Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Small wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 10, 2020 1:32 pm

Finally unexpected invitation letter with other junk mails today.
Approved in 10 March. Date on invitation letter 14May. Called Sheffield council but they have not resumed ceremonies and there is no certificate of my name among other certificates. Rang HO and asked to send Certificate and why it has not been sent. The lady at HO took my details and assured me to post it ASAP. I explained to council if I could have private ceremony and got replied no private or virtual ceremonies at the moment. But council would do something if they got my certificate. I think I am not fortunate enough as compared to recieve my invitation letter as i waited more than 6 months since my approval.
Is anyone here from Sheffield council and had their ceremonies done please?
At last thank you for the people here and admin. I am sorry being pain in ..... but it was an awful wait and stress.
Good luck all of you.

Congratulations!!

Do you mind sharing the home office number that you called?

Thanks a lot.

It’s a 0300 number on letter. You need to tell them if you did not get your certificate. But they are not efficient on other enquiries

Small wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 10, 2020 3:31 pm

It’s a 0300 number on letter. You need to tell them if you did not get your certificate. But they are not efficient on other enquiries

I’ve called them just now, they’ve said I need to wait. He did say that HO is planning to clear all backlog by end of October. So hopefully soon!

That is fine but in my case it was HO fault not mine. They should have sent both.
Good luck

Doc2020 wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 10, 2020 3:33 pm

Small wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 10, 2020 3:31 pm

It’s a 0300 number on letter. You need to tell them if you did not get your certificate. But they are not efficient on other enquiries

I’ve called them just now, they’ve said I need to wait. He did say that HO is planning to clear all backlog by end of October. So hopefully soon!

Interesting. As the backlog is growing everyday and since 3 months so many people get approved so quickly.
So I assume everyone waiting since April and the ones waiting just since yesterday are included in that backlog.

Hi Friends,

Here I am joining you all in the waiting list. Got an approval last week. I know it’s way too early for me to expect to receive an invitation for ceremony but I would like to know is anybody here who has done his/her ceremony recently at Leeds City Council? Just want to get the feeling how Leeds City Council is doing tried calling the Registrar office but all no luck (got an automated reply saying ceremonies have been suspended etc etc)

Many Thanks,
BlueSkies

Did anyone who moved houses at the beginning of lockdown have issues with where the invitation letter or certificate were sent?

I informed UKVI if my address change and received my approval via email in May. The email showed the correct address on it but I never received a physical letter. I tried calling UKVI and only managed to speak to the call centre operative who told me to wait until the end of October and that my certificate will be sent to the correct council. For my ease of mind I thought I'd check here if anyone was in a similar situation...

Rzee7 wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 11, 2020 8:29 am

Did anyone who moved houses at the beginning of lockdown have issues with where the invitation letter or certificate were sent?

I informed UKVI if my address change and received my approval via email in May. The email showed the correct address on it but I never received a physical letter. I tried calling UKVI and only managed to speak to the call centre operative who told me to wait until the end of October and that my certificate will be sent to the correct council. For my ease of mind I thought I'd check here if anyone was in a similar situation...

Not the same situation, but I moved after already receiving approval. I informed them as instructed by my then local council of the address change (I have mail redirection set up anyway) but am yet to hear from them in terms of any confirmation they changed the address or anything of the sort. I don't even know if this will mean the council for the ceremony will change or not. Who knows, with the previous email I sent them it took them over a month to respond so who knows what will happen...

Rzee7 wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 11, 2020 8:29 am

Did anyone who moved houses at the beginning of lockdown have issues with where the invitation letter or certificate were sent?

I informed UKVI if my address change and received my approval via email in May. The email showed the correct address on it but I never received a physical letter. I tried calling UKVI and only managed to speak to the call centre operative who told me to wait until the end of October and that my certificate will be sent to the correct council. For my ease of mind I thought I'd check here if anyone was in a similar situation...

