UKM application experience and timeline

jkproperties · Post by **jkproperties** » Wed Sep 11, 2019 3:19 pm

This referee can’t be family?

That would make it quite hard to have someone resident in the uk to confirm Identity.

Is this still required even when we have just done citizenship registration?

CR001 wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 11, 2019 12:29 pm

Ballet wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 11, 2019 12:14 pm
Hi

It may be just the online form that requires the passport holder to be resident in the UK; got the below off the website:

To confirm someone’s identity online, you need to:

be 18 or older

and live in the UK

and have a current UK passport

and work in or be retired from a recognised profession

Perhaps a paper application will allow for someone outside of the UK to confirm identity.

CR001 wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 11, 2019 11:38 am

Conky2a wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 11, 2019 11:02 am

Sorry Faircape, but the ‘witness’ must hold a valid UK passport as well as resident in the UK i.e. a British citizen.....
The British passport holder does NOT have to be a UK resident. It simply needs to be a professional British citizen resident anywhere.

I know many people who have applied for passports abroad and used a local referee who is British bit yes, it might be the paper form. In all honesty as the online form asks the referee to declare electronically, it should be ok.

jkproperties · Post by **jkproperties** » Wed Sep 11, 2019 3:23 pm

I have received confirmation that my Biometrics have been recorded successfully, my application will now move to the caseworker’s que.

CR001 · Post by **CR001** » Wed Sep 11, 2019 3:29 pm

jkproperties wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 11, 2019 3:19 pm
This referee can’t be family?

That would make it quite hard to have someone resident in the uk to confirm Identity.

Is this still required even when we have just done citizenship registration?

No, it cannot be anyone who is related to you through blood or marriage.

Which is why I find the requirement that they are resident in the UK absurd and likely a 'general guidance'.

Also remember the online forms are used for all passports etc. and the guidance is generic and standard. HMPO would not expect every person applying abroad to know someone who is British and lives in the UK. Perspective!!

Conky2a · Post by **Conky2a** » Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:19 pm

Then just use whoever you interpret as qualifying. But do not be surprised if they reject your application.

CR001 · Post by **CR001** » Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:21 pm

Conky2a wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:19 pm
Then just use whoever you interpret as qualifying. But do not be surprised if they reject your application.

They won't reject it, they will simply ask you to provide another referee.

100s have done this from abroad and not reported any problems due to referees.

I have never heard of a passport refusal due to a referee issue.

Rabbit123 · Post by **Rabbit123** » Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:36 pm

Sounds good!
Who gave you the update? Is it the lady you told us about? Or was it a generic email?
I’ve not heard anything at all. I’m approximately 2 weeks from the 6-months mark and am nowhere near a decision.
Waiting can be so hard. Especially when everyone else seems to move forward in the process except you.
I am wondering if I should write an email to HO.

jkproperties wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 11, 2019 3:23 pm
I have received confirmation that my Biometrics have been recorded successfully, my application will now move to the caseworker’s que.

Rabbit123 · Post by **Rabbit123** » Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:37 pm

Great! One step at a time. Did you go today?

Belle1207 wrote: ↑
Sun Sep 08, 2019 7:08 am
Still early days, but I got my biometrics enrollment request today

Eligibility Criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South Africa
Applying from: South Africa
Method of application: Online with documents sent via DHL
Payment method: Credit card
Date of application: 25 July 2019
Date funds withdrawn: 25 July 2019
Date of UKVI acknowledgement email: 26 July 2019
Date documents sent: 26 July 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI: 29 July 2019 (confirmation from DHL)
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 8 September 2019 (just under 6 weeks from receipt of documents)
Biometrics appointment: 11 September 2019
Date of approval: Pending
Notice documents ready for collection: Pending
Invitation for ceremony: Pending
Date of ceremony: Pending
Date applied for passport: Pending
Date passports received: Pending

Conky2a · Post by **Conky2a** » Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:39 pm

CR001 wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:21 pm

Conky2a wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:19 pm
Then just use whoever you interpret as qualifying. But do not be surprised if they reject your application.
They won't reject it, they will simply ask you to provide another referee.

100s have done this from abroad and not reported any problems due to referees.

