UKM application experience and timeline

mkosel · Post by **mkosel** » Thu Feb 09, 2023 2:46 pm

Good morning All.

I have been on this forum for a couple of years.

My mother applied for citizenship in 2021, and was approved in 19 February 2022. It took until July 2022 to receive her passport. I have just gotten my decision today. Here is my successful timeline.

Eligibility criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: USA
Applying from: UK
Online application submitted: 28 Sept 2022 (All documents scanned and submitted online)
Date of biometrics: 31 October 2022
Citizenship application approved: 09 February 2023 !!!!!!!
Citizenship ceremony scheduled: TBD
Citizenship ceremony takes place: TBD
Passport application filed: TBD
Passport documents sent: TBD
Passport received:

Gallagheria · Post by **Gallagheria** » Tue Feb 14, 2023 1:00 am

Great. I hope the TBD’s are quick.

Gallagheria · Post by **Gallagheria** » Tue Feb 14, 2023 1:03 am

I finally got my passport today!

Eligibility criteria: UKM
Nationality: United States
Applying from: United States
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 3 JUL 2022
Payment method: Credit card
Date of acknowledgement of application: 3 JUL 2022
Payment acknowledged: 3 JUL 2022
References signed: 10 JUL 2022
Reference photos taken: 15 JUL 2022
Date supporting documents sent (USPS): 18 JUL 2022
Date of email requesting biometrics: 16 JUL 2022
Date of email setting up biometrics date: 16 JUL 2022
Date of email and letter received confirming biometric appointment: 18 AUG 2022
Biometrics appointment date: 15 SEP 2022
Biometrics done (Atlanta): 15 SEP 2022
Date of approval: 12 OCT 2022
Date of approval letter received: 24 OCT 2022
Date of citizenship ceremony invitation: 13 DEC 2022
Date of citizenship ceremony letter received: 17 DEC 2022
Date of citizenship ceremony established via phone call: 20 DEC 2022
Date of citizenship ceremony (MS Teams): 21 DEC 2022
Date citizenship certificate sent (UPS): 12 JAN 2023
Date received citizenship certificate: 16 JAN 2023
Date began application for passport: 16 JAN 2023
Date passport photo verified: 20 JAN 2023
Date mailed passport documents (USPS): 21 JAN 2023
Date passport documents received (email): 30 JAN 2023
Date passport approved (email): 5 FEB 2023
Date passport printed and mailed (DHL): 8 FEB 2023
Date passport received: 13 FEB 2023

les1419rby · Post by **les1419rby** » Tue Feb 14, 2023 12:44 pm

Congrats! Gallagheria. what a quick turn around, it appears that you have successfully completed the journey. great job!

les1419rby · Post by **les1419rby** » Tue Feb 14, 2023 1:49 pm

Maybe a little redundant, but posting a 'not-so-update' in case someone now or in the future experiences something similar

Eligibility criteria: UKM
Nationality: American
Applying from: USA
Method of application: Online with documents sent by FedEx to Liverpool
Date of application Online: Sept 16, 2022 (Friday)
Payment method: Credit card
Date of acknowledgment of application: Payment acknowledged Sept 16, 2022 (Friday)
Date supporting documents sent via FedEx: Sept 16, 2022 (Friday)
Date of receipt by UKVI: (confirmation from FedEx): Sept 20, 2022 (Tuesday)
Date of email requesting biometrics: Sept 24, 2022 (Saturday) - responded immediately with available time and they responded back on Sept 28, 2022 (Wednesday)
Biometrics appointment date: Oct 24, 2022 (Monday)
Biometrics was done: Oct 24, 2022 (Monday)

Dec 8, 2022 - received UKVI survey email

Dec 28, 2022 - sent an email to furthernationalenquiry, since I have yet to receive any email or letter since receiving the survey email on 8 Dec.

Dec 29, 2022 - received an email reply from furthernationalenquiry, they stated that my citizen invitation letter was dispatched on 18 November 2022 and can take 12-16 weeks to arrive.

