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Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

A section for posts relating to applications for Naturalisation or Registration as a British Citizen. Naturalisation

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standrews
Junior Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2019 9:57 pm

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by standrews » Wed Aug 12, 2020 9:23 pm

Hi All,

I'm awaiting my invitation letter from 6 weeks post decision email. Is it worth contacting home office on <citizen.support@homeoffice.gov.uk> to ask about the invitation letter?

Have someone email and got reply from above? also what's the lead time to reply?

Best wishes!

Malikg123
Junior Member
Posts: 70
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 4:22 pm

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Malikg123 » Wed Aug 12, 2020 9:34 pm

I had this reply


Good afternoon,

Thank you for your email.


Although certain local authorities have started to commence some private ceremonies, our policy on individual certificates is they will not be printed and sent to local authorities.
Hopefully full citizenship ceremonies will commence shortly.





standrews wrote:
Wed Aug 12, 2020 9:23 pm
Hi All,

I'm awaiting my invitation letter from 6 weeks post decision email. Is it worth contacting home office on <citizen.support@homeoffice.gov.uk> to ask about the invitation letter?

Have someone email and got reply from above? also what's the lead time to reply?

Best wishes!

standrews
Junior Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2019 9:57 pm

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by standrews » Wed Aug 12, 2020 9:37 pm

Thanks for your message. This whole year of mine will always be remembered as British Citizenship, awaiting since January for some magic :(
Malikg123 wrote:
Wed Aug 12, 2020 9:34 pm
I had this reply


Good afternoon,

Thank you for your email.


Although certain local authorities have started to commence some private ceremonies, our policy on individual certificates is they will not be printed and sent to local authorities.
Hopefully full citizenship ceremonies will commence shortly.





standrews wrote:
Wed Aug 12, 2020 9:23 pm
Hi All,

I'm awaiting my invitation letter from 6 weeks post decision email. Is it worth contacting home office on <citizen.support@homeoffice.gov.uk> to ask about the invitation letter?

Have someone email and got reply from above? also what's the lead time to reply?

Best wishes!

jideare
Newly Registered
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Jul 05, 2019 12:50 pm
Mood:
Nigeria

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by jideare » Thu Aug 13, 2020 10:16 am

Apologies for the late reply. I rang up the department and left my details so they can update me. Lovely lady there called to notify me
my72dart wrote:
Mon Jul 20, 2020 6:07 pm
jideare wrote:
Sun Jul 19, 2020 1:15 pm
Lancashire County Council are commencing group ceremonies from tomorrow.

I believe the numbers will be limited however; if in doubt call your council

The only limitation will be they can't book you in if they don't have the right paperwork from the HO
Where did you find out that info? I keep checking their website and it hasn't been updated.

Thanks

Cost Manager
Junior Member
Posts: 69
Joined: Tue May 19, 2020 9:49 am

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Cost Manager » Thu Aug 13, 2020 11:29 am

Update:

Got a response from my case worker directly. He confirmed the 8-12 weeks timeline aswell.

No luck for us guys. I gave up, all i can do is wait now

chand92
Newly Registered
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue May 12, 2020 3:20 pm
Mood:
Pakistan

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by chand92 » Thu Aug 13, 2020 11:50 am

Cost Manager wrote:
Thu Aug 13, 2020 11:29 am
Update:

Got a response from my case worker directly. He confirmed the 8-12 weeks timeline aswell.

No luck for us guys. I gave up, all i can do is wait now
Hi, Cost Manager
Thanks for your Update, This 8-12 weeks timeline starts from decision date, received decision email/letter or after lock down ?

Best Regards

bppartnerclub
Newly Registered
Posts: 26
Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2020 12:43 pm
Poland

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by bppartnerclub » Thu Aug 13, 2020 11:52 am

It's from the date when they started printing the certificates again (7th August)

Cost Manager
Junior Member
Posts: 69
Joined: Tue May 19, 2020 9:49 am

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Cost Manager » Thu Aug 13, 2020 12:00 pm

chand92 wrote:
Thu Aug 13, 2020 11:50 am
Cost Manager wrote:
Thu Aug 13, 2020 11:29 am
Update:

Got a response from my case worker directly. He confirmed the 8-12 weeks timeline aswell.

No luck for us guys. I gave up, all i can do is wait now
Hi, Cost Manager
Thanks for your Update, This 8-12 weeks timeline starts from decision date, received decision email/letter or after lock down ?

Best Regards
This was his response;

please be assured that our ceremonies and citizenship support team will issue your ceremony invite letter by post within the next 8 – 12 weeks. Upon receipt of the invitation letter, you can make the necessary arrangements with your local authority. You are required to attend a citizenship ceremony within 6 months of the date printed on your ceremony invitation.

chand92
Newly Registered
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue May 12, 2020 3:20 pm
Mood:
Pakistan

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by chand92 » Thu Aug 13, 2020 12:36 pm

bppartnerclub wrote:
Thu Aug 13, 2020 11:52 am
It's from the date when they started printing the certificates again (7th August)
Thanks
As i spoke to 03001232253 and lady told me that your 12 weeks completing on 31th of August.
My council have received my certificate but they are not booking me for citizenship ceremony because they asking me to provide Home Office Citizen Ref No and i still have not received the invitation letter from Home Office.
This is a worst year of my life, this British Naturalisation application totally disturbing my life. I feels like a beggar who ask for beg to everybody.