I have never heard of a passport refusal due to a referee issue.

Then refer back to keh723’s post of 22 aug. her sisters referee was refused as the UK passport had expired AND they were not residing in the UK.

As i said you give your advice as you see fit. I know what i would do...

Rabbit123 · Post by **Rabbit123** » Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:41 pm

Congratulations. Great news! Did they tell you the date or could you choose? Is it the nearest consulate to where you live?

Ballet wrote: ↑
Tue Sep 10, 2019 12:09 pm
Update

Eligibility criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South African
Applying from: South Africa
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 8 March 2019
Payment method: Credit card (8 March 2019)
Date of acknowledgement email: 11 March 2019
Documents sent by courier: 11 March 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI (DHL tracking): 14 March 2019
Date of biometric appt invitation email: 4 June 2019
Date of biometrics appt confirmation email: 5 June 2019
Biometrics done: 6 June 2019
Application to retain SA citizenship: 14 June 2019
SA citizenship retention granted by DHA: 12 July 2019
Email from Nationality Courier Service: 26 July 2019
Date of UK citizenship approval: 26 July 2019
Received original documents back (regular post): 31 July 2019
Invitation email for the oath ceremony: 10 September 2019
Date of ceremony: 9 October 2019
Date applied for passport:
Passport Application received:
Passport Application Marked Dispatched:
Date passport received:

Belle1207 · Post by **Belle1207** » Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:45 pm

I did

Quick and painless, though I would recommend that if you are going to do biometrics in Joburg, give yourself a bit of extra time (if, like me, you follow the procedure set out in the letter and on the TLS website, and make an appointment), as they're doing construction and there was a bit of a queue just to get into the lobby, before you make it to the lifts, and security takes your photo and contact details before allowing you to get in the lift and go up to TLS.

Rabbit123 wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:37 pm
Great! One step at a time. Did you go today?

Belle1207 wrote: ↑
Sun Sep 08, 2019 7:08 am
Still early days, but I got my biometrics enrollment request today

Eligibility Criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South Africa
Applying from: South Africa
Method of application: Online with documents sent via DHL
Payment method: Credit card
Date of application: 25 July 2019
Date funds withdrawn: 25 July 2019
Date of UKVI acknowledgement email: 26 July 2019
Date documents sent: 26 July 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI: 29 July 2019 (confirmation from DHL)
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 8 September 2019 (just under 6 weeks from receipt of documents)
Biometrics appointment: 11 September 2019
Date of approval: Pending
Notice documents ready for collection: Pending
Invitation for ceremony: Pending
Date of ceremony: Pending
Date applied for passport: Pending
Date passports received: Pending

jkproperties · Post by **jkproperties** » Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:48 pm

I started with sending an email to documents return department, asked if they are done with my documents, then the lady said I haven’t done Biometrics how can I expect my documents back, so I explained my situation, she then told someone else and they seem to have resolved the issue.

But they did start a new application.

Rabbit123 wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:36 pm
Sounds good!
Who gave you the update? Is it the lady you told us about? Or was it a generic email?
I’ve not heard anything at all. I’m approximately 2 weeks from the 6-months mark and am nowhere near a decision.
Waiting can be so hard. Especially when everyone else seems to move forward in the process except you.
I am wondering if I should write an email to HO.

jkproperties wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 11, 2019 3:23 pm
I have received confirmation that my Biometrics have been recorded successfully, my application will now move to the caseworker’s que.

jkproperties · Post by **jkproperties** » Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:51 pm

Hi Conky,
But aren’t you applying from the UK?
Maybe that’s the difference?

Conky2a wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:19 pm
Then just use whoever you interpret as qualifying. But do not be surprised if they reject your application.

Ballet · Post by **Ballet** » Wed Sep 11, 2019 5:03 pm

Hi Rabbit123

I was given the date and told that if I couldn’t make it then the onus is on me to arrange an extension as the certificates have an expiry date.

I had emailed before receiving the invitation to ask for a specific date range as I am travelling a lot in the next few weeks and didn’t want to have to delay the ceremony. I was told that they couldn’t arrange an individual ceremony and if I couldn’t make the group date then I would need to contact the Home Office to arrange a deferment. Luckily I am in the country that week!

