January 2014 - Naturalization Application Timeline

[lostlove]

Hey guys, im a silent follower and thought I should share my application story to help you guys.

Eligibility criteria: 14 yr long residence + 1yr ilr
Language criteria: english BA degree
Current nationality: Nigerian
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Barking and Dagenham
Date of application: 22/01/2014
Payment method: DC
Date of receipt by UKBA:
Date of acknowlegment: 06/02/2014 (Letter on date: 01/02/2014)
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 31/01/2014
Date approval received: 27/03/2014 (Dated 17/03/2014)
Date of ceremony: Waiting

Good luck guys, I wish you all the best xxxxx

[unsure]

I really am an idiot, I think I need to see a therapist or something.

I just spoke to the HO and he told me that I didnt even need to make this request. He advised me to write a letter to them and withdraw my request loool or because ive waited for so long I can jsut continue to wait for it.

I dont know.

[hina zaheer]

I really am an idiot, I think I need to see a therapist or something.

I just spoke to the HO and he told me that I didnt even need to make this request. He advised me to write a letter to them and withdraw my request loool or because ive waited for so long I can jsut continue to wait for it.

I dont know.

Ho need to see therapist I think .if they knew it was invalid application y they deduct the fee and make u wait for so long.

[unsure]

^ I dont know...I was thinking of jsut writing a letter and saying if my request is being dealt with already then fine..but if not then just send it back to me.

I dont care about the fee...they can keep it, I just want the certificate back.

What do you think??

[tamara26]

Eligibility criteria:
Language criteria met (UK degree, exempt countries, PBS used documents, NARIC, or B1 test):
Current nationality:
Method of application: ncs name if NCS used: Leicester
Date of application: 30/01/2014
Payment method CC/DC, Personal cheque, Bankers cheque etc:
Date of receipt by UKBA: 03/02/14Date of aknowlegment:14/02/14 dated 07/02/14
Date of debit or clearance of fees:07/02/14
Date approval received:28/03/14 dated 21/03/14
Date of ceremony:29/04/2014

I called HO after I saw their new number posted by milan69 and the man I spoke to was very helpful....he told me a decision was made on 21 march and posted on 26 march and should receive it on 28 march....HE WAS VERY ACCURATE....THANKS EVERYONE ON THIS FORUM...ESPECIALLY MILAN69...I PRAY YOU WILL RECEIVE YOURS VERY SOON

[milan69]

I am very happy for you Tamara, congratulations

[mirna]

I called HO after I saw their new number posted by milan69 and the man I spoke to was very helpful....he told me a decision was made on 21 march and posted on 26 march and should receive it on 28 march....HE WAS VERY ACCURATE....THANKS EVERYONE ON THIS FORUM...ESPECIALLY MILAN69...I PRAY YOU WILL RECEIVE YOURS VERY SOON[/quote]

I have called the new number today. The man on the phone told me that the decision has been made but he wasn't sure as i asked him the date of the decision.

[hina zaheer]

^ I dont know...I was thinking of jsut writing a letter and saying if my request is being dealt with already then fine..but if not then just send it back to me.

I dont care about the fee...they can keep it, I just want the certificate back.

What do you think??

I think u should seek advice from lawyer before withdrawal of ur application.

[unsure]

^ I dont know...I was thinking of jsut writing a letter and saying if my request is being dealt with already then fine..but if not then just send it back to me.

I dont care about the fee...they can keep it, I just want the certificate back.

What do you think??

I think u should seek advice from lawyer before withdrawal of ur application.

I already asked a lawyer like 2 months ago and he told me I didnt need to send this request application because my passport is already correct.

I already sent a letter to them though today asking them to send it back to me if they havnt started work on it or if they are then to advise me when I should expect it back.

But why do you think I shud seek advice from a lawyer?

The person I spoke to on the phone from HO advised me to do it.

