General Discussion During Naturalisation Application Process

I would wish that to be the case! However, the information that I was given over the phone on 25 March is that all the naturalization applications are in hold at the moment. As I explained earlier, I am not sure how accurate the information is as it is not published any where! However, if you follow this forum, you should have noticed that no one has received any approval last 7 days. This is an indication that the application are on hold at the moment. It can not be a coincidence!

rozearo wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 31, 2020 5:36 pm

[...] if you follow this forum, you should have noticed that no one has received any approval last 7 days[...]

That is why I wrote I'm confused - I did notice that.

Stefan Piatek wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 31, 2020 5:50 pm

rozearo wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 31, 2020 5:36 pm

[...] if you follow this forum, you should have noticed that no one has received any approval last 7 days[...]

That is why I wrote I'm confused - I did notice that.

I found that on the application page: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/

(( Due to the impact of COVID-19 and the worldwide border, travel and public health restrictions our appointment locations are temporarily closed. You should complete your application and any further actions as usual. Your application will not be affected by the centres closing.

It is not possible to offer a Priority or Super Priority service, do not choose these services when you apply.))

I am not sure how it works!

rozearo wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 31, 2020 8:07 pm

Stefan Piatek wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 31, 2020 5:50 pm

rozearo wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 31, 2020 5:36 pm

[...] if you follow this forum, you should have noticed that no one has received any approval last 7 days[...]

That is why I wrote I'm confused - I did notice that.

I found that on the application page: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/

(( Due to the impact of COVID-19 and the worldwide border, travel and public health restrictions our appointment locations are temporarily closed. You should complete your application and any further actions as usual. Your application will not be affected by the centres closing.

It is not possible to offer a Priority or Super Priority service, do not choose these services when you apply.))

I am not sure how it works!

HO must work even remotely and process the application. At least they can clean the backlogs.

rozearo wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 25, 2020 11:01 pm

I called the HO today and I have been told that they have stopped processing all the naturalization applications at the moment (mine was submitted about 2 months ago). The priority will be for Visa applications. So it look like that there will be a significant delay for all naturalization apllication as the situation will continue for at least few weeks if not months. I am not sure how accurate is the information that I have been given over the phone as it is not published any where!

PPTP wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 31, 2020 8:25 pm

HO must work even remotely and process the application. At least they can clean the backlogs.

It is quite likely that in the current environment, naturalisation applications will go to the back of the queue in terms of priority of work.

The Home Office, apart from immigration and nationality, is also responsible for policing and security. It is quite likely that currently Home Office resources will be diverted to policing and security rather than immigration and nationality.

The process of naturalisation also has multiple background checks with other government departments, such as HMRC, DWP, the police, the NHS, among others and these other government departments will also likely be diverted to other functions.

Factor in the fact that many people in both the Home Office and other government departments will be working from home, which may impact their productivity negatively.

Finally, keep in mind that the Home Office's view is that naturalisation applications can take as long as it takes, because the applicant's right to reside in the UK is already indefinite (a requirement for a naturalisation application to start with).

So, in this environment, I would make a working assumption that naturalisation applications will take much longer than expected. In any case, most local councils are not conducting citizenship ceremonies right now.

Mine is taking much longer than I was expecting
This is the... 32nd.. Month of waiting that's nearly 3 Years lond wait .

Application date 25-july-2017
My case is very straight forward 11 years long residency + ILR. Due to covid19 virus the applications might take longer .

mrafgsharoon wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:54 am

Mine is taking much longer than I was expecting
This is the... 32nd.. Month of waiting that's nearly 3 Years lond wait .

Application date 25-july-2017
My case is very straight forward 11 years long residency + ILR. Due to covid19 virus the applications might take longer .

I am really sorry to hear. I feel your pain. Have you already tried all resources to chase and speed up.

rozearo wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 25, 2020 11:01 pm

I called the HO today and I have been told that they have stopped processing all the naturalization applications at the moment (mine was submitted about 2 months ago). The priority will be for Visa applications. So it look like that there will be a significant delay for all naturalization apllication as the situation will continue for at least few weeks if not months. I am not sure how accurate is the information that I have been given over the phone as it is not published any where!

Hi rozearo,

Interestingly, I got the complete opposite response three times when I called the HO (3 times) yesterday. All the HO staffers on the phone said that they are most definitely still processing citizenship applications, at least for the moment. The 3rd person in particular was very emphatic and even asked where I got the information that they had been suspended. I called three times to see whether the responses varied but they all said the same thing, citizenship applications are being processed. So that's interesting that they're giving out contradictory advice!

gofornaturalisation wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 12:14 pm

rozearo wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 25, 2020 11:01 pm

I called the HO today and I have been told that they have stopped processing all the naturalization applications at the moment (mine was submitted about 2 months ago). The priority will be for Visa applications. So it look like that there will be a significant delay for all naturalization apllication as the situation will continue for at least few weeks if not months. I am not sure how accurate is the information that I have been given over the phone as it is not published any where!

