UKM application experience and timeline

Shaun45 wrote: ↑

Tue May 07, 2019 11:25 am

jkproperties wrote: ↑

Mon May 06, 2019 3:35 pm

Conky2a wrote: ↑

Mon May 06, 2019 2:17 pm

I think you are sort of in the same boat as my wife jk. The most consistent timelines seem to be for US citizens applying from the US, where the process appears to be very streamlined. I have also been comparing to these most recent experiences, but unfortunately it just does not match up, in our case six weeks since she enrolled her biometrics, and a request to have them done again at easter, as they seemed to have lost them.

In fact my observation for south africans, is that it seems to be the most inconsistent of all..........

Thank you for the reply Conky2a,
I have looked back to December and I don't see any South Africans waiting longer that 4-5 weeks.
only Balles, but documents were sent in 2 weeks later than application was received, I expect the file could have been put one side because it was incomplete? I don't know.

I am just stressed, because I don't know if my documents were actually received by the Home Office. I am so used to incompetence in South Africa, I have to check up constantly if something is received and if it is being processed, so I just lack the experience/confidence that the rest of the world actually does what they are supposed to.

I cannot see why USA would be different to South Africans in any way, unless submitted via the SA Post office.

I could understand that would delay the process.
Is your wife applying from SA?

I applied in South Africa. I did my biometrics on the 3rd August last year and the next thing I heard was a citizenship ceremony invitation email from my local Consulate General in Cape Town on the 10th December. I never received a approval email or letter in that time. The correspondence went completely dark after my biometrics. To say it was a nervous wait is an understatement.

jkproperties wrote: ↑

Mon May 06, 2019 12:40 pm

Hi Everyone,
I have applied and paid online for UKM 2019/03/20 and documents were signed for on 2019/03/25.
I have not heard anything from the home office.

I see most of the timelines are around 4 weeks for Biometrics request, I am now at 6 weeks.

Is it worth following up to see what is going on? or when is a reasonable time to follow up?
My concern is I need to apply for ILR for my children also, but believe I can only do this after my approval, timelines quoted are 6 months and this stresses me out, because we want to move to the UK in January.

any advice is appreciated.

jkproperties wrote: ↑

Wed May 08, 2019 9:19 am

Shaun45 wrote: ↑

Tue May 07, 2019 11:25 am

jkproperties wrote: ↑

Mon May 06, 2019 3:35 pm

Conky2a wrote: ↑

Mon May 06, 2019 2:17 pm

I think you are sort of in the same boat as my wife jk. The most consistent timelines seem to be for US citizens applying from the US, where the process appears to be very streamlined. I have also been comparing to these most recent experiences, but unfortunately it just does not match up, in our case six weeks since she enrolled her biometrics, and a request to have them done again at easter, as they seemed to have lost them.

In fact my observation for south africans, is that it seems to be the most inconsistent of all..........

Thank you for the reply Conky2a,
I have looked back to December and I don't see any South Africans waiting longer that 4-5 weeks.
only Balles, but documents were sent in 2 weeks later than application was received, I expect the file could have been put one side because it was incomplete? I don't know.

I am just stressed, because I don't know if my documents were actually received by the Home Office. I am so used to incompetence in South Africa, I have to check up constantly if something is received and if it is being processed, so I just lack the experience/confidence that the rest of the world actually does what they are supposed to.

I cannot see why USA would be different to South Africans in any way, unless submitted via the SA Post office.

I could understand that would delay the process.
Is your wife applying from SA?

I applied in South Africa. I did my biometrics on the 3rd August last year and the next thing I heard was a citizenship ceremony invitation email from my local Consulate General in Cape Town on the 10th December. I never received a approval email or letter in that time. The correspondence went completely dark after my biometrics. To say it was a nervous wait is an understatement.

Hi Saun45,
Thank you for your reply,
Do you remember how long after your documents were sent you waited for the biometrics request?

Shaun45 wrote: ↑

Wed May 08, 2019 10:14 am

jkproperties wrote: ↑

Wed May 08, 2019 9:19 am

Shaun45 wrote: ↑

Tue May 07, 2019 11:25 am

jkproperties wrote: ↑

Mon May 06, 2019 3:35 pm

Thank you for the reply Conky2a,
I have looked back to December and I don't see any South Africans waiting longer that 4-5 weeks.
only Balles, but documents were sent in 2 weeks later than application was received, I expect the file could have been put one side because it was incomplete? I don't know.