Wahidwadid
Newbie
Posts: 49
Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2020 12:45 pm

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Wahidwadid » Thu Aug 13, 2020 1:50 pm

Same here my frnd chand92,This is your good luck your council got your certificate, But my council Manchester they saying they hv not received any update from HO about certificate after lockdown,But they doing group ceremony 8 ppl in a group max,I feel like my mind in a prison when I m done this CEREMONY, I M RELEASE. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE, THIS BLOODY VIRUS RUINED EVERYONE'S LIFE.

LiverpoolYNWA
Newly Registered
Posts: 18
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 3:10 pm

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by LiverpoolYNWA » Thu Aug 13, 2020 3:14 pm

Has anyone done or is doing their ceremonies in Liverpool (Liverpool City council). Tried contacting them but can't get through.

Small
Member
Posts: 111
Joined: Sat Nov 02, 2019 11:37 pm

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Small » Thu Aug 13, 2020 3:35 pm

Cost Manager wrote:
Thu Aug 13, 2020 11:29 am
Update:

Got a response from my case worker directly. He confirmed the 8-12 weeks timeline aswell.

No luck for us guys. I gave up, all i can do is wait now
How did you contact your case worker? Email?

mps75
Newly Registered
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 10:02 pm
Spain

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by mps75 » Thu Aug 13, 2020 3:46 pm

Hello:
Anyone that has already recived the invitation letter. Could you let us know if you have to sign in when you get it on the post or it is just normal 1st or 2nd class delivery?

Cost Manager
Junior Member
Posts: 69
Joined: Tue May 19, 2020 9:49 am

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Cost Manager » Thu Aug 13, 2020 4:14 pm

Small wrote:
Thu Aug 13, 2020 3:35 pm
Cost Manager wrote:
Thu Aug 13, 2020 11:29 am
Update:

Got a response from my case worker directly. He confirmed the 8-12 weeks timeline aswell.

No luck for us guys. I gave up, all i can do is wait now
How did you contact your case worker? Email?
I emailed him directly. It took 2 weeks to get a response

AC12
Junior Member
Posts: 50
Joined: Thu Nov 21, 2019 12:45 pm
Mood:
India

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by AC12 » Thu Aug 13, 2020 4:15 pm

mps75 wrote:
Thu Aug 13, 2020 3:46 pm
Hello:
Anyone that has already recived the invitation letter. Could you let us know if you have to sign in when you get it on the post or it is just normal 1st or 2nd class delivery?
2nd Class, not signed for.
Brown envelope.

Wahidwadid
Newbie
Posts: 49
Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2020 12:45 pm

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Wahidwadid » Thu Aug 13, 2020 4:38 pm

Hi guys, Can anyone tell me i applied by solicitor, So if they send invitation letter r they gonna send it to my address or solicitor.

Malikg123
Junior Member
Posts: 70
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 4:22 pm

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Malikg123 » Thu Aug 13, 2020 4:49 pm

to your solicitor
Wahidwadid wrote:
Thu Aug 13, 2020 4:38 pm
Hi guys, Can anyone tell me i applied by solicitor, So if they send invitation letter r they gonna send it to my address or solicitor.

Malikg123
Junior Member
Posts: 70
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 4:22 pm

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Malikg123 » Thu Aug 13, 2020 4:53 pm

received response from my local council.

We have received just one batch since march and your certificate was not among them.

anyone please advised my decision was made on 24 march so 8/12 weeks start from decision date or when i actually received it.

thanks

Frou01
Member of Standing
Posts: 382
Joined: Thu Apr 30, 2020 9:29 pm
Mood:
Finland

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Frou01 » Thu Aug 13, 2020 7:04 pm

I can’t believe I work full time in customer service, can go to every shop, eat in restaurants, see gyms being open, flights can be booked and people go on holidays, people who want to sell stuff knock on your door... but councils can’t open and therefore no certificates can get printed?

Birmingham is the second largest city and there might be a lot of people waiting, they haven’t even started with their March backlog yet and say since weeks they would shortly and there might be a few offers for private ceremonies priced £206-235.
That’s a 10 minute event. What justifies this big fee please?
Why put it on people’s shoulders when that’s not their fault?

Wahidwadid
Newbie
Posts: 49
Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2020 12:45 pm

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Wahidwadid » Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:52 pm

Malikg123 wrote:
Thu Aug 13, 2020 4:49 pm
to your solicitor
Wahidwadid wrote:
Thu Aug 13, 2020 4:38 pm
Hi guys, Can anyone tell me i applied by solicitor, So if they send invitation letter r they gonna send it to my address or solicitor.
Tnx malikg123

lleksi
Newly Registered
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2020 2:31 pm
Lithuania

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by lleksi » Fri Aug 14, 2020 8:32 am

Today I’ve got a response from Bromley council:

Good morning,
Thank you for your email.
The Home Office have suspended sending any certificates for the time being.
When they start sending them again – I will be in touch as soon as possible.
Kind regards

My application has been approved on 20 of May.

