VFS are simply a receiving service (a less controlled version of the Post Office counter service that used to exist in the UK)- so long as they actually receive the documents, note them correctly, and send them off to the UK, they have very little influence on the process, unless they cock up the process of putting the received documents in the envelope.

That HMPO require the use of VFS for overseas applications, instead of being able to use the normal process available to everyone else is a bit shit, quite frankly. Pre-covid, it may have worked ok. But combined with covid and working from home for their staff, it’s now a lottery.

It’s nine months and counting since I applied for my son’s passport. The best update that I can get is ‘we’re working on it’.