Jan 22, 2023 - sent an email to furthernationalenquiry asking to confirm my mailing address and if they could possibly email or resend my approval/citizen invitation letter (by post). As of Feb 14, 2023 no reply from my 1/22/23 email.

Starting to think my approval letter and/or citizen invitation letters are lost in the post. I am 2 days shy of the 12 weeks since they stated the citizen invitation letter was dispatched.

Pallykin · Post by **Pallykin** » Fri Feb 17, 2023 6:03 pm

Documents scanned or mailed in?

Looking at people's entries, it appears that if you are applying from the UK, you can upload your documents, but if you are applying from outside the UK, you need to courier them to Liverpool. Do I have this right?

I'm in the early stages of preparing an application via form UKM (Romein) from the US, and it would be very helpful to know if I should be scanning printed documents or printing PDFs.

Thank you to everyone for sharing your timelines!

Gallagheria · Post by **Gallagheria** » Fri Feb 17, 2023 7:21 pm

Pallykin wrote: ↑
Fri Feb 17, 2023 6:03 pm
Documents scanned or mailed in?

Looking at people's entries, it appears that if you are applying from the UK, you can upload your documents, but if you are applying from outside the UK, you need to courier them to Liverpool. Do I have this right?

I'm in the early stages of preparing an application via form UKM (Romein) from the US, and it would be very helpful to know if I should be scanning printed documents or printing PDFs.

Thank you to everyone for sharing your timelines!

I'm not sure but I did have to mail everything in--and I am in the US. It was a little redundant because even when I received my certificate of registration from the UK, I had to re-mail them back that same certificate and my other passport again, this time for the British passport. I was able to upload my photo. But that was it. Then I had to find another reference for the passport, as opposed to the citizenship.

I just think it would be good idea if they could combine the two services.

Pallykin · Post by **Pallykin** » Fri Feb 17, 2023 7:50 pm

Isn't the passport office separate from the office that assesses the citizenship forms? I can understand why that would be - the passport office only issues passports, and most people are either applying directly for a passport of getting a renewal. We're doing an extra, separate step.

I will have a lot of documents as my applications is based on my Mother's UK citizenship which she got from her British subject father before 1949, and he received his from his Briths subject father who was in the Crown's service at the time of his birth. This could amount to 15-20 documents.

Hoping to apply in the next month or so. I will post my timeline when I have some details.

les1419rby · Post by **les1419rby** » Sat Feb 18, 2023 12:49 pm

Pallykin wrote: ↑
Fri Feb 17, 2023 6:03 pm
Documents scanned or mailed in?

Looking at people's entries, it appears that if you are applying from the UK, you can upload your documents, but if you are applying from outside the UK, you need to courier them to Liverpool. Do I have this right?

I'm in the early stages of preparing an application via form UKM (Romein) from the US, and it would be very helpful to know if I should be scanning printed documents or printing PDFs.

Thank you to everyone for sharing your timelines!

HI Pallykin, welcome! as Gallagheria posted, if you are inside the US then you do not have the ability to upload your documents to the online application. Probably as you have read you do have 20 days from when you submit your online application to provide them your documents (in Liverpool). My 1 piece of advice is to print out the referee forms and get those done before you submit your application. https://visas-immigration.service.gov.u ... on_MN1.pdf

Best of luck!

les1419rby · Post by **les1419rby** » Thu Feb 23, 2023 9:14 pm

My last update for awhile..... I am now British!!! so excited and thank you for everyone's support.

Eligibility criteria: UKM
Nationality: American
Applying from: USA
Method of application: Online with documents sent by FedEx to Liverpool
Date of application Online: Sept 16, 2022 (Friday)
Payment method: Credit card
Date of acknowledgment of application: Payment acknowledged Sept 16, 2022 (Friday)
Date supporting documents sent via FedEx: Sept 16, 2022 (Friday)
Date of receipt by UKVI: (confirmation from FedEx): Sept 20, 2022 (Tuesday)
Date of email requesting biometrics: Sept 24, 2022 (Saturday) - responded immediately with available time and they responded back on Sept 28, 2022 (Wednesday)
Biometrics appointment date: Oct 24, 2022 (Monday)
Biometrics done: Oct 24, 2022 (Monday)

Dec 8, 2022 - received UKVI survey email

Dec 28, 2022 - sent an email to furthernationalenquiry, since I have yet to receive any email or letter since receiving the survey email on 8 Dec.

