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

UKM application experience and timeline

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

xyz001
Newly Registered
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2021 5:47 pm
South Africa

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by xyz001 » Wed Jan 26, 2022 8:43 pm

zazu777 wrote:
Wed Jan 26, 2022 8:01 am
xyz001 wrote:
Fri Nov 05, 2021 7:46 pm
Hi All
I am applying for British citizenship via the UKM (Romein) route. I am a South African citizen but currently reside in the USA (non-immigrant work visa). I received my biometrics enrolment letter today from UKVI. The instructions in the letter, however, were for making an appointment with TLS in South Africa. I have written back to UKVI asking if I can do the biometrics in the USA. Not sure how long it will take to get a reply from them... so I thought I would ask here: does anyone know if one can do biometrics in the country you reside in when you are not a citizen of that country?
Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this.

My timeline:

Eligibility criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South Africa
Applying from: USA
Method of application: online
Date of application: 23/10/2021
Payment method: Debit card
Date of acknowledgement of application: Payment acknowledged 23/10/2021
Date money gone off account: 25/10/2021
Date supporting documents sent: DHL 25/10/2021
Date of receipt by UKVI: (confirmation from DHL): 27/10/2021
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 05/11/2021
Biometrics appointment date: TBA
Biometrics done: TBA
Date of approval: TBA
Date of ceremony: TBA
Date applied for passports: TBA
Date passports received: TBA
I hope you've sorted this out already, but if not I'll share my experience with you.

I am doing the same application as you (UKM) and I received the same letter, giving the address of the TLS in South Africa to do the biometrics, but I live in Japan. After much head scratching, and web searching, I came to understand that you can book the appointment at any centre that does biometrics. So I registered at the VFS in Osaka, booked my appointment, and went 2 days later... no problems. I think they just provide the TLS in South Africa address automatically when they see that someone with a South African passport is applying. Anyway, hope that helps and good luck!
Thanks so much for your reply Zazu777. Very kind of you to share your experience. And good luck to you too!
To my knowledge, the closest place that does biometrics here in Colorado is the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) centre in Denver and, unfortunately, you cannot make your own appointment. I did receive a reply from NationalityBiometricsOverseas@homeoffice.gov.uk after about two months. I had to then request an appointment via email to UKNationalityAppointmentsUS@homeoffice.gov.uk. I got notification of my appointment just last night! It's at the USCIS in Charlotte, North Carolina on 14 Feb 2022. That's far away from where I live, but I don't think I will query why it is there as I don't want to sit around anymore waiting for replies and I am travelling to SA in March for a visit… so I guess I need to look into flights to Charlotte.
I think I could possibly have booked an appointment through VFS. I didn't try this route as there are no VFS centres in Colorado. Had I only known I would have to travel across the country in any case! Eish!

MickByNameAndNature
Junior Member
Posts: 67
Joined: Mon May 01, 2017 1:52 am
Mood:

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by MickByNameAndNature » Thu Jan 27, 2022 8:01 pm

xyz001 wrote:
Wed Jan 26, 2022 8:43 pm
Thanks so much for your reply Zazu777. Very kind of you to share your experience. And good luck to you too!
To my knowledge, the closest place that does biometrics here in Colorado is the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) centre in Denver and, unfortunately, you cannot make your own appointment. I did receive a reply from NationalityBiometricsOverseas@homeoffice.gov.uk after about two months. I had to then request an appointment via email to UKNationalityAppointmentsUS@homeoffice.gov.uk. I got notification of my appointment just last night! It's at the USCIS in Charlotte, North Carolina on 14 Feb 2022. That's far away from where I live, but I don't think I will query why it is there as I don't want to sit around anymore waiting for replies and I am travelling to SA in March for a visit… so I guess I need to look into flights to Charlotte.
I think I could possibly have booked an appointment through VFS. I didn't try this route as there are no VFS centres in Colorado. Had I only known I would have to travel across the country in any case! Eish!
When you requested the appointment did you advise them which centre to make the appointment for?

