As someone that's also been stuck in bureaucratic processes before, in all likelihood the application is indeed lost somewhere in the system and won't ever see

As someone that's also been stuck in bureaucratic processes before, in all likelihood the application is indeed lost somewhere in the system and won't ever see the light of day without intervention. I'd fully expect Daniel to have to at minimum file a formal complaint (is there even someone to complain to in this case?) to get any traction.