Slow processing times for British Naturalisation?

Hello,

I applied for British Citizenship on the 14 of December 2020. I applied as an EU citizen and already have permanent residence. I have not yet applied for the EU settlement scheme because I was hoping a decision would be made about my British Citizenship by now and I wouldn't have to worry about applying for the EU settlement scheme, however with it having to be done by the end of June and I don't want to leave it to the last minute, I don't know what to do since my British Citizenship is pending?

I feel like my application for British Citizenship was quite straight forward, the only mandatory information they wanted submitted was a copy of my Italian passport, and I really supplied a lot of evidence to show I have been living here continually for 5 years. I can see with other peoples timelines people who have applied after me are speeding thru their applications and are getting approved. I understand the decision can take up to six months but I can see why my application would not be approved yet.

Is there anyway I can check the status of my application? And will I have to apply for the EU settlement scheme if a decision isn't made by June? I am not sure if this is going to complicate my application. Any help would be appericated.

Ciao!

I just wanted to give you a bit of hope. I noticed on your naturalisation that you were also a dual national (EU/Italy plus a third-party country) like myself. I applied in January, got the biometrics done in February, and got my email that my successful application a few weeks ago. I am a bit over organised on things but who is to say what let me jump the approval queue like that.

I too have not applied yet for EUSS and applied with my DCPR. I have been hesitant to apply to the scheme as seeing how they have handled the Windrush as well as when I have been stopped at the airport asking if the country I had come from was my regular residence, I have been happy to take out the DCPR and all questions stop. Hence why I decided to apply for citizenship. This will require me getting a passport wallet for three and I have my eye on the Bellroy one. I've been told that three will be tight but doable.

You should not apply for the EUSS before your application has been decided as that is considered a change of circumstance. I would wait until you have received the successful application email. Then you can apply to EUSS, notify the HO of your change of circumstance, and which shouldn't cause another delay by months again, and then you should be able to continue to live and work legally in the UK post-June.

Have patience. I have a good feeling about your application coming soon. Just be a bit more patient. It seems most people get the letter from their council within about 3 weeks to 2 months from their successful application date. You risk losing the £1400-ish application fee if you apply for EUSS before they make a decision. I know this is not the answer you want to here but I hope this has offered a bit of encouragement.

Also, I am surprised they didn't ask for your OZ passport. They asked for and scanned both of my passports at my biometrics. But I am still positive for you!

Ciao cmar2017, thank you for your reply and insight.

My question is though, what if I do not hear back about my application in time before the 30th of June, when all EU citizens by then need to be registered by the EUSS to stay legally in the UK? I feel like if they have not made a decision about my application by the 30th of June this year and I have not applied for the EUSS I am technically living and working Illegally within the UK. I am really worried about this as I dont want to be staying Illegally within the UK but I was hoping by now a decision would be made by my application.

I am not sure at what point I need to be contacting the home office and asking them about my application as a decision of the application is pending if I can legally stay within the UK and means I will need to apply for the EUSS. I am becoming very worried about this

For peace of mind why not apply for settled status now - it doesn't cost anything and won't impact your naturalisation application.

Thank you Alter Hase for your response and I am interested to learn where you got this information from, because it would technically be a change in the details of her application.

Basing it on this information, I would think that one should not apply for EUSS after one has formally applied for citizenship, as is the case for user verty.

How long it takes
You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months - some applications can take longer.

If you have not already started a citizenship application, apply to the EU Settlement Scheme instead to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021. You can apply for citizenship after you get settled status.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-eea


There is also this:

If you have settled status, you must apply for citizenship with this status instead of permanent residence status. Do not apply for citizenship with your permanent residence status if you have settled status. If you do, your application will be rejected.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/british-citizenship


Also, according to the website as well:

If your circumstances change
You should contact UK Visas and Immigration (part of the Home Office) if your situation changes during your application (for example, you move house, get married or are arrested).

Nationality contact centre
nationalityenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk

Source: https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-in ... ve-applied

I agree it doesn't cost anything to apply to the EUSS, but it is considered a change in status. I think the best thing would be to contact a lawyer or the CAB. A lot of immigration lawyers have consultations and you can ask for a reduced fee usually.

I don't want to scare you, but I would feel a lot better if the HO or an immigration lawyer was able to confirm this. Changes after an application often happen but generally, you should update HO on any changes, such as a conviction, birth of a child, but perhaps a change in your legal status.

I am happy to be wrong but it's a dangerous thing also to change a legal status and not update the authorities. My former AIRE got mad at me that at the time I renewed my passport to the time I had to go to the Consulato, I had moved and while it was minor, they informed me that any changes need to be updated immediately. This move was only three weeks before I went to collect my passport. I basically got a stern look and a theoretical slap on the wrist.

Hey Guys,

Thanks for both your reply, I think I am going to call and inquire about this on the application hotline, I really need to obtain the correct advice on this. I'll let you know the outcome.

verty wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 12:29 pm

Hey Guys,

Thanks for both your reply, I think I am going to call and inquire about this on the application hotline, I really need to obtain the correct advice on this. I'll let you know the outcome.

FYI - note this article written by a legal professional:
https://www.freemovement.org.uk/eu-resi ... -june-2021
Quote:
"Merely applying for citizenship does not give you any particular residence rights under UK immigration law. If you have applied for citizenship based on a permanent residence document you must still apply for settled status before 30 June or risk being unlawfully resident while awaiting your citizenship decision."

alterhase58 wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 06, 2021 12:30 pm

FYI - note this article written by a legal professional:
https://www.freemovement.org.uk/eu-resi ... -june-2021
Quote:
"Merely applying for citizenship does not give you any particular residence rights under UK immigration law. If you have applied for citizenship based on a permanent residence document you must still apply for settled status before 30 June or risk being unlawfully resident while awaiting your citizenship decision."

Thanks for this. I also called the Home Office and clarified this. I need to apply for Settle Status regardless of my British Naturalisaton application, they said they may have not even have made a decsion by the 30th of June about my application

You may not read this, but I have only been reading this forum now to see if Verty has finally been approved, and it looked like on another post that you have. Well done!