The email you received from the Home Office should have read:
To enable you to enrol your biometrics for your application you will need to visit an Application Support Centre in the USA, please choose your preferred centre from the list found at

https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?actio ... e_type=ASC .

Do not book your appointment on the website, but instead e-mail UKNationalityAppointmentsUS@homeoffice.gov.uk who will assist you in booking an appointment. Within your e-mail please ensure you provide your

Name-
D.O.B-
Application Support Centre-
dates and times you will be able to attend (giving 10 days notice).-
Here are the listings when you search by Colorado: https://egov.uscis.gov/office-locator/# ... O/Colorado

For instance, in my reply, I put:
Name- MickByNameAndNature
D.O.B- (my birthday)
Application Support Centre- USCIS Application Support Center, 3358B Chamblee Tucker Road, Atlanta, GA 30341
dates and times you will be able to attend (giving 10 days notice).- I can attend any appointment available.
I would definitely contact them back for a closer appointment, if available.

xyz001
Newly Registered
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2021 5:47 pm
South Africa

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by xyz001 » Thu Jan 27, 2022 11:05 pm

MickByNameAndNature wrote:
Thu Jan 27, 2022 8:01 pm
xyz001 wrote:
Wed Jan 26, 2022 8:43 pm
Thanks so much for your reply Zazu777. Very kind of you to share your experience. And good luck to you too!
To my knowledge, the closest place that does biometrics here in Colorado is the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) centre in Denver and, unfortunately, you cannot make your own appointment. I did receive a reply from NationalityBiometricsOverseas@homeoffice.gov.uk after about two months. I had to then request an appointment via email to UKNationalityAppointmentsUS@homeoffice.gov.uk. I got notification of my appointment just last night! It's at the USCIS in Charlotte, North Carolina on 14 Feb 2022. That's far away from where I live, but I don't think I will query why it is there as I don't want to sit around anymore waiting for replies and I am travelling to SA in March for a visit… so I guess I need to look into flights to Charlotte.
I think I could possibly have booked an appointment through VFS. I didn't try this route as there are no VFS centres in Colorado. Had I only known I would have to travel across the country in any case! Eish!
When you requested the appointment did you advise them which centre to make the appointment for?

The email you received from the Home Office should have read:
To enable you to enrol your biometrics for your application you will need to visit an Application Support Centre in the USA, please choose your preferred centre from the list found at

https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?actio ... e_type=ASC .

Do not book your appointment on the website, but instead e-mail UKNationalityAppointmentsUS@homeoffice.gov.uk who will assist you in booking an appointment. Within your e-mail please ensure you provide your

Name-
D.O.B-
Application Support Centre-
dates and times you will be able to attend (giving 10 days notice).-
Here are the listings when you search by Colorado: https://egov.uscis.gov/office-locator/# ... O/Colorado

For instance, in my reply, I put:
Name- MickByNameAndNature
D.O.B- (my birthday)
Application Support Centre- USCIS Application Support Center, 3358B Chamblee Tucker Road, Atlanta, GA 30341
dates and times you will be able to attend (giving 10 days notice).- I can attend any appointment available.
I would definitely contact them back for a closer appointment, if available.
Thanks. Yes, I provided them with the details of the Denver USCIS ASC for the appointment. I think I will contact them.

zazu777
Newly Registered
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2022 5:33 am
Mood:
South Africa

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by zazu777 » Fri Feb 04, 2022 2:40 am

Greetings all!

So here's my timeline, here's hoping we all get positive answers soon.

Eligibility criteria: UKM(Romein)
Nationality: South Africa
Applying from: Japan
Method of application: Online with documents sent by post
Date of application: 25/10/2021
Payment method: Credit card
Date of acknowledgement of application: Payment acknowledged 25/10/2021
Date supporting documents sent: EMS 28/10/2021
Date of receipt by UKVI: (confirmation from EMS): 02/11/2021
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 05/11/2021
Biometrics appointment date: 22/11/2021
Biometrics done: 22/11/2021
Follow-up E-mail from Nationality Biometrics overseas, confirming registration of Biometrics and advising that “Your application is currently in a queue awaiting allocation to a case working team”: 05/01/2022
Date of approval: TBA
Date of ceremony: TBA
Date applied for passport: TBA
Date passport received: TBA

Good luck to all!

