since the last number I was told to call only handles UK Citizens and dependants. It was a guy that picked up this time and he saw reason with me. He was honest enough to admit that the previous agent hadn't even logged or submitted my cancellation request hence my application status remaining at 'Awaiting Decision'. He went on to send me an email with instructions on the cancellation which I actually replied with another request for cancellation.

So today, I don carry myself go the TLS office to submit another cancellation request. I was told it would take about 2 days. So by Monday or Tuesday, I hope to have my passport back. It was interesting to know that I wasn't the only one fed up with these guys as others were there to withdraw their application as well.

Also this afternoon, the UKVI have sent me another email acknowledging my reply which basically says that my case has been escalated to the concerned authority. Not sure whether it means much sha..

So that's it sha

mokikeoj:
Hi ddonsly, what other steps are you trying to make/making. Currently in a similar situation. I have sent an application to withdraw and need my passport ASAP.

Dear Nairalanders,

I'm really at my wit's end with these UKVI people. I applied since June 23rd, and after several calls and escalations, still no decision as at Friday afternoon. So I jejely asked to withdraw (Cancel) my application and have my passport returned to me ASAP as I have an impending trip by mid next week. The lady categorically confirmed that my passport should be back by end of this week (It should be simple now, just close my file and return my passport). So as e don reach dis afternoon and I haven't got an email to confirm that my application has been cancelled or my passport on it's way back, I decided to call them just to double check things. And to my utter amazement, this new person now says that I have to wait for 10 working days. Okay. Then I enquired about the status of my application and they said it is still awaiting decision. I was like, but I CANCELLED my application ALREADY! I just want my passport back.. She then said if I want to complain I need to call another number. I called the number and the person that picked said that they can only talk about UK citizens and dependants and nothing else.

Please has anyone had any such experience as this? Any reason why after 3-4 days of withdrawing/cancelling, my application is still awaiting a decision? And please, what do you advise I do next? I need my passport back ASAP. Not being able to travel to the UK due to this delay has cost me a lot already. I can't afford to miss my next journey.

Kindly advise. Many thanks

Hello guys,

Just a quick question. On the Cancel your visa, immigration or citizenship application section of the UKVI website (https://www.gov.uk/cancel-visa), it is stated that You can only get your fee refunded if your application hasn’t been processed yet. Does that mean that you get refunded before you honour the Visa Application or before they make a decision on your application. Kindly help clarify.

Many thanks.

Hi, could you please help check Lagos to Ottawa one way on Aug 29 or Aug 30 as long as arrival is by Aug 31 morning. Many thanks

Great! Yours was standard right?

McGibson:
@ Ekpotek, justwise, tatpat

biometric on July 4th at ikeja
received messages accordingly
just checked with my GWF..... now
decided on 14th August.

thanks guys. and please what next now?

Unfortunately, calling or emailing are the only options they've left us with! Check this out - https://www.gov.uk/cancel-visa

Bmakens:
Hello everyone hope we all had a nice day. Please I have a question. My husband and child applied for a visit visa since June 14th to attend my graduation in UK which has passed until now no notification from UKVI. Now we want to withdraw the application because we need the passports for other important things but don't know how to go about it. Have tried contacting the home office of which they requested their information for it to be escalated yet nothing. Does anyone know the fastest way one can withdraw applications and have the passports returned immediately without calling or sending emails to home office? Because I have done all that and it yielded no result.

Congratulations! Please what date in June did you apply? Thanks

Tjslyy:
Hello All, I have been a silent observer here. I had my first application rejected in May for lack of funds in my account to cover for the trip. Though I already stated that the company is paying for my trip. I applied again in June and lo and behold, I got the passport with the Visa issued yesterday. Thanks @all

No, I'm not!

Tiyanya:
Are you a first time applicant?

I applied (standard service) in June and still awaiting a decision. Since I paid for courier added service, I expect my passport to be returned via courier. Please does anyone know the rough estimate of the time it takes between decision by the UKVI and courier delivery of passport?

The same situation I am in.. I applied the same date and place as yours and no response yet from them also. I put a call through to them yesterday evening and the agent that responded said current status is "still awaiting decision". Got them to escalate it and they said they will get back to me in due course.. Hope it helps knowing it's not only you in this messy situation.. Please keep us posted with any updates at your end! Thanks

iWasNotHere:
please how did you use the UKVI website because i have tried tracking my application but always writing error. I submitted on the 23rd of June in Ikeja. Went there twice (last week & this week) not ready. It's 6weeks+ already, so tired of this waiting. My Intended travel date is July 24

I think it might be worth just going to TLS office to double-check. Who knows, it might be lying there in their office! I would take the step to go over there and check..

thisisposh22:
Can someone help me out or advise if they are in the same situation. I made application for a 6 months family visit visa on 20th June, intended date of travel 21st July. I then got an email from UKVI that they would not meet their published application process of 15 days on 7th July. It's been more than 6 weeks I made the application and still haven't heard anything from anyone.

The most frustrating part of this is I planned to visit Germany after the UK and the now I just have a week left on that visa to expire

However, I used the UKVI website, and it shows "decided" on 25th July but AGAIN no email from the decision team in Sheffield or TLS to confirm this.

Is anyone in a similar situation and how long did it take to get your passport?

Thanks

@xto4, did you eventually put a call through to them? Sorry I have been stalking your thread. I'm in a similar situation as yours and I really need to resolve mine ASAP! Thanks

xto4:
might call them by friday if I don't hear from them because my leave is ending this friday

That makes sense then. You've been very helpful. Thank you once again.

xto4:
Thats what it will always say until it shows decided.. Continue checking every time. Ref number e.g GWF12345677878 is the number you put to check.

Many thanks bro.. but it is saying that my GWF number has not been recognised. Just to double check, what reference number did you use in tracking yours?

xto4:
https://contact-ukvi.homeoffice.gov.uk/app/visa_application/checkvisastatus

Hi @xto4,

Could you kindly share the UKVI web link you used in tracking your application online. Many thanks

xto4:
Just track my application on ukvi website it shows decided, 25th July.. Glory be to God. Waiting for tls to send a mail because it hasn't been updated on their website yet!

So it is not only me.. Mine was June 23 too at Lag and no decision yet. Wonder why they are delaying this much..

KingAviii:


Still waiting. Mine was June 23 TLS Abuja. I can't understand the reason for the delay.

Please has anyone in Information Technology (IT) been invited for the interview? And what was the test score please?

Apparently so. Me too I'm writing on 6th by 11am. And I'm still looking for revision materials oo for IT. In case anyone has got any, please send to ddonsly@yahoo.com. Thanks

siidee:
Are all IT graduates writing the test on the 6th? and are y'all going to write at 11am in the morning?