Paul,
I know how you feel. We are feeling the same. Its such a horrible feeling, not knowing. Ours was lodged on the 13th April 2005, and we got a case officer two weeks ago requesting further information. I have been in touch with her three times and she has responded. She cant give us details of how long it will take mind you. For some reason, the applications have definately slowed down. When we first applied some nurses were getting theirs sorted within three months, now its more like five to six months. You can try and contact them, but until you have a case officer they wont tell you very much at all. We are in Austrailia now, and have come across on a temp visa. We dont really want to go back home and are hoping to validate our visas by leaving the country for 8 days or so. We are waiting for our case officer to let us know she is satisfied with what we have provided. I have attempted to go in and see them (I am in Adelaide), but they wont see you at all. When I have rang I have tried to speak directly to our case officer, but they wont let you. So you being in the UK and us being here makes no difference in the process of applications. I would try and contact them, if you have no case officer you will be given information as to what notes are put on the system, it usually is something like your case is being dealt with by the support staff. When a case officer comes along, your files gets dealt with, although, its unsure as to how long.
Keep your chin up, you are not alone in this frustrating process. Keep drinking the wine!!!!! Debs
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