MB0
Newly Registered
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2022 11:10 pm
Nigeria

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by MB0 » Wed Mar 16, 2022 11:44 pm

Hi all,

I’m was born in Nigeria 1982 and my mother was born in the U.K. 1959, she is British by birth. I applied to register as a British citizen via form UKM last year July 2021, my biometrics was taken at the TLS contact September 2021 and I’m still waiting for an approval letter any advice on what to do?

MickByNameAndNature
Junior Member
Posts: 67
Joined: Mon May 01, 2017 1:52 am
Mood:

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by MickByNameAndNature » Thu Mar 17, 2022 4:44 am

MB0 wrote:
Wed Mar 16, 2022 11:44 pm
Hi all,

I’m was born in Nigeria 1982 and my mother was born in the U.K. 1959, she is British by birth. I applied to register as a British citizen via form UKM last year July 2021, my biometrics was taken at the TLS contact September 2021 and I’m still waiting for an approval letter any advice on what to do?
At this point I would say just wait. Look back at the timelines in this thread for the past 3 years and you will see that it can take up to a year. If you really need to, you can look up the contact information for the location where you would be attending the ceremony and send a polite email stating your timeline and asking if they had heard of any updates. Sometimes a nudge from them can help but sometimes it makes no difference.

MB0
Newly Registered
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2022 11:10 pm
Nigeria

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by MB0 » Thu Mar 17, 2022 9:33 am

Thanks for the quick response. Just to clarify is ukm the right form for me to register as a citizen? Since I was born in Nigeria in 1982 and my mother is British by birth.

User avatar
CR001
Moderator
Posts: 86820
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2012 10:55 pm
Location: London
Mood:
South Africa

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by CR001 » Thu Mar 17, 2022 9:38 am

MB0 wrote:
Thu Mar 17, 2022 9:33 am
Thanks for the quick response. Just to clarify is ukm the right form for me to register as a citizen? Since I was born in Nigeria in 1982 and my mother is British by birth.
Yes
Char (CR001 not Casa)
In life you cannot press the Backspace button!!
Please DO NOT send me a PM for immigration advice. I reserve the right to ignore the PM and not respond.

zazu777
Newly Registered
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2022 5:33 am
Mood:
South Africa

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by zazu777 » Thu Apr 14, 2022 12:50 am

zazu777 wrote:
Fri Feb 04, 2022 2:40 am
Greetings all!

So here's my timeline, here's hoping we all get positive answers soon.

Eligibility criteria: UKM(Romein)
Nationality: South Africa
Applying from: Japan
Method of application: Online with documents sent by post
Date of application: 25/10/2021
Payment method: Credit card
Date of acknowledgement of application: Payment acknowledged 25/10/2021
Date supporting documents sent: EMS 28/10/2021
Date of receipt by UKVI: (confirmation from EMS): 02/11/2021
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 05/11/2021
Biometrics appointment date: 22/11/2021
Biometrics done: 22/11/2021
Follow-up E-mail from Nationality Biometrics overseas, confirming registration of Biometrics and advising that “Your application is currently in a queue awaiting allocation to a case working team”: 05/01/2022
Date of approval: TBA
Date of ceremony: TBA
Date applied for passport: TBA
Date passport received: TBA

Good luck to all!
So today I received an email from UKVI Surveys telling me

"UK Visas and Immigration would like to ask for your feedback in a short online survey. The aim of this survey is to find out how well we met your needs and how we can improve in the future."

... but I haven't received any decision letter or email yet.

I have read that this survey invitation, if sent out before a decision, usually precedes the decision by a few days or weeks. Is the survey sent out only in cases where the application has been approved? Does anyone have any recent similar experience or advice?

