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**** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

A section for posts relating to applications for Naturalisation or Registration as a British Citizen. Naturalisation

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null1639
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by null1639 » Fri Sep 18, 2020 11:48 am

I finally received approval today from nationalitycaseworkdecisionservice@homeoffice.gov.uk

Online Application : May 18th
Submitted IDV via App : Aug 26th
Free Appointment Lansdowne : Sep 17th
Decision approval by email : Sep 18th at 11:10am

I went to Lansdowne Croydon yesterday for Bio-metrics considering I didn't hear any news after 3 weeks submitting IDV. I received approval today AM. Now let's wait for ceremony which hopefully will be done less than 12 weeks ! Thank you so much for this forum. Good luck everyone !

skasyap
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India

Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by skasyap » Fri Sep 18, 2020 11:58 am

null1639 wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 11:48 am
I finally received approval today from nationalitycaseworkdecisionservice@homeoffice.gov.uk

Online Application : May 18th
Submitted IDV via App : Aug 26th
Free Appointment Lansdowne : Sep 17th
Decision approval by email : Sep 18th at 11:10am

I went to Lansdowne Croydon yesterday for Bio-metrics considering I didn't hear any news after 3 weeks submitting IDV. I received approval today AM. Now let's wait for ceremony which hopefully will be done less than 12 weeks ! Thank you so much for this forum. Good luck everyone !
Congratulations 🥳
I also went for free appointment yesterday so just waiting to hear back. Let see

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CULLINAN
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by CULLINAN » Fri Sep 18, 2020 12:04 pm

Congratulations null1639 🥳
Personal opinion only, not to be mistaken for legal advice. Please DO NOT PM me for immigration advice. Love for All, Hatred for None.

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CULLINAN
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by CULLINAN » Fri Sep 18, 2020 12:34 pm

Just FYI, looks like appointments are eaten up quickly.. can not see any more appointments at Lansdowne till 22 October.. only paid available at London Mark Lane £199 next week... based on my availability I can view... maybe availability will be different for others...
Personal opinion only, not to be mistaken for legal advice. Please DO NOT PM me for immigration advice. Love for All, Hatred for None.

skasyap
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by skasyap » Fri Sep 18, 2020 12:55 pm

skasyap wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 11:58 am
null1639 wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 11:48 am
I finally received approval today from nationalitycaseworkdecisionservice@homeoffice.gov.uk

Online Application : May 18th
Submitted IDV via App : Aug 26th
Free Appointment Lansdowne : Sep 17th
Decision approval by email : Sep 18th at 11:10am

I went to Lansdowne Croydon yesterday for Bio-metrics considering I didn't hear any news after 3 weeks submitting IDV. I received approval today AM. Now let's wait for ceremony which hopefully will be done less than 12 weeks ! Thank you so much for this forum. Good luck everyone !
Congratulations 🥳
I also went for free appointment yesterday so just waiting to hear back. Let see
Finally received my confirmation just 2 minutes ago yeaaaa happy days !!

Goodluck everyone 👍

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Jeannot88
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by Jeannot88 » Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:03 pm

Congrats null1639 & skasyap!

Please can you share your timeline and/or category? Thanks

FazT28
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by FazT28 » Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:09 pm

Hi Guys
Just a quick question. I applied for Naturalisation on 7th September & submitted my documents to UKVI on the same day. Today I received email to use IDV or to book an appointment. I managed to book an free appointment for 28th September and then I opened the IDV app, I was surprised how easy & straight forward process it was to submitted face photo and documents.
I submitted all the documents and face photo and contacted UKVCAS on Twitter to ask if I should cancel the appointment. UKVCAS confirmed my application is complete, all documents & face photo has been submitted and I should cancel the appointment.

Wondering if moderator or anyone in the forum could guide me if I should keep the appointment or cancel it?

