ESC

Click the "allow" button if you want to receive important news and updates from immigrationboards.com


Immigrationboards.com: Immigration, work visa and work permit discussion board

Welcome to immigrationboards.com!

Login Register Do not show

General discussion after BC and Passport application

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

Moderators: Casa, push, JAJ, ca.funke, Amber, zimba, vinny, Obie, EUsmileWEallsmile, batleykhan, meself2, geriatrix, John, ChetanOjha, archigabe

Locked
ARPHskp
Junior Member
Posts: 57
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2012 1:39 pm

Post by ARPHskp » Tue May 01, 2012 12:03 pm

Thanks.

I will wait for approval first as its too early for me. Only 5 weeks since I applied

jms_uk
- thin ice -
Posts: 194
Joined: Sun Feb 27, 2011 8:44 am

Post by jms_uk » Tue May 01, 2012 12:51 pm

manoj123 wrote:It depends on the Council. Was reading Brighton does once a month. Cambridgeshire does weekly. So you might need to ring them.
Hereford[shire] is once a month as well...

grantring
- thin ice -
Posts: 78
Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2012 2:36 pm

Post by grantring » Tue May 01, 2012 1:17 pm

jms_uk wrote:
manoj123 wrote:It depends on the Council. Was reading Brighton does once a month. Cambridgeshire does weekly. So you might need to ring them.
Hereford[shire] is once a month as well...
Chichester is every 2 weeks for west sussex addresses

bebe2011
Junior Member
Posts: 61
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2012 5:08 pm

Rude service

Post by bebe2011 » Wed May 02, 2012 3:35 pm

I applied on the 17th February and have heard nothing so far.....not a problem as i am waiting patiently. However, on the 29th Feb thereabouts, i received a letter stating i had not paid enough and to pay within 2 weeks or my application will be refused.....i was surprised considering there was more than enough money in there. anyway, i promptly filled in the payment form they included in the letter and posted it by special delivery which they received 2 days later.

on reading the forums, i came across a post which said that the reference NFEE1234567 isn't my reference and to call and find out what my reference number is......so i decided to call today around 4.....it took over 10 minutes and 2 tries before a guy picked it up (i was smiling cos i heard guys are nicer than the ladies)

HOW WRONG WAS I? this guy was virtually shouting down the phone at me! my goodness.....he was so abrupt.....whilst i had a very calm voice and asked him what my reference number is.....he replied asking if i never received a letter from them. i said i did but then i understand that is not my reference number. he then said ok give me your details and i will chk but it depends on whether you are on the main system.....so i did and in less than 5 seconds after asking me to repeat my name just clicked and then he shouted....your name isn't on the system yet! OK!

I was so shocked at his RUDE attitude that i just said ok....

i am very shocked at the way these people behave....it seems they have been told to treat us harshly......it is just a downright pity cos this attitude will not improve their services in any way....its a pity......just wanted to share and get this sad incident off my chest......

good luck to all........and to me too....... :D

elliass
BANNED
Posts: 63
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2012 4:56 pm

Re: Rude service

Post by elliass » Wed May 02, 2012 3:53 pm

bebe2011 wrote:I applied on the 17th February and have heard nothing so far.....not a problem as i am waiting patiently. However, on the 29th Feb thereabouts, i received a letter stating i had not paid enough and to pay within 2 weeks or my application will be refused.....i was surprised considering there was more than enough money in there. anyway, i promptly filled in the payment form they included in the letter and posted it by special delivery which they received 2 days later.

on reading the forums, i came across a post which said that the reference NFEE1234567 isn't my reference and to call and find out what my reference number is......so i decided to call today around 4.....it took over 10 minutes and 2 tries before a guy picked it up (i was smiling cos i heard guys are nicer than the ladies)

HOW WRONG WAS I? this guy was virtually shouting down the phone at me! my goodness.....he was so abrupt.....whilst i had a very calm voice and asked him what my reference number is.....he replied asking if i never received a letter from them. i said i did but then i understand that is not my reference number. he then said ok give me your details and i will chk but it depends on whether you are on the main system.....so i did and in less than 5 seconds after asking me to repeat my name just clicked and then he shouted....your name isn't on the system yet! OK!

I was so shocked at his RUDE attitude that i just said ok....

i am very shocked at the way these people behave....it seems they have been told to treat us harshly......it is just a downright pity cos this attitude will not improve their services in any way....its a pity......just wanted to share and get this sad incident off my chest......

good luck to all........and to me too....... :D
I am really sorry to hear that :(

Despite I don't get any status; but from my own experience honestly I haven't faced any problems when I call them whether males or females!

