We filipinas are not known for voicing out much of what we think and feel. We are more likely to obey, just keep quiet and get on with it.
But for today, I have broken my silence and am letting my anger out! What you are about to read below are just my sentiments and my opinion, and I have typed this email not just for my sake but for everyone who is involved in similar issues to mine.
Here is the letter I wrote:
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
Yesterday, June 30, 2014, I applied at the Cardiff Premium Service Office for my Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK as the spouse of a British-born citizen.
Firstly, I would like to commend the staff there for their friendly welcome.
However, I am writing in regards to the TOEIC English Test.
Unfortunately, I was not fully aware of the issues with this test until yesterday, when I was informed my application had been placed "on hold" pending investigation into its validity as an ETS provider.
I truly understand your reasons for these steps being taken in the interests of safeguarding and strengthening Immigration security here in the UK. I myself will not condone cheating and find it appalling to discover that some applicants have actually been guilty of such actions.
However, in the event of this being the case, why does your system appear to have failed to update the List of Approved English Test Providers on your website?
Perhaps you could argue it was reported in the News and posted on your website, and therefore potential applicants should have acquainted themselves with the changes.
But have you thought about what it's like for a genuine individual who is working hard - trying to make ends meet - in order to prove to you that he/she will be of no burden to your country - leaving themselves precious little time to keep abreast of frequent changes to the System.
With respect, updating your clients is your responsibility. Moreover, such updates should not appear on just one page of your site!
To my mind, your List of suitable English Tests ought to have have been updated as well - or better still - a note included to the effect that a particular Test is either temporarily unavailable, or no longer acceptable for application purposes.
I should imagine not many individuals will go as far back as February to check on your News Feed.
I and many other applicants, rely on that list. You have removed TOEIC from your approved Test List but appear to have omitted to mention this on your website which current applicants will consult and where they can TRUST the correct procedure to follow.
Up until this point, as far as I can see, the TOEIC test is still included on your list.
I cannot help but feel that I and many applicants have been misled by this list that you have not managed to update.
The cheating that was done in one of the Colleges in UK is an Isolated case. It occurred alone in the UK. I took my test back in the Philippines in 2012.
If there is a cheating issue with this ETS in UK, why am I and other applicants who took their English test in their very own Country being affected by this?
Shouldn't there be an investigation launched in other countries as well if you are suspicious of any cheating involved elsewhere?
That I would adhere to.
I am an honest Filipina from a nation where English has long been the medium of instruction from Elementary School onwards and feel the
constantly changing rules your Government imposes on people like myself - who have already proven their standard of literacy - is unfair to say the least.
What is the point of having our application on hold, tormenting us, waiting for a decision? Maybe even ending up with rejection and/or having to spend another HUGE amount of money for a further English test, when you could clearly see that my TOEIC English test was not from this Country where the issue of cheating was exposed! Why include us? I will accept the further investigation reason why my visa is on hold if you had undertaken an investigation in my own Country at the time I took my test. Surely, there should be a consideration to those people who have taken their English test not in this country!
And would it not be more efficient for your office to have conducted an Interview with the applicant right there and then at the time of their application to see if they have actually cheated in their English Test? Would that not save you from hurting applicants by making them suffer waiting? Would it not save your time and resources as well?
I am so utterly in pain of your decision to put my visa on hold for this matter - not only hurting me and my husband, but the entire family. And I am not just one of your applicants suffering this so to speak. In my 34 years of life, I was not born to voice out my anger and pain, we have always abided by rule and laws, but this application for visa being on hold is depriving me and other HONEST applicants of a happy life. The cost of this visa - £1,493 - is what we have had to work so hard for all those years.
I chose the service to avoid the stress of waiting, but to have a "no decision due to investigation" is so appalling! Isn't it enough that my test was taken in Philippines 2012? Not UK 2014? Why let us suffer?
We are hoping and praying that you will have a good sense of heart and responsibility towards your applicants. A heart that will tell you that not all who took this TOEIC test are the same as those who cheated in UK. A heart to know that people are suffering due to your inability to give consideration to those tests NOT taken in the UK! A responsibility to update your website and not mislead us. I would like you to know that I am writing to you not just for myself, but for those applicants who are still awaiting your decision. Applicants who are being tormented by the long wait. The deprivation of our rights to live our life happily.
I have written this email to express my feelings with TOTAL honesty.
Regards,
Mrs Richards
Quote Reply
I could not explain the disgust I feel for this Government! They have the most stupid rules. Sorry, I know this is your country but I could not help but feel it at the moment.
I have plenty of experience in that when I waited 10 months for my FLR(M). It seems they never open any of their emails. I also sent letters to UKVI directly but failed to get any response. 
I only got responses when I sent the letter to my MP and he then forwarded my letter to UKVI. 
Originally Posted by SimonH
on your part.
but it 
... !
I do understand your point and you're absolutely correct in there just that my EMOTIONS are pouring 