Thanks!

zazu777
Newly Registered
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2022 5:33 am
Mood:
South Africa

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by zazu777 » Mon Apr 18, 2022 12:28 am

So here's my updated timeline, with the wonderful news that my application has been successful!!!

Eligibility criteria: UKM(Romein)
Nationality: South Africa
Applying from: Japan
Method of application: Online with documents sent by post
Date of application: 25/10/2021
Payment method: Credit card
Date of acknowledgement of application: Payment acknowledged 25/10/2021
Date supporting documents sent: EMS 28/10/2021
Date of receipt by UKVI: (confirmation from EMS): 02/11/2021
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 05/11/2021
Biometrics appointment date: 22/11/2021
Biometrics done: 22/11/2021
Follow-up E-mail from Nationality Biometrics overseas, confirming registration of Biometrics and advising that “Your application is currently in a queue awaiting allocation to a case working team”: 05/01/2022
Date of approval: 23/04/2022 (Letter dated 28/03/2022)
Date of ceremony: TBA
Date applied for passport: TBA
Date passport received: TBA

So just short of 6 months from my application date, I received the letter from the Home Office advising me of my successful application, with my passport and documents delivered to my home via courier without receiving any email confirmation. As I mentioned in my previous post I did receive an email a few days before from UKVI surveys... so I guess they do send out the email after a decision has been made!

Next step will be the Great Trek up to Tokyo to attend the citizenship ceremony... I can't wait!

xyz001
Newly Registered
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2021 5:47 pm
South Africa

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by xyz001 » Mon Apr 18, 2022 11:44 am

zazu777 wrote:
Mon Apr 18, 2022 12:28 am
So here's my updated timeline, with the wonderful news that my application has been successful!!!

Eligibility criteria: UKM(Romein)
Nationality: South Africa
Applying from: Japan
Method of application: Online with documents sent by post
Date of application: 25/10/2021
Payment method: Credit card
Date of acknowledgement of application: Payment acknowledged 25/10/2021
Date supporting documents sent: EMS 28/10/2021
Date of receipt by UKVI: (confirmation from EMS): 02/11/2021
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 05/11/2021
Biometrics appointment date: 22/11/2021
Biometrics done: 22/11/2021
Follow-up E-mail from Nationality Biometrics overseas, confirming registration of Biometrics and advising that “Your application is currently in a queue awaiting allocation to a case working team”: 05/01/2022
Date of approval: 23/04/2022 (Letter dated 28/03/2022)
Date of ceremony: TBA
Date applied for passport: TBA
Date passport received: TBA

So just short of 6 months from my application date, I received the letter from the Home Office advising me of my successful application, with my passport and documents delivered to my home via courier without receiving any email confirmation. As I mentioned in my previous post I did receive an email a few days before from UKVI surveys... so I guess they do send out the email after a decision has been made!

Next step will be the Great Trek up to Tokyo to attend the citizenship ceremony... I can't wait!
That's excellent news. CONGRATULATIONS!!

MoparMan
Newly Registered
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2022 3:07 pm
United States of America

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by MoparMan » Sat Apr 23, 2022 3:19 pm

Hi -

I'm in the U.S. and I sent the hardcopy version of form UKM and all supporting documents via FedEx. I know via FedEx confirmation that the shipment was received at the front desk of the immigration building in Liverpool on April 13. However, I've not received any confirmation from the office in the UK of receipt/initial processing of the form. My question is what's the expected delay between them receiving form UKM and actually acknowledging to me they're working on it? Should I be concerned yet?

xyz001
Newly Registered
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2021 5:47 pm
South Africa

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by xyz001 » Wed Apr 27, 2022 4:37 pm

My application was approved! Here's my updated timeline:
Eligibility criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South Africa
Applying from: USA
Method of application: online
Date of application: 23/10/2021
Payment method: Debit card
Date of acknowledgement of application: Payment acknowledged 23/10/2021
Date money gone off account: 25/10/2021
Date supporting documents sent: DHL 25/10/2021
Date of receipt by UKVI: (confirmation from DHL): 27/10/2021
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 05/11/2021
Biometrics done: 14/02/2022
Date of approval: Letter dated 08/04/2022 (received approval letter and documents by Royal Mail on 27/04/2022)
Date of ceremony: TBA
Date applied for passports: TBA
Date passports received: TBA