Dec 29, 2022 - received an email reply from furthernationalenquiry, they stated that my citizen invitation letter was dispatched on 18 November 2022 and can take 12-16 weeks to arrive.

Jan 22, 2023 - sent an email to furthernationalenquiry asking to confirm my mailing address and if they could possibly email or resend my approval/citizen invitation letter (by post). As of Feb 14, 2023 no reply from my 1/22/23 email.

Feb 22, 2023 - received an email from Consulate in Chicago inviting me to my citizenship ceremony
Feb 23, 2023 - had my citizenship ceremony (virtually) it lasted 7 minutes and was very straight forward

Gallagheria · Post by **Gallagheria** » Sun Feb 26, 2023 2:41 am

Congratulations!

Now you will need to wait for the certificate of registration to arrive and then apply for the passport.

dfernand · Post by **dfernand** » Fri Mar 17, 2023 3:59 pm

Spanish guy here based in Madrid (so I stated a preference for the Madrid British embassy as being the ceremony site etc who has embarked on the UKM British Citizen application.

I just submitted my UKM online digital form today and paid the £80 and at the end of the process I was ready to submit all my scanned documents (I've done my research prior to doing the initial application form) and to my surprise I got was a checklist of documents stating that I am to send to the UKIM office in Liverpool.

To send the documents manually is a pain but possible to do but I was certain reading on these forums weeks ago that if you were outside of the UK it was possible to upload the required documents online instead of posting them. So I phoned the Citizenship and Nationality Enquiries office in the UK +44 (0)300 790 6268 and went around the houses with people in various departments not being able to help me until I reached someone who told me that in 48 hours you will receive an e-mail for biometric test and upload for the required documents; I wasn't entirely convinced by this to be honest as I think the ceremony takes far longer to process in the later stages I believe. My mother also called them and they told her that within 14 days I should get a request to attend a ceremony at the Madrid British embassy where I would either bring the physical documentation OR upload the documents.

So right off the bat I'm getting different timescales from different people at the home office enquires UK help desk. I'm worried that if I want too long for the e-mail link to submit my documents or to 'bring my documents to the British embassy'' then the 20 days to send the documents to Liverpool will leave me with just a few days to get them to Liverpool if that is indeed the correct procedure.

I've e-mailed nationalityenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk on day 1 today to try state what in my case the standard procedure is but I don't know how fast they are at replying.

Should I spend money now getting the documents all nicely printed out in hard copy to send them to Liverpool ? my printer is a bit iffy when it comes to quality.

NOTE: I read a note from user ' les1419rb' recently I think replying to someone from Romania and also a different post regarding someone in the U.S. who sent them to Liverpool via DHL so I just don't know if Spain is a different case to the U.S. or Romania; we both stated that I am Spanish and living outside of the UK in Spain as a resident.

I just dunno how best to proceed, please advise .... !!

alterhase58 · Post by **alterhase58** » Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:04 pm

dfernand wrote: ↑
Fri Mar 17, 2023 3:59 pm
I just dunno how best to proceed, please advise .... !!

Not familiar with UKM, but I assume you qualify for that application.

What I do know is that if you apply for nationality from abroad you can input the form online but documents need to be sent to Liverpool.

Unfortunately, calling the "helpline" you are likely to get conflicting advice - it's an outsourced operation, they are not UKVI caseworkers, and basically provide information that is publicly available.

I'm sure the embassy won't do biometrics or scan documents(they don't process passport applications either!) - you will probably be pointed to a local visa agent dealing with the UK (just guessing).

dfernand · Post by **dfernand** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 2:36 pm

alterhase58 wrote: ↑
Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:04 pm

dfernand wrote: ↑
Fri Mar 17, 2023 3:59 pm
I just dunno how best to proceed, please advise .... !!
Not familiar with UKM, but I assume you qualify for that application.

