TIMELINE AFTER NATURALISATION APPLICATION SUBMISSION

TintinHerge · Post by **TintinHerge** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 10:21 am

But if IND says that NCS and Postal services are the same , why are Character checks done more often in Postal cases than in NCS ?

Also, does anyone know what all do they check while doing a Character check ?

tekaweni · Post by **tekaweni** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 11:06 am

I'm sure the character checks are totally unrelated to whether one uses NCS or not. NCS speeds up the process by making sure applications are correctly submitted, but thats all they do.

I have no idea what the character checks involve, but a few things are pretty certain - the police are asked if they have any reports on the applicant, court records are checked for convictions and tax records checked with Inland Revenue. They can probably access all this themselves on the computer.

I dont know what checks are made with police/courts in their 'home' country but it would make sense to, where possible. Some countries dont have easily accessible systems though.

Anyway, thats my guess - probably as good as any.

Fibunnaci · Post by **Fibunnaci** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:06 pm

tekaweni wrote:I'm sure the character checks are totally unrelated to whether one uses NCS or not. NCS speeds up the process by making sure applications are correctly submitted, but thats all they do.

I have no idea what the character checks involve, but a few things are pretty certain - the police are asked if they have any reports on the applicant, court records are checked for convictions and tax records checked with Inland Revenue. They can probably access all this themselves on the computer.

I dont know what checks are made with police/courts in their 'home' country but it would make sense to, where possible. Some countries dont have easily accessible systems though.

Anyway, thats my guess - probably as good as any.

Hi tekaweni,

I agree with you with the fact that NCS checks your applications and also I presume character checks are done in all cases since nowadays they have a centralised database system that can query the checks, be it with police, court or local authorities.These process could be quicker than they used to take.

I suspect the delays could be just between an assignment to a case worker and also work load with the specific case worker who is dealing with applications.

TintinHerge · Post by **TintinHerge** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:18 pm

Tekaweni and Fibunnuci , your theory that both NCS and Postal applicants have a similar chance of undergoing a character check does not seem to be supported by what people have said on this board. From statistics, it looks like people who apply via NCS have a far less chance of a long character check than ones who go via the Postal route.

One thing that might explain this is that maybe people who have a straightfwd record and history apply through NCS(and so less long checks)

tekaweni · Post by **tekaweni** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:33 pm

I know, Tintin, but it doesnt seem logical to single out postal applications for character checks and wave the NCS ones through.

Or as Fibunnaci suggests, with a centralised database nowadays maybe ALL applications are checked and not just some at random (therefore no point notifying each applicant of the fact). Has anyone here had notification of a character check recently?

Leo_Swan · Post by **Leo_Swan** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 4:46 pm

Details provided:
NCS or Postal : NCS
If NCS, which centre :SOUTHWARK
Date of submission or posting :09. 03. 2006
CRITERIA - 5 yr stay (4 + 1 yr ILR) :5 yr stay
Date of debit of debit/credit card :14. 03. 2006
Date of receipt of acknowledgement :16. 03. 2006
Date of receipt of approval: waiting to hear
Date of Ceremony: waiting to hear
Date of appln. for passport
Method used
Date of Receipt

Letter stating receipt of payment and saying just Thank you, none CT*

Will keep the forum up to date

TintinHerge · Post by **TintinHerge** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 5:00 pm

Good to see some consistency with mine and Leo_Swan's application. We both applied through NCS on the 9th and both got our acknowledgments today. Will be interesting to see how things go moving forward. Good Luck,mate

Leo_Swan · Post by **Leo_Swan** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 5:02 pm

TintinHerge,

Race is on...

I am South African, do you mind telling what your origins are?

TintinHerge · Post by **TintinHerge** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 5:06 pm

Sure - I am Indian and the race is definitely on.

I can almost imagine it as India Vs South Africa Test Match. I wudnt fancy facing SA in a one-day match, given the current thrashing they gave the Aussies.

rogerroger · Post by **rogerroger** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 10:34 pm

my friend applied for naturalisation through a postal application some time in september, he got his aceptance some time this month.

i know the details are sketchy, but it adds to the cases in this thread

SubChand1 · Post by **SubChand1** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 12:58 pm

Hi All

I am applying for naturalisatin through NCS and I have few doubts, could someone help me on this please.

1. Reference no(at the top of the page 1)

I have two sets of referene numbers, one that is on all the previous workpermits and different one on the ILR letter that was given to me when I got ILR. Which one should I fill in the natualisation form?.

2. Knowledge in UK test ID

I got a print out when I passed the test it hasnt got any test id but it has something called "Instance ID", is it what "Test ID" is?, should I fill this one on the form?

