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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

Moderators: Casa, push, JAJ, ca.funke, Amber, zimba, vinny, Obie, EUsmileWEallsmile, batleykhan, meself2, geriatrix, John, ChetanOjha, archigabe

baybars1
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Posts: 183
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by baybars1 » Fri Oct 09, 2020 11:46 pm

Jayrose17 wrote:
Fri Oct 09, 2020 10:57 pm
Hi baybars 1
My invite was emailed as they had changed my council from the old council so was a new invite after the old one had been posted which arrived re directed by ne from old address the next day.. So I recieved e mail stating they would request the old council to send the certificate to the new.
I had requested a change about a month ago due to moving.
I knew the old council had my cert and I now had the original invite I booked a private Ceremony and had it today.
So officially at around 12pm I became a British citizen.
The 👍
Congratulations! Glad to hear it had all worked out so well eventually.

justaquery
Junior Member
Posts: 65
Joined: Thu Oct 03, 2019 9:49 am
Pakistan

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by justaquery » Sat Oct 10, 2020 8:07 am

Amine_Bristol wrote:
Fri Oct 09, 2020 10:17 pm
justaquery wrote:
Thu Oct 08, 2020 7:35 pm
@amine_bristol can you please confirm if Bristol council contacted you automatically when they got your certificate or did you have to email them?

I am with Bristol council too and waiting for my invite letter.
Hey! Nope, Bristol Council did *not* contact me automatically. I just happened to email them to ask and they confirmed that they had received the certificate from the Home Office.

I had messaged them every 2/3 weeks in the last couple of months, and I knew that they would likely be getting it soon. By the way, I had my ceremony this morning, but I am yet to receive the Home Office invite via post 🤷‍♂️
Can you please confirm what information you gave to the council when you chased them every 2/3 weeks? Is it your name and address? Or do they need case ID as well?

Runner12345
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Posts: 25
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Runner12345 » Sat Oct 10, 2020 10:09 am

Sochi08 wrote:
Fri Oct 09, 2020 10:16 pm
Runner12345 wrote:
Fri Oct 09, 2020 9:48 pm
Sochi08 wrote:
Fri Oct 09, 2020 8:02 pm
Good evening all, been following the forum for 2wks now
My council is Southwark. My timeline

Applied 25th March 2020
Biometric done 8th June 2020
Application approved by email 12th June 2020
No invitation yet but Southwark council received my certificate on the 5th October, had To email them to confirm that. But was advised to wait for my invite before contacting them again to book my ceremony, was happy actually because that was the only good news since after my approval email🤣
Thank you all for your updates it felt good to read other people’s journey getting to know it’s not just me...
Same approval date, same council, same story: council has the certificate but no HO letter :(
Really! I can relate, in a day I check my post box like 3times 🤦‍♀️ can’t wait for this journey to be over. Please update here when you receive yours and will sure do as well
I got mine now! Just found it in the letterbox. Immediately emailed the council to book a Zoom ceremony. invitation letter is dated 22 September. I think this again confirms that the model is spot on. My sense is that there is a variation in arrival dates across Friday/ Saturday/ following Monday but otherwise generally spot on! Thanks all and good luck to those who are still waiting! It seems letters are now coming through every week.

Sochi08
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Sochi08 » Sat Oct 10, 2020 10:34 am

Runner12345 wrote:
Sat Oct 10, 2020 10:09 am
Sochi08 wrote:
Fri Oct 09, 2020 10:16 pm
Runner12345 wrote:
Fri Oct 09, 2020 9:48 pm
Sochi08 wrote:
Fri Oct 09, 2020 8:02 pm
Good evening all, been following the forum for 2wks now
My council is Southwark. My timeline