What I do know is that if you apply for nationality from abroad you can input the form online but documents need to be sent to Liverpool. UKVI Biometrics test British Embassy Madrid Spain

Unfortunately, calling the "helpline" you are likely to get conflicting advice - it's an outsourced operation, they are not UKVI caseworkers, and basically provide information that is publicly available.

I'm sure the embassy won't do biometrics or scan documents(they don't process passport applications either!) - you will probably be pointed to a local visa agent dealing with the UK (just guessing).

Yeah, I got jumpy about waiting for an e-mail or link to upload the files so I sent physical hard copies all to Liverpool tracked and signed for on the same day I made the payment for the UKM British Citizenship application to commence.

The thing is I'm sure that there were people back in 2022 on this forum that uploaded their their digital online UKM British Citizenship documents who were located outside of the UK, which is why I thought the service was initially setup i.e. to make it easier for those outside of the UK to not rely on physical international postal services.

As stated in the post I made recently above, their 'Home Office' helpline was confusing, you correctly selected the phone menu options for an enquiry stating that you were applying for Citizenship/Visa and that you were calling from outside of the country and you got told that 'they don't deal with British Citizenship requests' and you got told to select the menu options as if you were applying internally from the UK (that didn't sound right to me) so I did that and I got told the opposite by a help desk person, very frustrating. I even got up to a certain menu option for 'Digital App online enquiries' (or similar) where they requested my credit card, so I typed it in and just got some guy telling me that it was the wrong department, I'll be looking at my credit card bill this month like a hawk ! The visa@we-are-digital.co.uk
Text ‘VISA’ and a number to call you on to 07537 416 944 Telephone: 03333 445 675 helpdesk asked me if I was calling from abroad and told me that they don't help people calling from abroad ! a service for visas into the UK rejecting calls from abroad, I tell you .. not really an ideal service ... So all in all a bit of a frustrating experience.

The lady I finally got an answer 'seemed to know' but I didn't know if she really knew the standard procedure for my location and she gave different timescales to what another operative told my mother, i.e. Back when I worked and lived in England I've had experience of people in England before giving me incorrect or incomplete information over the phone which has led to major problems so I am very wary.

What initially gave me hope about being able to do everything digitally within Madrid, Spain is this guy (dunno where he's from circa 2021/2022) who did his UK VI Biometric tests within Madrid, Spain at the British embassy so in all probability the helpdesk people at UK Home Office we got through to on the phone and seemed helpful were giving me the correct information: Youtube link removed by moderator Search for 'UKVI Biometrics appointment with TLS Contact (Madrid, Spain)' on YouTube if the link doesn't work.

Still on a more positive note, I've followed their instructions to send the documents via post and at least we can get the ball rolling with that endeavor and home office staff in Liverpool who will know what they're doing will get the documents.

CR001 · Post by **CR001** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 2:41 pm

dfernand wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 2:36 pm

alterhase58 wrote: ↑
Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:04 pm

dfernand wrote: ↑
Fri Mar 17, 2023 3:59 pm
I just dunno how best to proceed, please advise .... !!
Not familiar with UKM, but I assume you qualify for that application.

What I do know is that if you apply for nationality from abroad you can input the form online but documents need to be sent to Liverpool. UKVI Biometrics test British Embassy Madrid Spain

Unfortunately, calling the "helpline" you are likely to get conflicting advice - it's an outsourced operation, they are not UKVI caseworkers, and basically provide information that is publicly available.

I'm sure the embassy won't do biometrics or scan documents(they don't process passport applications either!) - you will probably be pointed to a local visa agent dealing with the UK (just guessing).
Yeah, I got jumpy about waiting for an e-mail or link to upload the files so I sent physical hard copies all to Liverpool tracked and signed for on the same day I made the payment for the UKM British Citizenship application to commence.

The thing is I'm sure that there were people back in 2022 on this forum that uploaded their their digital online UKM British Citizenship documents who were located outside of the UK, which is why I thought the service was initially setup i.e. to make it easier for those outside of the UK to not rely on physical international postal services.

