UKM application experience and timeline

PleasantThebest wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 15, 2018 5:46 am

Ancestor wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 10:44 pm

PleasantThebest wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 7:58 pm

Shaun45 wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 7:54 pm

I'm a bit worried if my valuable documents get lost in the inefficient SA postal system. Those documents are irreplaceable. Perhaps they sent it via diplomatic post to SA and I can fetch it on the day of my ceremony. Let's hope.

Lets hope you have better luck.. mines currently sitting in JHB International Mail Centre and hasn't moved since October. I have a Royal Mail tracking number at least. Let us know if you get them back after your ceremony.

Pathetic that SA Postal Service, to say the least!!! I know they were rioting, striking and burning Post Offices through July and that they are working to try catch up the backlogs, and then further strikes as below!!!

I have re-posted some crucial documents to Durban, I had to get re-signed, the first sent 4/7/2018, still not arrived/nowhere to be found! The 2nd redone sent 1/10/2018 International Signed for and Tracked and still not arrived as yet. A friend has a contact pretty high up in SAPO who has traced that the item has never arrived at JIMC, albeit Royal Mail have confirmed the flight it left Heathrow on!!! and have now had to lodge a claim/query, as only the sending service can interrogate the receiving service!!!

This is the latest updates on Royal Mail website:-

It is pathetic. Also, what I can't understand is why HO/UKVI can't courier documents back, at the applicant's expense obviously. They're more than happy to do it for British nationals already (e.g. replacing birth certificates etc). Perhaps that's the difference.

How did you get the Royal Mail to query the location of your letter? I'm not seeing any contact details on their website.. unless I'm missing something? Their Track and Trace site says it left the UK on 26 October and hasn't updated since then. JIMC say it hasn't been processed in their facility yet. I'm just concerned I won't receive my approval letter in time for the ceremony - although still waiting for High Commission in Pretoria/Embassy in Cape Town to contact me...not sure if its worth contacting them myself in the mean time

The last scan on this item was it being dispatched out from the UK on 02/10/2018, however no incoming scan has been done at ORT airport or JIMC.

I have tracked a few other items in this dispatch and they all have the same tracking history.

Please can the sender be requested to log an enquiry with Royal Mail, UK who in turn will have to liaise with JIMC via the online enquiry system.

Ancestor wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 15, 2018 9:47 pm

PleasantThebest wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 15, 2018 5:46 am

Ancestor wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 10:44 pm

PleasantThebest wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 7:58 pm

Lets hope you have better luck.. mines currently sitting in JHB International Mail Centre and hasn't moved since October. I have a Royal Mail tracking number at least. Let us know if you get them back after your ceremony.

Pathetic that SA Postal Service, to say the least!!! I know they were rioting, striking and burning Post Offices through July and that they are working to try catch up the backlogs, and then further strikes as below!!!

I have re-posted some crucial documents to Durban, I had to get re-signed, the first sent 4/7/2018, still not arrived/nowhere to be found! The 2nd redone sent 1/10/2018 International Signed for and Tracked and still not arrived as yet. A friend has a contact pretty high up in SAPO who has traced that the item has never arrived at JIMC, albeit Royal Mail have confirmed the flight it left Heathrow on!!! and have now had to lodge a claim/query, as only the sending service can interrogate the receiving service!!!

This is the latest updates on Royal Mail website:-

It is pathetic. Also, what I can't understand is why HO/UKVI can't courier documents back, at the applicant's expense obviously. They're more than happy to do it for British nationals already (e.g. replacing birth certificates etc). Perhaps that's the difference.

How did you get the Royal Mail to query the location of your letter? I'm not seeing any contact details on their website.. unless I'm missing something? Their Track and Trace site says it left the UK on 26 October and hasn't updated since then. JIMC say it hasn't been processed in their facility yet. I'm just concerned I won't receive my approval letter in time for the ceremony - although still waiting for High Commission in Pretoria/Embassy in Cape Town to contact me...not sure if its worth contacting them myself in the mean time

The reply and instructions I was given by a friend (SAPO) of a good friend were:-

so I phoned Royal Mail customer service, waited half an hour, and the very helpful lady told me I had to complete a claim form (despite only documents I sent) at https://royalmail.com/claims

Apparently only the sender service has jurisdiction to interrogate JIMC or the receiving service.