I am going to the High Commissioner Residence in Pretoria for the ceremony; this is the closest venue to my home.

Rabbit123 wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:41 pm
Congratulations. Great news! Did they tell you the date or could you choose? Is it the nearest consulate to where you live?

Ballet wrote: ↑
Tue Sep 10, 2019 12:09 pm
Update

Eligibility criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South African
Applying from: South Africa
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 8 March 2019
Payment method: Credit card (8 March 2019)
Date of acknowledgement email: 11 March 2019
Documents sent by courier: 11 March 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI (DHL tracking): 14 March 2019
Date of biometric appt invitation email: 4 June 2019
Date of biometrics appt confirmation email: 5 June 2019
Biometrics done: 6 June 2019
Application to retain SA citizenship: 14 June 2019
SA citizenship retention granted by DHA: 12 July 2019
Email from Nationality Courier Service: 26 July 2019
Date of UK citizenship approval: 26 July 2019
Received original documents back (regular post): 31 July 2019
Invitation email for the oath ceremony: 10 September 2019
Date of ceremony: 9 October 2019
Date applied for passport:
Passport Application received:
Passport Application Marked Dispatched:
Date passport received:

Belle1207 · Post by **Belle1207** » Wed Sep 11, 2019 5:17 pm

Exciting! Congratulations

Ballet wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 11, 2019 5:03 pm
Hi Rabbit123

I was given the date and told that if I couldn’t make it then the onus is on me to arrange an extension as the certificates have an expiry date.

I had emailed before receiving the invitation to ask for a specific date range as I am travelling a lot in the next few weeks and didn’t want to have to delay the ceremony. I was told that they couldn’t arrange an individual ceremony and if I couldn’t make the group date then I would need to contact the Home Office to arrange a deferment. Luckily I am in the country that week!

I am going to the High Commissioner Residence in Pretoria for the ceremony; this is the closest venue to my home.

Rabbit123 wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:41 pm
Congratulations. Great news! Did they tell you the date or could you choose? Is it the nearest consulate to where you live?

Ballet wrote: ↑
Tue Sep 10, 2019 12:09 pm
Update

Eligibility criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South African
Applying from: South Africa
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 8 March 2019
Payment method: Credit card (8 March 2019)
Date of acknowledgement email: 11 March 2019
Documents sent by courier: 11 March 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI (DHL tracking): 14 March 2019
Date of biometric appt invitation email: 4 June 2019
Date of biometrics appt confirmation email: 5 June 2019
Biometrics done: 6 June 2019
Application to retain SA citizenship: 14 June 2019
SA citizenship retention granted by DHA: 12 July 2019
Email from Nationality Courier Service: 26 July 2019
Date of UK citizenship approval: 26 July 2019
Received original documents back (regular post): 31 July 2019
Invitation email for the oath ceremony: 10 September 2019
Date of ceremony: 9 October 2019
Date applied for passport:
Passport Application received:
Passport Application Marked Dispatched:
Date passport received:

Conky2a · Post by **Conky2a** » Wed Sep 11, 2019 5:26 pm

jkproperties wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:51 pm
Hi Conky,
But aren’t you applying from the UK?
Maybe that’s the difference?
Conky2a wrote: ↑
Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:19 pm
Then just use whoever you interpret as qualifying. But do not be surprised if they reject your application.

No. My wife applied from France. That is the experience i am using.

Rabbit123 · Post by **Rabbit123** » Thu Sep 12, 2019 1:57 pm

Eligibility Criteria: UKM
Applying from: EU
Method of application: Online with documents sent by post
Payment method: Credit card
Date of application: March 30, 2019
Date documents sent: April 8, 2019
Date of UKVI acknowledgement email: april 1, 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI: Not known
Date of e-mail requesting biometrics: July 22, 2019
Bio-metrics done: August 13, 2019
Date of approval: september 11, 2019
Date of invitation to ceremony: PENDING
Date of ceremony: PENDING
Date applied for passport: PENDING
Date passport received: PENDING

Rabbit123 · Post by **Rabbit123** » Thu Sep 12, 2019 3:05 pm

The approval has finally arrived. It’s been almost 6 months and it felt a lot longer

It didn’t arrive in a brown envelope but in a plastic one. My documents were in there as well.

