AN1 Naturalisation - Applied Online Early

Hi All,

New to here and need help. I got my ILR last year on 20/11/2018. The service to apply online has changed and now you apply online and then book appointment with SOpra Steria UKVCAS.

You have to be on ILR for 12 months to apply for AN1. I thought 12 months was for the appointment date with UKVCAS so I applied online on 17/10/2019 so I can book appointment with them after 20/11/2019 when 12 months are completed

I called Home Office this Monday to confirm this as on Monday I got email saying you application is received amd you case id is this.

Home Office said I should have waited until 20/11/2019 to apply and now only option is to write a letter to Home Office and ask for options or refund.

Does anyone knows that my application will be rejected on this basis and fee not refunded?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks in advance.

That’s correct but the guidance pg24 states:

Applicants under section 6(1) of the 1981 act are also required to have been free of immigration time restrictions for the remainder of this period. There is however discretion to waive this requirement.
Discretion to disregard immigration time restrictions in the 12 months prior to application can be exercised if one of more of the following is met:
• the applicant had less than 12 months free of conditions when they applied, but meets the requirement by the time you consider the application and all the other requirements are met

Ur application won’t be decided till you submit biometrics.

In case of refusal fee is non refundable.

I havent submitted any documents online or submitted biometrics. So the caseworker cannot start processing my application right?

Sorry i did not get what do yiu emant by "thats correct"?

keep us updated

Ae123 wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:42 pm

I havent submitted any documents online or submitted biometrics. So the caseworker cannot start processing my application right?

Sorry i did not get what do yiu emant by "thats correct"?

Your application will not be treated until you have provided your biometrics and submitted all the required documents. There have been a few similar cases in this forum,where the caseworker asked them to re-declare the submision date simply via an email.
In your case, I think you can either ask for a refund now and then reapply after you have qualified
or
wait to give your biometrics after you have qualified and hope that the caseworker will apply discretion in allowing you to re declare another date as your application date.

The first option might be better because it might eventually save you some time.

Hi All,

I have got my Citizenship now so thought of updating you all as it will help you in case you have applied earlier than completing 12 months on ILR. But please make sure to apply once you have completed your 12 months period so you dont go through the stress and tension I did.

After my early online application and call to Home Office the next working day I posted the letter to Home Office (as per the advise over the phone by HO) and in the letter wrote that i have been advised by HO that i have applied online earlier than 12 months so can you please contact me what options do I have and/or can I get a refund?

.I still booked my appointment with UKVCAS on the safe side (1 day after my ILR 12 months).

1 week before my appointment I got email back from HO (reply to my letter posted) that "Yes you have applied early but as your 12 months complete next week we will make an exception and continue with you application. But if you still like to withdraw and get refund let us know".

I replied back that i will continue with my application. And uploaded copy of my Letter and email reply from HO in the online application with the other documents.

So people please apply after you have completed your 12 months of ILR but in case you have already applied online early then write a letter to HO (dont email) and ask them you have applied online early and you are aware but what options do you have please call me on my no xxxxxx or email me on xxx@xxxx.com.

Address to post letter:
Department 1
UK Visas and Immigration
The Capital Building
New Hall Place
Liverpool
L3 9PP

Best of luck with your applications.

Best Regards