I am happy to report that I received my approval letter and supporting documents in the post today. It's been just over 6 months since I applied. I had not heard anything since attending my biometrics appointment. I see others received an email informing them that their biometrics was registered and that they were in a queue...I never got any confirmation of this...so was getting a bit worried.
Now the waiting for the citizenship ceremony begins!

zazu777
Newly Registered
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2022 5:33 am
Mood:
South Africa

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by zazu777 » Mon May 09, 2022 3:40 am

xyz001 wrote:
Wed Apr 27, 2022 4:37 pm
My application was approved! Here's my updated timeline:
Eligibility criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South Africa
Applying from: USA
Method of application: online
Date of application: 23/10/2021
Payment method: Debit card
Date of acknowledgement of application: Payment acknowledged 23/10/2021
Date money gone off account: 25/10/2021
Date supporting documents sent: DHL 25/10/2021
Date of receipt by UKVI: (confirmation from DHL): 27/10/2021
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 05/11/2021
Biometrics done: 14/02/2022
Date of approval: Letter dated 08/04/2022 (received approval letter and documents by Royal Mail on 27/04/2022)
Date of ceremony: TBA
Date applied for passports: TBA
Date passports received: TBA

I am happy to report that I received my approval letter and supporting documents in the post today. It's been just over 6 months since I applied. I had not heard anything since attending my biometrics appointment. I see others received an email informing them that their biometrics was registered and that they were in a queue...I never got any confirmation of this...so was getting a bit worried.
Now the waiting for the citizenship ceremony begins!
Congrats, great news! Looks like things are looking up for all of us! Hope we get our ceremony invites soon :)

zazu777
Newly Registered
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2022 5:33 am
Mood:
South Africa

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by zazu777 » Sun Jun 05, 2022 1:30 am

After a lovely ceremony at the British embassy in Tokyo, I have applied for my passport. Almost there...

Eligibility criteria: UKM(Romein)
Nationality: South Africa
Applying from: Japan
Method of application: Online with documents sent by post
Date of application: 25/10/2021
Payment method: Credit card
Date of acknowledgement of application: Payment acknowledged 25/10/2021
Date supporting documents sent: EMS 28/10/2021
Date of receipt by UKVI: (confirmation from EMS): 02/11/2021
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 05/11/2021
Biometrics appointment date: 22/11/2021
Biometrics done: 22/11/2021
Follow-up E-mail from Nationality Biometrics overseas, confirming registration of Biometrics and advising that “Your application is currently in a queue awaiting allocation to a case working team”: 05/01/2022
Date of approval: 23/04/2022 (Letter dated 28/03/2022)
Date of ceremony: 01/06/2022
Date applied for passport: 05/06/2022
Date passport received: TBA

simd
Newly Registered
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2021 3:31 pm
Canada

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by simd » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:32 pm

Eligibility criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: Canada
Applying from: Canada
Method of application: online
Date of biometrics: 30 July 2021
Date of approval: 24 August 2021
Date of ceremony: 5 May 2022 (virtual via MS Teams)
Citizenship certificate received: 16 May 2022
Date of passport application: 16 May 2022
Documents sent: 17 May 2022
Documents received (Durham): 14 June 2022
Application approved: 12 July 2022
Passport printed: 12 July 2022
Passport sent: 13 July 2022
Passport received (Canada): 18 July 2022
Documents received: Pending

BostonBrit
Newly Registered
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2020 8:05 pm
Mood:
United States of America

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by BostonBrit » Wed Jul 20, 2022 9:42 pm

Hello all, here’s an update from my earlier post including a timeline for both citizenship and passport application processes.

Earlier this month I received my British passport! :D That process took 59 days from application to receipt – approximately 2 months.

