February 2014 - Naturalisation Application Timeline

[snipaaw]

first of i must say " i've been paying attetion to this room since feb 17th 2014 and i must say great job to the ones created this room and to everyone who has been updating their process of application, thank u so much" it ease our minds, giving us hopes.


Method of application: Royal Mail Special Delivery
Date of application: 13 Feb 2014
Payment method : Credit card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 14 Feb 2014 (Tracked Confirmation)
Date of aknowlegment: 20 Feb 2014
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 20 Feb 2014
Date approval received: 1 apr 2014 (Dated 29th march 2014, special delivery! as i've posted a return special delivery back to me)
ceremoney date: awaiting

Thank you to everyone for everything, and from the bottom of my heart i hope everyone you u receive the good news that you all are expecting

[timatid]

Eligibility criteria: 2yrs WP + 3yrs Tier-1 + 1yr ILR
Language criteria met : UK NARIC certificate
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Camden, London
Date of application: 08.02.2014
Payment method CC/DC: Debit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 11.02.2014 (Royal mail Proof of Delivery)
Date of acknowledgement: Dated 14.02.2014 (Received 18.02.2014)
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 14.02.2014
Date approval received: Waiting
Date of ceremony: Waiting

[violentviolet]

Eligibility Criteria : 9 years exercising of treatment rights, plus married to UK citizen
Language Criteria: IELTS
Method of Application : York NCS
Date of Application : 14 - Feb - 2014
Date of Debit of Fees : 21 - Feb - 2014
Date of Receipt of Acknowledgement : not received yet (chased acknowledgement by phone 22/03 and been told my file is awaiting allocation to a caseworker whatever that means)
Date of Receipt of Approval : not received yet
Date of Ceremony : not received yet

[humanvoid]

Hi folks,

My turn is now to share:

Eligibility criteria: HSMP->Tier1->ILR (classic route), Joint application (me, wife and child)
Language criteria met : FCE + IELTS
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: NCS
Date of application: 10.02.2014
Payment method CC/DC: Direct Debit
Date of receipt by UKBA: 11.02.2014 (Royal mail Proof of Delivery)
Date of acknowledgement: Dated 14.02.2014 (received the following week, 17 or 18th)
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 14.02.2014
Date approval received: 29.03.2014 (Letter dated 25.03.2014)
Date of ceremony: 01.04.2014

Looks like they were pretty quick with our applications and none of my referees has ever been contacted.

Yesterday called up a local register office and they had places for today so we have attended ceremony and been handed over our certificates. The story does not end here as we still need to re-submit my wife's certificate due to surname misspelling but those are technicalities.

I would like to thank EVERYONE on this forum, which is a great source of information and help from community/for community, keep it up!

Next stop: passport stage, meet you there and good luck to everybody!

[jah79]

UPDATE

Eligibility criteria: 5 yrs residence + 2 yrs ILR
Language criteria met: NARIC
Current nationality: South African
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Wandsworth
Date of application: 18/02/2014
Payment method: DC
Date of receipt by UKBA: 20/02/2014
Date of acknowledgement: 28/02/2014 (letter dated 24/02/2014)
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 25/02/2014 (transaction was made their end 24/02/2014)
Date of approval: 31/03/2014 (email confirmation from NCS after asking for update on application)
Date of ceremony: PENDING

I contacted my local NCS via email this morning asking for an update and they replied saying congratulations your application was approved on 31.03.2014 and the Home Office letter of confirmation should be arriving in the next week!

[charlenedavid]

UK Citizenship application, spouse of British Citizen 2 years ILR+1 YEAR total 3 years however I had to spend time outside of the UK as my Dad was sick total time out within the 3 years 303 days.

Application sent via Solicitor on the 17th Feb 2014, Home Office received 20th Feb 2014 payment taken via Debit Card 21st Feb 2014 Solicitor received confirmation of Citizenship granted from the Home Office 1st April 2014, only took them just over 5 weeks.

[licosis]

Hi everybody
Finally I got the approval. Updated timeline is below.
I called HO on 25th March, they said it's still in process but the letter is dated 23rd March.

Good luck to everyone who are still waiting for the brown letter.

