Quote Originally Posted by benb View Post
I've told Jassmine to assume that it is going to take 3 months so as not to think about it too much.

My guess is that (artificial) delays and pricey fees are mainly in place to deter people from applying.
my guess is, because its the busiest time of the year to apply for a visa, the embassy moving, and because of new procedures like biometrics have s-l-o-w-e-d the visa process down...

'Applicants for visas to the United Kingdom will now go through a new system involving biometrics. Peter Beckingham, British Ambassador to the Philippines, says that the new facilities will make the visa application process faster and safer for everyone.'