Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[andakut]

Eligibility criteria: 2x3 year DLR + 1 ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: UK Degree + LIUK Test
Nationality: Zimbabwe
Method of application: Online
Application sent: 18/09/2020
Fee deducted from my account: 18/09/2020
Receipt of your application: 22/09/2020
Letter for Biometrics sent: N/A UKVCA IDV Biometrics Reuse
Biometrics Enrolled: N/A
Date of Approval letter: Didn't receive one
Date of receipt of approval: 05/05/2021
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 15/05/2021 dated 05/05/2021
Date of Ceremony: Pending

After a long wait the "brown envelope" finally arrived. . Strange it was dated the the 5th of May and only received it today 15/05. Sidenote I did email my local MP on the 26th of April to advise him I have been for over 6 months (was in the 8th month). MP confirmed he did get in touch with the HO and they advised him same reason of COVID delays etc. Not sure if this pushed it considering Citizenship Invitation letter arrived a week and bit later after complaining to my MP.

Oh well finally over the line. It has been a journey and good luck to everyone still waiting.

[andakut]

Eligibility criteria: ILR 1+ years
Language/LIUK Criteria: UK Degree/LIUK Test
Nationality: Zimbabwe
Method of application: Online
Application sent & fee paid: 18/09/2020 £1349
Receipt of your application: 22/09/2020
Document Upload to UKVCAS: 18/09/2020
Documents submitted to UKVI: 18/09/2020
Biometric reuse email: 23/09/2020
Invitation to use UKVCAS IDV APP or Biometrics: 23/09/2020
Photo and document submitted using IDV APP or Biometrics: 23/09/2020
Date of Approval letter: Pending
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

**UPDATE**
Eligibility criteria: 2x3 year DLR + 1 ILR
Date of Approval letter: Didn't receive one
Date of receipt of approval: 05/05/2021
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 15/05/2021 dated 05/05/2021
Date of Ceremony: Pending

After a long wait the "brown envelope" mysteriously arrived in the post today. . Strange it was dated the the 5th of May and only received it today 15/05. Sidenote I did email my local MP on the 26th of April to advise him I have been for over 6 months (was in the 8th month). MP confirmed he did get in touch with the HO and they advised him same reason of COVID delays etc. Not sure if this pushed it considering Citizenship Invitation letter arrived a week and bit later after complaining to my MP.

Oh well finally over the line. It has been a journey and good luck to everyone still waiting.

[bujibuji]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 1 Investor + 1 year ILR (+12 years living in the UK)
Language/LIUK Criteria: LIUK when applied ILR + Bachelor and Master degrees in the UK
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 04/12/2020
Payment method: Credit card
Date of acknowledgement: 04/12/2020
Date of debit of fees: 04/12/2020
Documents uploaded to UKVCAS: 28/12/2020
Documents submitted to UKVI: 28/12/2020
Date of biometrics enrolled: 31/12/2020
Date on approval letter: has never arrived
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 15/05/2021
Date of ceremony: TBC
Date of passport application: TBC

[romaho]

Eligibility criteria: ILR + 1 year
Language/LIUK Criteria: Not required
Nationality: Non EU
Method of application: Online
Application sent & fee paid: 05/11/2020
Receipt of your application: 05/11/2020
Document Upload to UKVCAS: 18/11/2020
Biometrics Appointment: 21/11/2020 (paid/Croydon)
Date of approval: 08/03/2021 (email)
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 20/04/2021
Date ceremony booked: 11/05/2021
Date of ceremony: 17/05/2021 (via Zoom, free ceremony, Southwark)

[verty]

Eligibility criteria: EU permanent resident (5 years to qualify) arrived in the UK in 2011.
Language/LIUK Criteria: I am dual citizen, and have an Australian passport
Nationality : EU - Italian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 14th December 2020
Date of acknowledgement: 15th December 2020
Date of debit of fees: 14th December 2020
Date Biometrics submitted: 11th January 2021 (Paid appointment at Stratford Library)
Date of receipt of approval: I didn't receive one. It seems like people get this over email.
Date on Approval letter: Dated 10th May 2021
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Called today to make an appointment and got the next available
Date of Ceremony: 8th of June 2021

Guys, thank you for all your help and answering any questions I've had. I will admit I've been quite nervous as I could clearly see people who applied after me were getting approved so made me think my application was held up for some reason, but it did eventually come through. Good luck for everyone