Applied 25th March 2020
Biometric done 8th June 2020
Application approved by email 12th June 2020
No invitation yet but Southwark council received my certificate on the 5th October, had To email them to confirm that. But was advised to wait for my invite before contacting them again to book my ceremony, was happy actually because that was the only good news since after my approval email🤣
Thank you all for your updates it felt good to read other people’s journey getting to know it’s not just me...
Same approval date, same council, same story: council has the certificate but no HO letter :(
Really! I can relate, in a day I check my post box like 3times 🤦‍♀️ can’t wait for this journey to be over. Please update here when you receive yours and will sure do as well
I got mine now! Just found it in the letterbox. Immediately emailed the council to book a Zoom ceremony. invitation letter is dated 22 September. I think this again confirms that the model is spot on. My sense is that there is a variation in arrival dates across Friday/ Saturday/ following Monday but otherwise generally spot on! Thanks all and good luck to those who are still waiting! It seems letters are now coming through every week.
Oh wow congrats!!! Happy for you it gives me hope since we got approved same date and same council 😁 will update when I do receive mine, expecting it today or Monday as per the model. Do you think group ceremony wait is longer? Wondering why you chose zoom ceremony.

serg_ko
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Russia

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by serg_ko » Sat Oct 10, 2020 10:43 am

Hi, guys!
my timeline:
Applied on 5/03/20
Approval email 02/06/20
Invitation letter received 05/10/20 dated 19/09/20
Virtual Zoom ceremony with Southwark Council on 08/10/20
Certificate received by special delivery on 10/10/20

So, this journey is over, next will be a passport application.

Good luck to all still waiting and thank you for your support!

Runner12345
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Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2020 1:26 pm

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Runner12345 » Sat Oct 10, 2020 11:31 am

Sochi08 wrote:
Sat Oct 10, 2020 10:34 am
Runner12345 wrote:
Sat Oct 10, 2020 10:09 am
Sochi08 wrote:
Fri Oct 09, 2020 10:16 pm
Runner12345 wrote:
Fri Oct 09, 2020 9:48 pm


Same approval date, same council, same story: council has the certificate but no HO letter :(
Really! I can relate, in a day I check my post box like 3times 🤦‍♀️ can’t wait for this journey to be over. Please update here when you receive yours and will sure do as well
I got mine now! Just found it in the letterbox. Immediately emailed the council to book a Zoom ceremony. invitation letter is dated 22 September. I think this again confirms that the model is spot on. My sense is that there is a variation in arrival dates across Friday/ Saturday/ following Monday but otherwise generally spot on! Thanks all and good luck to those who are still waiting! It seems letters are now coming through every week.
Oh wow congrats!!! Happy for you it gives me hope since we got approved same date and same council 😁 will update when I do receive mine, expecting it today or Monday as per the model. Do you think group ceremony wait is longer? Wondering why you chose zoom ceremony.
I just want to get it done, as I applied mid-February already. The Zoom ceremony is super quick, they say 10-15min, so I also do not have to take time off work. I have asked if a friend of mine can dial into it as my virtual guest. They responded within 2h offering me a slot for Wednesday. The group ceremony is a different contact person, so not sure how frequently they are doing those.

Vilandra
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Posts: 27
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Poland

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Vilandra » Sat Oct 10, 2020 12:02 pm

Wow received mine today 10.10.2020, approval email 12.06.2020, letter dated 22.09.2020. They are a bit cheeky with that 21 day booking deadline since that is going to be Monday... My council specifically asks for booking requests to be done via email, they don't provide a phone number so fingers crossed someone gets in touch on Monday.

IrobotZ
Junior Member
Posts: 71
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2019 5:22 pm
China

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by IrobotZ » Sat Oct 10, 2020 4:05 pm

Vilandra wrote:
Sat Oct 10, 2020 12:02 pm
Wow received mine today 10.10.2020, approval email 12.06.2020, letter dated 22.09.2020. They are a bit cheeky with that 21 day booking deadline since that is going to be Monday... My council specifically asks for booking requests to be done via email, they don't provide a phone number so fingers crossed someone gets in touch on Monday.
Congrats, Dont worry 2 much about the deadline as I believe the Homeoffice has mentioned that people could book their ceremony within 6 months of getting their invitation.

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

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Learning18 » Sat Oct 10, 2020 7:57 pm

FreshFromTheGrave wrote:
Fri Oct 09, 2020 11:57 am
Invitation letter received! Approval was middle of June and the date on the letter is 23rd September, which gives me like 3 working days of leeway to book the ceremony lol (it states 21 days from the date on the letter which seems a little tight to me all things considered).

