UKM application experience and timeline

expertcitizen wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 13, 2018 8:06 am

ScotsYankee wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 11, 2018 9:42 pm

The online application asks the following.

Ms (ScotsYankee Mother) nationality
How did Ms (ScotsYankee Mother) acquire their British nationality?
(Required)

Birth
Ancestry
Registration
Naturalisation
I do not know

As my Mother was born in the USA in 1960 to a British born UK citizen father, do I select "Ancestry" or "Birth"? Thanks!

She acquired it by Ancestry.

Thanks so much! Is it suggested to include a cover letter when applying under the Romein decision? My circumstances are straight-forward and I have all documentation required. If so, what exactly should it say?

Has anyone successfully applied with the UKM form where their mother became a citizen through marriage?
I paid a firm to review my circumstances- dad was a citizen through descent (both his parents were born in UK, he was born in US). According to the report I received, I can't get citizenship through my dad, but because they were married in 1940, my (American) mom obtained UK citizenship. Since I was born after 1949, I can apply through her?
I'm debating whether to let them apply for me ($2400, and will take 9 to 12 months) or on my own. Very concerned about their timeline, and the cost.

I emailed nationalitybiometrics@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk to ask whether they received my documents. It's been a week and half since my documents were delivered, and almost 2 weeks since I applied online . The acknowledgement letter with the reference and case IDs were sent when I applied online, but I received no communication since then, so I asked them if they did indeed receive my documents.

Hey guys,

Just curious if any of you ever dealt with the NY consulate? I was approved back in the first week of June but never heard from the consulate re: a citizenship ceremony. As it's over the 12 weeks, I contacted citizenship support who said they have chased the matter up, but still nothing.

AngelaHawkes wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 06, 2018 1:18 am

Hello,

For people who have had their UKM applications approved - did you receive your invitation for the citizenship ceremony via email or by post? Did it come from the consulate itself or from another agency?

About how long after your original acceptance letter did you get the invite for the ceremony?

Thank you!

Hi Angela,

I was curious about this too. I haven't heard anything and the 12 weeks have come and gone since I was approved. I contacted citizenship support who said they have contacted the consulate but still nothing. I'm in NY.

sunburn wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 19, 2018 4:10 pm

I emailed nationalitybiometrics@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk to ask whether they received my documents. It's been a week and half since my documents were delivered, and almost 2 weeks since I applied online . The acknowledgement letter with the reference and case IDs were sent when I applied online, but I received no communication since then, so I asked them if they did indeed receive my documents.

Let us know if you hear anything back. It's been a month (tomorrow) since I applied online and 3 weeks since my documents were signed for there. I haven't heard anything yet. I expect we just have to sit and wait. They do say in the initial email that it can take up to 6 months to make a decision. This is probably why you haven't received a reply.

hlassell wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 19, 2018 8:36 pm

Let us know if you hear anything back. It's been a month (tomorrow) since I applied online and 3 weeks since my documents were signed for there. I haven't heard anything yet. I expect we just have to sit and wait. They do say in the initial email that it can take up to 6 months to make a decision. This is probably why you haven't received a reply.

Sure I'll do that. 6 month is the estimated time for the decision. I just wanted them to confirm that UKVI were the ones who signed for my documents, and not the guy running the nearby Tesco I didn't want them running the clock for 20 days and then ditching my application saying no one received documents.

Those who apply on paper get an acknowledgement with case ID, which serves as proof that someone got the papers. But us online applicants get nothing at all to confirm they did get our support documents properly. At least not until we get the biometrics notice.

Were you also prescribed Dept 265 as the postal address ? That's the department I was told to send the support papers to in the checklist generated online. Not Dept 1 as the Guide UKM document says.

Hello everyone. I am new to the forum but have been following it for a while and the info here is really helpful! Regarding the UKM application I have two questions:
1- After obtaining the pertinent birth certificates at the civil register office, with the corresponding certifying stamp , does it need to got through any other legalization process for the purposes of being used for this application?
2- My sister and I are both interested in applying as soon as possible under the Romaine case. We each have our personal documents but we only have one passport of our British mother. Has anyone here been in a similar situation? Is it possible to submit two applications at once using just one set of supporting documents to prove eligibility?
Any input on this matter will be greatly appreciated

sunburn wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 19, 2018 9:54 pm

Sure I'll do that. 6 month is the estimated time for the decision. I just wanted them to confirm that UKVI were the ones who signed for my documents, and not the guy running the nearby Tesco I didn't want them running the clock for 20 days and then ditching my application saying no one received documents.

Those who apply on paper get an acknowledgement with case ID, which serves as proof that someone got the papers. But us online applicants get nothing at all to confirm they did get our support documents properly. At least not until we get the biometrics notice.

Were you also prescribed Dept 265 as the postal address ? That's the department I was told to send the support papers to in the checklist generated online. Not Dept 1 as the Guide UKM document says.