Eligibility criteria: ECAA 4yr + 1yr ILR
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Canterbury
Date of application: 06/02/2014
Payment method: Debit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 07/02/2014
Date of acknowledgment:17/02/2014 (dated 12/02/2014)
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 12/02/14
Date approval received: 02/04/2014 (dated 23/03/2014)
Date of ceremony: TBA

[Anand_2012]

Eligibility criteria: HSMP+Tier1+ILR
Language criteria met (UK degree, exempt countries, PBS used documents, NARIC, or B1 test): NARIC
Current nationality: Indian
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Cardiff
Date of application: 29/1/2014
Payment method CC/DC, Personal cheque, Bankers cheque etc: CC
Date of receipt by UKBA: 03/02/2014
Date of acknowledgment: Received on 12/02/14, dated 07/02/14
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 07/02/14
Date approval received: 27/03/14 dated 17/03/2014(I hate Royal mail for this delay )
Date of ceremony: 02/04/14

Good Luck to those who are waiting for their approval, hope you get your approvals soon.

[ssingh6]

i called HO today and I was told no caseworker has been assigned.

I applied on 19/feb/2014...(

[ssingh6]

Eligibility criteria: 2 yrs HSMP+3 TIER 1+1 YEAR ILR
Language criteria met (UK degree, exempt countries, PBS used documents, NARIC, or B1 test): UK MASTER DEGREE +LIFE IN UK
Current nationality: INDIAN
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: NCS NEWBURY
Date of application: 19/02/2014
Payment method CC/DC, Personal cheque, Bankers cheque etc: CREDIT CARD
Date of receipt by UKBA: 20/02/2014 ROYAL MAIL TRACKING
Date of aknowlegment: 08/03/2014(dated 27/02/2014)
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 27/02/2014
Date approval received: WAITING([called HO on 03/04/2014,still no caseworker assigned)
Date of ceremony:WAITING

[/quote]

[ijaz.ahmed]

I've just received an email (reply for 23rd Feb Query) as below

Dear Mr Ahmed,

Your application has been approved, you will hear from the team in due course.

Admin Officer 07, North West Responder Hub
Customer Service Improvement Directorate
Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration

I'm being little excited but more skeptical because I was under the impression they only tell weather decision has been made or not and never reveal it before hand, Should I count it as approved?

My time line is as following:

Eligibility criteria: HSMP + Tier 1 + 1yr ILR
Method of application: NCS Ealing
Date of application: 08/02/2014
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 13/02/14
Date approval received: ??

What should I do now? I'm still uncertain is it 100% approval? Should I go-ahead and speak with my Ealing council for ceremony or simply wait for the letter??

(Email addresses I used together: nationalityhelpdesk@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk & furthernationalityenquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk)

Very lucky day for me two brown envelopes siting together waiting for me back from office. So I've got approval(dated 19/03/14) and council letter for ceremony.

So final time line is as
Eligibility criteria: HSMP + Tier 1 + 1yr ILR
Method of application: NCS Ealing
Date of application: 08/02/2014
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 13/02/14
Date approval received: 03/04/14 (dated 19/03/2014)
Ceremony date given: 06/05/2014

Best of luck for everyone who are still hung and thanks everyone keeping this wonderful community up.

[ehenschel]

Eligibility criteria: HSMP + Tier 2 + 1 yr ILR
Language criteria met (UK degree, exempt countries, PBS used documents, NARIC, or B1 test): Life in UK; Exempt Country
Current nationality: Canada
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Brent
Date of application: 7 Feb 2014
Payment method CC/DC, Personal cheque, Bankers cheque etc: Debit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 10 Feb 2014
Date of aknowlegment: 17 Feb 2014
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 14 Feb 2014
Date approval received: 3 April 2014
Date of ceremony:

[emmaluck]

[quote="emmaluck"][quote="emmaluck"]Eligibility criteria: HSMP 2yrs+ Tier1 3 yrs + 1 yr ILR
Language criteria met (UK degree, exempt countries, PBS used documents, NARIC, or B1 test): Life in UK:
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Bromley
Date of application: 13 Feb 2014
Payment method CC/DC, Personal cheque, Bankers cheque etc: Debit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 17 Feb 2014
Date of acknowledgment : 19 Feb 2014 received 22 Feb 2014
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 20 Feb 2014
Date approval received: Received 03 April 2014 dated 25 March 2014
Date of ceremony: 13 May 2014.


I wish all those still expecting God's speed.

[harry7476]

[quote="harry7476"]Eligibility criteria: HSMP + Tier 1 + 1yr ILR
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Wandsworth
Date of application: 17/02/2014
Payment method: Debit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 19/02/2014
Date of acknowledgment: 22/02/2014
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 21/02/14
Date approval received: 04/04/2014 (Dated 02/04/14)
Date of ceremony:[/quote] Awaiting invitation letter

Hi All,
Just received the brown envelope. It says that the application is approved although the letter is not a ceremony invitation letter and I should wait for it before contacting council. I thought I was going to just get one letter as the appl is via ncs. Anyways.