I'll phone Brent council on Monday morning and try to book :) wow I've nearly finished immigrating! Go me.
Hi,
Congratulations:)

I am with Brent too, the next group ceremony is on the 29th of October and the one after I believe is on the 9th of November. However they have the private ceremonies anytime.

The first group ceremony in the whole months of October is in the 29th which is a shame.

Goodluck :)

Sochi08
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Posts: 8
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2020 7:32 pm

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Sochi08 » Sat Oct 10, 2020 8:22 pm

Runner12345 wrote:
Sat Oct 10, 2020 11:31 am
Sochi08 wrote:
Sat Oct 10, 2020 10:34 am
Runner12345 wrote:
Sat Oct 10, 2020 10:09 am
Sochi08 wrote:
Fri Oct 09, 2020 10:16 pm


Really! I can relate, in a day I check my post box like 3times 🤦‍♀️ can’t wait for this journey to be over. Please update here when you receive yours and will sure do as well
I got mine now! Just found it in the letterbox. Immediately emailed the council to book a Zoom ceremony. invitation letter is dated 22 September. I think this again confirms that the model is spot on. My sense is that there is a variation in arrival dates across Friday/ Saturday/ following Monday but otherwise generally spot on! Thanks all and good luck to those who are still waiting! It seems letters are now coming through every week.
Oh wow congrats!!! Happy for you it gives me hope since we got approved same date and same council 😁 will update when I do receive mine, expecting it today or Monday as per the model. Do you think group ceremony wait is longer? Wondering why you chose zoom ceremony.
I just want to get it done, as I applied mid-February already. The Zoom ceremony is super quick, they say 10-15min, so I also do not have to take time off work. I have asked if a friend of mine can dial into it as my virtual guest. They responded within 2h offering me a slot for Wednesday. The group ceremony is a different contact person, so not sure how frequently they are doing those.
Thanks for the response really appreciate it! Have a great ceremony 😁

U Aziz
Newbie
Posts: 38
Joined: Wed May 20, 2020 11:50 pm
Pakistan

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by U Aziz » Sat Oct 10, 2020 8:35 pm

Good evening everyone,
My council (Hillingdon) have received my certificate on Friday 09/10 and I’ve managed to book my ceremony for Wednesday 14th Oct, no guests allowed neither you have an option to book a private one. Just to add they are only doing the ceremonies once a week (every Wednesday).
I am yet to receive my invitation so wouldn’t be able share the date printed on it and hoping that approval letter (PDF by email on 22.06.2020) plus an ID will suffice the requirements for attending the ceremony.

My timeline
Applied: 22/02/2020
Approval by email: 22/06/2020

Looking forward for coming Wednesday!!!☺️

Thanks you so much everyone on this forum especially baybars1! (The Excel genius)
I wish you all best of luck

Soo123
Junior Member
Posts: 52
Joined: Thu Mar 05, 2020 1:23 pm
Pakistan

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Soo123 » Sun Oct 11, 2020 1:32 am

Hi U Aziz

congratulations 👍 I am very happy for you and yes the model is spot on according to the model InshAllah I’ll get my invitation letter end of the month.

Baybars1 thanks a lot for making that model 👍

Jayrose17
Junior Member
Posts: 54
Joined: Thu May 25, 2017 6:38 pm
South Africa

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Jayrose17 » Sun Oct 11, 2020 9:33 am

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the moderators, creators of this website. It gives great comfort and assurance to oneself, knowing many are on the same boat on their journey to citizenship.
Also thanks to any and all contributers who have given answers or allayed fears.
My journey is over but I wish all the others luck.
One request. Please all respect and give thanks and gratitude to the country that has allowed us to be here.
It is a privilege and not a rite.
Remember this.
Adios everyone..🇿🇦🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

BoyTed
Member
Posts: 135
Joined: Mon Jul 29, 2019 2:05 am
Somalia

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by BoyTed » Sun Oct 11, 2020 10:25 am