Please do not misunderstand me, I dont mean that you are not honest But I share only my experience.

yes most of the time they don't give you any status about yours because it is their policy.

I applied in mid of Jan/2012 but till now no letter, but the good news that my file in the system which means in the process!

fingers crossed and goodluck for all of us! :)

blacksta
Junior Member
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 4:41 pm

Post by blacksta » Wed May 02, 2012 4:23 pm

cricinfo wrote:
blacksta wrote:
cricinfo wrote:
blacksta wrote:
Interview was on 25/04 - I did contact them- they said it required further examination which i guess it means interview wasnt ok

Getting fed up off the whole thing.
Sorry to hear that. Looks like they need to do some further checks on your application which could take some time. You have to wait patiently as you will get your passport in the end.
Thanks

considering the large fees one paid - it is just so hard to get information out of them. It is baffling what a further checks could they be doing that was not done before an interview letter was sent out.
Only 8 fraudulent applicants have been caught by this system since 2007 which has costed millions of pounds. Read this report :

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... sters.html
After Many hours of Praying and Confessing then God moved on my behalf - My Passport was sent for Printing on the 30/4 - Thanks

But havent received it yet.

blacksta
Junior Member
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 4:41 pm

Post by blacksta » Thu May 03, 2012 5:32 pm

blacksta wrote:
cricinfo wrote:
blacksta wrote:
cricinfo wrote:
Sorry to hear that. Looks like they need to do some further checks on your application which could take some time. You have to wait patiently as you will get your passport in the end.
Thanks

considering the large fees one paid - it is just so hard to get information out of them. It is baffling what a further checks could they be doing that was not done before an interview letter was sent out.
Only 8 fraudulent applicants have been caught by this system since 2007 which has costed millions of pounds. Read this report :

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... sters.html
After Many hours of Praying and Confessing then God moved on my behalf - My Passport was sent for Printing on the 30/4 - Thanks

But havent received it yet.
Yep it arrived today :shock: - Journey Over. Moving on to the next project

Wishing everyone waiting - all the best

God is still King. :lol:

workingmama
- thin ice -
Posts: 47
Joined: Fri Apr 20, 2012 3:58 pm

Post by workingmama » Fri May 04, 2012 5:27 am

Well I just sent off a long email to the Minister of Immigration regarding issues I see with the application process.

Some of the issues I raised were lack of transparency in the processing of applications. Those who applied much earlier are still waiting while those that applied months after are being dealt with within 4 weeks or so.
It could be argued maybe those waiting have complex cases, however I do not buy that with the majority of cases I have seen on different forums including my own husbands. Ie same criteria and nationality, no excess stays outside UK, no criminal record etc.
Many who waited months and months did not even have their refs contacted this leads me to believe many caseworkers are working on stuff as it comes in so earlier applications are getting pushed further back in the line which is basically a very bad service for the money you pay.

The 6 month no info rule. This concerns me as its not a free service. Things do go wrong, letters sent out that are not recieved, things do get stuck in the system etc (It happens where I work and unless the member of public calls we dont know about it and cant get it rectified) and we give info out despite processing timelines. All government departments use computer systems that log info on cases be it Comino, OHMS or something else. They are all similar in the sense you tap in the person details and it brings up what stage something is at. Maybe if they gave updates even just to tell you its waiting a caseworker, it would reduce call ratio because then they would not constantly be answering endless calls just to tell someone "No were not telling you anything" only for the person to try again the next day hoping to get someone else on the line who might divuldge info.

Hit and miss when applicants call the enquiry line. Some staff are helpful and give updates, some totally refuse quoting the 6 month timeline rule. This again is disorganised and unprofessional and causes high call ratio as applicants are just going to keep calling hoping they get that generous member of staff on the phone.

Without complaints a service stays the same. I imagine many applicants would not complain about the service they recieve worrying their application might be affected but as I am a born and bred Brit, it does not bother me to voice my opinion. Afterall without the publics input services stay the same. In my own department we are currently undergoing a massive restructure based on publics complaints and issues about the way the service is currently run.