[LTr]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 2 (5 years)+ 1 year ILR
Language: Language exempt (USA) + LIUK pass
Nationality : American
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 11 December 2020 12:07 AM
Date of acknowledgement: 11 December 2020 4:10 PM
Date of debit of fees: 11 Dec 2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 7 Jan 2021 Mark Lane ESP £69.99, no free were available in the London area, this was the only available day when I was booking right after submitting the application
Date submitted address change through the link in application acknowledgement: 19 March 2021
Date of notification of address change acceptance: 22 March 2021
Date of receipt of approval: 26 April 2021 by email. It shows my updated address.
Date on Approval letter: 26 April 2021
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 8 May 2021 by post directly to me and said it would be sent to the council of my updated address.
Date on Approval letter: 30 April 2021
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 8 May 2021 Greenwich council had received it as of 13 May- The certificate was received by the new council for my new address. I didn’t request them to change the council at any point.
Date of Ceremony: 17 May 2021 Private ceremony at Greenwich for £160

[ramsprk]

Eligibility criteria:‬ ILR + British Spouse
Language/LIUK Criteria: UK NARIC equivalency certificate + LIUK
‪Nationality: Indian
Date of application: 08/12/2020‬
Application sent & fee paid: 08/12/2020
‪Date biometrics enrolled: 04/01/2021.
Date of approval email: 20/04/2021 (email)
‪Date on Approval letter(attached in pdf): 20/04/2021
‪Date on the ceremony letter: 28th April 2021
‪Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 13th May 2021
Date of Ceremony: 05 June 2021 private ceremony (£250)

Thank you so much to the group members for all your support. Good luck rest of them.

[ukvisat2]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 2 General + 1 year ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: LIUK and IELTS certificate used when applied for ILR. IELTS was done in October 2014 and also used in entry clearance.
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 17/04/2021
Payment method: Credit card
Date of acknowledgement: Not received, just received a payment confirmation
Date of debit of fees: 17/04/2021
Documents uploaded to UKVCAS: 16/05/2021
Documents submitted to UKVI: 17/05/2021
Date of biometrics enrolled: 17/05/2021
Date on approval letter: TBC
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: TBC
Date of ceremony: TBC

[helpu279]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 1 Entrepreneur + 1 year ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: LIUK .
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 26/08/2020
Payment method: debit card
Date of acknowledgement: 27/08/2020 Via email
Date of debit of fees: Can't remember
Documents uploaded to UKVCAS via IDV Mobile App: 16/09/2020
Documents submitted to via IDV Mobile App: 16/09/2020
Date on approval letter: 05/02/2021
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 26/03/2021
Date of ceremony: 19/04/2021 (Physically in the council) Thurrock Council

Thank you for all of your help and this forum. Good luck to everyone. Take care

[Taktook1]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years + 1 Years ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: Life in the UK test + previous IELTS used for entry visa
Nationality : Sudanese
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 17/12/2020
Date of acknowledgement: 17/12/2020
Date of debit of fees: 17/12/2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 22/1/2021 @ Hull
Date of receipt of approval: waiting
Date on Approval letter: waiting
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: waiting
Date of Ceremony: waiting

Date of aproval: 10/5/2021
Date of receipt of ceremony letter:19/5/2021
Date of Ceremoney: 3/6/2021

[Qayssar1980]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 1 (5 years) + ILR (1 year)
Nationality: Iraq
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 14/09/2020
Payment method: Debit card
Date of acknowledgement: 15/09/2020
Date Documents submitted on UKVCAS 27/9/2020
Invitation to use UKVCAS IDV APP 27/09/2020
Photo and document submitted using IDV APP or Biometrics: 27/09/2020 (VIA APP)
Date on Approval letter: Pending
Date of receipt of approval: not yet

Nothing yet.. Long wait

[pcpuspita]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2 + 1 Year ILR
Language Criteria: UK degree
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 30 April 2019
Payment method: Online
Date of acknowledgement: 30 April 2019
Date of debit of fees: 30 April 2019

Date of Biometric letter issued: 13 June 2019
(Sent to my UK address even though I've told them I am currently in the US for work purpose. A reminder letter was sent to the same address after I passed the deadline for submitting my biometric. I didn't realise those 2 letters had been sent until a PM exceptions staff sent me an email with a final reminder to enrol my biometric information on 18 July 2019. I informed him about the error with the correspondence address, so he very kindly corrected this mistake and allowed me to submit my biometrics information in the US)

Date of biometric letter received: 26 July 2019 through email (a different version to allow submission abroad)
Date Biometrics enrolled: 8 August 2019
Date on Approval letter: 15 October 2019
Date of receipt of approval: 23 October 2019

Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 14 April 2021 (Letter was again sent to my old address, so if anyone is moving around like I do, be sure to get a rerouting service from the post office, this saved me!)