Yes, I changed address a couple of times during the application and did not receive approval/invitation letter. I am worried about the letters being lost as well.

blueskies89 wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 10, 2020 5:51 pm

Hi Friends,

Here I am joining you all in the waiting list. Got an approval last week. I know it’s way too early for me to expect to receive an invitation for ceremony but I would like to know is anybody here who has done his/her ceremony recently at Leeds City Council? Just want to get the feeling how Leeds City Council is doing tried calling the Registrar office but all no luck (got an automated reply saying ceremonies have been suspended etc etc)

Many Thanks,
BlueSkies

Yea i am with Leeds City council. I got approved in May but no ceremony yet. They are doing small group ceremonies though.

Rzee7 wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 11, 2020 8:29 am

Did anyone who moved houses at the beginning of lockdown have issues with where the invitation letter or certificate were sent?

I informed UKVI if my address change and received my approval via email in May. The email showed the correct address on it but I never received a physical letter. I tried calling UKVI and only managed to speak to the call centre operative who told me to wait until the end of October and that my certificate will be sent to the correct council. For my ease of mind I thought I'd check here if anyone was in a similar situation...

ok that made me worry I moved houses after I sent My application. I uploaded a cover letter with my new address in my UKVI account before my biometrics appointment. My approval letter had my old address but I thought its because I used that address for my application. Should I be worried hat the case worker never read the cover letter that I uploaded? Thankfully I have set up mail redirection so I hope the invitation letter will not be lost.

Mayo101 wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 11, 2020 11:59 am

blueskies89 wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 10, 2020 5:51 pm

Hi Friends,

Here I am joining you all in the waiting list. Got an approval last week. I know it’s way too early for me to expect to receive an invitation for ceremony but I would like to know is anybody here who has done his/her ceremony recently at Leeds City Council? Just want to get the feeling how Leeds City Council is doing tried calling the Registrar office but all no luck (got an automated reply saying ceremonies have been suspended etc etc)

Many Thanks,
BlueSkies

Yea i am with Leeds City council. I got approved in May but no ceremony yet. They are doing small group ceremonies though.

Nice one. That’s good to hear Mayo101 let’s keep each other updated of any progress on the ceremonies.

Many Thanks

gbalague123 wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 09, 2020 2:45 pm

hashmil wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 08, 2020 12:33 pm

My ceremony will be held on Friday virtually!

I applied in February, and got my letter of inviation only in August. Though the letter was dated in March.

I called the council as soon as i got the letter, and they said there's a huge backlog and to get in touch early September - and to keep checking their website for details.

On the website there was an email address for the council - so yesterday i emailed them asking about whats happening. Today i got a call from the council saying that they can have a virtual ceremony via Microsoft Teams on Friday.

My council is Wandsworth Council in London btw.

Hey, same council as mine. When did you get your email approval? Congrats! Im still waiting.....

I never got an email confirmation. I applied mid Feb before the lockdown. I got the invitation straightaway via post mid August. However the letter was dated mid march! (the invitation had an extra page explaining that due to Covid ceremnies can be delayed etc). Then i called the council, and they just asked to check the wandsworth council website. On the website, under the "book a citizenship ceremony" section there's an email address they ask you to send the details of the invitation. I did, and they called me the very next day saying that they havent got my certificate from Home Office, and it might arrive around early september based on the date on my letter. So, earlier this week i emailed them again reminding them about the earlier conversation. And the very next day i got a call, and was booked for a virtual ceremony. This morning i attended the virtual ceremony via Microsoft Teams, and i'm happy to say that i'm a British Citizen now! (they will be posting the Naturalisaion certificate, which i'll get sometime next week, so i can apply for the passport)

londuk1 wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 11, 2020 1:26 pm

Rzee7 wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 11, 2020 8:29 am

Did anyone who moved houses at the beginning of lockdown have issues with where the invitation letter or certificate were sent?