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CULLINAN
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by CULLINAN » Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:14 pm

@FazT28
CULLINAN wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 10:51 am
I would still suggest anyone who applied after 5th Sep to follow official updates ONLY and book an appointment to avoid disappointment later on. UKVCAS staff previously has given faulty information on several occasions.
Personal opinion only, not to be mistaken for legal advice. Please DO NOT PM me for immigration advice. Love for All, Hatred for None.

skasyap
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by skasyap » Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:24 pm

jenov wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:03 pm
Congrats null1639 & skasyap!

Please can you share your timeline and/or category? Thanks
Application date 21st of May
IDV Submission 27th of August
Biometric at UKVCAS centre ( Free appointment)17th of September
Approval- 18th of September

Hope that helps and goodluck !!

soul_mickey
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by soul_mickey » Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:28 pm

null1639 wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 11:48 am
I finally received approval today from nationalitycaseworkdecisionservice@homeoffice.gov.uk

Online Application : May 18th
Submitted IDV via App : Aug 26th
Free Appointment Lansdowne : Sep 17th
Decision approval by email : Sep 18th at 11:10am

I went to Lansdowne Croydon yesterday for Bio-metrics considering I didn't hear any news after 3 weeks submitting IDV. I received approval today AM. Now let's wait for ceremony which hopefully will be done less than 12 weeks ! Thank you so much for this forum. Good luck everyone !
does that mean booking an appointment even after an IDV submission was the right thing to do?

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CULLINAN
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by CULLINAN » Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:30 pm

@FazT28
@Xdee


I have actually read the official UKVCAS guidance again. It is actually confusing:
If UKVCAS received your application on or after 5 September 2020, we are pleased to let you know that from 21 September, you will be able to book a UKVCAS appointment.
Then it says:
From 21 September onwards, ALL customers will need to book an appointment at one of our Service Points. The IDV app will only be available to some T4 students.
I think UKVCAS will send IDV invitations to all eligible applicants up to 20th Sep.

Once the applicants will receive the IDV app invitation, they can book an appointment instead.

The recent IDV emails are reported to be sent to applicants 5th Sep - 11th Sep. I am suspecting same might happen for 11th Sep - 20th Sep before 21st Sep....

The above is my own personal interpretation.
Personal opinion only, not to be mistaken for legal advice. Please DO NOT PM me for immigration advice. Love for All, Hatred for None.

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CULLINAN
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by CULLINAN » Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:38 pm

soul_mickey wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:28 pm
null1639 wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 11:48 am
I finally received approval today from nationalitycaseworkdecisionservice@homeoffice.gov.uk

Online Application : May 18th
Submitted IDV via App : Aug 26th
Free Appointment Lansdowne : Sep 17th
Decision approval by email : Sep 18th at 11:10am

I went to Lansdowne Croydon yesterday for Bio-metrics considering I didn't hear any news after 3 weeks submitting IDV. I received approval today AM. Now let's wait for ceremony which hopefully will be done less than 12 weeks ! Thank you so much for this forum. Good luck everyone !
does that mean booking an appointment even after an IDV submission was the right thing to do?
No harm.
Personal opinion only, not to be mistaken for legal advice. Please DO NOT PM me for immigration advice. Love for All, Hatred for None.

FazT28
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by FazT28 » Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:40 pm

It is very confusing indeed. In that case, I will keep the free appointment also. If I hear anything before 28th September then I will cance the appointment otherwise I will give biometric again on 28th September.
Thank you for your help CULLINAN!

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CULLINAN
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by CULLINAN » Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:42 pm

FazT28 wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:40 pm
It is very confusing indeed. In that case, I will keep the free appointment also. If I hear anything before 28th September then I will cance the appointment otherwise I will give biometric again on 28th September.
Thank you for your help CULLINAN!
Thats the best approach.
Personal opinion only, not to be mistaken for legal advice. Please DO NOT PM me for immigration advice. Love for All, Hatred for None.

yogii96
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by yogii96 » Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:58 pm

skasyap wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:24 pm
jenov wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:03 pm
Congrats null1639 & skasyap!

Please can you share your timeline and/or category? Thanks
Application date 21st of May
IDV Submission 27th of August
Biometric at UKVCAS centre ( Free appointment)17th of September
Approval- 18th of September

Hope that helps and goodluck !!