Date of Ceremony: 27 April 2021 (virtual)
Date of Certificate posted: 11 May 2021
Date of Certificate received through the post: 12 May 2021

Date of Passport Application: 13 May 2021
Date of debit of fees: 13 May 2021
Date Passport received: still waiting

[phetherweyt]

Eligibility criteria: 5 Yr Spouse of BC + ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: UK NARIC + LIUK Test
Nationality: Sudan
Method of application: Online
Application sent: 27/08/2020
Receipt of your application: 27/08/2020
Fee deducted from my account: 27/08/2020
Letter for Biometrics sent: 27/08/2020
Biometrics Enrolled: 14/09/2020
Date of Approval letter: Didn't receive one
Date of receipt of approval: 02/05/2021
Date of receipt of Home Office Citizenship Invitation letter: 15/05/2021 dated 05/05/2021
Date of Ceremony: 01/07/2021 - Nottingham City Council (still haven't received the letter but she was able to give it to me over the phone just in case)

[nafrayu85]

Eligibility criteria: Settled Status + 1 year
Language/LIUK Criteria: Trinity B1 + LIUK
Nationality: German
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 24/11/2020
Date of acknowledgement: 24/11/2020
Date of debit of fees: 24/11/2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 22/12/2020 (London Victoria)
Date of receipt of approval:28/04/2021 (via e-mail)
Date on Approval letter: 28/04/2021
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 23/04/2021
Date of Ceremony: 20/05/2021 (virtual)

[boyfromlv]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: EU settled status (5yr) + 1yr
Language/LIUK Criteria: UK Degree + Life in the UK test
Nationality: EU (Latvian )
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 12 Dec 2020
Date of debit of fees: 12 Dec 2020 (£1349.20)
Date of acknowledgement: 14 Dec 2020 (application received and being considered)
Date Biometrics booked: 23 Jan 2021 (paid £69.99, as there was no free option anywhere around London)
Date Biometrics enrolled: 19 Feb 2021 15:30 (Mark Lane - near Tower Bridge, London)
Date of receipt of approval: 22 May 2021
Date of Approval letter: 17 May 2021
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Didn't receive (nor the email), booked online
Date of Virtual Ceremony: 25 May 2021 10:00 (Tower Hamlets)

Initially the booking system offered to book ceremony from 20th July to 27th July. I booked 27th July, and then it offered to reschedule it. I tried to do that and it offered to book between 25th May and 15th June. So I chose the earliest appointment. I haven't received the email confirmation, but the website link shows this CitizenshipAppointment. I hope I will get the Zoom link for the call, otherwise not sure how I'll join it.

[brexitmeansbrexit]

Eligibility criteria: 5 Years EEA PR + 2 years on EUSS
Language/LIUK Criteria: UK Masters Degree + Life in the UK pass
Nationality : EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 02/01/21
Payment method: Credit card online
Date of debit of fees: 02/01/21
Date of acknowledgement: 04/01/21
Date of biometrics: 07/01/21
Date Biometrics enrolled: 07/01/21
Date on Approval letter: 22/5/21
Date of receipt of approval: 22/5/21 via e-mail
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

[blackswanldn]

Eligibility criteria: ILR + 1 year
Language/LIUK Criteria: Not required
Nationality: Non EU
Method of application: Online
Application sent & fee paid: 04/12/2020
Receipt of your application: 04/12/2020
Document Upload to UKVCAS:
Biometrics Appointment: 31/12/2020
Date of approval: 22/05/2021 (postal mail dated 12 May)
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 22/05/2021
Date ceremony booked:
Date of ceremony:

[naqikazmi]

Eligibility criteria: 10 Year long residence + 1 year ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: PhD UK + Life in the UK Pass
Nationality : Pakistan
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 20/12/20
Payment method: Credit card online
Date of acknowledgement email: 23/12/20
Date Biometrics enrolled: 23/12/20
Date on approval letter: never received
Date of receipt of approval email: never received
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 22/05/21
Date of Ceremony: 24/05/21(Private Ceremony costing £130-Brent Council)

[solape]