Good luck to those who have been waiting a longtime

User avatar
manoj123
Member
Posts: 152
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2009 4:52 pm

Post by manoj123 » Fri May 04, 2012 10:06 am

workingmama wrote:Well I just sent off a long email to the Minister of Immigration regarding issues I see with the application process.
Many thanks for your efforts workingmama. Hope they will set a process in place and future applicants will get benefited.

ana ali
Junior Member
Posts: 71
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:26 pm
Location: islamabad,Pakistan

Post by ana ali » Fri May 04, 2012 11:01 am

thanks workingmama
you wrote letter to immigration minister. my brother is still waiting for approval letter for last one year what do you think ? will they take into consideration that important issue or they will realize the applicants are facing problem? will they sort out these issues by improving their services as soon as possible

cricinfo
Member
Posts: 230
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2012 7:51 pm

Post by cricinfo » Fri May 04, 2012 11:45 am

ana ali wrote:thanks workingmama
you wrote letter to immigration minister. my brother is still waiting for approval letter for last one year what do you think ? will they take into consideration that important issue or they will realize the applicants are facing problem? will they sort out these issues by improving their services as soon as possible
Has your brother called HO and got any update ? It may be the case that your brother's application has been lost or something. He needs to contact HO and then to MP of his constituency to write to HO to process his case asap.

ana ali
Junior Member
Posts: 71
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:26 pm
Location: islamabad,Pakistan

Post by ana ali » Fri May 04, 2012 2:44 pm

my brother applied through lawyer and his lawyer wrote letter to HO office they said that it would get in the end of march but still no reply yet.......

workingmama
- thin ice -
Posts: 47
Joined: Fri Apr 20, 2012 3:58 pm

Post by workingmama » Fri May 04, 2012 2:58 pm

To be honest I doubt my letter will make much difference. It needs for many people to complain for the powers that be to look at the service. However my letter is a start.

Those that have waited a year should be contacting their MP and asking them to get involved. If your refs were never contacted then I would seriously start thinking you have got stuck in the processing pile, because if they have issues with your application one of the things they would have done first is contact the refs.

I have never seen such a disorganised system and it should not be like this because you ARE paying a large fee and deserve to be treated much better and given proper updates.

grantring
- thin ice -
Posts: 78
Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2012 2:36 pm

Post by grantring » Fri May 04, 2012 3:06 pm

I really dont think they contact the refs in every application as they can see them from there passport number if provided

workingmama
- thin ice -
Posts: 47
Joined: Fri Apr 20, 2012 3:58 pm

Post by workingmama » Fri May 04, 2012 3:22 pm

I really dont think they contact the refs in every application as they can see them from there passport number if provided
The refs are supposed to know something about the applicant and if there was an issue with the case then one of the first things they should do while investigating would be to ask information from the refs .

I sign passport photos and forms for people and have acted as a ref on naturalisation forms, but I would only do that if I knew something about the person if they ever called me. I have known some of the people who ask in a professional capacity for 5 or 6 years but I would only sign something if I knew personal info about them and could answer the passport or naturalisation questions. Some people I deal with I actually know nothing about except their name, address despite seeing them on a regular basis in my office and I would refuse to act as a ref for them basically because if I was asked to confirm something I would not be able to answer.

airborneally
Newly Registered
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Apr 10, 2012 4:21 pm

Post by airborneally » Sun May 06, 2012 10:27 am

workingmama wrote:To be honest I doubt my letter will make much difference. It needs for many people to complain for the powers that be to look at the service. However my letter is a start.

Those that have waited a year should be contacting their MP and asking them to get involved. If your refs were never contacted then I would seriously start thinking you have got stuck in the processing pile, because if they have issues with your application one of the things they would have done first is contact the refs.

I have never seen such a disorganised system and it should not be like this because you ARE paying a large fee and deserve to be treated much better and given proper updates.
I have waited a year and they give me no updates at all and the only response they give me when I insist is they will put the phone down on me I have contacted my MP and they have been given the same answer "It takes as long as it takes"

rad
BANNED
Posts: 22
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2011 7:06 pm

Post by rad » Sun May 06, 2012 3:02 pm

airborneally wrote:
workingmama wrote:To be honest I doubt my letter will make much difference. It needs for many people to complain for the powers that be to look at the service. However my letter is a start.

Those that have waited a year should be contacting their MP and asking them to get involved. If your refs were never contacted then I would seriously start thinking you have got stuck in the processing pile, because if they have issues with your application one of the things they would have done first is contact the refs.

I have never seen such a disorganised system and it should not be like this because you ARE paying a large fee and deserve to be treated much better and given proper updates.
I have waited a year and they give me no updates at all and the only response they give me when I insist is they will put the phone down on me I have contacted my MP and they have been given the same answer "It takes as long as it takes"

Sorry about that but they suppose to give you update about your case after six months, as far as I know this is their policy.

bangashk
Newbie
Posts: 40
Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2010 12:47 pm
Location: birmingham

Post by bangashk » Sun May 06, 2012 8:38 pm

Guys, what you do reckon about this website?

workingmama i would like to pick your brain on this........