Congrats to all of you who got the ceremony letter👍

Irakli
Junior Member
Posts: 76
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2012 11:46 am

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Irakli » Sun Oct 11, 2020 12:52 pm

Hi All,

Got a question: do we still have 6 months to book ceremony after we received invitation? The invitation letter says ceremony needs to be booked within 21 days of the letter date (which is 25 Sep). I cannot attend the ceremony for couple of months. HomeOfficer in their emails always said that ceremony booking time has been extended from 3 months to 6 months but now the letter says 21 days! So I am confused which one is right

Thank you

User avatar
CR001
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South Africa

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by CR001 » Sun Oct 11, 2020 12:55 pm

Irakli wrote:
Sun Oct 11, 2020 12:52 pm
Hi All,

Got a question: do we still have 6 months to book ceremony after we received invitation? The invitation letter says ceremony needs to be booked within 21 days of the letter date (which is 25 Sep). I cannot attend the ceremony for couple of months. HomeOfficer in their emails always said that ceremony booking time has been extended from 3 months to 6 months but now the letter says 21 days! So I am confused which one is right

Thank you
It is the ATTENDING that is within 6 months.

You should BOOK as soon as you can for a future date. Attend and book are two separate issues. Note you do risk a cute date ceremony not going ahead if lockdowns continue.
Char (CR001 not Casa)
In life you cannot press the Backspace button!!
Please DO NOT send me a PM for immigration advice. I reserve the right to ignore the PM and not respond.

Irakli
Junior Member
Posts: 76
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2012 11:46 am

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Irakli » Sun Oct 11, 2020 1:08 pm

Thanks CR001.

The invitation letter only mentions my name under 'Certificate Details' although I checked with the council and they have both, my and my partners certificates. Will my partners be rejected from attending the ceremony as her name and reference number is not mentioned on the invitation letter?

MMA123
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Posts: 3
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by MMA123 » Sun Oct 11, 2020 1:30 pm

Hi , i’m from Hillingdon council.
Timeline
Application made on12/3/2020
Approval via e-mail on 17/6/2020
Ceremony booked on 14/10/2020

U Aziz, Will they allow us to attend ceremony without invitation letter?

Runner12345
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Posts: 25
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Runner12345 » Sun Oct 11, 2020 2:54 pm

Sochi08 wrote:
Sat Oct 10, 2020 8:22 pm
Runner12345 wrote:
Sat Oct 10, 2020 11:31 am
Sochi08 wrote:
Sat Oct 10, 2020 10:34 am
Runner12345 wrote:
Sat Oct 10, 2020 10:09 am


I got mine now! Just found it in the letterbox. Immediately emailed the council to book a Zoom ceremony. invitation letter is dated 22 September. I think this again confirms that the model is spot on. My sense is that there is a variation in arrival dates across Friday/ Saturday/ following Monday but otherwise generally spot on! Thanks all and good luck to those who are still waiting! It seems letters are now coming through every week.
Oh wow congrats!!! Happy for you it gives me hope since we got approved same date and same council 😁 will update when I do receive mine, expecting it today or Monday as per the model. Do you think group ceremony wait is longer? Wondering why you chose zoom ceremony.
I just want to get it done, as I applied mid-February already. The Zoom ceremony is super quick, they say 10-15min, so I also do not have to take time off work. I have asked if a friend of mine can dial into it as my virtual guest. They responded within 2h offering me a slot for Wednesday. The group ceremony is a different contact person, so not sure how frequently they are doing those.
Thanks for the response really appreciate it! Have a great ceremony 😁
Thank you! I hope you receive your letter tomorrow! Just to add: you are not allowed to forward the link, so you cannot have guest dialing in from elsewhere. Also thanks to baybars1 from me, for helping us get some comfort on anticipated timelines!