Learning18
Junior Member
Posts: 80
Joined: Wed May 20, 2020 4:04 pm

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Learning18 » Fri Aug 14, 2020 10:00 am

Frou01 wrote:
Thu Aug 13, 2020 7:04 pm
I can’t believe I work full time in customer service, can go to every shop, eat in restaurants, see gyms being open, flights can be booked and people go on holidays, people who want to sell stuff knock on your door... but councils can’t open and therefore no certificates can get printed?

Birmingham is the second largest city and there might be a lot of people waiting, they haven’t even started with their March backlog yet and say since weeks they would shortly and there might be a few offers for private ceremonies priced £206-235.
That’s a 10 minute event. What justifies this big fee please?
Why put it on people’s shoulders when that’s not their fault?
At this point I agree.
I have just had a call from the Ukvcas due to the call I made to the home office last week about recieing a generic response. He said "There is no time frame and I can't tell you when you will recieve the invitation letter, you just have to wait for how long it takes. The responses you are getting from the support team are not generic, there are tailored to your case, it is actually a human responding to your case and not a robot". That's all he kept repeating that it is not a generic response, he seemed to be upset about that, that I informed the lady I spoke to that I was getting a generic
response which it was. I got only one response since February which is not generic where they informed me which council my certificate will go to. The rest were the same responses I received before my decision date which is a copy and paste response. I have sent in a complaint and I will be sending another. He called just to tell me not to say it is generic.

" 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)."

I have seen this response everywhere and so many times.

Wahidwadid
Newbie
Posts: 49
Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2020 12:45 pm

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Wahidwadid » Fri Aug 14, 2020 10:06 am

lleksi wrote:
Fri Aug 14, 2020 8:32 am
Today I’ve got a response from Bromley council:

Good morning,
Thank you for your email.
The Home Office have suspended sending any certificates for the time being.
When they start sending them again – I will be in touch as soon as possible.
Kind regards

My application has been approved on 20 of May.
Now I m confused who's information isn't right, HO or your council ,Then how HO support line telling the time frame and saying they started sending certificate from 7th August.

Malikg123
Junior Member
Posts: 70
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 4:22 pm

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Malikg123 » Fri Aug 14, 2020 10:11 am

My council said the same thing they only received 1 batch since March 2020. Home Office not printing certificate and dispatching regularly like they used to do before lockdown as far I remember they use to send certificate every week.
Wahidwadid wrote:
Fri Aug 14, 2020 10:06 am
lleksi wrote:
Fri Aug 14, 2020 8:32 am
Today I’ve got a response from Bromley council:

Good morning,
Thank you for your email.
The Home Office have suspended sending any certificates for the time being.
When they start sending them again – I will be in touch as soon as possible.
Kind regards

My application has been approved on 20 of May.
Now I m confused who's information isn't right, HO or your council ,Then how HO support line telling the time frame and saying they started sending certificate from 7th August.

Malikg123
Junior Member
Posts: 70
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 4:22 pm

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Malikg123 » Fri Aug 14, 2020 10:15 am

It’s a generic response I received the same email copy and paste. I don’t understand why they not printing certificate most of the Council saying the same thing they not receiving batch regularly. I suggest everyone to make complaint and put pressure on them.
Learning18 wrote:
Fri Aug 14, 2020 10:00 am
Frou01 wrote:
Thu Aug 13, 2020 7:04 pm
I can’t believe I work full time in customer service, can go to every shop, eat in restaurants, see gyms being open, flights can be booked and people go on holidays, people who want to sell stuff knock on your door... but councils can’t open and therefore no certificates can get printed?

Birmingham is the second largest city and there might be a lot of people waiting, they haven’t even started with their March backlog yet and say since weeks they would shortly and there might be a few offers for private ceremonies priced £206-235.
That’s a 10 minute event. What justifies this big fee please?
Why put it on people’s shoulders when that’s not their fault?
At this point I agree.
I have just had a call from the Ukvcas due to the call I made to the home office last week about recieing a generic response. He said "There is no time frame and I can't tell you when you will recieve the invitation letter, you just have to wait for how long it takes. The responses you are getting from the support team are not generic, there are tailored to your case, it is actually a human responding to your case and not a robot". That's all he kept repeating that it is not a generic response, he seemed to be upset about that, that I informed the lady I spoke to that I was getting a generic
response which it was. I got only one response since February which is not generic where they informed me which council my certificate will go to. The rest were the same responses I received before my decision date which is a copy and paste response. I have sent in a complaint and I will be sending another. He called just to tell me not to say it is generic.

" 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)."

I have seen this response everywhere and so many times.

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