Hi rozearo,

Interestingly, I got the complete opposite response three times when I called the HO (3 times) yesterday. All the HO staffers on the phone said that they are most definitely still processing citizenship applications, at least for the moment. The 3rd person in particular was very emphatic and even asked where I got the information that they had been suspended. I called three times to see whether the responses varied but they all said the same thing, citizenship applications are being processed. So that's interesting that they're giving out contradictory advice!

The lack of official information is really frustrationg, considering, that the informationg they are giving people over the phone are contradictory. As you can see on the forum, no one has gotten a letter in over a week, and if they are working as usual, someone should get a letter. And if they stopped sending the letters, they should put that information somewhere, like they did with MOT or about postponing the ceremonies.

Stefan Piatek wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 12:29 pm

gofornaturalisation wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 12:14 pm

rozearo wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 25, 2020 11:01 pm

I called the HO today and I have been told that they have stopped processing all the naturalization applications at the moment (mine was submitted about 2 months ago). The priority will be for Visa applications. So it look like that there will be a significant delay for all naturalization apllication as the situation will continue for at least few weeks if not months. I am not sure how accurate is the information that I have been given over the phone as it is not published any where!

Hi rozearo,

Interestingly, I got the complete opposite response three times when I called the HO (3 times) yesterday. All the HO staffers on the phone said that they are most definitely still processing citizenship applications, at least for the moment. The 3rd person in particular was very emphatic and even asked where I got the information that they had been suspended. I called three times to see whether the responses varied but they all said the same thing, citizenship applications are being processed. So that's interesting that they're giving out contradictory advice!

The lack of official information is really frustrationg, considering, that the informationg they are giving people over the phone are contradictory. As you can see on the forum, no one has gotten a letter in over a week, and if they are working as usual, someone should get a letter. And if they stopped sending the letters, they should put that information somewhere, like they did with MOT or about postponing the ceremonies.

Yep I totally agree with you, I feel like I just got caught up in the mess of delays but there's nothing we can do now. I think the proof is sadly in the pudding, there have been no approval letters since 23 March, which suggests they've at least slowed down due to working from home etc, or have literally put them all on the back-burner and we're being sold the company line over the phone.

Hopefully we can all get out of this virus situation safely and quickly and get on with getting citizenship soon!

gofornaturalisation wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 1:26 pm

Stefan Piatek wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 12:29 pm

gofornaturalisation wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 12:14 pm

rozearo wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 25, 2020 11:01 pm

I called the HO today and I have been told that they have stopped processing all the naturalization applications at the moment (mine was submitted about 2 months ago). The priority will be for Visa applications. So it look like that there will be a significant delay for all naturalization apllication as the situation will continue for at least few weeks if not months. I am not sure how accurate is the information that I have been given over the phone as it is not published any where!

Hi rozearo,

Interestingly, I got the complete opposite response three times when I called the HO (3 times) yesterday. All the HO staffers on the phone said that they are most definitely still processing citizenship applications, at least for the moment. The 3rd person in particular was very emphatic and even asked where I got the information that they had been suspended. I called three times to see whether the responses varied but they all said the same thing, citizenship applications are being processed. So that's interesting that they're giving out contradictory advice!

The lack of official information is really frustrationg, considering, that the informationg they are giving people over the phone are contradictory. As you can see on the forum, no one has gotten a letter in over a week, and if they are working as usual, someone should get a letter. And if they stopped sending the letters, they should put that information somewhere, like they did with MOT or about postponing the ceremonies.

Yep I totally agree with you, I feel like I just got caught up in the mess of delays but there's nothing we can do now. I think the proof is sadly in the pudding, there have been no approval letters since 23 March, which suggests they've at least slowed down due to working from home etc, or have literally put them all on the back-burner and we're being sold the company line over the phone.

Hopefully we can all get out of this virus situation safely and quickly and get on with getting citizenship soon!