Eligibility criteria: ILR + married to BC
Language/LIUK Criteria: LITUK + UK Masters Degree
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Application sent & fee paid: 10/12/2020
Payment method: credit card
Receipt of your application: 10/12/2020
Document Upload to UKVCAS: 10/12/2020
Biometrics Appointment: 08/01/2021
Date on approval letter: 29/04/21
Date of receipt of approval letter: 08/05/2021; email never receive
Date on ceremony letter: 10/05/2021
Date of ceremony: 16/06/2021 (face to face)

[mogo7613]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2 + 1 year Settled Status
Language/LIUK Criteria: Trinity B1 + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 22/12/2020
Payment method: Visa
Date of debit of fees: 22/12/2020
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 25/01/2021
Biometrics Appointment: 28/01/2021
Date of receipt of approval: 22/05/2021
Date on approval letter: 12/05/2021
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Pending
Date of ceremony: Pending

[evelnn]

Eligibility criteria: 5yr + 1yr settled status
Language/LIUK Criteria: LITUK + UK BSc Degree
Nationality: Polish
Method of application: Online
Application sent & fee paid: 11 Dec 2020
Payment method: credit card
Receipt of your application: 11 Dec 2020
Document Upload to UKVCAS: 05 Jan 2021
Biometrics Appointment: 06 Jan 2021
Date on approval letter: 24 May 2021
Date of receipt of approval letter: 24 May 2021
Date on ceremony letter: awaiting
Date of ceremony: awaiting

It took me 5.5 months to get an approval. I've applied with a help of an immigration lawyer due to a lack of CIS they helped me to craft a mitigation letter which worked well to bypass this criterion. I did run my own firm alongside to studying for 5 years which they used as my defence. Good luck to everyone, hopefully the rest will go smoothly, I'm so happy.

[samapply]

Eligibility criteria: 5yr + 1yr
Language/LIUK Criteria: Master degree (UK)
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Application sent & fee paid: 18/12/2020
Payment method: credit card
Receipt of your application: 21/12/2020
Document Upload to UKVCAS: 12/01/2021
Biometrics Appointment: 15/01/2021
Date on approval letter: waiting
Date of receipt of approval letter: waiting
Date on ceremony letter: waiting
Date of ceremony: waiting

[Adda]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 2( 5years)+ ILR ( 1year)
Language/LIUK Criteria: NARIC+ LIUK
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Application sent & fee paid: 24/12/2020
Receipt of your application: 29/12/2020
In person Biometrics UKVCAS : 11/01/2021
Date of Approval letter online : 02/04/2021
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 02/05/2021 ( date on the letter 22/04/2021)
Date of Ceremony: 11/05/2021

Good luck to all members whom are still awaiting decisions.

[tapera]

Application Timeline
Nationality: Non-EU (Africa)
Eligibility criteria: ILR + 1 year
Language : UK Degree
Method of application: Online
Date of Application: 20/05/2021
Date of debit of fees: 20/05/2021
Date of receipt of acknowledgement:24/05/2021
Biometrics Appointment : 29/05/2001 (Leeds)
Date of receipt of approval: TBA
Date of Ceremony: TBA

[alwaysintransit]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2 General + 1 ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: Trinity GESE 5 + Life in the UK
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of biometrics enrolled: 16/02/2021
Date on approval letter: 15/04/2021
Date of receipt of approval: 15/04/2021 (via email)
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 14/05/2021 (via email)
Council applied for: Tower Hamlets

Seems like this whole process in picking up speed with more recent submissions also getting approvals and feels like there is a bit of LIFO system (e.g. recent applicants getting ceremony letter) although difficult to figure out how the systems prioritizes the applications.

Good luck to all of us who are still waiting and congratulations to those who are done with the process!

Received the invitation letter via email this morning. Currently unable to book the ceremony, the letter does say wait 1 working day to try and book.

"Please contact the Citizenship Ceremonies Officer Tower Hamlets to book your ceremony. You must attend your ceremony within three months of the date of this approval email, so please contact the local authority early to ensure you can book a convenient time. Please wait one working days after receiving this approval before you try to book, as it may take a few days for documentation to arrive at the local authority."

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I contacted Tower Hamlets a day after receiving the invitation letter email from Home Office. The council asked me to call back in a week. After a week I dropped them an email for an update. They booked an appointment for 20th July. I asked them how can I reschedule this to earlier to which they said it is a manual process, so I will need to follow-up via emails to find if someone has cancelled or rescheduled.

thanks all for the help.