PleasantThebest wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 16, 2018 2:09 pm

Ancestor wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 15, 2018 9:47 pm

PleasantThebest wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 15, 2018 5:46 am

Ancestor wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 14, 2018 10:44 pm

Pathetic that SA Postal Service, to say the least!!! I know they were rioting, striking and burning Post Offices through July and that they are working to try catch up the backlogs, and then further strikes as below!!!

I have re-posted some crucial documents to Durban, I had to get re-signed, the first sent 4/7/2018, still not arrived/nowhere to be found! The 2nd redone sent 1/10/2018 International Signed for and Tracked and still not arrived as yet. A friend has a contact pretty high up in SAPO who has traced that the item has never arrived at JIMC, albeit Royal Mail have confirmed the flight it left Heathrow on!!! and have now had to lodge a claim/query, as only the sending service can interrogate the receiving service!!!

This is the latest updates on Royal Mail website:-

It is pathetic. Also, what I can't understand is why HO/UKVI can't courier documents back, at the applicant's expense obviously. They're more than happy to do it for British nationals already (e.g. replacing birth certificates etc). Perhaps that's the difference.

How did you get the Royal Mail to query the location of your letter? I'm not seeing any contact details on their website.. unless I'm missing something? Their Track and Trace site says it left the UK on 26 October and hasn't updated since then. JIMC say it hasn't been processed in their facility yet. I'm just concerned I won't receive my approval letter in time for the ceremony - although still waiting for High Commission in Pretoria/Embassy in Cape Town to contact me...not sure if its worth contacting them myself in the mean time

The reply and instructions I was given by a friend (SAPO) of a good friend were:-

so I phoned Royal Mail customer service, waited half an hour, and the very helpful lady told me I had to complete a claim form (despite only documents I sent) at https://royalmail.com/claims

Apparently only the sender service has jurisdiction to interrogate JIMC or the receiving service.

Thanks. I've gotten in touch with RM via Twitter and they are looking into it. Not holding my breath though. Trying to get UKVI to send my approval letter via an email.. but haven't had a response yet

balles wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 16, 2018 3:22 pm

I don't see any harm in contacting the consular section of the High Commission and enquire whether they have any info/update for you. The email/letter I received came from the consular offices in Cape Town. By the way what answer did you give on your application regarding where you would like to have your citizenship ceremony?

Shaun45 wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 19, 2018 9:29 am

Regarding the return of original documents...

After my citizenship ceremony I will receive my citizenship certificate, however if I have not received my original documents from UKVI then I will be unable to apply for my British passport as all the documents I need for my British passport application was sent with my application.

I do however have scanned colour copies of all my important documents and certificates that I sent with my application. Will scanned copies be acceptable for my British passport application?

balles wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 19, 2018 4:06 pm

Shaun45 wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 19, 2018 9:29 am

Regarding the return of original documents...

After my citizenship ceremony I will receive my citizenship certificate, however if I have not received my original documents from UKVI then I will be unable to apply for my British passport as all the documents I need for my British passport application was sent with my application.

I do however have scanned colour copies of all my important documents and certificates that I sent with my application. Will scanned copies be acceptable for my British passport application?

No. You will only require to submit the original registration certificate you received at the citizenship ceremony, your valid SA passport, two colour photographs of which one needs to be countersigned to confirm true likeness and proof of address. I’ll post the link from HMPO to confirm.

Shaun45 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 20, 2018 5:46 am

Thanks for the information. I actually did a bit of investigation shortly after my post and answered my own question.

Can my city rates and taxes utility bill be used as proof of address for my passport application as it has my full name and address?

Shaun45 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:28 am

Correct, I'm applying from SA. According to the pdf guide and if you are applying from outside the UK all you need is your British citizen registration certificate, copy of your SA passport and proof of address. This is if you have been naturalised or registered as a British citizen as in the UKM application. I don't see anything about providing an original vault copy of your birth certificate. I only see you need to provide a birth certificate for a first child passport. As mentioned the vault copy of your birth certificate was already covered in the UKM application.

Shaun45 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:43 am

I can't find any indication of a vault copy of birth certificate requirement. As mentioned it would be pointless as it was already covered in the UKM application. In any event I most probably won't even have my original documents returned to me by then due to the bad postal service. I waited more than a year for a vault copy of my birth certificate from Home Affairs. The wheels turn frustrating slow in SA.