I think there are two different aspects which seem to be disconnected. The actual processing of an application, and the submission of the letter. The first one can be done while working from home, while the second one not. So they could be processing our applications but that doesn't mean they are sending out letters.

tcell88 wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 1:33 pm

gofornaturalisation wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 1:26 pm

Stefan Piatek wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 12:29 pm

gofornaturalisation wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 12:14 pm

Hi rozearo,

Interestingly, I got the complete opposite response three times when I called the HO (3 times) yesterday. All the HO staffers on the phone said that they are most definitely still processing citizenship applications, at least for the moment. The 3rd person in particular was very emphatic and even asked where I got the information that they had been suspended. I called three times to see whether the responses varied but they all said the same thing, citizenship applications are being processed. So that's interesting that they're giving out contradictory advice!

The lack of official information is really frustrationg, considering, that the informationg they are giving people over the phone are contradictory. As you can see on the forum, no one has gotten a letter in over a week, and if they are working as usual, someone should get a letter. And if they stopped sending the letters, they should put that information somewhere, like they did with MOT or about postponing the ceremonies.

Yep I totally agree with you, I feel like I just got caught up in the mess of delays but there's nothing we can do now. I think the proof is sadly in the pudding, there have been no approval letters since 23 March, which suggests they've at least slowed down due to working from home etc, or have literally put them all on the back-burner and we're being sold the company line over the phone.

Hopefully we can all get out of this virus situation safely and quickly and get on with getting citizenship soon!

I think there are two different aspects which seem to be disconnected. The actual processing of an application, and the submission of the letter. The first one can be done while working from home, while the second one not. So they could be processing our applications but that doesn't mean they are sending out letters.

Hi tcell88,

Yep that's a great point. I actually asked this to the first HO staffer and they said that yes, it is currently still possible to get an approval letter in the mail while the citizenship certificate sits in their office somewhere gathering dust while we wait for the town halls to re-open for ceremonies. So in theory, shouldn't be a problem getting that approval letter out. I was very specific about this with the HO staffer on the phone because obviously that's our only indication that we've been approved/rejected. Nonetheless, as we said, no one has received one of these in a week so...

Hi gofornaturalisation, rozearo, tcell88, Stefan Piatek
which phone number did you use for calling to HO?

gofornaturalisation wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:17 pm

tcell88 wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 1:33 pm

gofornaturalisation wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 1:26 pm

Stefan Piatek wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 12:29 pm

The lack of official information is really frustrationg, considering, that the informationg they are giving people over the phone are contradictory. As you can see on the forum, no one has gotten a letter in over a week, and if they are working as usual, someone should get a letter. And if they stopped sending the letters, they should put that information somewhere, like they did with MOT or about postponing the ceremonies.

Yep I totally agree with you, I feel like I just got caught up in the mess of delays but there's nothing we can do now. I think the proof is sadly in the pudding, there have been no approval letters since 23 March, which suggests they've at least slowed down due to working from home etc, or have literally put them all on the back-burner and we're being sold the company line over the phone.

Hopefully we can all get out of this virus situation safely and quickly and get on with getting citizenship soon!

I think there are two different aspects which seem to be disconnected. The actual processing of an application, and the submission of the letter. The first one can be done while working from home, while the second one not. So they could be processing our applications but that doesn't mean they are sending out letters.

Hi tcell88,

Yep that's a great point. I actually asked this to the first HO staffer and they said that yes, it is currently still possible to get an approval letter in the mail while the citizenship certificate sits in their office somewhere gathering dust while we wait for the town halls to re-open for ceremonies. So in theory, shouldn't be a problem getting that approval letter out. I was very specific about this with the HO staffer on the phone because obviously that's our only indication that we've been approved/rejected. Nonetheless, as we said, no one has received one of these in a week so...

It could also be that they stopped for a week or so and then started again. So when one called it was accurate they stopped, and when the other called it was accurate they are processing. If letters start popping up in the next few days we'll know. One thing is for sure is that Royal mail is delivering letters, and i've received 2nd class letters with a 4 day delay from letter date (other non HO-related things).

topsecret wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:45 pm

Hi gofornaturalisation, rozearo, tcell88, Stefan Piatek
which phone number did you use for calling to HO?

I have got my SAR request reply. And you know what - they have not done anything with the application since September 2019!!! No any notes, no any records that it is being processed, just simple payment and copy of application - that's it. Now I am not surprised that they have a special priority some people! I am shocked (well, not shocked as I expected that)

topsecret wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:45 pm

Hi gofornaturalisation, rozearo, tcell88, Stefan Piatek
which phone number did you use for calling to HO?

phone: 0300 123 2253

[Hi PPTP
Yeah my friend I tried everything my MP contacted HO several times and I was also sending them Emails / calling but there is nothing we can do all we can do is wait and wait .

mrafgsharoon wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:54 am

Mine is taking much longer than I was expecting
This is the... 32nd.. Month of waiting that's nearly 3 Years lond wait .