[happylad]

UPDATE:

I kept calling them and they kept giving me the same meaningless replay until I requested the return of my passport on 10/03/2014 as I needed it (I was hoping not to do this as most guys who applied at the same time like me got their approval letters)! a week after submitting, I did't get my passport back, I called them and they confirmed nothing was sent out! I tried emailing them too on 20/03/2014 the email bounced back to me to so I had to resend it several times, in the afternoon I received two responses with 7min interval:

Thank you for your email.

I have checked our records and can confirm the decision has been made on this application, the decision letter and any supporting documents should be with you shortly.

If you do not receive the decision within the next two weeks please contact us again.

I am unable to disclose the decision.

7min later (from a different officer):

Thank you for your email.

I have checked our records and can confirm that no decision has yet been made on your application.

We aim to process 95% of applications within 6 months however there are a small percentage of applications that take longer than this to be resolved.

All applications for citizenship are subject to enquiries to ensure that the statutory requirements have been satisfied. Because of these enquiries, we anticipate that applications may take up to six months to complete. Some applications may be dealt with more quickly and some may take longer, depending on the nature of the enquiries to be carried out. Our service standards set out how quickly we aim to decide applications for British citizenship.

When the decision is made, or if we require further information from you, we will contact you in writing.

Your Return of Documents letter was received 10th March 2014. You may have to wait up to 20 working days - or 10 working days if you’re a European Economic Area (EEA) citizen - to get your documents returned.

Same day when I got home I found a letter with my documents -letter dated 17/03/2014-, I was happy to get my passport so I didn't bother to follow up on the decision!
I called last Monday 24/03 and they confirmed that no decision has been made yet! TODAY my council contacted me! it seems they've received my certificate and I found out that the decision was made on the 19/03/2014 -I never received the letter- !!!!!!!!

I'm speechless when I think of the number of times they gave me they wrong info! such a poor customer service for what they charge!! Anyway, I'm glad it's over now and good luck to those still waiting..



Eligibility criteria:2 years residence + 2 years spouse of BC + ILR
Language criteria met:Life in the uk +C1 English exam
Method of application:Self
Date of application:06.01.2014
Payment method:Debit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 07.01.2014 RM tracked
Date of aknowlegment: 24.01.14 receipt letter(29.01.2014)
Date of debit or clearance of fees:24.01.14
Date approval received:19/03 never received
Date of ceremony: 30/04

[hina zaheer]

^ I dont know...I was thinking of jsut writing a letter and saying if my request is being dealt with already then fine..but if not then just send it back to me.

I dont care about the fee...they can keep it, I just want the certificate back.

What do you think??

I think u should seek advice from lawyer before withdrawal of ur application.

I already asked a lawyer like 2 months ago and he told me I didnt need to send this request application because
my passport is already correct.

I already sent a letter to them though today asking them to send it back to me if they havnt started work on it or if they are then to advise me when I should expect it ba
ck.

But why do you think I shud seek advice from a lawyer?

The person I spoke to on the phone from HO advised me to do it.

Well if u already seek advice from lawyer than u shuldnt hv send ur application at first place.I dont trust the ho customer service staff cuz of inaccuracy of information they gave thats y I was saying to consult solicitor.

[bouqet777]

UPDATE

Eligibility criteria: HSMP,Tier1 + ILR
Language criteria met (UK degree)
Method of application: NCS
Date of application: 30/1/14
Payment method:CC
Date of receipt by UKBA: Unknown
Date of acknowledgement: 6/2/14 (Received 11/2/14)
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 06/2/14
Date approval received: 29/3/14 (Letter dated 21 March)
Date of ceremony: TBA

tbC

Goodluck to those waiting.

[jmehmud]

Hi Milan69,

Have you got your approval?

[milan69]

Not yet Mehmud, but I am certain this will be an interesting week ahead

[Somudro]

Not yet Mehmud, but I am certain this will be an interesting week ahead

What is wrong with our applications? Why we are late to get approavals?