Shaun45 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 20, 2018 8:17 am

I will definitely find out. I hope I didn't miss something. I did have a look at the link you sent but I still can't find the vault birth certificate requirement. I will be applying under column 2 "First British passport", under the section "When you have been naturalised or registered as British". Under this section table A, D and E will apply.

PleasantThebest wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:34 am

Shaun45 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:28 am

Correct, I'm applying from SA. According to the pdf guide and if you are applying from outside the UK all you need is your British citizen registration certificate, copy of your SA passport and proof of address. This is if you have been naturalised or registered as a British citizen as in the UKM application. I don't see anything about providing an original vault copy of your birth certificate. I only see you need to provide a birth certificate for a first child passport. As mentioned the vault copy of your birth certificate was already covered in the UKM application.

You might need the vault copy since it will be your first adult passport.. that what that link I posted seemed to indicate, albeit I haven't read the guide yet - I haven't gotten as far as you in terms of the whole process.. one bridge at a time here maybe ask on one of the general passport threads.. someone will know more

balles wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 20, 2018 10:25 am

PleasantThebest wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:34 am

Shaun45 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:28 am

Correct, I'm applying from SA. According to the pdf guide and if you are applying from outside the UK all you need is your British citizen registration certificate, copy of your SA passport and proof of address. This is if you have been naturalised or registered as a British citizen as in the UKM application. I don't see anything about providing an original vault copy of your birth certificate. I only see you need to provide a birth certificate for a first child passport. As mentioned the vault copy of your birth certificate was already covered in the UKM application.

You might need the vault copy since it will be your first adult passport.. that what that link I posted seemed to indicate, albeit I haven't read the guide yet - I haven't gotten as far as you in terms of the whole process.. one bridge at a time here maybe ask on one of the general passport threads.. someone will know more

No need for vault copy as the applicant is a British Citizen by registration. the PDF guide from HMPO is clear on what documents are required. I'd agree however if the applicant as a minor which he is not.

PleasantThebest wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 20, 2018 11:30 am

balles wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 20, 2018 10:25 am

PleasantThebest wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:34 am

Shaun45 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:28 am

Correct, I'm applying from SA. According to the pdf guide and if you are applying from outside the UK all you need is your British citizen registration certificate, copy of your SA passport and proof of address. This is if you have been naturalised or registered as a British citizen as in the UKM application. I don't see anything about providing an original vault copy of your birth certificate. I only see you need to provide a birth certificate for a first child passport. As mentioned the vault copy of your birth certificate was already covered in the UKM application.

You might need the vault copy since it will be your first adult passport.. that what that link I posted seemed to indicate, albeit I haven't read the guide yet - I haven't gotten as far as you in terms of the whole process.. one bridge at a time here maybe ask on one of the general passport threads.. someone will know more

No need for vault copy as the applicant is a British Citizen by registration. the PDF guide from HMPO is clear on what documents are required. I'd agree however if the applicant as a minor which he is not.

I just wonder why this says you do.. maybe outdated

PleasantThebest wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 20, 2018 11:30 am

balles wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 20, 2018 10:25 am

PleasantThebest wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:34 am

Shaun45 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:28 am

Correct, I'm applying from SA. According to the pdf guide and if you are applying from outside the UK all you need is your British citizen registration certificate, copy of your SA passport and proof of address. This is if you have been naturalised or registered as a British citizen as in the UKM application. I don't see anything about providing an original vault copy of your birth certificate. I only see you need to provide a birth certificate for a first child passport. As mentioned the vault copy of your birth certificate was already covered in the UKM application.

You might need the vault copy since it will be your first adult passport.. that what that link I posted seemed to indicate, albeit I haven't read the guide yet - I haven't gotten as far as you in terms of the whole process.. one bridge at a time here maybe ask on one of the general passport threads.. someone will know more

No need for vault copy as the applicant is a British Citizen by registration. the PDF guide from HMPO is clear on what documents are required. I'd agree however if the applicant as a minor which he is not.

I just wonder why this says you do.. maybe outdated

sunburn wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:43 pm

Applicants from US, how long did you take to hear back from the email address to which you request your biometrics preferred dates and times ?

luthersnowak wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 21, 2018 12:17 am

sunburn wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:43 pm

Applicants from US, how long did you take to hear back from the email address to which you request your biometrics preferred dates and times ?

I heard back about 2 months after I submitted my application. Case created June 25th, biometrics confirmation email August 28th.