I am just stressed, because I don't know if my documents were actually received by the Home Office. I am so used to incompetence in South Africa, I have to check up constantly if something is received and if it is being processed, so I just lack the experience/confidence that the rest of the world actually does what they are supposed to.

I cannot see why USA would be different to South Africans in any way, unless submitted via the SA Post office.

I could understand that would delay the process.
Is your wife applying from SA?

I applied in South Africa. I did my biometrics on the 3rd August last year and the next thing I heard was a citizenship ceremony invitation email from my local Consulate General in Cape Town on the 10th December. I never received a approval email or letter in that time. The correspondence went completely dark after my biometrics. To say it was a nervous wait is an understatement.

Hi Saun45,
Thank you for your reply,
Do you remember how long after your documents were sent you waited for the biometrics request?

Below is a timeline from my application:

Date application posted: 26 June 2018
Date received at UKVI:. 28 June 2018
Date money went off account: 02 August 2018
Biometrics request email date: 23 July 2018
Biometrics done: 03 August 2018
Date of approval: 02 October 2018
Date of ceremony: 14 December 2018
Date of passport application: 17 December 2018
Date of passport received: 09 January 2019

This give you an idea.

Shaun45 wrote: ↑

Wed May 08, 2019 10:52 am

Yes the biometrics request before the payment was strange.

Conky2a wrote: ↑

Mon May 06, 2019 4:38 pm

No, my wife is a us citizen, and she is applying from France. She received her case number and then biometric appointment request within 3 weeks of receipt by UKVI, which seems within the average timeframe, but it is the wait for approval that is proving far longer. She is into the seventh week since enrolling her biometrics, and the norm seems to be two to three.

I think i am more stressed than she......!

jkproperties wrote: ↑

Wed May 08, 2019 9:27 am

jkproperties wrote: ↑

Mon May 06, 2019 12:40 pm

Hi Everyone,
I have applied and paid online for UKM 2019/03/20 and documents were signed for on 2019/03/25.
I have not heard anything from the home office.

I see most of the timelines are around 4 weeks for Biometrics request, I am now at 6 weeks.

Is it worth following up to see what is going on? or when is a reasonable time to follow up?
My concern is I need to apply for ILR for my children also, but believe I can only do this after my approval, timelines quoted are 6 months and this stresses me out, because we want to move to the UK in January.

any advice is appreciated.

ok,
so I couldn't take it anymore, so I have sent an email to UKVI:

UKM Application
Unique application Number ****.****.****.****

Good morning,
I hope you are having a super day so far.
I would like to make sure if all is ok with my application, most of the applicants I have communicated with seem to have been asked for biometric enrolments at around the 4 week mark after documents were sent, I am feeling a little unsettled as I sent my documents 7 weeks ago, I have not been advised about any problems, but I have also not been advised if my documents were received in order.

2019/03/20 Applied online.
2019/03/20 Made online credit card payment.
2019/03/21 Confirmation of application received.
2019/03/22 Documents sent via DHL
2019/03/25 DHL package signed for by ********

I have not heard anything since, I would really appreciate if some sort of indication could be given with regards to the status of my application.

I thank you in advance for your efforts concerning this matter,
Have a wonderful day further.

jkproperties wrote: ↑

Wed May 08, 2019 11:02 am

Conky2a wrote: ↑

Mon May 06, 2019 4:38 pm

No, my wife is a us citizen, and she is applying from France. She received her case number and then biometric appointment request within 3 weeks of receipt by UKVI, which seems within the average timeframe, but it is the wait for approval that is proving far longer. She is into the seventh week since enrolling her biometrics, and the norm seems to be two to three.

I think i am more stressed than she......!

Maybe its the email that is delayed, or just not been sent out, have you followed up with UKVI?

Conky2a wrote: ↑

Wed May 08, 2019 2:53 pm

I don’t think we have a GWF reference. Just quote your overseas enrolment ref number, which is what we did.

luthersnowak wrote: ↑

Tue May 07, 2019 3:49 pm

keh723 wrote: ↑

Tue May 07, 2019 1:28 pm

keh723 wrote: ↑

Sat May 04, 2019 12:33 pm

luthersnowak wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 31, 2019 5:39 pm

I don't know for sure. I was able to request that I attend the Ceremony in Boston rather than San Francisco. I would think it would be possible. You should get an email from the Consulate in the US that receives your registration certificate. When the San Francisco consulate contacted me, I asked them if it would be possible, and they were more than happy to accommodate my request.