I informed UKVI if my address change and received my approval via email in May. The email showed the correct address on it but I never received a physical letter. I tried calling UKVI and only managed to speak to the call centre operative who told me to wait until the end of October and that my certificate will be sent to the correct council. For my ease of mind I thought I'd check here if anyone was in a similar situation...

ok that made me worry I moved houses after I sent My application. I uploaded a cover letter with my new address in my UKVI account before my biometrics appointment. My approval letter had my old address but I thought its because I used that address for my application. Should I be worried hat the case worker never read the cover letter that I uploaded? Thankfully I have set up mail redirection so I hope the invitation letter will not be lost.

this advice probably doesnt help much right now. But with Royal Mail you can set up mail forwarding (you have to pay for it). when i moved once i was in the middle of a visa application, and did this (also informed Home Office) but they had sent the decision to my old address. But because of the mail forward i got it.

I've been following this thread for a while and I can see we're all in the same situation - waiting for our invitations.

I didn't see anyone post anything about Southampton, so I decided to chip in what I've got so far.

I submitted my application in the middle of lockdown because I finally had the time to put together all the documents I needed; couldn't submit my biometrics so it was put on hold. As soon as the biometric centre opened, I booked the first available appointment and submitted my application. I got my approval over email in July and since then I have heard nothing.

I emailed the council a few times asking if they have started receiving any certificates, if they have mine, if they have a backlog etc. and they have responded they have not received any documents from HO yet but it wasn't clear if they have received nothing whatsoever or if just they haven't received mine yet. They said once they get the certificate, they will write to me to book a ceremony.

So now I'm just waiting. My main concern is what if because of the second wave everyone is talking about, they decide to cancel all ceremonies yet again.

It was wrong of them to put the citizenship ceremonies in the same pile as weddings. I get that weddings are just as important however, for some people, the citizenship ceremony is much more important because they will finally get their document showing they are a citizen entitled to all of the perks that other Brits are entitled to. Just saying that a citizenship ceremony is a legal requirement, whereas a wedding is something you choose to have. (Don't mean to offend anyone but this is my opinion)

Anyway, rant over!

Hi,

I hope you guys are all in good health.

I just want to help everyone that are waiting distressed like me. I called the immigration helpline today at 08006781767. I explained them my situation and told them that I've now waited over 12 weeks. The guy was super nice and friendly. He said, he opened a case, took my contact details, HO reference number and said I would hear back from them soon.

I hope this can help others too. I was slowly falling a bit depressed to be honest. But a glimmer of hope. Hopefully I hear back from them.

Approval: Mid-June
Council: Newham

Raihanul wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 11, 2020 4:01 pm

Hi,

I hope you guys are all in good health.

I just want to help everyone that are waiting distressed like me. I called the immigration helpline today at 08006781767. I explained them my situation and told them that I've now waited over 12 weeks. The guy was super nice and friendly. He said, he opened a case, took my contact details, HO reference number and said I would hear back from them soon.

I hope this can help others too. I was slowly falling a bit depressed to be honest. But a glimmer of hope. Hopefully I hear back from them.

Approval: Mid-June
Council: Newham

I’m sorry if this dashes your hopes, but I contacted this coronavirus immigration support helpline as well and was also promised they would help me. After a few days I got the following automated email (I also called, they sent the email and opened the case on my behalf, contrary to what the email says):

“Thank you for your email to the Coronavirus Immigration Team relating to British citizenship. Unfortunately, this team is unable to deal with your enquiry.

If you have not already resolved your enquiry please contact Nationality Enquiries for further assistance at NationalityEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk”

So the likelihood they will be able to help you is almost zero I’m afraid...

gbalague123 wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 09, 2020 2:43 pm

I applied in January.
Got the email approval in May
I called yesterday to my council (Wandsworth-Richmond). They said they do not have my certificate yet and that they will call me to arrange a virtual ceremony end of September-beginning of October (as long as they receive my certificate I guess)
No invitation letter from HO......waiting and waiting.....

Hi, I live in the same borough. Got approved beginning of August... I’d assume my ceremony will be in 2021...