As stated in the post I made recently above, their 'Home Office' helpline was confusing, you correctly selected the phone menu options for an enquiry stating that you were applying for Citizenship/Visa and that you were calling from outside of the country and you got told that 'they don't deal with British Citizenship requests' and you got told to select the menu options as if you were applying internally from the UK (that didn't sound right to me) so I did that and I got told the opposite by a help desk person, very frustrating. I even got up to a certain menu option for 'Digital App online enquiries' (or similar) where they requested my credit card, so I typed it in and just got some guy telling me that it was the wrong department, I'll be looking at my credit card bill this month like a hawk ! The visa@we-are-digital.co.uk
Text ‘VISA’ and a number to call you on to 07537 416 944 Telephone: 03333 445 675 helpdesk asked me if I was calling from abroad and told me that they don't help people calling from abroad ! a service for visas into the UK rejecting calls from abroad, I tell you .. not really an ideal service ... So all in all a bit of a frustrating experience.

The lady I finally got an answer 'seemed to know' but I didn't know if she really knew the standard procedure for my location and she gave different timescales to what another operative told my mother, i.e. Back when I worked and lived in England I've had experience of people in England before giving me incorrect or incomplete information over the phone which has led to major problems so I am very wary.

What initially gave me hope about being able to do everything digitally within Madrid, Spain is this guy (dunno where he's from circa 2021/2022) who did his UK VI Biometric tests within Madrid, Spain at the British embassy so in all probability the helpdesk people at UK Home Office we got through to on the phone and seemed helpful were giving me the correct information: Youtube link removed by moderator Search for 'UKVI Biometrics appointment with TLS Contact (Madrid, Spain)' on YouTube if the link doesn't work.

Still on a more positive note, I've followed their instructions to send the documents via post and at least we can get the ball rolling with that endeavor and home office staff in Liverpool who will know what they're doing will get the documents.

The YouTube link you posted, now removed (please do not post social media links) is specifically for a Skilled Worker Health and Care visa and not for a UKM application, which would always require the originals in order for them to be verified (yes, people have tried to use false documents).

The Digital scanning service from abroad is mainly only for UK visa applications

dfernand · Post by **dfernand** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:39 pm

CR001 wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 2:41 pm

dfernand wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 2:36 pm

alterhase58 wrote: ↑
Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:04 pm

dfernand wrote: ↑
Fri Mar 17, 2023 3:59 pm
I just dunno how best to proceed, please advise .... !!
Not familiar with UKM, but I assume you qualify for that application.

What I do know is that if you apply for nationality from abroad you can input the form online but documents need to be sent to Liverpool. UKVI Biometrics test British Embassy Madrid Spain

Unfortunately, calling the "helpline" you are likely to get conflicting advice - it's an outsourced operation, they are not UKVI caseworkers, and basically provide information that is publicly available.

I'm sure the embassy won't do biometrics or scan documents(they don't process passport applications either!) - you will probably be pointed to a local visa agent dealing with the UK (just guessing).
Yeah, I got jumpy about waiting for an e-mail or link to upload the files so I sent physical hard copies all to Liverpool tracked and signed for on the same day I made the payment for the UKM British Citizenship application to commence.

The thing is I'm sure that there were people back in 2022 on this forum that uploaded their their digital online UKM British Citizenship documents who were located outside of the UK, which is why I thought the service was initially setup i.e. to make it easier for those outside of the UK to not rely on physical international postal services.

As stated in the post I made recently above, their 'Home Office' helpline was confusing, you correctly selected the phone menu options for an enquiry stating that you were applying for Citizenship/Visa and that you were calling from outside of the country and you got told that 'they don't deal with British Citizenship requests' and you got told to select the menu options as if you were applying internally from the UK (that didn't sound right to me) so I did that and I got told the opposite by a help desk person, very frustrating. I even got up to a certain menu option for 'Digital App online enquiries' (or similar) where they requested my credit card, so I typed it in and just got some guy telling me that it was the wrong department, I'll be looking at my credit card bill this month like a hawk ! The visa@we-are-digital.co.uk
Text ‘VISA’ and a number to call you on to 07537 416 944 Telephone: 03333 445 675 helpdesk asked me if I was calling from abroad and told me that they don't help people calling from abroad ! a service for visas into the UK rejecting calls from abroad, I tell you .. not really an ideal service ... So all in all a bit of a frustrating experience.