Luthersnowak, hope you are still reading on here...who helped you get your ceremony moved from SF to Boston. Trying to get my sister’s moved from NY to Atlanta. NY just keeps referring her to Home Office and not helping at all. My Atlanta consulate has been more helpful but they too said HO has to make the change of post. Did SF take care of it for you or did you have to work with Home Office? Just wondering if it could be as simple as having Atlanta contact NY and have the certificate sent down.

Just bumping to next page....looking for reply from luthersnowak. How did you go about moving your ceremony from SF to Boston? Need help! Getting nowhere with It.

I apologize, I didn’t see this. I had initially requested that the Boston consulate was my preferred location when I submitted the UKM form. After reading this forum, it occurred to me they would probably send my certificate to San Francisco. I emailed citizenship.support@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk . They indicated they would contact the embassy in Washington and have my certificate forwarded to Boston. Once I received the invite email from San Francisco, I replied forwarding the email I received from Home Office. They responded very quickly, indicating they would forward the certificate to Boston. I don’t know that it was including that the Boston consulate was my preference when I submitted my UKM application, or the details of my request that persuaded them to allow the venue change. The SF consulate was very helpful, although they made it clear it could push my ceremony date out beyond the required 3 months if there were any hang ups, and my approval would no longer be valid. I think it all boils down to the people handling your ceremony, and the risk you’re willing to take. Good luck. I hope they can make it happen for you.

jkproperties wrote: ↑

Wed May 08, 2019 3:05 pm

Conky2a wrote: ↑

Wed May 08, 2019 2:53 pm

I don’t think we have a GWF reference. Just quote your overseas enrolment ref number, which is what we did.

Thank you Conky2a,
I gave the reference number that was at the top of my application number.

Not to be rude but I don't think this person really knows what is going on, cause when I completed my application, the confirmation email also said wait for us to let you know how and where to have your Biometrics done, but this person is saying I should have done it already and my application will be delayed because of me not doing it...

keh723 wrote: ↑

Sat May 04, 2019 12:33 pm

Thank you! Atlanta is trying to help and has even initiated an email to try to get my sisters transferred from NY to Atlanta. That is the email my sister and Atlanta have sent the requests to. Just not getting any reply from Home Office. Would like to think it’s a simple request from HO to have NY send to Atlanta. We really want to have it together, but also don’t want to put it off. Atlanta has said that we can request an extension if necessary. Praying it’ll work out. Thank you for your reply! Dying to schedule my ceremony but I’m waiting until Home Office gives some indication of the timeframe it’ll take to make the change for my sister.

jkproperties wrote: ↑

Mon May 06, 2019 12:40 pm

Hi Everyone,
I have applied and paid online for UKM 2019/03/20 and documents were signed for on 2019/03/25.
I have not heard anything from the home office.

I see most of the timelines are around 4 weeks for Biometrics request, I am now at 6 weeks.

Is it worth following up to see what is going on? or when is a reasonable time to follow up?
My concern is I need to apply for ILR for my children also, but believe I can only do this after my approval, timelines quoted are 6 months and this stresses me out, because we want to move to the UK in January.

any advice is appreciated.

bletchlypark wrote: ↑

Wed May 08, 2019 8:41 pm

jkproperties wrote: ↑

Mon May 06, 2019 12:40 pm

Hi Everyone,
I have applied and paid online for UKM 2019/03/20 and documents were signed for on 2019/03/25.
I have not heard anything from the home office.

I see most of the timelines are around 4 weeks for Biometrics request, I am now at 6 weeks.

Is it worth following up to see what is going on? or when is a reasonable time to follow up?
My concern is I need to apply for ILR for my children also, but believe I can only do this after my approval, timelines quoted are 6 months and this stresses me out, because we want to move to the UK in January.

any advice is appreciated.

They won't even answer you unless it has been 6 months or something so no don't waste your time or money.

jkproperties wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 7:28 pm

bletchlypark wrote: ↑

Wed May 08, 2019 8:41 pm

jkproperties wrote: ↑

Mon May 06, 2019 12:40 pm

Hi Everyone,
I have applied and paid online for UKM 2019/03/20 and documents were signed for on 2019/03/25.
I have not heard anything from the home office.

I see most of the timelines are around 4 weeks for Biometrics request, I am now at 6 weeks.

Is it worth following up to see what is going on? or when is a reasonable time to follow up?
My concern is I need to apply for ILR for my children also, but believe I can only do this after my approval, timelines quoted are 6 months and this stresses me out, because we want to move to the UK in January.

any advice is appreciated.