This is what the online app said on the "supporting documents" :

"You have chosen the standard service. Send your documents to us within 20 working days and we will make a
decision within 6 months. We will contact you regarding your biometric enrolment once your documents have
been received.
Send this checklist and your documents to:
Department 265
UKVI
The Capital
New Hall Place
Liverpool
L3 9PP"

So yes also 265. I do wish they sent a quick email to acknowledge receipt. All I have is a signature and that they were signed for.

I'm hoping to hear something by next Friday as that will be a month since my documents were received. They could really make this so much easier by having an online ability to check the status of your application eh?!

hlassell wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 20, 2018 2:26 pm

They could really make this so much easier by having an online ability to check the status of your application eh?!

There was an online BETA service which was withdrawn in December last year unfortunately.

CR001 wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 20, 2018 2:31 pm

There was an online BETA service which was withdrawn in December last year unfortunately.

That's really too bad. It would be great for impatient people like me! lol

hlassell wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 20, 2018 3:46 pm

That's really too bad. It would be great for impatient people like me! lol

Oh come on, you've been waiting a month. I'm more impatient in comparison! I don't think it's a matter of patience anyway - those are originals they request. Though I only sent a scan of my US passport due to travel needs, others may have sent the actual passport. It's entirely reasonable to expect them to just send a quick note as to "we have everything and we'll take our own sweet time to process it". This is a problem with the online system - there's no acknowledgement of the receipt of documents.

sunburn wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 20, 2018 4:23 pm

Oh come on, you've been waiting a month. I'm more impatient in comparison! I don't think it's a matter of patience anyway - those are originals they request. Though I only sent a scan of my US passport due to travel needs, others may have sent the actual passport. It's entirely reasonable to expect them to just send a quick note as to "we have everything and we'll take our own sweet time to process it". This is a problem with the online system - there's no acknowledgement of the receipt of documents.

I'm talking for myself and I don't think you can say you're any more impatient than I am since you don't know me at all. lol

sunburn wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 20, 2018 4:23 pm

This is a problem with the online system - there's no acknowledgement of the receipt of documents.

I do agree with this. Considering they request originals, and they say that they must be received within 20 days of submitting the online application, they are missing an important step in not notifying us that our documents were received.

hlassell wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 20, 2018 8:49 pm

sunburn wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 20, 2018 4:23 pm

This is a problem with the online system - there's no acknowledgement of the receipt of documents.

I do agree with this. Considering they request originals, and they say that they must be received within 20 days of submitting the online application, they are missing an important step in not notifying us that our documents were received.

I agree as well. I sent my application (UKF form) to Liverpool after applying online nearly 2 months ago and they never acknowledged receipt - just DHL saying someone signed for it. I also find it quite bad that for overseas applicants they force you to pay an exorbitant fee just to send an email to enquire about it... oh well..

sarlouisesmith wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 19, 2018 5:15 pm

AngelaHawkes wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 06, 2018 1:18 am

Hello,

For people who have had their UKM applications approved - did you receive your invitation for the citizenship ceremony via email or by post? Did it come from the consulate itself or from another agency?

About how long after your original acceptance letter did you get the invite for the ceremony?

Thank you!

Hi Angela,

I was curious about this too. I haven't heard anything and the 12 weeks have come and gone since I was approved. I contacted citizenship support who said they have contacted the consulate but still nothing. I'm in NY.

Hi there,
So the day after I posted this I received an email from my consulate for the ceremony. I'm in Texas. I had my ceremony just the other day! The whole process was about six months to the day. I'm sorry you've had to wait. I'm sure it will happen soon especially since you contacted the support line. Keep us posted and good luck!

AngelaHawkes wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 23, 2018 1:56 am

Hi there,
So the day after I posted this I received an email from my consulate for the ceremony. I'm in Texas. I had my ceremony just the other day! The whole process was about six months to the day. I'm sorry you've had to wait. I'm sure it will happen soon especially since you contacted the support line. Keep us posted and good luck!

Congratulations! Were you the only person being handed the certificate ? Or were there others ? How long was the ceremony ?

sunburn wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 19, 2018 4:10 pm

I emailed nationalitybiometrics@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk to ask whether they received my documents. It's been a week and half since my documents were delivered, and almost 2 weeks since I applied online . The acknowledgement letter with the reference and case IDs were sent when I applied online, but I received no communication since then, so I asked them if they did indeed receive my documents.

Were they able to provide an answer if your documents were indeed received?

I’m debating applying without the online application as it seems they do not acknowledge receipt and a much longer wait to provide biometrics then when applying the old fashioned way. Seems there is no advantage to the online application?

ScotsYankee wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 23, 2018 1:22 pm

Were they able to provide an answer if your documents were indeed received?

I’m debating applying without the online application as it seems they do not acknowledge receipt and a much longer wait to provide biometrics then when applying the old fashioned way. Seems there is no advantage to the online application?

They have not replied. I do not even know if anyone got the email, since I simply stuck it into gmail and wrote them. Someone else just posted about emailing them costing $s , so maybe they ignore cheapskates like me ?