Prior to that, for the citizenship portion the duration was 186 days (just over 6 months) from application to approval, then another 141 days until I received my certificate of citizenship (total 327 days - nearly 11 months) including ceremony:

Eligibility criteria: UKM

Nationality: United States

Applying from: United States

Method of application: Online

Payment method: Credit card

Date of application: 2020-11-15

Date documents sent: (UPS) 2020-11-16

Date money gone off account: 2020-11-16

Date of acknowledgement by UKVI (by email): 2020-11-16

Date of receipt by UKVI (as confirmed by UPS): 2020-11-18

Date of email requesting biometrics and date of my reply with availability: 2021-02-17

Date of email from UKVI with biometrics appointment: 2021-04-08

Biometrics appointment completed: 2021-04-12

Date of citizenship approval: 2021-05-20

Documents returned and received (via DHL): 2021-06-01

Date of oath invitation: 2021-10-04

Date of ceremony (virtual via MS Teams): 2021-10-06

Citizenship certificate received (via UPS from British Consulate Boston): 2021-10-08

:roll: Note the long delay of around 4 months from “approval” to the ceremony date! I had discovered that the email invitation was sent only a week prior to the scheduled ceremony but they got my email address wrong! Luckily I contacted them in time and they resent the invitation to me! I suppose anything that can go wrong….

The MS Teams ceremony itself was rather short – perhaps 10 minutes. The woman who conducted it in Boston was quite pleasant and was in fact interested to hear a little bit about my mum growing up in Birmingham and serving in the National Fire Service during the Battle of Britain.

:idea: Note that I DID NOT send my original current and unexpired US passport, but made colour copies of every page (including the blank ones) and sent that instead. I did send my original expired US passport and my Mum's expired UK passport. All other reference documents were colour copies, which I had read could work, and thankfully it did! I didn't want to be without my US passport for 6-7 months! :shock:

Next, here is the timeline for the passport application process (which I had not rushed to begin):

Date applied for passport: 2022-05-03

Email sent to person confirming identity: 2022-05-03

Identity details received: 2022-05-03

Date of UK passport application documents submission sent on via UPS: 2022-05-03

Documents received (Durham): 2022-05-31

Email sent to person confirming identity: 2022-06-23

Identity details received: 2022-06-23

Application approved: 2022-06-24

Passport printed: 2022-06-27

Passport sent: 2022-06-29

Passport received (via DHL): 2022-07-08 (held since 2022-07-01 at local distribution per my request due to my vacation)

Documents received (via DHL): 2022-07-12

Well, there we are! And thankfully I have my new passport in time for a trip across the pond to visit family in England this summer! Not that it was needed, but nice to have.

Cheers to all, and of course, Keep Calm and Carry On - patiently always - as we are British! :D

PoMoGreg
Newly Registered
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2022 9:41 pm
United States of America

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by PoMoGreg » Thu Jul 28, 2022 9:03 pm

Thank you BostonBrit for your timeline. It was very helpful. My UKM was approved 30th of May 2022, just short of four months after submision.. I'm awaiting my citizenship ceremony invitation from Chicago. I'm not sure if they will send it by mail, or email, and if they are doing cerermonies in person, or online?

My approval along with all submitted documentation was sent to me by Royal mail, signature required. The only contact by email was for my biometric appointment.

My approval letter stated not to contact them unless it's been three months, so I'll just hang in there for another month before I reach out.

simd
Newly Registered
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2021 3:31 pm
Canada

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by simd » Tue Aug 02, 2022 7:22 pm

Eligibility criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: Canada
Applying from: Canada
Method of application: online
Date of biometrics: 30 July 2021
Date of approval: 24 August 2021
Date of ceremony: 5 May 2022 (virtual via MS Teams)
Citizenship certificate received: 16 May 2022
Date of passport application: 16 May 2022
Documents sent: 17 May 2022
Documents received (Durham): 14 June 2022
Application approved: 12 July 2022
Passport printed: 12 July 2022
Passport sent: 13 July 2022
Passport received (Canada): 18 July 2022
Documents received (Canada): 2 August 2022

NicJLock
Newly Registered
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2022 8:39 pm
South Africa

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by NicJLock » Mon Aug 08, 2022 8:47 pm

Hey all!

