Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

[Veettil]

my local council is Croydon. It has been about three weeks I sent them email requesting to book a virtual citizenship ceremony, but have not heard anything back. Have tried to call the council, no one could give me an answer.

Does anyone experience similar issue at the moment?

I have tried calling/emailing as well . Croydon council website says that there are virtual ceremonies being organized but have not heard back yet. Anyone else from Croydon in the same situation?

[Veettil]

Hi guys

I've sent my email with the HO letter on 25th of January and since then I haven't received anything from the Croydon council.

Anyone from Croydon having the same issue? I have called the council multiple times but no one can give me information on when the ceremonies are taking place.

Your help is much appreciated.

Same situation here. Had emailed Croydon Council in January and have not heard back. @globe44 any luck on your side?

[Hansi89]

Hi all,

my application was approved on 25th January but HO just replied to an email which I sent in November. Just FYI for Nov/Dec approvals:

However, we can confirm that we have just completed the processing of certificates and ceremony invitations for applications that were approved by 19 November 2020 and have now commenced processing those for applications approved on 20 November 2020.

[mrmo93]

12th October approval. Just finished my ceremony thank you to all the amazing help everyone

[stronk]

Hi all,

my application was approved on 25th January but HO just replied to an email which I sent in November. Just FYI for Nov/Dec approvals:

However, we can confirm that we have just completed the processing of certificates and ceremony invitations for applications that were approved by 19 November 2020 and have now commenced processing those for applications approved on 20 November 2020.

I'm picturing a dingy room in a concrete 60s building somewhere with two civil servants, one computer running Windows 98 (so it can function with the Access database on which the records are kept) and another on Windows XP, a ropey laser printer and a franking machine that keeps jamming. One civil servant sits at the XP computer with MS Word 2000, deleting the names and addresses and manually inputting the ones that the other civil servant is reading from the database lookups. Occasionally, someone comes upstairs from the complaints department and asks for an update so they can answer the thousands of back-dated e-mails demanding to know how much longer it's going to take.

[Bazaar]

Hi all,

my application was approved on 25th January but HO just replied to an email which I sent in November. Just FYI for Nov/Dec approvals:

However, we can confirm that we have just completed the processing of certificates and ceremony invitations for applications that were approved by 19 November 2020 and have now commenced processing those for applications approved on 20 November 2020.

thank you for the update . I'm mid December approval .
do they go week by week or two weeks or more?

[Bazaar]

Hi all,

my application was approved on 25th January but HO just replied to an email which I sent in November. Just FYI for Nov/Dec approvals:

However, we can confirm that we have just completed the processing of certificates and ceremony invitations for applications that were approved by 19 November 2020 and have now commenced processing those for applications approved on 20 November 2020.

I'm picturing a dingy room in a concrete 60s building somewhere with two civil servants, one computer running Windows 98 (so it can function with the Access database on which the records are kept) and another on Windows XP, a ropey laser printer and a franking machine that keeps jamming. One civil servant sits at the XP computer with MS Word 2000, deleting the names and addresses and manually inputting the ones that the other civil servant is reading from the database lookups. Occasionally, someone comes upstairs from the complaints department and asks for an update so they can answer the thousands of back-dated e-mails demanding to know how much longer it's going to take.

don't forget the multiple coffee and cigarette breaks

[Kiml]

Hi all,

I thought I’d post my timeline below, this forum has been so helpful to me:

Application submitted: 25 Sep 2020
Approval letter (email): 30 Nov 2020

I emailed Hammersmith and Fulham council yesterday to find out if they have received my certificate, they responded that they had not.
I received an email from the council today they they have received it. I am booked for a private paid in person ceremony on 24th February (£109). The next free group appointment was 10th March but I didn’t want to wait.

I have not received my invitation as yet, but H&F council are happy for me to attend without it, provided I bring in identification and my approval letter from the HO.

Good luck to everyone on here! I hope you all receive yours soon! I am ecstatic that there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel!

[stronk]

Hi all,

I thought I’d post my timeline below, this forum has been so helpful to me:

Application submitted: 25 Sep 2020
Approval letter (email): 30 Nov 2020

I emailed Hammersmith and Fulham council yesterday to find out if they have received my certificate, they responded that they had not.
I received an email from the council today they they have received it. I am booked for a private paid in person ceremony on 24th February (£109). The next free group appointment was 10th March but I didn’t want to wait.

I have not received my invitation as yet, but H&F council are happy for me to attend without it, provided I bring in identification and my approval letter from the HO.

Good luck to everyone on here! I hope you all receive yours soon! I am ecstatic that there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel!

Congratulations!

The link between approval letter date and certificate/invitation sending out date seems to be pretty random... contrary to what they say in response to complaints. Perhaps they are handling the different application routes in different teams (though that's giving them the benefit of the doubt, which is not a privilege they extend to us).

[CCon]

Hi

Can anyone share from their experience what a virtual ceremony is like and how long it takes?

Thank you!

[Kindsoul]

Hi everyone, Today I have done my virtual ceremony. I felt happy that my council did my citizenship ceremony separately and I was the only one who was in the ceremony because last week they cancelled my ceremony as I didn't receive my invitation letter. It took just 5 minutes.

I hope I will receive my certificate next week and then meet you all in the British passport thread.
Thank you very much everyone for being always helpful . Best wishes to all who are waiting

[Karl 123]

I've been a silent reader for a while.
Here's my timeline:
September 28: application submitted
October 23: biometrics
November 23:: Approval
February 13: invitation letter from HO

My borough is Harrow, and their website states all ceremonies are cancelled. Will have to call them on Monday.
Anyone have a clue if they do or don't?
Thanks

Hi Karl,
Congrats mate.. As I Harrow started virtual ceremony last week, did you call them or get any update please?