I was a little worried as I had only sent black and white copies of everything. My passport was also only copied in black and white by me. But obviously they were happy with that.

So now I am waiting for the invitation email. I don’t know which consulate it will be and I didn’t tell the HO where I would like to have it. I just hope they will send me to the nearest one?!

jkproperties · Post by **jkproperties** » Thu Sep 12, 2019 3:16 pm

Congratulations

Rabbit123 wrote: ↑
Thu Sep 12, 2019 1:57 pm
Eligibility Criteria: UKM
Applying from: EU
Method of application: Online with documents sent by post
Payment method: Credit card
Date of application: March 30, 2019
Date documents sent: April 8, 2019
Date of UKVI acknowledgement email: april 1, 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI: Not known
Date of e-mail requesting biometrics: July 22, 2019
Bio-metrics done: August 13, 2019
Date of approval: september 11, 2019
Date of invitation to ceremony: PENDING
Date of ceremony: PENDING
Date applied for passport: PENDING
Date passport received: PENDING

Rabbit123 · Post by **Rabbit123** » Thu Sep 12, 2019 3:40 pm

Thank you! You will be next. I’m sure it won’t take much longer.

jkproperties wrote: ↑
Thu Sep 12, 2019 3:16 pm
Congratulations
Rabbit123 wrote: ↑
Thu Sep 12, 2019 1:57 pm
Eligibility Criteria: UKM
Applying from: EU
Method of application: Online with documents sent by post
Payment method: Credit card
Date of application: March 30, 2019
Date documents sent: April 8, 2019
Date of UKVI acknowledgement email: april 1, 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI: Not known
Date of e-mail requesting biometrics: July 22, 2019
Bio-metrics done: August 13, 2019
Date of approval: september 11, 2019
Date of invitation to ceremony: PENDING
Date of ceremony: PENDING
Date applied for passport: PENDING
Date passport received: PENDING

Belle1207 · Post by **Belle1207** » Thu Sep 12, 2019 3:46 pm

Congrats! At least it was relatively quick from biometrics to approval (although before that must have felt like forever!)

Rabbit123 wrote: ↑
Thu Sep 12, 2019 1:57 pm
Eligibility Criteria: UKM
Applying from: EU
Method of application: Online with documents sent by post
Payment method: Credit card
Date of application: March 30, 2019
Date documents sent: April 8, 2019
Date of UKVI acknowledgement email: april 1, 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI: Not known
Date of e-mail requesting biometrics: July 22, 2019
Bio-metrics done: August 13, 2019
Date of approval: september 11, 2019
Date of invitation to ceremony: PENDING
Date of ceremony: PENDING
Date applied for passport: PENDING
Date passport received: PENDING

jkproperties · Post by **jkproperties** » Thu Sep 12, 2019 4:17 pm

I really hope so, trying to stay positive.

Rabbit123 wrote: ↑
Thu Sep 12, 2019 3:40 pm
Thank you! You will be next. I’m sure it won’t take much longer.

jkproperties wrote: ↑
Thu Sep 12, 2019 3:16 pm
Congratulations
Rabbit123 wrote: ↑
Thu Sep 12, 2019 1:57 pm
Eligibility Criteria: UKM
Applying from: EU
Method of application: Online with documents sent by post
Payment method: Credit card
Date of application: March 30, 2019
Date documents sent: April 8, 2019
Date of UKVI acknowledgement email: april 1, 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI: Not known
Date of e-mail requesting biometrics: July 22, 2019
Bio-metrics done: August 13, 2019
Date of approval: september 11, 2019
Date of invitation to ceremony: PENDING
Date of ceremony: PENDING
Date applied for passport: PENDING
Date passport received: PENDING

Ballet · Post by **Ballet** » Thu Sep 12, 2019 4:55 pm

That’s awesome!

What was the date on your approval letter?

