ECAA DELAYS: WE MET WITH MIGRANTS' RIGHTS NETWORK - HERE'S WHAT'S NEXT
The fight continues. And this time, we are not alone.
Today, I met with the team at Migrants’ Rights Network. It was one of those meetings that reminds you why this work matters.
We sat down to talk about the ECAA delays - the same delays that have left hundreds of Turkish nationals waiting 6, 8, 10+ months for visa decisions with no communication, no explanation, and no end in sight.
And Migrants’ Rights Network said: “We’re in. Let’s fight this.”
They fought this exact crisis in 2022. Their research exposed the scale of the problem: 91% of applicants experiencing severe stress and anxiety, families separated, businesses collapsing. Their advocacy helped bring resolution.
Now, in 2026, the crisis is back. And so are they.
But here is what became clear in our meeting: we can’t fight this alone. We need a community. We need numbers. We need voices.
Stop the “The Fight Will Never Work” Mindset
I need to address something I keep hearing in the community.
“Nothing will change.”“The Home Office doesn’t care.”“Fighting back is pointless.”
I understand the frustration. I understand the exhaustion. But this mindset needs to stop.
Because it’s not true.
I worked at UKVI for 3.5 years. I saw how the system works from the inside. And I can tell you this: the Home Office responds when the right steps are taken.
They respond to Pre-Action Protocol letters.They respond to MP interventions.They respond to media attention.They respond to organised advocacy.
In 2022, collective action worked. Migrants’ Rights Network documented the crisis. MPs asked questions. The media covered it. And the delays were resolved.
It can work again. But only if we come together.
Defeatism doesn’t protect you. It just makes you easier to ignore.
So let’s stop saying “nothing will work” and start saying “what can WE do?”
Beware of Misinformation
I’m also hearing a lot of speculation about why these delays are happening.
“It’s because the Home Office moved from Sheffield to Liverpool.”“It’s because they started using AI.”“It’s staffing issues.”
Let me be clear: these are NOT the reasons for ECAA delays.
If the delays were caused by office relocation or AI implementation, they would affect ALL visa routes - not just ECAA.
But they don’t.
Only ECAA applications are stuck in these delays.
Skilled Worker visas are being processed.Long Residence ILR visas are being processed.Family visas are being processed.
But ECAA extensions and ILR applications? Months of silence.
This is targeted. This is systematic. And misinformation helps no one.
When we spread rumors about “AI” or “office moves,” we are giving the Home Office an excuse. We are letting them off the hook.
The issue is not technology. The issue is policy - or lack thereof.
So please: be careful about what you share. Stick to facts. And if you are not sure, ask.
If You’ve Been Waiting 6+ Months for an ECAA Decision, Here’s What You Can Do Right Now
We brainstormed strategies during our meeting. We talked about what worked in 2022 and what needs to happen now. Here’s the action plan:
Step 1: Chase the Home Office (At Least Twice)
This is critical. You need to show that you have tried to get answers.
→ Send an email requesting information about the delay→ Use the UKVI online system to request an update→ Record every attempt - date, who you contacted, what response (if any) you received
These records matter. If we move to legal action, you will need to prove you chased the Home Office.
Step 2: Inform Them of Urgent Circumstances
If you have urgent reasons why you need a decision - a family bereavement, critical business travel, a medical emergency - write to the Home Office and tell them.
Be specific. Don’t just say “urgent.” Give concrete details:
“My mother passed away on (date), the funeral is on (date) in Turkey”
“I have a critical business meeting on (date) in (country) - our company’s largest contract”
“I have ongoing medical treatment, my appointment is on (date)”
Support it with evidence if you can: death certificate, meeting invitation, doctor’s letter.
Step 3: Contact Your Local MP
Your Member of Parliament can intervene on your behalf. MPs get responses from the Home Office faster than individuals do.
→ Find your MP at
→ Write to them explaining how long you have been waiting, the impact on your life, and ask them to intervene
This isnt just about your individual case. When MPs start asking questions, the Home Office pays attention.
Step 4: Consider Pre-Action Protocol (PAP)
If you’ve completed the above steps and still haven’t received a response, you may be eligible for Pre-Action Protocol - a formal legal step that requires the Home Office to respond within 14 days.
Important: PAP should not be abused. It should only be used when appropriate - when you have exhausted other options and meet the criteria.
We are working with Tekhmeed Ejaz at Cranbrook Legal to guide PAP applications for those who are eligible.
If you think you qualify, get in touch: info@pointblegal.com
What Migrants’ Rights Network and Point B Legal Are Planning
Our meeting wasn’t just about individual cases. It was about strategy. About how we tackle this systemically.