Yes I called them and was told to call back in 2 weeks time. As they had a backlog problem.
I then emailed them and they sent the same reply.
Really disappointed in this borough

[globe44]

Hi guys

I've sent my email with the HO letter on 25th of January and since then I haven't received anything from the Croydon council.

Anyone from Croydon having the same issue? I have called the council multiple times but no one can give me information on when the ceremonies are taking place.

Your help is much appreciated.

Same situation here. Had emailed Croydon Council in January and have not heard back. @globe44 any luck on your side?

Hey

Haven't heard anything back unfortunately but I'll keep you posted if anything changes.

I had a few guys from Croydon Council on the phone trying to find out more information but nothing specific has been said.

[TN1593]

Hi everyone
My timeline is as below:
Applied 11/9/20
Approved: 23/11/20
Certificate received: 13/2/21 dated 3/2/21
Invitation letter from Manchester council received 16/2/21 for a virtual ceremony.

I emailed them on Tuesday 16/2 saying that I can attend and want to receive the link but they have not responded.

Please can anyone tell me when will you receive the link for the virtual ceremony? A week before the ceremony??

Many thanks

[Veettil]

Hi guys

I've sent my email with the HO letter on 25th of January and since then I haven't received anything from the Croydon council.

Anyone from Croydon having the same issue? I have called the council multiple times but no one can give me information on when the ceremonies are taking place.

Your help is much appreciated.

Same situation here. Had emailed Croydon Council in January and have not heard back. @globe44 any luck on your side?

Hey

Haven't heard anything back unfortunately but I'll keep you posted if anything changes.

I had a few guys from Croydon Council on the phone trying to find out more information but nothing specific has been said.

Thanks @globe44. Likewise, I will update in case I hear anything on my side

[nadeem75]

Hi Members just to update,
My approval was 30 nov 2020.
I used to check my lambeth council for ceremony booking. But it shows your details are not available,
But today it shows you can book ceremony date.

However I haven’t received the invitation letter yet. I email to council for this new update. And waiting for the council reply that I can book an appointment without invitation letter.

Senior members, pls advice what does means this new development.
Regards.

[Hello5]

Are any councils doing physical ceremonies at this moment at all?

Northampton council is not doing any ceremonies, be it physical, virtual, free or paid, what a joke.

[finallyilrlr]

Update!

Westminster Council:

Applied 16 Sep - Approved 20 Nov - Invitation letter 13 Feb - Ceremony 16 Feb.

One thing worth doing is emailing Westminster about ceremony booking even before you get your letter - it took them 2 weeks to respond with the link to book a virtual ceremony (free, £10 to send certificate, not allowed to collect). That way I had the link ready for when I got my letter - this might be a bottle neck for you down the line!

Thank you all! off to passports

[nicelady190]

My Approval was on the 27th as well and am still waiting for invitation letter.

My approval 30th November. Still waiting.

Hi everyone,
Our Approval on 26th of Nov. Still waiting...
2 Adults 3 children.
Lewisham council.

Mine is Lewisham council as well . Approval date for me is 8th of December which is not that far off from your approval. Pls keep me updated if you get an invitation letter from lewisham council and I will do the same.

My visitation letter just came through the post. Approval date on the 27th of Nov 2020. Will contact Greenwich council on Monday morning for booking. Good luck guys

[Flamelily2020]

....Update....

Hi everyone,
Finally our invitation letters came today, our approval as a family was on 26th November 2020.
Lewisham council has cancelled all the ceremonies but will still call them on Monday.
Children certificates are sent to council as well but they don’t need to attend the ceremonies, parents can collect them.

[kgnot]

Hi I live in Mitcham but recently moved to schtoland for more work.
My question after reading the comments is should I apply to the local council prematurely to book a ceremony? If so which one is for Mitcham? - is it Merton?
Also in the letter the people have written :
"Please do not contact your local authority until you receive a Citizenship Ceremony Invitation Letter confirming that your certificate has been dispatched to the authority and that you should approach them to book a ceremony"
I think I must comply..

[Bre44]

Hi Everyone,
I just received my invitation letter today - approval date: 01/12. Invitation letter dated 11/02

[Juzinha]

Hi Everyone,
I have just received my invitation letter, timeline below:
Biometrics in person (Croydon): 22/10/20
Approval received: 01/12/20
Date on invitation letter: 15/02/21
Letter received: 20/02/21
Council: Bromley - I've requested a virtual ceremony through their website and received a confirmation saying they aim to respond within 5 working days. That means I'm still playing the waiting game but glad I've received the letter.
Good luck to you all!

[Contd]

Eligibility criteria: 2 DLR + 1 year ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: LIUK and Trinity B1
Nationality: Ghana
Method of application: ONLINE
Date of application :30/09/2020
Payment method: Visa Debit
Date of acknowledgement: 30/09/2020
Date of debit of fees: 30/09/2020
Date of biometric letter received/issued: N/A
Date Biometrics enrolled: 14/10/2020
Date on Approval letter: 1/12/2020
Date of receipt of approval: 1/12/2020
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 19/02/2021
Date of Ceremony:pending.... Send email to My council Northamptonshire and they asked me to call back on Monday

[nicelady190]

My approval 30th November. Still waiting.

Hi everyone,
Our Approval on 26th of Nov. Still waiting...
2 Adults 3 children.
Lewisham council.

Mine is Lewisham council as well . Approval date for me is 8th of December which is not that far off from your approval. Pls keep me updated if you get an invitation letter from lewisham council and I will do the same.

My invitation letter just came through the post. Approval date on the 27th of Nov 2020. Will contact Greenwich council on Monday morning for booking. Good luck guys