Hi, may i ask, when you went to the free appointment did you need to bring all the document hard copies again? or did they just accept the document uploaded online?

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Lespa
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by Lespa » Fri Sep 18, 2020 2:17 pm

Congratulations to everyone who got their decision 🎉

Couple of questions.
Can you get a refund if you cancel appointment?
Thinking of booking one but at the moment the soonest I can book is couple of weeks away, and that is when they pop up.
If I get a decision before the appointment, can I cancel and get a refund?


Also, I emailed UKVI for a status update hoping to get a reply from caseworker like some members here.
Well, I got one of those, what looks to me, generic emails with the word YOUR in red :D
Have they actually assessed MY case?
Did any of you have this email and got approved/refused soon after?

I am just asking this as if its not a generic response, than its not worth booking biometric appointment.

Dear Lespa

We aim to process all applications within 6 months from the date submitted. However, in certain circumstances this target is not possible. Following our assessment of your case, unfortunately it appears of your application will not be processed within the 6 month target.

This is because it is taking longer than usual to process applications because of coronavirus (COVID-19). This will not affect the decision.

We expect to make a decision on your application as soon as possible, but we will write to you again if this is not going to be possible.

Yours sincerely

Home Office

skasyap
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India

Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by skasyap » Fri Sep 18, 2020 2:26 pm

yogii96 wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:58 pm
skasyap wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:24 pm
jenov wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:03 pm
Congrats null1639 & skasyap!

Please can you share your timeline and/or category? Thanks
Application date 21st of May
IDV Submission 27th of August
Biometric at UKVCAS centre ( Free appointment)17th of September
Approval- 18th of September

Hope that helps and goodluck !!

Hi, may i ask, when you went to the free appointment did you need to bring all the document hard copies again? or did they just accept the document uploaded online?
Hi Yogii96

Worth taking all documents with you just in case but only thing UKVCAS is interested in is your Passport and the barcode for your appointment.

I did take all my documents despite I had already uploaded and submitted my documents long back on UKVCAS website.

heyaheya
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by heyaheya » Fri Sep 18, 2020 2:39 pm

skasyap wrote:
Wed Sep 16, 2020 11:10 am
heyaheya wrote:
Wed Sep 16, 2020 11:03 am
just received an email got an approval. received an email at 11.51am. good luck everyone. many thanks,
Congratulations 🥳

Looks like IDV submission is considered but in what order only UKVI knows. You received confirmation exactly after 3 weeks IDV submission.

I will still attend my free appointment just to ensure they have no excuses in case there was an issue with IDV submission.

Goodluck everyone!!
thanku soo much .. :) :) :) :)

heyaheya
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by heyaheya » Fri Sep 18, 2020 2:39 pm

skasyap wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 12:55 pm
skasyap wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 11:58 am
null1639 wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 11:48 am
I finally received approval today from nationalitycaseworkdecisionservice@homeoffice.gov.uk

Online Application : May 18th
Submitted IDV via App : Aug 26th
Free Appointment Lansdowne : Sep 17th
Decision approval by email : Sep 18th at 11:10am

I went to Lansdowne Croydon yesterday for Bio-metrics considering I didn't hear any news after 3 weeks submitting IDV. I received approval today AM. Now let's wait for ceremony which hopefully will be done less than 12 weeks ! Thank you so much for this forum. Good luck everyone !
Congratulations 🥳
I also went for free appointment yesterday so just waiting to hear back. Let see
Finally received my confirmation just 2 minutes ago yeaaaa happy days !!

Goodluck everyone 👍
congratulationnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnsssssssssssss ...goodluck for ur future. :) :) :)

heyaheya
Member of Standing
Posts: 353
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2017 4:16 pm

Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by heyaheya » Fri Sep 18, 2020 2:42 pm

CULLINAN wrote:
Wed Sep 16, 2020 11:06 am
heyaheya wrote:
Wed Sep 16, 2020 11:03 am
just received an email got an approval. received an email at 11.51am. good luck everyone. many thanks,
Congrats 🥳
thank you very much to u . because of u i could upload documents on ukvcas.. !! good luck .. i m sure your getting ur reply today or early next week.. have a good day.. thanks again for your support.