Here’s what we discussed:
1. Building the Community
We need to identify who’s affected and how many people are waiting. We need numbers.
If you have been waiting 6+ months for an ECAA extension or ILR decision, we need to hear from you.
Share your story with us:📧 info@pointblegal.com📱 WhatsApp: +44 07340799913
Your story matters. Your voice matters. And collectively, we become impossible to ignore.
2. Documenting the Human Cost
This isn’t just about numbers. This is about people.
People who couldn’t attend their parent’s funeral.People who missed their child’s wedding.People whose businesses are collapsing.Children who are losing opportunities because their right to work can’t be verified.
We talked about the psychological effects of being in limbo. The stress. The anxiety. The feeling that your life is on hold and no one will tell you why.
We talked about the impact on children - young people who are being denied internships, placements, and opportunities because of delays that are completely outside their control.
These stories need to be told. Loudly.
3. Transparency and Accountability
We know the Home Office is conducting additional checks. We understand that some applications require scrutiny.
But there’s a difference between scrutiny and silence.
Right now, the Home Office is sending emails to applicants - even those who’ve only been waiting 3-4 months - saying their processing times will exceed 6 months.
Do you know what that does to someone?
It creates anxiety. It creates uncertainty. It puts lives on hold with no end date.
And then there are the questionnaires.
The Home Office is sending out long lists of questions - copy-and-paste emails designed to tick a box that says “we gave the applicant a chance to respond.”
But this isn’t transparency. This is box-ticking.
We have seen this before with Sponsor Licence applications. Enhanced scrutiny is understandable. But it needs to come with communication. With timelines. With honesty.
4. Big Actions Are Coming
We are planning something bigger. A coordinated effort to bring visibility to this crisis.
One idea: a large online community meeting.
A space where ECAA applicants can come together, share experiences, hear updates, and understand what’s being done to fight for them.
If this interests you, get in touch. Stay connected. We will share details soon.
Know Your Rights
Here’s something I learned from my time at UKVI: the Home Office relies on people not knowing their rights.
When you don’t know what you’re entitled to, you don’t push back. You just wait. And hope.
But you have rights.
→ The right to reasonable processing times→ The right to be informed if your application is taking longer than standard→ The right to be told why→ The right to escalate when those standards aren’t met
Knowing your rights is the first step to using them.
And when we all know our rights - when we all push back together - the Home Office takes a step back.
I have seen it happen. I know how quickly decisions can be made when pressure is applied in the right way.
That’s why this community matters.
Why “Words Matter”
During our meeting, the Migrants’ Rights Network team mentioned their “Words Matter” campaign.
It’s about the power of language in immigration discourse. The way we talk about migrants, applicants, and delays shapes how people are treated - and how seriously their struggles are taken.
If you are experiencing stress, anxiety, or uncertainty because of ECAA delays, I highly recommend reading about their campaign:👉 https://migrantsrights.org.uk/projects/wordsmatter/
Because words do matter.
When we say “ECAA applicants are experiencing delays,” it sounds administrative.
When we say “a parent died and their child couldn’t attend the funeral,” it’s human.
That’s the difference between being ignored and being heard.
The Home Office Can Slow Decisions - But That Doesn’t Mean They Should
Here’s the reality: the Home Office has the power to slow decisions. They can classify applications as “complex.” They can conduct additional checks. They can take months - even years.
But just because they CAN doesn’t mean they SHOULD.
Not without communication. Not without transparency. Not without acknowledging the human cost.
This isn’t acceptable. And we’re not going to accept it.
What Happens Next
We left the meeting with clarity and a plan.
Migrants’ Rights Network is back in the fight.Point B Legal is coordinating legal action. Cranbrook Legal is guiding PAP applications.The Turkish Ambassador has been formally notified. We did not receive any reply from them.The media has been contacted. Do not disregard their power.
Now, we need you.
If you’ve been waiting 6+ months for an ECAA decision:
→ Follow the four steps above→ Share your story with us→ Stay connected→ Join the community
📧 info@pointblegal.com📱 WhatsApp: +44 07340799913🌐 www.pointblegal.com
This system is broken. But we are not powerless.
In 2022, collective action worked. Research, advocacy, visibility - it all led to resolution.
We’re doing it again. And this time, we’re doing it together.
Stop saying “nothing will work.” Start saying “what can we do?”
Get together. Know your rights. Fight back.
Invisible walls can be torn down when they become visible.
Join us.
Burcu Koroglu
Founder, Point B Legal
IAA Accredited Immigration Adviser, Former UKVI Insider
Point B Legal is authorised and regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA).
Comments