They do acknowledge application immediately, and you get a case number overnight. They just do not acknowledge receipt of the original documents they request in support of your application. If I were to do this again, i'd write my reference and case number upon the FedEx envelope. I intended to, but forgot.

I don't know if postal applications get a faster biometrics. Luthersnowak applied by post, I think, and his biometrics took I think 1-2 months.

sunburn wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 23, 2018 4:31 pm

ScotsYankee wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 23, 2018 1:22 pm

Were they able to provide an answer if your documents were indeed received?

I’m debating applying without the online application as it seems they do not acknowledge receipt and a much longer wait to provide biometrics then when applying the old fashioned way. Seems there is no advantage to the online application?

They have not replied. I do not even know if anyone got the email, since I simply stuck it into gmail and wrote them. Someone else just posted about emailing them costing $s , so maybe they ignore cheapskates like me ?

They do acknowledge application immediately, and you get a case number overnight. They just do not acknowledge receipt of the original documents they request in support of your application. If I were to do this again, i'd write my reference and case number upon the FedEx envelope. I intended to, but forgot.

I don't know if postal applications get a faster biometrics. Luthersnowak applied by post, I think, and his biometrics took I think 1-2 months.

That’s correct. I received notification that my application was received on June 28th. I received the biometrics invitation on August 22nd. It seems, by my observation, when you submit a postal application, you send the application and documents together, so once a case is created, it’s all together. I’m assuming with the online application, you send the documents after the application is submitted, so there must be some extra time/processing once the documents are received to associate them with an application and get them to the correct person. I’m feeling there is some lag in that part of the process.

I don’t really see an advantage to an online application as opposed to a postal application, as the processing doesn’t begin until the documents are received by UKVI. In my opinion, it introduces more latency in the process and chance for error. In defense of the online application, it digitizes the entire process and would probably reduce the workload for caseworkers. Also, with an online application, it opens the opportunity to potentially have documents verified at a location more local to the applicant, allowing the applicant to keep their documents. If you could submit your documents at an embassy, have them verify the documents, and then transmit verified copies, I think it would speed up the process and reduce the burden on UKVI and applicants. Hopefully they can work out the bugs in the existing process at least.

Well, I got a response to my email! It assures me the original documents have been received and that my application is being processed . So that’s that . I guess biometrics are just going to be requested at some later time, but I’m not anxious about that - I’m glad to know they got the documents .

luthersnowak wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 23, 2018 6:42 pm

I don’t really see an advantage to an online application as opposed to a postal application, as the processing doesn’t begin until the documents are received by UKVI. In my opinion, it introduces more latency in the process and chance for error. In defense of the online application, it digitizes the entire process and would probably reduce the workload for caseworkers. Also, with an online application, it opens the opportunity to potentially have documents verified at a location more local to the applicant, allowing the applicant to keep their documents. If you could submit your documents at an embassy, have them verify the documents, and then transmit verified copies, I think it would speed up the process and reduce the burden on UKVI and applicants. Hopefully they can work out the bugs in the existing process at least.

I agree with all of this. If I was to do it again I would do the paper application so that my documents & app were together. I hope they start sending an auto email when documents are received to those who do online apps. I paid for tracking so I know my documents were received in the building but it would be nice to know they made it to the right place for sure.

Sunburn,
Did you send a colour copy of every page of your passport to meet the requirement? I am having trouble with the idea of being without a passport for up to six months.

allthemadmen wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 29, 2018 1:32 pm

Sunburn,
Did you send a colour copy of every page of your passport to meet the requirement? I am having trouble with the idea of being without a passport for up to six months.

Yes that's exactly what I did. Front and back covers too, if they desired to be so picky. I was traveling not long after I sent in my application anyway - to the UK.

I did not even have my mother's UK passport(s). She moved out of UK as a child after being born there, and never had a UK passport.

In the cover letter I explained these two things.

[/quote]

Has anyone had a successful response while applying through the Romein route? Is a cover letter necessary? If so, what should it state exactly?
[/quote]

I can confirm that The HO is approving citizenship based on the Romein case. I received an email last Thursday from the agent I used for my application, confirming that their first application had been approved. The approval took 4 months from the date the fee was deducted. And closer to home, my Wife, who is a British Overseas Citizen (which is actually a pretty useless form of citizenship as you have no right of abode & are subject to immigration control, however it does save on visa fees and you have the benefit of Crown consular services in a foreign country), applied for her passport renewal and was converted to full British Citizen as a result of her maternal Grandfather being born in the UK. That process took the sum total of 2 weeks! Further confirmation of this is my brother in law also applied to renew is British Overseas Passport but forgot to include his maternal grandfather’s birth certificate. He received a call from HMPO in Durham last Friday asking whether he wanted his passport renewed as a British Overseas Citizen or as a British Citizen as a result of the interpretation of the legislation. I need not tell you what his answer was. If all goes according to plan I estimate that I should here from the HO but end October regarding my citizenship.
So, there you have it good people. Have faith in the process! This is not a naturalisation process where you have to beg & grovel & jump through a whole bunch of hoops. It is your right in accordance with prevailing legislation.