Rabbit123 wrote: ↑
Thu Sep 12, 2019 1:57 pm
Eligibility Criteria: UKM
Applying from: EU
Method of application: Online with documents sent by post
Payment method: Credit card
Date of application: March 30, 2019
Date documents sent: April 8, 2019
Date of UKVI acknowledgement email: april 1, 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI: Not known
Date of e-mail requesting biometrics: July 22, 2019
Bio-metrics done: August 13, 2019
Date of approval: september 11, 2019
Date of invitation to ceremony: PENDING
Date of ceremony: PENDING
Date applied for passport: PENDING
Date passport received: PENDING

Rabbit123 · Post by **Rabbit123** » Thu Sep 12, 2019 6:46 pm

It says September 4th

So indeed a quick decision since biometric enrolment.

When did they tell you which consulate you would have the ceremony in? Or did YOU tell THEM at some stage?
I’m just hoping I don’t need to travel too far as it’s always such a problem finding someone for my kids during that time...

Ballet wrote: ↑
Thu Sep 12, 2019 4:55 pm
That’s awesome!

What was the date on your approval letter?

Rabbit123 wrote: ↑
Thu Sep 12, 2019 1:57 pm
Eligibility Criteria: UKM
Applying from: EU
Method of application: Online with documents sent by post
Payment method: Credit card
Date of application: March 30, 2019
Date documents sent: April 8, 2019
Date of UKVI acknowledgement email: april 1, 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI: Not known
Date of e-mail requesting biometrics: July 22, 2019
Bio-metrics done: August 13, 2019
Date of approval: september 11, 2019
Date of invitation to ceremony: PENDING
Date of ceremony: PENDING
Date applied for passport: PENDING
Date passport received: PENDING

Conky2a · Post by **Conky2a** » Thu Sep 12, 2019 7:16 pm

Rabbit123 wrote: ↑
Thu Sep 12, 2019 6:46 pm
It says September 4th

So indeed a quick decision since biometric enrolment.

When did they tell you which consulate you would have the ceremony in? Or did YOU tell THEM at some stage?
I’m just hoping I don’t need to travel too far as it’s always such a problem finding someone for my kids during that time...

Ballet wrote: ↑
Thu Sep 12, 2019 4:55 pm
That’s awesome!

What was the date on your approval letter?

Rabbit123 wrote: ↑
Thu Sep 12, 2019 1:57 pm
Eligibility Criteria: UKM
Applying from: EU
Method of application: Online with documents sent by post
Payment method: Credit card
Date of application: March 30, 2019
Date documents sent: April 8, 2019
Date of UKVI acknowledgement email: april 1, 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI: Not known
Date of e-mail requesting biometrics: July 22, 2019
Bio-metrics done: August 13, 2019
Date of approval: september 11, 2019
Date of invitation to ceremony: PENDING
Date of ceremony: PENDING
Date applied for passport: PENDING
Date passport received: PENDING

Which EU country have you applied from?

Ballet · Post by **Ballet** » Thu Sep 12, 2019 7:47 pm

I think that you select your nearest city in the original application; or maybe they look at your address and direct you to the nearest consular office.

I didn’t get a choice of venues. I have two brothers who completed the process before me and they were in different cities from each other and their invitations were for their nearest venue.

Rabbit123 wrote: ↑
Thu Sep 12, 2019 6:46 pm
It says September 4th

So indeed a quick decision since biometric enrolment.

When did they tell you which consulate you would have the ceremony in? Or did YOU tell THEM at some stage?
I’m just hoping I don’t need to travel too far as it’s always such a problem finding someone for my kids during that time...

Ballet wrote: ↑
Thu Sep 12, 2019 4:55 pm
That’s awesome!

What was the date on your approval letter?

Rabbit123 wrote: ↑
Thu Sep 12, 2019 1:57 pm
Eligibility Criteria: UKM
Applying from: EU
Method of application: Online with documents sent by post
Payment method: Credit card
Date of application: March 30, 2019
Date documents sent: April 8, 2019
Date of UKVI acknowledgement email: april 1, 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI: Not known
Date of e-mail requesting biometrics: July 22, 2019
Bio-metrics done: August 13, 2019
Date of approval: september 11, 2019
Date of invitation to ceremony: PENDING
Date of ceremony: PENDING
Date applied for passport: PENDING
Date passport received: PENDING

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UKM application experience and timeline

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