Application for naturalisation - ILR + 2 years residency - current processing times

Hello,

I would like to apply for British Cizitenship through naturalisation and am wondering what the current processing time is. I am South African and qualify through holding Indefinite Leave to Remain and having lived permanently in the UK for 2 years since being granted Indefinite Leave to Remain. I still have the Life in the UK and English Language Level B1 certificates I received for my application for ILR and will use these for my BC application. I am planning to go on a trip to Australia at the end of July this year and wonder what the current processing time for the British Citizenship application is? Is it realistic to expect it to be granted and have time to apply for the British passport before the trip if I make my application before the end of January?

Thank you for help

AN applications currently between one to three months - UKVI's SLA is 6 months, some application may go up to six months or more.
Passport can only be applied for after your BC ceremony and processing time depends on how busy HMPO are at the time. Ten days upwards I would say.

Thank you.

I've completed the online form and am ready to submit my application. Please can I check the following:

1) The "Documents" section includes "Two referee declarations for..." I've completed the details of my referees in the electronic form. Do I need to submit separate documents from my referees? Is there a prescribed format for the declarations?

2) The "Documents" section states under "Providing your documents" that I can either use the existing service or the new service. Some details of the new UKVCAS centres is provided, but I'm not sure which service to choose. Is there any affect on processing time between the two services? The information on UKVCAS centres mentions optional added-value services. Do these affect processing time at all?

3) Under both the Existing and New service, is there a premium service which reduces processing time for a higher fee?

4) I've included my current employer details in the electronic form. I've worked for this employer for 3 years but am currently considering applying for a position at a different company. If I hand in notice at my current employer after I've submitted my application but before a decision is made do I need to let UKVI know?

Thank you

1. They each need to sign the referee forms.

2. There has been no change to the processing of citizenship applications and it makes no difference which option you use to apply. With ukcvas you get to keep your original documents though.

3. There is no premium service for citizenship and never has been.

4. No.

Thank you very much.

Please can I ask the following follow up questions?

1. For the forms that the referees need to sign, where can I obtain the forms for the referees to sign? Just to clarify I'm completing the online application form. So far I have completed section 2. Application and am currently on section 3. Documents, where I need to tick the documents that I can provide. Will I be able to obtain the forms for the referees later in the application?

2. For the New service, the detail on the government visa immigration service states there are 6 core service centres offering free appointments and 50 enhanced service centres offering charged appointments. For citizenship applications am I free to choose to attend any of these for my appointment? Do you know how much the charge is for an appointment at an enhanced service centre?

3. You mention for UKVCAS that I would get to keep the original documents. Does this include my passport? Or do I need to hand in my passport no matter which service (of existing or new) I choose?

Thank you!

1. They are rpintable when you get to that stage. You need to populate referee details and print it for them to sign.

2. Not sure but has been covered in other topics.

3. Yes you get to keep all originals.

Thank you.

Please can I ask the following:

1. The application asks whether I have ever made any previous UK immigration applications in the UK or abroad. Would this include my applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain and for my Ancestry Visa?

2. If I get to keep my original passport and BRP card when applying at UKVCAS, would I be free to travel with my South African passport and BRP after I've submitted my application while I'm awaiting an outcome?

thanks very much

1. All UK immigration apps yes.

2. Yes.

Thank you.

1. For the previous UK immigration applications, the form asks for the reference number. For my ILR is this the application reference number? I can't seem to find it, I only have a booking reference number for when I attended my appointment. Is it fine to leave the reference number out if I'm not sure?

2. Same for my ancestral visa - does the reference number refer to the application reference number?

3. Do I need to submit my previous expired passport as well when submitting my documents? My old passport has my ancestral visa in it.

1. Brp card number should be fine.

2. Visa vignette number, top right corner of the visa.

3. Yes.

Thank you.

For the UK Ancestry Visa number - there is a number in red numbers in the top right and a "VAF No" below the expiry date in the top right. Which number is the correct one to use?

First one, topi right in red.

I've submitted my application. One of the items in the document checklist is "Proof of living in the UK". I think I recall that the application form mentioned that for non-EEA citizens this would be my current passport. Please can I check that I will only need to provide my passport to meet this requirement?

Just your passport(s)

I've made an appointment at UKVCAS and am uploading the supporting documents for my application. Please can I check under which "Document type" should I upload the Life in the UK test and English language pass certificate?

Education

Thank you.

I had my appointment at the UKVCAS centre in Croydon today. Are the original referee declarations meant to be submitted? Mine were scanned in but I thought that the physical documents that were signed by the referees would need to be submitted as well. All of the supporting documents were scanned in and none of the physical documents were submitted. Please can I confirm that is the standard for the new process?

SAffa_Sean wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 07, 2019 10:35 pm

Thank you.

I had my appointment at the UKVCAS centre in Croydon today. Are the original referee declarations meant to be submitted? Mine were scanned in but I thought that the physical documents that were signed by the referees would need to be submitted as well. All of the supporting documents were scanned in and none of the physical documents were submitted. Please can I confirm that is the standard for the new process?

Correct yes.

I had my appointment at the UKVCAS centre in Croydon on 7 February to submit my supporting documents for my citizenship application. After I submitted my online application I had a confirmation from UKVI on 1 February but haven't had any communication since I submitted my supporting docs at UKVCAS on 7 February. Please can I check what is the next step in the process?

You won't get updates at every step. Now all you can do is wait and it can take a few weeks and up to 6 months.

You will be notified in writing about the outcome of your application.

I applied for UK citizenship online and submitted my documents at the UKVCAS in Croydon. Please can I confirm whether I am free to travel using my South African passport (and BRP) while I am awaiting the outcome of the application? The staff at the UKVCAS centre said I need to check with the Home Office as the Home Office may put a block on my passport while my application is being processed. Do you know if the Home Office usually does block passports while applications are being processed? It seems unusual unless some specific circumstances called for it.

You are free to travel.

HO don't have the authority to "block" passports!!

Thank you!

I have now received a response from the Home Office that my application was approved and I have been invited to attend a citizenship ceremony.

Please can I check the following:

1) Will I receive my naturalisation certificate at the ceremony?
2) I had a look at the requirements for my first British passport. Can I please confirm that the only documents required are 1. my naturalisation certificate and 2. the passport I used to come into the UK?
3) My original passport I used to come to the UK (that includes my Ancestry Visa) expired. Do I also need to provide my current South African passport?
4) The online guidance states that the passport can take up to 6 weeks to arrive. Previously I heard that the current processing time is about 10 days. What is the current processing time at the moment? Is there any difference in processing time whether I apply online or via post?

Thank you for your help

1. Yes, once you have taken the oath etc.

2. Correct.

3. You need to provide all uncancelled passports, including current passport.

4. It is taking about 2 weeks at the moment. It gets slower the closer it gets to summer.

SAffa_Sean wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 15, 2019 12:29 pm

4) The online guidance states that the passport can take up to 6 weeks to arrive. Previously I heard that the current processing time is about 10 days. What is the current processing time at the moment? Is there any difference in processing time whether I apply online or via post?

Thank you for your help

I recently applied for first adult BP. It can take longer as it depends on the HMPO you get assigned. I found the best way to expedite is to google the HMPo office's direct number after you applied and explain that you need it urgently - they are more likely to take action on your request than the main call centre helpline..atleast in my case.