U Aziz
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Posts: 38
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Pakistan

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by U Aziz » Sun Oct 11, 2020 5:03 pm

MMA123 wrote:
Sun Oct 11, 2020 1:30 pm
Hi , i’m from Hillingdon council.
Timeline
Application made on12/3/2020
Approval via e-mail on 17/6/2020
Ceremony booked on 14/10/2020

U Aziz, Will they allow us to attend ceremony without invitation letter?
Hi MMA123,
I hope so if we don’t get the invitations by Wednesday morning, but I presume it’s worth trying.
I would print my approval PDF and take a form of ID with me.
Thanks

MMA123
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by MMA123 » Sun Oct 11, 2020 5:22 pm

hahaha i was planning to do the same 😀

Laplap20
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Laplap20 » Sun Oct 11, 2020 5:28 pm

Irakli wrote:
Sun Oct 11, 2020 1:08 pm
Thanks CR001.

The invitation letter only mentions my name under 'Certificate Details' although I checked with the council and they have both, my and my partners certificates. Will my partners be rejected from attending the ceremony as her name and reference number is not mentioned on the invitation letter?
You should shortly receive another invitation letter for your wife.

Irakli
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Posts: 76
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2012 11:46 am

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Irakli » Sun Oct 11, 2020 6:02 pm

Laplap20 wrote:
Sun Oct 11, 2020 5:28 pm
Irakli wrote:
Sun Oct 11, 2020 1:08 pm
Thanks CR001.

The invitation letter only mentions my name under 'Certificate Details' although I checked with the council and they have both, my and my partners certificates. Will my partners be rejected from attending the ceremony as her name and reference number is not mentioned on the invitation letter?
You should shortly receive another invitation letter for your wife.
Thank you

024601
Newbie
Posts: 37
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2020 2:29 pm
Bulgaria

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by 024601 » Sun Oct 11, 2020 8:35 pm

It's certainly worrying that they keep saying they want to impose a second national lockdown :( If that happens the first thing to go would be the citizenship ceremonies again! I really hope if this happens again, the HO and the local councils allow people to just receive their certificates in the mail without having the ceremony.

I can appreciate the ceremony is important etc but in these unprecedented times, everyone needs to be flexible and rules may need to be changed! Or why not make ALL councils impose online ceremonies. I asked my council if they will have online ceremonies, and after chasing for a response 5 times, I got a very blunt one liner saying "We don't have the facility or the funds for such ceremonies".

Chuga
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Cuba

Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Chuga » Sun Oct 11, 2020 8:46 pm

baybars1 wrote:
Fri Oct 09, 2020 9:09 am
Chuga wrote:
Fri Oct 09, 2020 8:23 am
Hi everyone,

Is anyone here from Bolton Council, am trying to work out what’s happening there because i rang them and they were not helpful at all. Not sure if they are conducting group / private ceremonies.

I had my approval on 19th August. As fa as i can see on this thread the invitations are for June and not even July. Has anyone from August approval dates receive invitation?

Baybars1 as per your model when do I expect to receive invitation? Timeline:

Application by post sent - 18/01/20

Fee collected on 29/01/20

Acknowledgement letter/ BRP received on 31/01/2020

Completed BRP on 10/02/2020

On 22/08/20 - approval letter received dated 19/08/20

Thanks in advance
First, congrats on your approval, that is an important milestone.

As for the next step, yes I am afraid that you might have to wait a few more weeks until you can book your ceremony. The model suggests that your invitation should be printed on or about 28 October and it should reach you by 17 November 2020.

Incidentally, there are some members who whose approvals were confirmed in August or even September and their invitations have come in already. However, the real timing of those approvals would have been much earlier than the date written on the approval letter/email. That is may be the case is also evidenced by some members on this forum having received only the invitation letter, as two-in-one kind of thing.

At first I thought that you might be amongst the ones who are being expedited, because your approval letter has come by post, but on closer inspection, that may be because your application had been sent by post as well.

I know that this piece of hindsight is perhaps not very helpful, but had you sent your application online, you might have been approved and received your invite in late February and either become citizen in March or in July/August, as you would have been pretty much the first in line once they restarted the ceremonies. By sending the paper form, you made it impossible for people to approve you while working from home, which was quite a problem early on in the lockdown.

Be that as it may, I wish you best of luck and please do keep us posted.

Thanks baybars1, much appreciated

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