The lady I finally got an answer 'seemed to know' but I didn't know if she really knew the standard procedure for my location and she gave different timescales to what another operative told my mother, i.e. Back when I worked and lived in England I've had experience of people in England before giving me incorrect or incomplete information over the phone which has led to major problems so I am very wary.

What initially gave me hope about being able to do everything digitally within Madrid, Spain is this guy (dunno where he's from circa 2021/2022) who did his UK VI Biometric tests within Madrid, Spain at the British embassy so in all probability the helpdesk people at UK Home Office we got through to on the phone and seemed helpful were giving me the correct information: Youtube link removed by moderator Search for 'UKVI Biometrics appointment with TLS Contact (Madrid, Spain)' on YouTube if the link doesn't work.

Still on a more positive note, I've followed their instructions to send the documents via post and at least we can get the ball rolling with that endeavor and home office staff in Liverpool who will know what they're doing will get the documents.
The YouTube link you posted, now removed (please do not post social media links) is specifically for a Skilled Worker Health and Care visa and not for a UKM application, which would always require the originals in order for them to be verified (yes, people have tried to use false documents).

The Digital scanning service from abroad is mainly only for UK visa applications

This is starting to make sense now, so I believe I was right to send documents off to Liverpool on day one then. I'll keep you posted and read some more of this long thread (there's 50+ pages of different peoples' experiences). And I won't post links in the future. Thanks.

les1419rby · Post by **les1419rby** » Wed Mar 22, 2023 11:22 am

HI dfernand , best of luck! glad to hear that you were able to mail off your documents to Liverpool.

About a month ago I too called the 'help desk' phone number and went around and around with people. Had to give my credit card and finally got to someone that told me that they could not look up my application and gave me an email address to contact.

So for anyone else reading these posts in the future.... calling is a waste of money and time.

les1419rby · Post by **les1419rby** » Wed Mar 22, 2023 11:41 am

HI everyone, posting what will probably be my last update. Forgive the long post, but in case someone in the future finds it helpful I wanted to provide some details.

Eligibility criteria: UKM
Nationality: American
Applying from: USA
Method of application: Online with documents sent by FedEx to Liverpool
Date of application Online: Sept 16, 2022 (Friday)
Payment method: Credit card
Date of acknowledgment of application: Payment acknowledged Sept 16, 2022 (Friday)
Date supporting documents sent via FedEx: Sept 16, 2022 (Friday)
Date of receipt by UKVI: (confirmation from FedEx): Sept 20, 2022 (Tuesday)
Date of email requesting biometrics: Sept 24, 2022 (Saturday) - responded immediately with available time and they responded back on Sept 28, 2022 (Wednesday)
Biometrics appointment date: Oct 24, 2022 (Monday)
Biometrics done: Oct 24, 2022 (Monday)
Received UKVI survey email - Dec 8, 2022 (Thursday)

Dec 28, 2022 - sent an email to furthernationalenquiry, since I have yet to receive any email or letter since receiving the survey email on 8 Dec.

Dec 29, 2022 - received an email reply from furthernationalenquiry, they stated that my citizen invitation letter was dispatched on 18 November 2022 and can take 12-16 weeks to arrive. (never received a letter - does that mean the letter is dispatched to me or to my local Consulate??- I don't know)

Jan 22, 2023 - sent an email to furthernationalenquiry asking to confirm my mailing address and if they could possibly email or resend my approval/citizen invitation letter (by post). Never received a reply from them.

Feb 17, 2023 - called the help line number - waste of time dont do it - I finally made my way to the correct department but they do not have access to your application status/info.

Feb 22, 2023 - received an email from Consulate in Chicago inviting me to my virtual citizenship ceremony. YAY!

