Naturalisation Application- Sopra Steria appointment at Croydon

hamalt66 wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 10:59 am

Hi all, I have just finished submitting our Naturalisation application, paying the fees, uploading the documents and booking our appointment next week for myself and 5 dependants (including young children). The appointment centre is in Croydon (Bedford Point, 35 Dingwall Road, CR0 9XF). I paid £100 per application (£600 for all 6 of us) as I couldn't find a free appointment for the next two weeks.

I have a few questions, I would really appreciate your answers and I thank you very much in advance for your help:

1) I will be driving to the appointment from Essex (two hours drive), from your experience if you have been to this location recently, is there a parking place that you recommend, preferably as close to Croydon centre as possible, but not insanely expensive?

2) What exactly will we be doing at the appointment other than bringing the original documents to be checked. Will we be giving our biometrics and photos be taken at this appointment, or is this something that we will be doing on a later stage?

3) How long approximately will the appointment take per person?

Your feedback is highly appreciated.

2) What exactly will we be doing at the appointment other than bringing the original documents to be checked. Will we be giving our biometrics and photos be taken at this appointment, or is this something that we will be doing on a later stage?

3) How long approximately will the appointment take per person?

CR001 wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 11:30 am

Biometrics and documents. Thats it.

hamalt66 wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 12:51 pm

CR001 wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 11:30 am

Biometrics and documents. Thats it.

Re biometrics, does this include photographs taken or just fingerprints?

For previous applications, our photos were taken too, but I guess it was for BRP cards!

CR001 wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 12:55 pm

hamalt66 wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 12:51 pm

CR001 wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 11:30 am

Biometrics and documents. Thats it.

Re biometrics, does this include photographs taken or just fingerprints?

For previous applications, our photos were taken too, but I guess it was for BRP cards!

Both.

hamalt66 wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 3:24 pm

This afternoon I was pleasantly surprised to have received the acknowledgement email below for the application we just made online yesterday.

Thank you for your application to the Home Office. Your application has been received and is being considered.

It may take up to six months to make a decision on your case. If we are unable to process your application within six months we will tell you as soon as possible

feri_2017 wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 3:55 pm

FYI, I just did my appointment / biometrics at Croydon, it was amazingly quick and smooth.
I arrived 2 hours earlier, did my biometrics straight away and checking of the documents and submission after 5min, in total it took around 30min.

They all knew what they were doing, very welcoming and polite.
Also it was a free appointment so I didn't pay anything.

feri_2017 wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 3:55 pm

hamalt66 wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 3:24 pm

They all knew what they were doing, very welcoming and polite. That's something we don't hear very often :p

feri_2017 wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 4:08 pm

No worries,
They were processing families all together so I think it might take much less than 3 hours for all of you.

I went there by train, but the car park is right next to the centre, not sure how their payment system work, sorry.

cocococo wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 6:44 pm

feri_2017 wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 4:08 pm

No worries,
They were processing families all together so I think it might take much less than 3 hours for all of you.

I went there by train, but the car park is right next to the centre, not sure how their payment system work, sorry.

We used Rushkin square car park too. Its very convenient and a 3 minute walk to the centre down the same road. Its park and pay later.

feri_2017 wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 4:08 pm

No worries,
They were processing families all together so I think it might take much less than 3 hours for all of you.

I went there by train, but the car park is right next to the centre, not sure how their payment system work, sorry.

hamalt66 wrote: ↑

Sat May 11, 2019 6:06 pm

feri_2017 wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 4:08 pm

No worries,
They were processing families all together so I think it might take much less than 3 hours for all of you.

I went there by train, but the car park is right next to the centre, not sure how their payment system work, sorry.

Can I get into the biometrics booth with my young children to help them take their photos, or is there no space for two people?

tier11417 wrote: ↑

Sat May 11, 2019 11:41 pm

hamalt66 wrote: ↑

Sat May 11, 2019 6:06 pm

feri_2017 wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 4:08 pm

No worries,
They were processing families all together so I think it might take much less than 3 hours for all of you.

I went there by train, but the car park is right next to the centre, not sure how their payment system work, sorry.

Can I get into the biometrics booth with my young children to help them take their photos, or is there no space for two people?

You can. Also, there is staff to help you out so dont worry.