Once you have sent an immigration application, the Home Office should try to make a decision within twelve months. However, sometimes they take longer. If you have been waiting for more than twelve months, and you want to find out what has happened to your case, you can write a chasing letter to the Home Office. We recommend that any letters sent to the Home Office should be sent by recorded delivery.
The Home Office currently says it will take up to twelve months to process applications made on the basis of your family or private life, where you cannot also show that you earn above a certain amount of money. It says it will take up to two months to process other types of applications. You can check the current visa processing times on the gov.uk website here.
What you will need to include in your chasing letter will depend on your individual case. However, below is a template with some ideas. You can also download this template as a word document here.
[Home Office address (in full)] [Your address (in full)]
Date: [insert]
Home Office Reference: [insert]
Recorded delivery reference: [insert]
Dear Sir/Madam,
[Your name, date of birth and nationality]
[Name, date of birth and nationality of each dependant]
[Write Home Office reference again]
I made an application for [insert type of application] on [insert date]. I sent the application by recorded delivery [insert reference].
However, I have not yet received a decision in my case/my family’s case. I would be grateful if this application could be considered as soon as possible.
[If you have been waiting for a long time, you may wish to include some information on what effect the delay is having on you/your family.
For example, if you have experienced issues with employment or accessing services then you should explain what these issues have been and how they have impacted you/your family. You could also provide details about whether your children are suffering as a result of the lack of identity documents/ proof of leave to remain. If you have any documents as evidence of the problems you have faced as a result of the delay, you can include copies of these and make reference to them in your letter.
If you have sent previous chasing letters you should include details of these and the dates you sent them. You can also request a timescale for a response to your letter.]
Yours faithfully,
[Your signature]
[Your name]
For more help with making your own application, click here.
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