((Mods please remove if you don't want a duplicate thread- but the other is 12 pages long and started out not realising what the actual problem was))
Just posting about a recent problem we had with the new online application that allows you to apply and pay online but then requires you to post all your supporting documents within 15 working days.
Maybe this issue has already been ironed out, or maybe no other people will wait until the last minute to send the supporting documents, but in our case we had no choice as one of our required documents had accidently been sent un-signed to us by a previous employer, and so we had to wait for that person to come back from holiday and give us a signed copy before we sent everything. (And you might wonder why we couldn't have asked for the documents much sooner- but it was a document to verify the April 28 paycheck that we needed in order to meet the financial requirement! yes, our finances cut it that close, that we had to wait until two days before my visa expired to apply otherwise we would not have met the financial requirement, and since the document verifying it was sent to us incorrectly, we had to use most of the 15 working days to allow you to post your supporting docs in order to get the correct document verifying the April 28 paycheck...total mess.)
Here was our timeline:
April 28 we submitted a FLR(M) application online, payment taken successfully
April 30 my previous leave to remain expired
May 19 we posted supporting documents (14 working days after online app)
May 22 supporting documents signed for by HO (15 working days after online app)
May 26 we received two separate, slightly different letters from HO, one seemed automated and the other one not, as it had hand-written notes. Both letters saying "we have not received the necessary documents and if we do not within 10 working days of this letter your application is invalid and you are an overstayer"
May 27 we received request for biometrics letter
This case has a happy ending as we've now gotten the visa granted, but I wanted to give anyone else a head's up, if you send your documents close to but still within the 15 working days they give you, be prepared for some alarming letters about them not having gotten your supporting docs. In our case they sent these letters out four days after having signed for the documents! It certainly appears that this is due to a system error or sync up error. But if it happens to anyone else know that its likely not as scary as it sounds.
