FLR(M) waiting times

The request was partially successful.

Dear UK Border Agency,

I am writing to request information about waiting times for FLR(M) visas.

As of 29th June 2012, how many FLR(M) applications are being processed (i.e. they have been received by UKBA but not yet determined)
What is the average current waiting time for these applications?
What is the average processing time for completed applications in 2011, and in 2012?

How many personnel are currently working on FLR(M) applications (i.e. caseworkers)? If people are not dedicated to this type of visa, please tell me how this work is structured (e.g. how the teams are structured and what other types of visas or other work they do) and please provide an FTE figure for how much caseworker time is spent on FLR(M) specifically. Please also provide equivalent figures for April 2011.

How much staff resource at UKBA is and has been dedicated to processing visas relating to the Olympics? Have people been reallocated to this work from other areas? Has the Olymipcs caused delays in the processing time for other visas? I would like to see any planning estimates made of this.

Please deal with each question in return; if any of this exceeds the cost limit then please advise on alternatives for what can be provided within the limit.

Thank you

Yours faithfully,

T Williams

Freedom Of Information Team ( IND ), UK Border Agency

Dear T Williams

Re: FLR(M) waiting times (120635)

Thank you for your recent email concerning the above matter. We are currently dealing with your enquiry and will respond shortly.

Kind Regards

UKBA
FOI Team

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NEYH, Freedom of Information,

Dear Nessa Jenkins

Thank you for your enquiry of 29 June where you have requested information regarding applications made on form FLR(M). This falls to be dealt with under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and we will endeavour to respond within 20 working days.

Yours Sincerely

James Stevens
North East, Yorkshire & the Humber Region
Freedom of Information

UK BORDER AGENCY
Vulcan Steel (Level 5)
PO Box 3468, Sheffield.
S3 8WA
Web: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
Fax: 0114 207 2882

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NEYH, Freedom of Information,

1 Attachment

Dear T Williams

 

Please see the attached letter following your request for information
under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

 

Kind regards

 

 

Daniela Walker

UK Border Agency

Vulcan House Steel

PO Box 3468

Sheffield

S3 8WA

 

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Alan Robert left an annotation ()

The information given is that "The average processing time for FLR (M) cases created between 1 January and 31 May 2012, and which have now been completed, is 52.16 calendar days." The average is based on those applications already completed. The query was for the average processing times of applications made. It is therefore unhelpful if the average has been based on perhaps only say 10% of the applications made, whilst 90% of them are still outstanding. The answer should show the number of completed applications on which the average has been calculated, and the average current age of those still in process

Dear Daniella (NEYH, Freedom of Information)

Thanks for your response - but I am not satisfied with it. Quite simply you have not addressed my specific questions and in my opinion have not complied with your obligations under section 16 of the FOI Act - i.e. your duty to provide advice and assistance. FOI case history shows that the Information Commissioner has directed Authorities to advise requesters of the types of information it holds relevant to requests, and what can be done within the mandated cost limit.

Firstly I asked how many applications had been received but not yet determined as at June 29, and the average current waiting times. I accept your point about your quarterly publication, so please provide that exact information for the latest date available - or tell me why it's not available. Please note the distinction I have made between CURRENT and COMPLETED applications.

Then I asked for the time taken for completed applications in 2011 and 2012 - you kindly provided 2012 but made no reference to 2011.

Then I asked a number of questions relating to FLR(M) and resources dedicated to these visas, which you did not address at all. Please do so.

On to the Olympics part of the question. I am interested in the visas/security clearances processed for the many thousands of people visiting the UK for the Olympics - apologies that I don't know the specific names for these but I'm sure someone at UKBA does. I'm not sure how much clearer I can make my request. Again I must refer to your duty to advise and assist.

As for your reference to having a further 20 working days to progress this, I'm afraid that you don't. This is a clarification of an existing request, and in any case you simply haven't answered my original request. I have taken 2 working days to provide my clarification so to my understanding that would simply add 2 days to your original deadline. If I'm wrong please refer me to the legislation or Information Commissioner guidance that says so!

Yours sincerely,

T Williams

NEYH, Freedom of Information,

1 Attachment

Dear Sir/Madam

 

Please see the attached response to your recent email.

 

Kind regards

 

Sandra

Sandra Birkinshaw

Freedom Of Information Team

North East, Yorkshire & the Humber Region

UK Border Agency

PO Box 3468

Sheffield S3 8WA

 

Fax: 0114 2072894

Email: [1][email address]

Web: [2]www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk 

 

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Rahim Ali left an annotation ()

Hi All

anybody could tell me about new Rules of UKBA flrm and what documnets need and how much Maintenence should be according to 9 july 2012 please.

W.M. Hill left an annotation ()

Rahim - Information about FLR(M) visa, and requirements post July 9, can be found here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-...

K. Jones left an annotation ()

Out of the group of 60 FTE employees mentioned, we still are not informed how many of these spend their time on FLR(M). Is it one employee (judging from FRL(M) backlogs)? Five employees? Or do all 60 employees spend one day per fortnight on FLR(M)s? I think further clarification is required.

Nessa Jenkins left an annotation ()

I've kind of given up the will on this one. UKBA are not answering my questions properly. They can probably guess at the intentions behind them and are answering them in a way which does not answer what I'm getting at. I wanted to know how many people are being kept waiting for their visas for a long time and why. I guess it's because they don't have enough staff - 60 to work on the FLR(M)s plus an unspecified number of other things sounds inadequate to me.

In light of this I don't think it's appropriate to push the Agency further. I'd rather they spend the time processing my application!

W.M. Hill left an annotation ()

Nessa - I sympathise, but that assumes the same people who consider applications are also responding to FOI requests, which I would imagine isn't the case since it looks like there are 2 or 3 different offices from which requests to the UKBA are answered (based on the signatures in various request responses).

Either way, many thanks for the attempt at getting info!