Best of luck to those waiting news. Will update further.

Thanks

[nina-23k]

Eligibility criteria:
Language criteria met (UK degree, ):
Current nationality:
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Weybridge
Date of application: 14th Feb
Payment method CC/DC, Personal cheque, Bankers cheque etc:
Date of receipt by UKBA:
Date of aknowlegment: 20th Feb
Date of debit or clearance of fees:
Date approval received: 04th April
Date of ceremony:TBC

Hello, i thought it will be good to share my timeline and experience. I have been watching this forum after my application. I am so happy today when i received the brown envelope. However it does say i have to wait to council letter for invitation.
I would like to point out that i did send a prepaid envelope when i submitted my application through council. The lady took it and send it to UKBA. Last week someone asked that question if they can send a prepaid envelope when submitting through council. I will say no need as UKBA has returned my prepaid envelope in the brown envelope. They havent used it.

Also, there was a discrepency in my address. I was scared they might make a fuss because of that. Fortunately they did not.
My 5 years address are ok. However in 2012 dec i had to relocate and between that 1 month of notice to leave, i did not had a place already and gave a relative address for bank and work. Then in Jan i found a new place and started living. I have my driving licence and DVLA to the renting address but did not change the bank address and left it to my relative address. I was scared this might cause problem but no .. thank God it didnt.

So best of luck for all those waiting, your envelope is on its way..

[triademobile]

Language criteria met: UK Degree & KEL
Eligibility criteria: 5yr + 1.5 yr ILR
Method of application: Manchester NCS
Date of Application: 13/02/2014
Date of receipt by UKBA: 14/02/2014
Date of debit of fees: 18/02/2014
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 21/02/2014
Date of receipt of approval: 05/04/2014 (Dated 28/03/2014)
Date of Ceremony: TBC (Will be private) I will book it for after Easter as I will be outside the UK next week.

Thank you very much for this forum and the people that administer it as it provides people with an estimate processing time.

[anandv76]

Eligibility criteria: 2.5 years (Work Permit) + 2.5 years (Tier-1 Visa) + 1 Year ILR
Number of people applying: Self, spouse, daughter (born in UK before ILR)
Language criteria met (UK degree, exempt countries, PBS used documents, NARIC, or B1 test): UK NARIC English language Assessment certificate + Life in the UK
Other documents: Passport, Degree certificates, UK NARIC Letter of Comparability, Birth certificate for daughter
Current nationality: Indian
Method of application: NCS (Newham)
Council name if NCS used: Newham
Date of application: 17/02/14
Payment method (CC/DC, Personal cheque, Bankers cheque etc): Credit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: did not check
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 20/02/14
Date of acknowlegment: 20/02/14
Date of acknowledgement received: 27/02/14
Date approval received: 05/04/2014 dated 01/04/2014
Date of ceremony: TBC

[kassem]

Eligibility criteria: Spouse of native BC
Language criteria met (UK degree, exempt countries, PBS used documents, NARIC, or B1 test): Life in UK + UK masters
Current nationality: -
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: -
Date of application: 18 Feb 2014
Payment method CC/DC, Personal cheque, Bankers cheque etc: Debit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 20 Feb 2014
Date of acknowledgement: 25 Feb 2014
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 24 Feb 2014
Date approval received: 05 April 2014 (dated 31/03)
Date of ceremony: waiting for the council letter but went to council today to check next available dates as I have 2 international trips in the next couple of month. there is a date on 16/04 (just one day before I travel abroad) but they said we cannot book into it until you receive our letter.

other useful info to members: asked last week an update from the HO about my progress and their reply on April 3rd was
"Dear ....
Thank you for your email. Perusal of our records show that you will hear from us regarding your application shortly.
Regards"
Thank you all for the effort and all the best with your applications.

[maverick18]

Eligibility criteria: 2 years (HSMP) + 3 years (Tier-1 Visa)
Language criteria met (UK degree, exempt countries, PBS used documents, NARIC, or B1 test): PBS used documents(Bachelor degree)
Current nationality: Indian
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Lewisham
Date of application: 12/02/14
Payment method (CC/DC, Personal cheque, Bankers cheque etc): Credit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 12/02/14
Date of acknowlegment: 18/02/14
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 18/02/14
Date approval received: 05/04/14
Approval letter dated: 27/03/14
Date of ceremony: TBC

Updated Timeline
Received approval letter yesterday. In fact, I had received an email from the caseworker dealing with my case on 23 Mar seeking some clarifications regarding my name(due to a minor discrepancy between the names mentioned in passport and application form). After I replied to him email on the same day, he was kind enough to respond back on 27 Mar and informed me that my citizenship application has been approved. He also provided me my application reference number and also mentioned when I could expect the letter to arrive. This is the first time I have experienced such amazing service from UKBA(or UKVI as they call themselves these days)in all my years of dealing with them.

