Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

badhodor · Post by **badhodor** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 9:13 am

So, I wrote to Reading council regarding ceremonies and virtual ceremony (alongwith the link)

This is the response:

Hello

Thank you for your enquiry. We have received permission to start citizenship ceremonies again and expect to be able to offer these again in a few weeks time. We have having to prepare and put processes in place to offer ceremonies safely for everyone. If you previously had a ceremony booked with us we will be writing to you soon to invite you to a new ceremony, so please keep an eye out for that letter.

In the meantime you can check our website www.reading.gov.uk for updates.

I’m afraid we do not have the facilities to hold virtual ceremonies.

Kind regards

I am not sure what facilities they need? I did reply saying is there something I can do to bring this to the MP's attention to get them internet and computer and a zoom account or something? (not in those words )

FYI, i got my approval letter dated 1st week of Feb, ceremony was due to happen on 1st of April. About to reach expiry of my 6 month period.

Moa7 · Post by **Moa7** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 10:03 am

I contacted my council about virtual ceremonies yesterday. This is their response. Pretty standard and not very useful.

"Good Morning,

This is something that we will be looking into and advising citizens in due course.
Many Thanks"

TheTraveller · Post by **TheTraveller** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 1:05 pm

Local authorities will now be able to conduct citizenship ceremonies for individuals and households virtually.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/firs ... e-minister

alterhase58 · Post by **alterhase58** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 1:15 pm

TheTraveller wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 21, 2020 1:05 pm
Local authorities will now be able to conduct citizenship ceremonies for individuals and households virtually.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/firs ... e-minister

Remember you still need the original naturalisation certificate to apply for a passport.

TheTraveller · Post by **TheTraveller** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 1:17 pm

alterhase58 wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 21, 2020 1:15 pm

TheTraveller wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 21, 2020 1:05 pm
Local authorities will now be able to conduct citizenship ceremonies for individuals and households virtually.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/firs ... e-minister
Remember you still need the original naturalisation certificate to apply for a passport.

Of course .. I guess they will send them over a protected email !

chand92 · Post by **chand92** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 1:31 pm

Hi All,

I WILL APPRECIATE IF SOMEBODY PLEASE EXPLAIN ME THAT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN OF HOUSEHOLDS VIRTUAL CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY?
THANKS

CR001 · Post by **CR001** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 2:05 pm

chand92 wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 21, 2020 1:31 pm
Hi All,

I WILL APPRECIATE IF SOMEBODY PLEASE EXPLAIN ME THAT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN OF HOUSEHOLDS VIRTUAL CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY?
THANKS

A ceremony via zoom for anyone in your house applied.

tudor2020 · Post by **tudor2020** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 2:29 pm

Great news dear members of the forum. I have just done my virtual ceremony on zoom with Southwark Council. Good Luck to those whose are waiting.

Humble123 · Post by **Humble123** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 2:39 pm

How did it go please?

nnn15 · Post by **nnn15** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 4:17 pm

Exciting! Congratulations!
Was your certificate sent to the council before the lockdown?
Or did you get approved during the lockdown?

tudor2020 · Post by **tudor2020** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 4:40 pm

An email containing with zoom ID and appointment details. It was done in 20 minutes via zoom. You repeat the words after the registrar. You show your Id documents on camera.

Moa7 · Post by **Moa7** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 4:42 pm

tudor2020 wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 21, 2020 4:40 pm
An email containing with zoom ID and appointment details. It was done in 20 minutes via zoom. You repeat the words after the registrar. You show your Id documents on camera.

Congratulations! Have you received your certificate?
Don't forget to return your BRP otherwise there's a £1000 fine

Humble123 · Post by **Humble123** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 4:43 pm

Did you receive your invitation letter before the lockdown please ?

tudor2020 · Post by **tudor2020** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 4:44 pm

Yes and ceremony was cancelled because of Covid-19

mr_iyamu · Post by **mr_iyamu** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 5:10 pm

tudor2020 wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 21, 2020 2:29 pm
Great news dear members of the forum. I have just done my virtual ceremony on zoom with Southwark Council. Good Luck to those whose are waiting.

Thank you for letting us know Tudor. Good luck to you and best wishes.

TheTraveller · Post by **TheTraveller** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 5:13 pm

Raihanul wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 20, 2020 10:29 pm
[Hi, what email did you use]
Hi All,

I keep sending HO emails asking for an update. My last 2 emails I requested to despatch my invitation letter since i can go for a private ceremony in my council. They replied with the below which is a copy and paste of their previous reply and similar to what most of you have received

Good morning,

I refer to your application for British Citizenship and your email enquiry. Upon investigation I can confirm that your citizenship ceremony documents have not yet been printed or despatched to the local authority. Your citizenship paperwork will be generated in coming weeks when current restrictions due to Coronavirus are eased.

In normal circumstances customers were required to book their citizenship ceremony within three months of being sent an invitation from the Home Office. Due to the current circumstances we have extended this period to six months. We will keep this under constant review. Please be assured that no adverse decisions will be made on your application because of delays caused by Coronavirus (unless there is a material change in your circumstances, for example, you are convicted of a criminal offence).