First time posting here, this seems like such a helpful forum!

Bit of advice, if you would be so kind. I'm helping my mom apply for British Citizenship through UKM (Romein)

We are at the point where we have received the biometric request letter. Like a previous poster in the forum, we received instructions for giving biometrics in South Africa as mom has a SA passport. However she is resident in the USA. From some other posts here, we saw that she can just book an appointment at a USCIS in the States and attend her biometrics. We have sent an email to UKNationalityAppointmentsUS@homeoffice.gov.uk as was suggested in the forum, but it's been a week without so much as an automatic reply. Does anyone here have experience booking their biometrics in this way? How long did it take to receive a biometric date?

Many thanks, all!

xyz001
Newly Registered
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2021 5:47 pm
South Africa

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by xyz001 » Tue Aug 09, 2022 3:11 pm

NicJLock wrote:
Mon Aug 08, 2022 8:47 pm
Hey all!

First time posting here, this seems like such a helpful forum!

Bit of advice, if you would be so kind. I'm helping my mom apply for British Citizenship through UKM (Romein)

We are at the point where we have received the biometric request letter. Like a previous poster in the forum, we received instructions for giving biometrics in South Africa as mom has a SA passport. However she is resident in the USA. From some other posts here, we saw that she can just book an appointment at a USCIS in the States and attend her biometrics. We have sent an email to UKNationalityAppointmentsUS@homeoffice.gov.uk as was suggested in the forum, but it's been a week without so much as an automatic reply. Does anyone here have experience booking their biometrics in this way? How long did it take to receive a biometric date?

Many thanks, all!
Hi. I was in the same situation. I wrote to UKNationalityAppointmentsUS@homeoffice.gov.uk on 05 January 2022. I included the following in the email:
Name-
D.O.B-
Application Support Centre-
Dates and times you will be able to attend (giving 10 days notice).

There was also no automatic reply. I finally received a reply on 26 January 2022. The reply included an attachment with my biometrics appointment scheduled for 14 feb 2022. Good Luck!

NicJLock
Newly Registered
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2022 8:39 pm
South Africa

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by NicJLock » Thu Aug 11, 2022 11:25 am

xyz001 wrote:
Tue Aug 09, 2022 3:11 pm

Hi. I was in the same situation. I wrote to UKNationalityAppointmentsUS@homeoffice.gov.uk on 05 January 2022. I included the following in the email:
Name-
D.O.B-
Application Support Centre-
Dates and times you will be able to attend (giving 10 days notice).

There was also no automatic reply. I finally received a reply on 26 January 2022. The reply included an attachment with my biometrics appointment scheduled for 14 feb 2022. Good Luck!
Thank you so much!

We used that exact same format when sending the request, so hopefully we hear back sometime soon, but at least I have a vague idea of a timeframe.

Many thanks for your response!

zazu777
Newly Registered
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2022 5:33 am
Mood:
South Africa

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by zazu777 » Mon Aug 15, 2022 1:51 pm

Eligibility criteria: UKM(Romein)
Nationality: South Africa
Applying from: Japan
Method of application: Online with documents sent by post
Date of application: 25/10/2021
Payment method: Credit card
Date of acknowledgement of application: Payment acknowledged 25/10/2021
Date supporting documents sent: EMS 28/10/2021
Date of receipt by UKVI: (confirmation from EMS): 02/11/2021
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 05/11/2021
Biometrics appointment date: 22/11/2021
Biometrics done: 22/11/2021
Follow-up E-mail from Nationality Biometrics overseas, confirming registration of Biometrics and advising that “Your application is currently in a queue awaiting allocation to a case working team”: 05/01/2022
Date of approval: 23/04/2022 (Letter dated 28/03/2022)
Date of ceremony: 01/06/2022 British Embassy Tokyo
Date applied for passport: 05/06/2022
Date passport received: 15/08/2022

Just over 10 months from start to finish... Hurrah hurrah, bit of all right really, what what?

