I submitted my Tier 2 work visa application to the UK Home Office on May 9th, with a guaranteed 8-week processing time. Nearly 10 weeks later, with no decision and my passport still held, I contacted them.
The helpdesk was unhelpful — they offered to forward my details to a colleague and said I’d hear back in 3–5 working days. Holding your passport has real consequences: no travel, no financial transactions requiring ID. I contacted my local MP and filed a formal complaint.
Update (July 25th): The visa came through. The Home Office had mailed the documents to an address I’d vacated in mid-May. Processing was technically within the deadline, but the complete absence of proactive communication — a simple email or phone call would have resolved this immediately — remains a poor experience for applicants.