[darkangel14]

Eligibility criteria: Ancestry (5yrs+) + ILR (1 yr)
Language criteria met (UK degree, exempt countries, PBS used documents, NARIC, or B1 test): Exempt Countries
Current nationality: New Zealand
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Edinburgh
Date of application: 22/01/2014
Payment method CC/DC, Personal cheque, Bankers cheque etc: CC
Date of receipt by UKBA: presume 23/01/2014
Date of acknowledgment: 7/2/2014 (dated 01/02/2014)
Date of debit or clearance of fees: dated 01/02/2014 on statement
Date approval received: 29/03/14 dated 17/03/14
Date of ceremony:

Received my approval over the weekend - it took much longer than average when my application could not have been more straight forward. It took a long time to get to me - I wouldn't be quick to blame royal mail but what I suspect might happen is that someone deals with the application, prints out an approval letter with the current date, and then it goes into a pile for some kind of quality review to be performed by a supervisor (and this is probably just at random hence why some applications take a bit longer than average. I'm just guessing of course, but I just don't think royal mail can be blamed for a 2 week delay!

[pasha44]

Eligibility criteria: HSMP 2Yrs+tier1,3 years+1 Yr ILR
Self+wife+1 child
Language criteria met (UK degree ,wife IELTS
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used:Edinburgh
Date of application: 27.01.14
Payment method CC/DC, Personal cheque, Bankers cheque etc: CC
Date of receipt by UKBA: 28.01.14
Date of aknowlegment: 6.2.14
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 5.2.14
Date approval received: 31.03.14 for me and my child.wife application refused
Date of ceremony:waiting
Wife application refused as she was applying on discreation.she was out of UK due to medical reasons,we attached all the documents still refused very very disappointed.do not know what to do.
She was out of UK for 625 days in total and 164 days in last year.were looking is there any other root to apply for her passport.do not want to wait for an other year or two as rules are changing every day.
Any help will be highly appreciated.

[anotherbrickinthewall]

You definitely don't want to wait another year especially if you are in Scotland. Your wife may not be eligible for UK passport if Scotland votes YES in September referendum. I would seek professional advice from a solicitor.

[JPB]

I think the refusal of your application must grant you a chance to appeal. The number of days honestly is too much however y discretion may be exercised on grounds of health. With the information you have provided it's very hard to know the space of the days spent out each year for the last 5 years. If we can see a break down we can be in position to analyse matters. I know of a person who had 590 says in total but in the last 12 months she had 0 and was granted. However her medical reasons were all related to her as a person as she under went surgery as a result of an accident. While preparing to return her passport lost and contacted the embassy which also took 1 year to process. Definitely that qualified for discretion. If ur happy sharing in private I will advise further as I deal with cases daily. Sorry about that dear but hopefully you will be sorted. Gd luck and trust God.

[milan69]

Eligibility criteria: spouse of BC
Method of application: NCS
Date of application: 28.01.2014
Date of receipt by UKBA: 29.01.2014
Date of aknowlegment: 05.02.2014
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 06.02.2014
Date of approval received: 31.03.2014. (dated 26.03.2014.)
Date of ceremony:

[phoki]

Eligibility criteria: HSMP(2Years), TIER1(3Years) + 1 yr ILR
Language criteria met : IELTS + Life in the UK Method of application: NCS (Hounslow)
Date of application: 03/01/2014
Payment method: Debit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 06/01/2014
Date of aknowlegment: 29/01/2014 with a request for alternative payment details
Date of fee deduction : 06/02/2014
Date of Approval received : 31/03/2014

[phospholipid]

Congrats to both of you!

[bachy]

Eligibility criteria: 4 years WP + 1 year ILR
Language criteria met (UK degree, exempt countries, NARIC, or B1 test): B1
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: NCS Southwark
Date of application: 25 Jan 2014
Payment method CC/DC, Personal cheque, Bankers cheque etc: Credit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 28 Jan 2014
Date of aknowlegment: TBA
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 04 Feb 2014
Date approval received: 28 Mar 2014 (Dated 20 Mar 2014)
Date of ceremony: TBA

Updated per above. Fee deducted today.

Updated per above. Many thanks for everyone's help and support along the way!

[hina zaheer]

Received my ceremony invitation letter today booked private ceremony for tomrow 2.00.

[phospholipid]

Called today was told that "checks are still being done on my application", I'm really worried as I have a simple case and no criminal record.