Kind Regards

[/quote]

Where did you send your email to please?

Learning18 · Post by **Learning18** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 5:14 pm

I emailed Westminster council about virtual citizenship ceremonies.
This is the response I got below from the deputy registrar ----->

" Thank you for your email,
If this is something that we will be offering, we will add information to our website regarding how to book. Please check back here for updates: https://www.westminster.gov.uk/arrange- ... p-ceremony"

I am still waiting for my invitation letter to attend virtually/ non virtually.

Ace1983 · Post by **Ace1983** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 11:15 pm

There seems to be a new guidance to the council today. Home Office will start sending out citizenship certificates.

https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/births-mar ... -message/4

rozearo · Post by **rozearo** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 11:44 pm

Ace1983 wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 21, 2020 11:15 pm
There seems to be a new guidance to the council today. Home Office will start sending out citizenship certificates.

https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/births-mar ... -message/4

That is good news. Wish all who are waiting their invitation to receive it soon!

zoltan_the_conqueror · Post by **zoltan_the_conqueror** » Wed Jul 22, 2020 8:55 am

Bucks council has just updated their page as well:

Citizenship Ceremonies Update

Group and Private Ceremonies have been suspended. As an alternative, we are offering one-to-one appointments so that citizens can receive their certificates. The appointments will take place in person at the Register Office or virtually via video conferencing.

We will contact citizens and book an appointment on the basis of your ceremony deadline date. You will find your ceremony deadline date in your Home Office/UKVI letter.

You will have six months to attend your appointment.

However the MiL hasn't received a letter yet. She'd received only an email stating she'd been successful in her application to become a naturalised British citizen. Oh well... waiting is the hardest part.

Learning18 · Post by **Learning18** » Wed Jul 22, 2020 12:01 pm

Westminster council have updated their page.

" We are resuming group citizenship ceremonies from 19 August 2020. Please follow the online booking form to make a booking. Due to the government restrictions on number of people who can attend a ceremony, we have to limit the number of guests you can bring to 1 guest per citizen.

If you would prefer to make a booking for a private citizenship ceremony you can do this through our online booking form and select private ceremony"

They haven't mentioned anything about virtual ceremonies or a date for that. I have emailed them asking if they are considering virtual ceremonies but they have told me yesterday to just keep an eye on the updates, which only mentiones now group ceremonies attending the town hall.

Does anyone know if we have to pay for the virtual ceremonies if offered?

Thank you

Lopand · Post by **Lopand** » Wed Jul 22, 2020 1:49 pm

The Home Office updated their page on citizenship ceremonies:

Citizenship ceremonies and coronavirus (COVID-19)

Usually you must attend a citizenship ceremony within 3 months of receiving your invitation from the Home Office. Because of coronavirus, this time has been extended.

You might be able to have an online ‘virtual’ ceremony, if your local council offers it. You can attend alone or with members of your household.

Contact your local council for more information or to arrange your ceremony.

Ade1111 · Post by **Ade1111** » Wed Jul 22, 2020 2:12 pm

Just received the below from my council, brought a smile to my face. The wait is almost over!

Dear Citizen

We thank you for your patience over the last few weeks and months since The Prime Minister announced measures on 23 March to stop social gatherings and nonessential travel as part of the UK’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Local Registration Service (LRS) diverted all resources to the registration of deaths and suspended citizenship ceremonies as well as other statutory and/or discretionary services unless necessary by exception.

We are pleased to announce that Citizenship Ceremonies will commence again in Richmond upon Thames from mid-August and there will be an opportunity for virtual ceremonies if this would be preferable.

As I am sure you can appreciate we have a back log of people awaiting to attend their ceremonies so we ask that you wait for us to contact you and DO NOT REPLY TO US in response to this email. Communication with Citizens will be in date order and will commence next week.

mharoon79 · Post by **mharoon79** » Wed Jul 22, 2020 2:32 pm

Dear Members,
hope all are doing well

I applied for naturalization on 6th March 2020 which has been approved on 24th June 2020. Neither me nor council received a ceremony letter yet today. I have emailed to HO serveral times but there is no reply till today.
Below extracted from home office email dated 24th June 2020

"However, due to Government advice relating to Coronavirus (COVID 19),
ceremonies are not currently taking place. I am sorry for the delay this will
cause to you acquiring British citizenship and ask for your patience at this time.

We are keeping the situation under constant review and will provide updates on
gov.uk when advice is updated: https://www.gov.uk/citizenship-ceremonies.
When citizenship ceremonies resume, we will send out your invitation and you
will then be able to book a ceremony with your local authority. At your
ceremony, you will be presented with your certificate of British citizenship. "

Advice please

Many thanks

Sous49 · Post by **Sous49** » Wed Jul 22, 2020 4:17 pm

Hello there

Just contacted my Council in North Wales
They have started having ceremonies and receiving certificates but not mine yet

although it is approved on May 2020 based on HO

I dont know how long I should wait .it has been 11 months

All the best

Immigrationboards.com: Immigration, work visa and work permit discussion board

Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19