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/n ... ing-277526

There are loads of requests made to UKBA Freedom of Information Team and they have been replying properly.............

workingmama
- thin ice -
Posts: 47
Joined: Fri Apr 20, 2012 3:58 pm

Post by workingmama » Sun May 06, 2012 11:36 pm

Guys, what you do reckon about this website?

workingmama i would like to pick your brain on this........

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/n ... ing-277526

There are loads of requests made to UKBA Freedom of Information Team and they have been replying properly.............
Its worth a try but the info you will get wont be much to be honest.
We get info requests where I work and most of the info sent back to people is policy quoting.

One person asked UKBA about applicants que jumping, why some get citizenship in a month and others wait months despite applying before. Answer was that they do supposedly process in date order but some take longer due to requesting more information, which we all know is totally untrue. I know my husband has been asked for nothing thus far.

Jambo
Respected Guru
Posts: 8734
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2009 10:31 am

Post by Jambo » Mon May 07, 2012 7:31 am

workingmama wrote:Answer was that they do supposedly process in date order but some take longer due to requesting more information, which we all know is totally untrue. I know my husband has been asked for nothing thus far.
The HO means requesting more information from other governmental agencies and not the applicant i.e. they blame someone else for the delays...

elliass
BANNED
Posts: 63
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2012 4:56 pm

Post by elliass » Mon May 07, 2012 4:31 pm

Jambo wrote:
workingmama wrote:Answer was that they do supposedly process in date order but some take longer due to requesting more information, which we all know is totally untrue. I know my husband has been asked for nothing thus far.
The HO means requesting more information from other governmental agencies and not the applicant i.e. they blame someone else for the delays...
In this case UKBA should send a notification to remind other governmental agencies if there is any delays! becasue it is not fair to leave it for long time (more than six months) then remind them! :)

grantring
- thin ice -
Posts: 78
Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2012 2:36 pm

Post by grantring » Tue May 08, 2012 9:56 am

workingmama wrote:
Guys, what you do reckon about this website?

workingmama i would like to pick your brain on this........

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/n ... ing-277526

There are loads of requests made to UKBA Freedom of Information Team and they have been replying properly.............
Its worth a try but the info you will get wont be much to be honest.
We get info requests where I work and most of the info sent back to people is policy quoting.

One person asked UKBA about applicants que jumping, why some get citizenship in a month and others wait months despite applying before. Answer was that they do supposedly process in date order but some take longer due to requesting more information, which we all know is totally untrue. I know my husband has been asked for nothing thus far.
I asked and was told applications are NOT Processed in order and said how was that right and was told that is just the way it is so chasing on the phone seems like a must as things are not far there end

Jambo
Respected Guru
Posts: 8734
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2009 10:31 am

Post by Jambo » Tue May 08, 2012 10:45 am

grantring wrote:I asked and was told applications are NOT Processed in order and said how was that right and was told that is just the way it is so chasing on the phone seems like a must as things are not far there end
The Call Centre has no influence on the application so it will not speed up your application if you call.

workingmama
- thin ice -
Posts: 47
Joined: Fri Apr 20, 2012 3:58 pm

Post by workingmama » Tue May 08, 2012 11:15 am

The Call Centre has no influence on the application so it will not speed up your application if you call.
Thats correct. The guys who answer the phone probably work like a call centre, you call up they say NO, or if they are feeling generous will tap in your details and see what stage its at. And the most likely reason they often give wrong info out is that the system they use to view has not been updated by the caseworker, but they have no influence on your application or are able to speed it up with the exception of adding notes such as new info you have submitted.

grantring
- thin ice -
Posts: 78
Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2012 2:36 pm

Post by grantring » Tue May 08, 2012 11:56 am

workingmama wrote:
The Call Centre has no influence on the application so it will not speed up your application if you call.
Thats correct. The guys who answer the phone probably work like a call centre, you call up they say NO, or if they are feeling generous will tap in your details and see what stage its at. And the most likely reason they often give wrong info out is that the system they use to view has not been updated by the caseworker, but they have no influence on your application or are able to speed it up with the exception of adding notes such as new info you have submitted.
Both incorrect they can send Urgent emails to people to chase up if you request them to and give a good reason. i think the only way to understand the ful process chain would be a freedom of information request and see if they give the info out as we are all just guessing the process line.

Locked
cron