[man4uni]

Hi All,

It's that time of the week again ... It's always handy to see all the timelines in just one go!

Congrats to every one who have received their approvals... Good Luck to those who are still waiting

I have added sunilbit, salman4uall, triademobile, nina-23k, timatid, humanvoid, snipaaw,violentviolet and charlenedavid

[seyi]

Language criteria met (UK degree, exempt countries, PBS used documents, NARIC, or B1 test):
Current nationality:
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: NCS
Date of application: 07/02/2014
Payment method CC/DC, Personal cheque, Bankers cheque etc: DC
Date of receipt by UKBA: 10/02/2014
Date of acknowledgment: 17/02/2014 dated on 13/02 2014
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 13/02/2014
Date approval received: Dated 02/04/2014[/color]
Date of ceremony: Will call on monday

Finally the good news, Went away for the weekend and my brown envelope was waiting for me in my letter box.
A huge thank you to all in the forum, Good luck to those waiting

[dadageer]

Hi All,

It's that time of the week again ... It's always handy to see all the timelines in just one go!

Congrats to every one who have received their approvals... Good Luck to those who are still waiting

I have added sunilbit, salman4uall, triademobile, nina-23k, timatid, humanvoid, snipaaw,violentviolet and charlenedavid

Hi I had my ceremony on 01-04-2014. I think you missed it

Good work!

[Stormyturtle]

Eligibility criteria: spouse of BC +15months ILR
Language criteria met (UK degree, exempt countries, PBS used documents, NARIC, or B1 test): LIUK + Masters degree
Current nationality:
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Redbridge
Date of application: 05/02/2014
Payment method CC/DC, Personal cheque, Bankers cheque etc: CC
Date of receipt by UKBA: 06/02/2014
Date of acknowlegment: 11/02/2014(Request for alternative payment, same details sent back and account debited on 24/02/2014)
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 24/02/14
Date approval received:waiting
Date of ceremony:tbc

Having seen some February applicants receiving their approval I decided to contact the NCS and ask if they have heard anything from the home office and maybe its just the snail mail that HO use that is holding up my approval, but they responded and said they have no further update on my application as of yet(this was on Friday 4th of April.
On the morning of 5th April i got a brown envelope from home office, my heart skipped 3 beats(thinking my application has been rejected as council does not have my details). Opened up the envelope and home office requesting to see original passport and birth certificate of spouse. Passport of spouse and birth certificate sent on the same day. Now the waiting continues again for how long more i dont know. Does anyone here have any idea how long it takes for them to reach a decision after requesting documents.
The wait is agonizing.

[xeel]

Eligibility criteria: 5yr WP +1 yr ILR
Language criteria met (UK degree, exempt countries, PBS used documents, NARIC, or B1 test): UK Degree
Current nationality: Pakistan
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Hillingdon
Date of application: 25th Feb 2014
Payment method CC/DC, Personal cheque, Bankers cheque etc: Credit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: -
Date of aknowlegment: - 3rd March 2014
Date of debit or clearance of fees: -
Date approval received: - Waiting
Date of ceremony:- Waiting

[xeel]

Eligibility criteria: spouse of BC +15months ILR
Language criteria met (UK degree, exempt countries, PBS used documents, NARIC, or B1 test): LIUK + Masters degree
Current nationality:
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Redbridge
Date of application: 05/02/2014
Payment method CC/DC, Personal cheque, Bankers cheque etc: CC
Date of receipt by UKBA: 06/02/2014
Date of acknowlegment: 11/02/2014(Request for alternative payment, same details sent back and account debited on 24/02/2014)
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 24/02/14
Date approval received:waiting
Date of ceremony:tbc

Having seen some February applicants receiving their approval I decided to contact the NCS and ask if they have heard anything from the home office and maybe its just the snail mail that HO use that is holding up my approval, but they responded and said they have no further update on my application as of yet(this was on Friday 4th of April.
On the morning of 5th April i got a brown envelope from home office, my heart skipped 3 beats(thinking my application has been rejected as council does not have my details). Opened up the envelope and home office requesting to see original passport and birth certificate of spouse. Passport of spouse and birth certificate sent on the same day. Now the waiting continues again for how long more i dont know. Does anyone here have any idea how long it takes for them to reach a decision after requesting documents.
The wait is agonizing.

Stormyturtle can you please advise how you contacted them? I've been sending them emails but no response really..