Application date 25-july-2017
My case is very straight forward 11 years long residency + ILR. Due to covid19 virus the applications might take longer .

impossible to take take that long. is your identity verifiable? unless they have any doubt about your identity they wouldn’t delay.

Hello ,
I know it's annoying to tell and ask something about BC due to COVID 19. But I have been told that HO is doing work in homes now. Also HO is thinking to arrange ceremonies online. But once again no official statement made by HO, not even what HO is going to do.

PPTP wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:31 pm

topsecret wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:45 pm

Hi gofornaturalisation, rozearo, tcell88, Stefan Piatek
which phone number did you use for calling to HO?

I have got my SAR request reply. And you know what - they have not done anything with the application since September 2019!!! No any notes, no any records that it is being processed, just simple payment and copy of application - that's it. Now I am not surprised that they have a special priority some people! I am shocked (well, not shocked as I expected that)

i can only say that homeoffice is the world top useless institution, delaying application process without any solid reason.
If home office not able to proceed the application within 6 month then why taking new application, and money?

topsecret wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:45 pm

Hi gofornaturalisation, rozearo, tcell88, Stefan Piatek
which phone number did you use for calling to HO?

Same as Stefan Piatek, 0300 123 2253.

tcell88 wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:57 pm

gofornaturalisation wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:17 pm

tcell88 wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 1:33 pm

gofornaturalisation wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 1:26 pm

Yep I totally agree with you, I feel like I just got caught up in the mess of delays but there's nothing we can do now. I think the proof is sadly in the pudding, there have been no approval letters since 23 March, which suggests they've at least slowed down due to working from home etc, or have literally put them all on the back-burner and we're being sold the company line over the phone.

Hopefully we can all get out of this virus situation safely and quickly and get on with getting citizenship soon!

I think there are two different aspects which seem to be disconnected. The actual processing of an application, and the submission of the letter. The first one can be done while working from home, while the second one not. So they could be processing our applications but that doesn't mean they are sending out letters.

Hi tcell88,

Yep that's a great point. I actually asked this to the first HO staffer and they said that yes, it is currently still possible to get an approval letter in the mail while the citizenship certificate sits in their office somewhere gathering dust while we wait for the town halls to re-open for ceremonies. So in theory, shouldn't be a problem getting that approval letter out. I was very specific about this with the HO staffer on the phone because obviously that's our only indication that we've been approved/rejected. Nonetheless, as we said, no one has received one of these in a week so...

It could also be that they stopped for a week or so and then started again. So when one called it was accurate they stopped, and when the other called it was accurate they are processing. If letters start popping up in the next few days we'll know. One thing is for sure is that Royal mail is delivering letters, and i've received 2nd class letters with a 4 day delay from letter date (other non HO-related things).

Great call, and hopefully its as simple as that really. Lets see if anyone pops up with any approvals in the next few days.

Small wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 10:57 pm

Hello ,
I know it's annoying to tell and ask something about BC due to COVID 19. But I have been told that HO is doing work in homes now. Also HO is thinking to arrange ceremonies online. But once again no official statement made by HO, not even what HO is going to do.

Hi small,

Would you mind please elaborating a little bit? Where did you hear that HO staff are still working from home?

Also what do you mean by thinking about arranging ceremonies online? Do you mean that they want to start organising calendars for the council ceremonies online from now... Or that they want to start face-timing the ceremonies so that we can do it in our PJs at home... I'm curious about where you heard this particularly because it's quite radical but seemingly a good idea - I'm sure they can verify identities over a video call and then just post out the certificate.

Keep in mind that (a) the UKVI contact center is out-sourced and not manned by Home Office staffers and (b) their answers, even if in writing, are not authoritative.

UKV&I Customer Enquiry Service - Customer and Partner Q&A

Announcement about outsourcing (2017)

topsecret wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 02, 2020 1:27 am

PPTP wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:31 pm

topsecret wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:45 pm

Hi gofornaturalisation, rozearo, tcell88, Stefan Piatek
which phone number did you use for calling to HO?

I have got my SAR request reply. And you know what - they have not done anything with the application since September 2019!!! No any notes, no any records that it is being processed, just simple payment and copy of application - that's it. Now I am not surprised that they have a special priority some people! I am shocked (well, not shocked as I expected that)

i can only say that homeoffice is the world top useless institution, delaying application process without any solid reason.
If home office not able to proceed the application within 6 month then why taking new application, and money?

I knew that HO is Useless when HO lost my application for nearly 3 years from their decisions system. Why taking money - because it is a cash flow for them and salaries. Decisions we will make some other time. They can process within 6 months but simply not even put an effort to work efficiently.