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CULLINAN
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by CULLINAN » Fri Sep 18, 2020 2:52 pm

Lespa wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 2:17 pm
Congratulations to everyone who got their decision 🎉

Couple of questions.
Can you get a refund if you cancel appointment?
Thinking of booking one but at the moment the soonest I can book is couple of weeks away, and that is when they pop up.
If I get a decision before the appointment, can I cancel and get a refund?


Also, I emailed UKVI for a status update hoping to get a reply from caseworker like some members here.
Well, I got one of those, what looks to me, generic emails with the word YOUR in red :D
Have they actually assessed MY case?
Did any of you have this email and got approved/refused soon after?

I am just asking this as if its not a generic response, than its not worth booking biometric appointment.

Dear Lespa

We aim to process all applications within 6 months from the date submitted. However, in certain circumstances this target is not possible. Following our assessment of your case, unfortunately it appears of your application will not be processed within the 6 month target.

This is because it is taking longer than usual to process applications because of coronavirus (COVID-19). This will not affect the decision.

We expect to make a decision on your application as soon as possible, but we will write to you again if this is not going to be possible.

Yours sincerely

Home Office
Yes you can get an appointment refund if you cancel before 48 hours window minus £10 admin charge. Its not a good idea to budge HO before 6 months.
Personal opinion only, not to be mistaken for legal advice. Please DO NOT PM me for immigration advice. Love for All, Hatred for None.

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Lespa
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by Lespa » Fri Sep 18, 2020 3:04 pm

CULLINAN wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 2:52 pm
Yes you can get an appointment refund if you cancel before 48 hours window minus £10 admin charge. Its not a good idea to budge HO before 6 months.
Thanks. I think I will go for a double submission too. Not worth risking that potentially IDV is holding off a decision.

Why do you think its not a good idea to email them for a status?
It was really just a one line email, "I was wondering if you could give me an update on the status of my application"

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CULLINAN
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by CULLINAN » Fri Sep 18, 2020 3:15 pm

Lespa wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 3:04 pm
CULLINAN wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 2:52 pm
Yes you can get an appointment refund if you cancel before 48 hours window minus £10 admin charge. Its not a good idea to budge HO before 6 months.
Thanks. I think I will go for a double submission too. Not worth risking that potentially IDV is holding off a decision.

Why do you think its not a good idea to email them for a status?
It was really just a one line email, "I was wondering if you could give me an update on the status of my application"
The standard processing time is 6 months. If you send HO an email before that, you will only get back a generic reply (if any). If you do not hear back before 14th Oct, you can ask for an update.
Personal opinion only, not to be mistaken for legal advice. Please DO NOT PM me for immigration advice. Love for All, Hatred for None.

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Lespa
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by Lespa » Fri Sep 18, 2020 3:36 pm

CULLINAN wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 3:15 pm
Lespa wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 3:04 pm
CULLINAN wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 2:52 pm
Yes you can get an appointment refund if you cancel before 48 hours window minus £10 admin charge. Its not a good idea to budge HO before 6 months.
Thanks. I think I will go for a double submission too. Not worth risking that potentially IDV is holding off a decision.

Why do you think its not a good idea to email them for a status?
It was really just a one line email, "I was wondering if you could give me an update on the status of my application"
The standard processing time is 6 months. If you send HO an email before that, you will only get back a generic reply (if any). If you do not hear back before 14th Oct, you can ask for an update.
Fair enough. I saw few people here getting responses from their case workers before 6 months period, so I thought to try my luck.
Anyway, booked a biometric appointment for next week. Will keep you updated if double submission works :)

hazemA
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Re: **** COVID19 Biometrics appointments and UKVCAS ***** (Discuss here ONLY)

Post by hazemA » Fri Sep 18, 2020 3:50 pm

I guess for those asking about the harm of booking an appointment when you've submitted documents via app already is that after 20th of September you're taking opportunity from those who are not candidates for IDV app. But then I know everyone has to think about themselves.

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