Citizenship Ceremony invitation (via email) - Feb 22, 2023
Citizenship Ceremony (via Teams) - Feb 23, 2023
Citizenship Certificate (via UPS) - Mar 22, 2023

Throughout the whole process I have never received anything in the post, everything has been via email. Unsure if this is because I have an issue with my postal service or if UKVI never mailed anything to me. Time from start to finish is about 6 months. Best of luck everyone!

bathsheba · Post by **bathsheba** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 3:20 am

Hi, I just finished an 8-month odyssey from application to passport, and because this forum is the most helpful thing on the whole internet I'll add my data point.

My application was straightforward UKM, my mother was a citizen by birth. I'm in the US and I was grateful for the advice here that all out-of-UK applications must be submitted by mail, because the website is obfuscated and the expensive help line straight up lied about it.
I used color copies for almost all documents, because Mom is 85 and her papers are historical artifacts. I copied every page of my US passport and had them notarized as a single document. (I had to shop notaries to find one that didn't insist on stamping and charging for each page separately.) I took my own passport photo with a phone, VERY CAREFULLY with a lot of attention to the instructions. I included a cover letter saying I need my passport for business travel, and also I am not indigent and God save the Queen. My referees were an Oxford don and a friend in the US, he's a programmer but what the heck that's an "engineer" right?

Eligibility criteria: UKM
Nationality: United States
Applying from: United States
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 25 July 2022
Payment method: Credit card, payment debited immediately
Date supporting documents sent (Fedex): 8 Aug 2022
Date of email requesting biometrics: 13 Aug 2022
Date of email setting biometrics date: 24 Aug 2022
Date biometrics done (Boston area): 19 Sep 2022
Date documents returned with approval letter: 13 Oct 2022
Date of citizenship ceremony (MS Teams): 8 Feb 2023
Date received citizenship certificate: 21 Feb 2023
Date began application for passport: 22 Feb 2023
Date mailed passport documents (USPS): 1 Mar 2023
Date passport documents received: 8 Mar 2023
Date passport approved (email): 16 Mar 2023
Date passport received: 22 Mar 2023

I had no notification of approval before the document packet in October, which said to wait up to 12 weeks for an email about the ceremony. At the end of January I hadn't heard anything, so I sent an email and the office was responsive. The passport process was much easier and better supported, and also very quick (for which I'm grateful since I guess the passport office is now about to go on strike?).

Further notes: the virtual ceremony was pretty great! We had a hilarious fake background but the host was otherwise completely deadpan, the patter is really well written, there was plenty of time available for questions. Also they are still using the old passport stock printed last year, so I hope Chuck is OK with she/her pronouns.

Thanks for your help here, and if you're waiting, good luck in your quest!

Cmattwin · Post by **Cmattwin** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 2:42 pm

Hi Everyone,

I have applied through the UKM application and have a question regarding the Good Character requirements. I had a fully discharged bankruptcy in California 2018 with no issues. Just wondering if it will that affect my approval as I just fully submitted my application and biometric this week. Other than that I have a flawless record back with no criminal background whatsoever.

Applicant Born US
Mother UK Citizen
Mothers Parents UK Citizens
Father US Citizen

Thank you,

les1419rby · Post by **les1419rby** » Sat Apr 22, 2023 12:15 pm

HI, I do not believe that 'Good Character' requirement can be held against someone anymore (someone else can maybe chime in with more concrete details). Think there was a somewhat recent ruling.

With that said, I don't think that your 2018 Bankruptcy should affect your application. It is recommended that anyone disclose it on the application, like when it was discharged and what you have done since then to rectify the matter going forward.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

mfjp · Post by **mfjp** » Mon Apr 24, 2023 8:12 am

This thread was very useful, so posting my experience to date and will update it as my application progresses. Although I qualify under section 4L, my solicitor advised to apply online with UKM with cover letter rather than ARD which used a paper form and more expensive.