3. Period of absence from UK

I travelled few time to my home country India during last five years, when "Calculating the no.of days absence" from uk should I inculde both the date of departure and date of arrival?.

Also the trips were merely a yearly routine trip to india for marriage, see family or attending family functions and events. what do you suggest would describe best as "Reason"?.

4. Finally the list of documents that I need to carry to NCS or provide NCS.

I know its lenghty, if someone could advice me on this, it will be much appreciated.

Many thanks
SubChand

tekaweni · Post by **tekaweni** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 1:36 pm

Hi SubChand.

1) Take the work permits and ILR letter with you to the NCS and ask them which reference number(s) apply. Thats what you pay them £35 for!

2) The Instance ID and Test ID are the same thing.

3) Days absence is the number of days NOT including date of departure and return. For example, if I left on the 10th of Jan and returned on the 15th Jan then my days absent = 4. The reasons for absence as you have stated them will be fine for the form.

4) Passport, application form, test certificate and either debit card or cheque for the Home Office payment. Plus the NCS fees (which they preferred in cash when I went). Plus the documents mentioned in (1) above, of course.

Good luck!

ezh · Post by **ezh** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 1:44 pm

Guys,

relax! You may find plenty of info elsewhere on the Board. Here is some summary:

IF you applied using the NCS everything will be okay very soon, within a month or so. If you do not have a "character check" letter with some CT it is a good sign. Most of the NCS applicants do not get such letters anyway (do not ask why).

IF you are applied by post - prepare to wait for your approval letter for 4-5 months! You'll probably get a charackter check letter about 2 months after your applicaton and perhaps a phone call from the IND and then it will be a period of complete silence for about 2-3 months. You may also need to make a phone call to the IND when approaching the average waiting time shown on the IND web page.

SubChand1,

with respect - all the questions you are asking have already been answered (many times) elswhere on the board...

SubChand1 · Post by **SubChand1** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 3:28 pm

thank you so much for replies I have filled my form accordingly.

I got another one, please..

I initially came to UK on 6 business visa, after I came here my employer applied for my first work permit which I got. I had to go back to my home country India for stamping, I went to India got my wp stamped on my passport and came to uk again as a WP holder.

Now in the application form section 3.1 the date of first arrival, is it the date that I came first on business visa or date of arrival in WP.

can someone advice me please.

thanks
SubChand

TintinHerge · Post by **TintinHerge** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 3:41 pm

SubChand1 - This is a tricky one . On one hand I would think that it should be the date when you entered on your Work Permit as you are applying for citizenship on that basis , but on the other hand they might want to know when you arrived in the country in the first place, period.

Again, as stated by someone else before, keep it blank and ask the NCS person when you get there. They are usually very helpful and will give you lot of time to ask questions that you might have to fill the appliction or any others that you might have.

Good Luck, mate

ppron747 · Post by **ppron747** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 4:49 pm

TintinHerge wrote:SubChand1 - This is a tricky one . On one hand I would think that it should be the date when you entered on your Work Permit as you are applying for citizenship on that basis , but on the other hand they might want to know when you arrived in the country in the first place, period.

Again, as stated by someone else before, keep it blank and ask the NCS person when you get there. They are usually very helpful and will give you lot of time to ask questions that you might have to fill the appliction or any others that you might have.

Good Luck, mate

Actually, I don't believe that the fact that SubChand1 was here on a WP is directly relevant to his application for naturalisation. The Act doesn't care why the applicant was in UK, so long as the presence was legal. If the date of SubChand's first arrival in UK was the date he arrived on his business visa, that is the date that should go on the form. The date he entered with the WP is not the date of first arrival, which is what the form asks....

SubChand1 · Post by **SubChand1** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 5:11 pm

but the guidance notes says "enter the day you first arrived to settle in the UK". This is what is confusing.

rogerroger · Post by **rogerroger** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 5:42 pm

yes,

i was already in the uk when my first employer applied for my wp and visa extension

so i stuck in the date when i entered the uk last. and that was on a conference trip to ireland, to mkae it even complicated, i was not stamped on my return back from ireland, so i think the last stamp probably showed that i had entered the uk in october 99.

skmd · Post by **skmd** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 2:21 am

Here is my completed timeline from start to finish:

NCS or Postal : Postal (Special Delivery 9am)
CRITERIA : (4 + 1)yrs
Date of posting : 14/10/2005
Date of receipt at Liverpool : 15/10/2005
Date of debit of fee : 17/11/2005
Date of receipt of acknowledgement : 17/11/2005 (Dated 15/11/2005)
Date of receipt of approval : 08/02/2006 (Dated 07/02/2006)
Date of receipt of invitations : 23/02/2006 (Dated 09/02/3006)
Date of Ceremony : 01/03/2006 11:23
Date of application for passport : 01/03/2006 12:45
Method used : PostOffice Check and Send service with Secure Delivery
Date of Receipt : 17/03/2006 (1st delivery was attempted on 09/03/2006)
Total days : 154 (~5 months)

I had to send a fax on company's letterhead to get my passport delivered to work address as I missed it first time (home address) because they did not leave any 'we missed you while you were away' card to pick up my passport from a local delivery depot ! in fact my UK passport and supporting documents were returned to UKPS Liverpool and they redelivered it.

Anyway I am glad that I finally got it.

tekaweni · Post by **tekaweni** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 10:24 am

My approval letter arrived this morning, just over 2 weeks from application.
This continues the trend of recent NCS submissions reported in this thread.

NCS or Postal : NCS
If NCS, which centre : Newcastle
Date of submission or posting : 02. 03. 2006
CRITERIA - 5 yr stay (4 + 1 yr ILR) : 5 yr stay
Date of debit of debit/credit card : 06. 03. 2006
Date of receipt of acknowledgement : 09. 03. 2006
Date of receipt of approval: 18.03.2006 (Dated 13.03.2006)

Take care.

FromThere2Here · Post by **FromThere2Here** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 12:26 pm

tekaweni wrote:My approval letter arrived this morning, just over 2 weeks from application.
This continues the trend of recent NCS submissions reported in this thread.

NCS or Postal : NCS
If NCS, which centre : Newcastle
Date of submission or posting : 02. 03. 2006
CRITERIA - 5 yr stay (4 + 1 yr ILR) : 5 yr stay
Date of debit of debit/credit card : 06. 03. 2006
Date of receipt of acknowledgement : 09. 03. 2006
Date of receipt of approval: 18.03.2006 (Dated 13.03.2006)

Take care.

Congratulations! That's fantastic turnaround by the Home Office.

I applied six days after you, so I've got my fingers crossed!

Was your application totally straightforward? I'm worried that mine is going to be delayed because I have a long list of trips out of the country (you should see my passport; hundreds of stamps) and the fact that I don't currently have a job. So I guess we'll know soon whether these types of things slow down the process.

Shimil · Post by **Shimil** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 2:01 pm

HI Guys
I have one question how the time period spent in Uk is counted towards naturalization or ILR.
If these are dates stamped on your passport the somtimes whle leaving UK and entering into another country (?) the immigration person dont put stamp on the passport.
Any comments will be greatly apreciated.

basis · Post by **basis** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 2:19 pm

Did not really understand the question.

Are you saying if the passport is not stamped while entering / leaving the UK then how does immigration system find when you were in / out of the UK ?

If yes, then remember the onus to prove that you have been in the UK lies on you. And even if they dont stamp your passport the computer system of Home Office keeps a record of your arrivals based on the immigration cards you fill and handover to the IO at port of entry.

if you dont know exactly then stretch your memory, ask ur family members, look at official records - mails, bills etc if it was official trip, remember the vacations / family occassions why you went out of the UK....common you should be able to get the details. I used to travel on average 20 times - so 40 arrivals /departures in an year - I neeed two sheets to be attached to my naturalisation applcn but I could put all the dates perfect. And mostly you get the other country stamping ur passport atleast.

It rarely happens that neither UK nor the country you are visiting stamps your passport. It happenned twice for me that no country stamped passport and both times it was Switzerland. But then I remembered those trips. As one was leisure trip and another business trip.

Good luck.

Shimil · Post by **Shimil** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 2:36 pm

Hi basis
May be I am not clear in my question. Yes it is true that immigration officer stamp and keep record of entering but please note that they dont for departing as I have noticed. Immigration officer rarely stamp passport when leaving UK and also in France where I reside I dont get stamped each time I leave and enter, so I mean is it possible that I stay even longer than 90 days outside UK and claim that I was in UK based on my bills for residence and electricity.

Fibunnaci · Post by **Fibunnaci** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 4:52 pm

tekaweni wrote:My approval letter arrived this morning, just over 2 weeks from application.
This continues the trend of recent NCS submissions reported in this thread.

.

Congratulations tekaweni, your timing is good as well.From now on it is a matter of counting the dates till you get the red shiny book.

My self I have been to cermony and applied for passport afterwards and waiting for it.I will post all the time line once recived passport.

Immigrationboards.com: Immigration, work visa and work permit discussion board

TIMELINE AFTER NATURALISATION APPLICATION SUBMISSION