NicJLock
Newly Registered
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2022 8:39 pm
South Africa

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by NicJLock » Mon Aug 22, 2022 11:41 am

Here's a fun one. I have not one, but TWO UKM applications in the works (one for each parent, not even for myself :lol: )

Thought I'd post both timelines here for my record and to maybe help others on their journey. This forum has already been invaluable for me so far!

Dad:

Eligibility criteria: UKM
Nationality: South Africa
Applying from: South Africa
Method of application: Online with documents sent by post
Date of application: 7 June 2022
Payment method: Credit card
Date of acknowledgement of application: Payment acknowledged 7 June 2022
Date supporting documents sent: DHL 13 June 2022
Date of receipt by UKVI: (confirmation from DHL): 16 June 2022
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 21 June 2022
Biometrics appointment date: 22 June 2022 (day after request!)
Biometrics done: 22 June 2022
Notice of decision and documents ready for collection: 8 August 2022
Document return (DHL): 22 August 2022 (Approval letter dated 2 August 2022)
Date of ceremony: TBA
Date applied for passport: TBA
Date passport received: TBA

(Hoping that ceremony invite doesn't take too long to arrive!)

Mom:

Eligibility criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South Africa
Applying from: USA
Method of application: Online with documents sent by post
Date of application: 18 July 2022
Payment method: Credit card
Date of acknowledgement of application: Payment acknowledged 18 July 2022
Date supporting documents sent: FedEx 24 July 2022
Date of receipt by UKVI: (confirmation from FedEx): 27 July 2022
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 3 August 2022
Biometrics appointment date: 16 September 2022 (unfortunately, it took ages to get a USCIS appointment - this puts us outside of the 30 working day window but we have emailed to advise of this)
Biometrics done: TBA
Notice of decision and documents ready for collection: TBA
Document return: TBA
Date of ceremony: TBA
Date applied for passport: TBA
Date passport received: TBA

xyz001
Newly Registered
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2021 5:47 pm
South Africa

Re: UKM application experience and timeline

Post by xyz001 » Fri Aug 26, 2022 6:36 pm

Here are the timelines for myself and my sister's UKM applications so far. Note how much quicker my sister's application has gone (10 months vs 3 months from application to ceremony). Not sure if it's a regional thing (I applied from the US and my sister from South Africa) or if it's just that things are now speeding up generally. Hopefully the latter.

My application:
Eligibility criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South Africa
Applying from: USA
Method of application: online
Date of application: 23 Oct 2021
Payment method: Debit card
Date of acknowledgement of application: Payment acknowledged 23 Oct 2021
Date money gone off account: 25 Oct 2021
Date supporting documents sent: DHL 25 Oct 2021
Date of receipt by UKVI: (confirmation from DHL): 27 Oct 2021
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 05 Nov 2021
Biometrics done at USCIS: 14 Feb 2022
Date of approval: Letter dated 08 April 2022 (received approval letter and documents by Royal Mail on 27 April 2022)
Date of ceremony: 31 August 2022 (received notification of ceremony via email from UK Embassy in Chicago on 24 August 2022)
Date applied for passports: TBA
Date passports received: TBA

My sister's application:
Eligibility criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South Africa
Applying from: South Africa
Method of application: online
Date of application: 31 May 2022
Payment method: Credit card
Date supporting documents sent: 06 June 2022
Date of receipt by UKVI: (confirmation from Postnet): 16 June 2022
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 20 June 2022
Biometrics done at TLS in Cape Town: 22 June 2022
Notice of decision and documents ready for collection: 14 June 2022
Date of approval: Letter dated 12 July 2022 (received approval letter and documents from courier on 25 July 2022)
Date of ceremony: 09 Sept 2022 (received email from UK Embassy in Cape Town on 26 Aug 2022)
Date applied for passports: TBA
Date passports received: TBA

Post Reply
cron