Hi all, Received my invitation this Morning. Applied 20th Of May, Approved 21st of August received 28th of August by post. Invitation today. Have been on this board for a while, people might disagree but calling / emailing the HO sometime prolong the decision make. When you give your details on emails and phone calls,they note this and may work against you and make you wait to the maximum time lline. I have seen every person here He or she have been Approved the HO can not change that decided, your in your last lap, please guys,Patience pays and with no time your done with it.

Good luck everyone

Hi all, Is anyone here from Waltham Forest Council waiting for the ceremony letter? Trying to understand if they started the ceremonies after lockdown. I received my approval letter end of May, and still waiting for the ceremony letter.
Thank you in advance

Goodtosee wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 12, 2020 6:04 pm

Hi all, Received my invitation this Morning. Applied 20th Of May, Approved 21st of August received 28th of August by post. Invitation today. Have been on this board for a while, people might disagree but calling / emailing the HO sometime prolong the decision make. When you give your details on emails and phone calls,they note this and may work against you and make you wait to the maximum time lline. I have seen every person here He or she have been Approved the HO can not change that decided, your in your last lap, please guys,Patience pays and with no time your done with it.

Good luck everyone

CONGRATULATIONS,Count your self super lucky, I m waiting since may, Applied in March approved in may still waiting for the invitation letter, I think I m the unlucky person in the forum who waiting more than 4 month to get the journey done. Wish me good luck guys.

Goodtosee wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 12, 2020 6:04 pm

Hi all, Received my invitation this Morning. Applied 20th Of May, Approved 21st of August received 28th of August by post. Invitation today. Have been on this board for a while, people might disagree but calling / emailing the HO sometime prolong the decision make. When you give your details on emails and phone calls,they note this and may work against you and make you wait to the maximum time lline. I have seen every person here He or she have been Approved the HO can not change that decided, your in your last lap, please guys,Patience pays and with no time your done with it.

Good luck everyone

That’s good news for you and I’m glad to hear that.

However I don’t agree on your point you make.
Lately the ones approved end August got a letter and invitation together. There are several people posting about end August approvals with invitations at the same time coming by post.

It seems rather us receiving decisions by email only are the ones waiting.

About enquiring. My friend was approved end May and had several times contacted council and HO and even wrote to the complaint department of HO. Her ceremony is now booked for later this month.

Also I don’t think HO would have that unprofessional attitude letting the ones who were contacting them waiting extra long.

The only thing I can see is since they got back to sending decisions by post again lately waiting longer as the ones received an email.

Looks like they just decided to ignore the email approvals and carry on business as usual

Wahidwadid wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 12, 2020 10:08 pm

Goodtosee wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 12, 2020 6:04 pm

Hi all, Received my invitation this Morning. Applied 20th Of May, Approved 21st of August received 28th of August by post. Invitation today. Have been on this board for a while, people might disagree but calling / emailing the HO sometime prolong the decision make. When you give your details on emails and phone calls,they note this and may work against you and make you wait to the maximum time lline. I have seen every person here He or she have been Approved the HO can not change that decided, your in your last lap, please guys,Patience pays and with no time your done with it.

Good luck everyone

CONGRATULATIONS,Count your self super lucky, I m waiting since may, Applied in March approved in may still waiting for the invitation letter, I think I m the unlucky person in the forum who waiting more than 4 month to get the journey done. Wish me good luck guys.

Such thoughts would not help you bro. I've been waiting longer and still here. I know there would be members who are tired of writing and just read comments. While it drives me crazy, I find other things to occupy my thoughts like opening FOI requests to understand how their system work and maybe identify why they are this inefficient.

I do not believe reaching out to the home office or requesting these information should in any way be the reason for a delay as mentioned by a different member earlier. If we cannot speak freely nor have a right to free expression then becoming British would not have that vibe to it.

That being said, You are not unlucky. You most likely would read this by the time you wake up in the morning.. Thats is what it means to be lucky. Waking up each day to see the morning sun.

Peace lads.

I could not agree more my friend.
Great perspective