They won't even answer you unless it has been 6 months or something so no don't waste your time or money.

Hi Bletchlypark,
Thank you for your reply,
I have already sent the email, I have had an initial reply as mentioned above requesting the GWF number which I did not receive, I have replied and am awaiting a further reply to the query.

keh723 wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 1:26 pm

Home Office has granted the change in venue from NY to Atlanta for my sister. HO emailed her yesterday to let her know it was granted and that they would begin working with NY and Atlanta to transfer her certificate. Today she received official word from NY and, I from Atlanta, that the transfer is approved and underway. Pick a date that works for you both!! So happy that it has all worked out and we are able to have our ceremony together. It will be so special.

bletchlypark wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 1:42 pm

keh723 wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 1:26 pm

Home Office has granted the change in venue from NY to Atlanta for my sister. HO emailed her yesterday to let her know it was granted and that they would begin working with NY and Atlanta to transfer her certificate. Today she received official word from NY and, I from Atlanta, that the transfer is approved and underway. Pick a date that works for you both!! So happy that it has all worked out and we are able to have our ceremony together. It will be so special.

Glad that worked out for you, I am still waiting for my invite so I probably won't be at the same ceremony as you.

bletchlypark wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 1:40 pm

jkproperties wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 7:28 pm

bletchlypark wrote: ↑

Wed May 08, 2019 8:41 pm

jkproperties wrote: ↑

Mon May 06, 2019 12:40 pm

Hi Everyone,
I have applied and paid online for UKM 2019/03/20 and documents were signed for on 2019/03/25.
I have not heard anything from the home office.

I see most of the timelines are around 4 weeks for Biometrics request, I am now at 6 weeks.

Is it worth following up to see what is going on? or when is a reasonable time to follow up?
My concern is I need to apply for ILR for my children also, but believe I can only do this after my approval, timelines quoted are 6 months and this stresses me out, because we want to move to the UK in January.

any advice is appreciated.

They won't even answer you unless it has been 6 months or something so no don't waste your time or money.

Hi Bletchlypark,
Thank you for your reply,
I have already sent the email, I have had an initial reply as mentioned above requesting the GWF number which I did not receive, I have replied and am awaiting a further reply to the query.

Just letting you know I went down that rabbit whole, even paid the few pounds to sent an email inquiry. After several emails back and forth I was told if it hasn't been 6 months you just have to wait.

keh723 wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 1:26 pm

It is sounding like they are pretty personal. They don’t have set times. I asked if May 31 was available. They replied it was, any time between 9:30 and 1:00. So, you can pick your date and time and as long as it is open and the VC is in the office...I have to reply now with what time and the names of all who will be attending with me so that they can be cleared by security. Would like it to be sooner, but this gives time for the certificate to get here and for my sister to make travel arrangements.

I have a feeling that you’ll do your ceremony before me.

Conky2a wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 22, 2019 6:23 pm

Eligibility criteria :UKM (US born to UK mother)
Nationality: US states
Applying from :France
Method of application : paper via solicitors
Payment method: cheque
Date of application : 4th feb 2019
Date received : 7th feb 2919
Date of acknowledgement email : 28th feb 2019
Date of email requesting biometrics : 4th march 2019
Email request for biometric appointment: 5th march 2019
Autoresponse ‘we are very busy’: 5th March 2019
Biometrics done : 22nd March 2019

Approved ! My wife’s solicitor confirmed this today. Very Happy indeed. I think Paris only sent the biometrics on to UKVI on 20th April.......
My wife’s advice is just choose the three earliest dates possible, and if no reply just go in.
No questions are asked. You just get it done....

Conky2a wrote: ↑

Mon May 13, 2019 3:42 pm

Conky2a wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 22, 2019 6:23 pm

Eligibility criteria :UKM (US born to UK mother)
Nationality: US states
Applying from :France
Method of application : paper via solicitors
Payment method: cheque
Date of application : 4th feb 2019
Date received : 7th feb 2919
Date of acknowledgement email : 28th feb 2019
Date of email requesting biometrics : 4th march 2019
Email request for biometric appointment: 5th march 2019
Autoresponse ‘we are very busy’: 5th March 2019
Biometrics done : 22nd March 2019

Approved ! My wife’s solicitor confirmed this today. Very Happy indeed. I think Paris only sent the biometrics on to UKVI on 20th April.......