Eligibility criteria: UKM (Section 4L Historical Legislative Unfairness)
Nationality: Australia
Applying from: UK
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 18 March 2023
Date biometrics completed with UKVAS (London Mark Lane): 26 March 2023
Date of approval email/letter: TBD
Date of citizenship ceremony: TBD
Date received citizenship certificate: TBD

Pallykin · Post by **Pallykin** » Sat May 06, 2023 6:26 pm

My UK Citizenship Timeline

Eligibility criteria: UKM
Nationality: US
Applying from: US
Method of application: Online with documents sent via UPS to Liverpool
Date of application: 23 March 2023 (Thursday)
Payment method: Credit card
Date of acknowledgment of application: Payment acknowledged immediately by email: 23 March 23 2023 (Thursday)
Date supporting documents sent: 24 March 2023 (Friday)
Date of receipt by UKVI: (confirmation of delivery from UPS): 28 March 2023 (Tuesday)
Date of email requesting biometrics preferred location and availability: 15 April 2023 (Saturday)
I responded immediately with available dates/times (1 June onwards due to travel and other prior commitments, which is six and half weeks in the future, but the Boston Applicant Support Center is very busy based on past personal experience, so this likely won’t result in much of a delay)

Sent fresh email requesting biometric booking in case the original email was lost in their junk mail 4 May 2023 (Thursday) as it has been nearly three weeks, and this seems a long time compared to the experiences of others…

Note that I have added all UKVI email addresses to my contacts and I’m checking my junk folder constantly… This based on the advice of others here…

and they responded back on: TBD
Biometrics appointment date: TBD
Biometrics done: TBD
Date of approval: TBD
Date of ceremony: TBD
Date applied for passport: TBD
Date passport received: TBD

Fingers crossed I receive notification of my biometrics booking soon. April had Easter with two bank holidays, and May has three bank holidays. I’m hoping to be able to complete this process by the end of the year.

Triathlete · Post by **Triathlete** » Wed May 10, 2023 3:57 pm

Eligibility criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: United States/Ireland
Applying from: United States
Method of application: Online
20 Apr 23 Date of application
20 Apr 23 Payment method: Credit card, payment debited immediately
21 Apr 23 Date I sent email email requesting biometrics to NationalityBiometricsOverseas@homeoffice.gov.uk
22 Apr 23 Date supporting documents sent (USPS). I sent originals including passport.
27 Apr 23 Date documents received at UKVI Liverpool
03 May 23 Date of email setting biometrics date: 15 May 23
15 May 23. Date biometrics done (USCIS Sacramento-location I requested in 21 Apr email I sent)
]Xx-xx-xx. Date documents returned with approval letter
Xx=xx-xx. Date of citizenship ceremony
Xx-xx-xx. Date received citizenship certificate
Xx-xx-xx Date began application for passport. I am thinking of waiting a few months and applying in UK, possibly Isle of Man or Gibraltar and getting variant UK passport. What do you think? Or should I just apply in US? Since I am Irish citizen as well, I can move to Isle of Man or Gibraltar and stay and work if necessary.
Date mailed passport documents
Date passport documents received:
Date passport approved (email):
Date passport received:

BritAtHeart · Post by **BritAtHeart** » Mon May 15, 2023 11:13 pm

I am eagerly awaiting my UK citizenship via the UKM process, I am a few months in and am hoping for any reassurance that I will receive my original documents back (my Canadian passport) before a vacation (to the UK!) in July '23. In retrospect, I was very silly

to begin this process knowing I'd be travelling just over 6 months after applying, but I was feeling optimistic at the time.

Thanks to all previous for posting their experiences and timelines as it has helped somewhat in alleviating my anxiety, and I look forward to seeing new posts from others as they move along the process.

Eligibility criteria: UKM
Nationality: Canada
Applying from: Canada
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 5 January 2023
Payment method: Credit card, payment debited immediately
Date supporting documents sent (Canada Post Registered Mail): 5 January 2023
Date supporting documents received by UKVI Liverpool: 13 January 2023
Date of email requesting biometrics: 28 Jan 2023
Date of email setting biometrics date: 28 Jan 2023
Date biometrics done (Vancouver VFS Global): 2 Feb 2023
Date documents returned with approval letter: <pending>
Date of citizenship ceremony: <pending>
Date received citizenship certificate: <pending>

I would have loved to have received any type of confirmation that my biometrics were received by the UK Home Office, or have been given a receipt/confirmation during my biometrics appointment. I've just followed up with VFS Global to see if I can get such a thing now.

Warmest regards,

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