Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

I have finally received the invitation letter today.

Applied: 02/04/2020
Approval: 20/08/2020 by email
Invitation: 21/11/2020 (date on letter 11/11/2020)
Council: Manchester
Ceremony: The phones line are not available during coronavirus. The website says there is no need to contact them and I will automatically receive a letter from them in 2 weeks with a ceremony date.

Applied for naturalisation - 3/5/20
Biometrics reuse via IDV App - 26/8/20
Decision received by email - 15/9/20
Ceremony letter received - 21/11/20 (dated 16/11/20)
Council: Bristol. Will try to book a ceremony on Monday.

Seems like the Sep approvals are receiving ceremony invitations within 2 months after approval. Oct and Nov approvals may even see lesser time turnover. I am assuming within 1-2 months after approval. Backlog seems to be much subsided.

CULLINAN wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 12:35 pm

JETK wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 12:31 pm

Yes I will email citizenship support. I think I will contact my council again in case if they have anymore update since 4th November.
Thank you Toombs

I think the email was sent in error. However, there was another case reported where first HO sent an approval via email- then sent another email saying the approval was sent in error and application is in process. No one can really figure out what HO is up to unless you get a clarification from their end or get the ceremony invitation letter. Hope you can avoid the unnecessary headache.

Those things to happen are absolutely concerning and I can only imagine the distress someone might experience being approved and then let them no it was an error.

I think those things clearly should not happen and there are no excuses for that.

To the one who has received the other email. I really understand your worry and hope it’s just an error what I believe.
It’s good you have replied back to the same department to get a response soon. Fingers crossed for you.

Many thanks to baybars1 and CULLINAN for any advice and time tables. I wish You both all the best!!!. Just received a brown envelope today with my invitation. Pretty much spot on with baybars1 time table. Here is my timeline if needed.

Applied: 27th July
Biometrics: 14th August
Approval via email: 19th August
The date of invitation letter:11th November
Letter received: 21st November
Privet ceremony: 1st of December.

Cheers to all. Wish all the best.

Hi all,

I’ve managed to book my ceremony online today despite my letter not having arrived yet (newham council)- ceremony booked for this Tuesday 24th November.

My letter may come Monday but even if it doesn’t I will print out my approval letter and take that with me as since I managed to book online they definitely have my certificate.

My timeline is as follows:
Date of application: 20 May 2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 14 August 2020
Date of approval: 26 August 2020 (letter attached to email)
Ceremony letter received: not yet (as of 21st November)
Ceremony: 24th November 2020
Council: Newham

Frou01 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 3:47 pm

CULLINAN wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 12:35 pm

JETK wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 12:31 pm

Yes I will email citizenship support. I think I will contact my council again in case if they have anymore update since 4th November.
Thank you Toombs

I think the email was sent in error. However, there was another case reported where first HO sent an approval via email- then sent another email saying the approval was sent in error and application is in process. No one can really figure out what HO is up to unless you get a clarification from their end or get the ceremony invitation letter. Hope you can avoid the unnecessary headache.

Those things to happen are absolutely concerning and I can only imagine the distress someone might experience being approved and then let them no it was an error.

I think those things clearly should not happen and there are no excuses for that.

To the one who has received the other email. I really understand your worry and hope it’s just an error what I believe.
It’s good you have replied back to the same department to get a response soon. Fingers crossed for you.

I hope it was an automated email that they sent. Now I sent an email to citizenship support as well as my council. Hopefully they will reply back soon..home office is not very helpful atm when you see September approvals getting their letters and some of July and August ones are still waiting.

Anyone in Glasgow still waiting invitation letter for late July/early Aug?

JETK wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:25 am

Hello everyone, I have been silent reader on this forum for few weeks. I was approved end of August and since than waiting for invitation letter. Last week I emailed CT casework team chasing for letter and they replied as below:

“Thank you for your email. Your application currently awaiting the outcome of external checks and you should hear from us shortly.

Your sincerely
Xxxxx”


This is confusing me now as what do they mean by “external checks” and why are they doing external checks after sending approval letter? Where do I stand in terms of citizenship now? Can someone advise please.

Thank you

You shouldn't be chasing the CT for your invitation. Once your application has been approved, the case is tranaferred to citizenship ceremonies support team (CCST) within the Nationality Group of the UKVI.

As for the email you have received, whilst it is possible, in theory, that the CT take a view that they ought to revisit some approvals that are yet to be processed by the CCST, it is more likely that you have received some automated email that is used by the CT to fend off questions by those who are still awaiting their approvals.

Thank you Baybars1
I understand that now.
Does that mean they will revisit my file or delay it as when I received that email I panicked and I sent them another email asking them to clarify more on “external checks” Or shall I have a faith and wait few more weeks for letter to arrive.

Hi everyone,

Today I finally received my ceremony invitation letter from HM, here is my timeline;

Application by post on 18/01/20

Fees taken - 29/01/20

Acknowledgement letter received 31/01/20

BRP completed 10/02/20

Approved by post on 22/08/20 dated 19/08/20

Invitation letter received on 21/11/20 dated 19/11/20

Thanks to baybars1 formula which gave alot of us hope. It wasn’t exactly as it should be (17/11/20) but only few days off which isn’t bad at all. Unfortunately I couldn’t book the ceremony today, will do so when the office are open on Monday- its Bolton Council. Goodluck to all of you, this site has been very helpful during this time.

JETK wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 7:46 pm

Thank you Baybars1
I understand that now.
Does that mean they will revisit my file or delay it as when I received that email I panicked and I sent them another email asking them to clarify more on “external checks” Or shall I have a faith and wait few more weeks for letter to arrive.

I doubt that the CT will decide to reopen your case merely because you had asked the wrong team for an update about your invitation. They would probably need a stronger reason to spend more time on it, such as a criminal conviction. Therefore, I wouldn't worry too much if I were you.

Hi,
How did you manage to book ceremony without the invitation letter? Did you use the reference number on approval letter?

Thanks

luckylucky7 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 5:14 pm

Hi all,

I’ve managed to book my ceremony online today despite my letter not having arrived yet (newham council)- ceremony booked for this Tuesday 24th November.

My letter may come Monday but even if it doesn’t I will print out my approval letter and take that with me as since I managed to book online they definitely have my certificate.

My timeline is as follows:
Date of application: 20 May 2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 14 August 2020
Date of approval: 26 August 2020 (letter attached to email)
Ceremony letter received: not yet (as of 21st November)
Ceremony: 24th November 2020
Council: Newham

shahzy970 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 8:51 pm

Hi,
How did you manage to book ceremony without the invitation letter? Did you use the reference number on approval letter?

Thanks

luckylucky7 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 5:14 pm

Hi all,

I’ve managed to book my ceremony online today despite my letter not having arrived yet (newham council)- ceremony booked for this Tuesday 24th November.

My letter may come Monday but even if it doesn’t I will print out my approval letter and take that with me as since I managed to book online they definitely have my certificate.

My timeline is as follows:
Date of application: 20 May 2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 14 August 2020
Date of approval: 26 August 2020 (letter attached to email)
Ceremony letter received: not yet (as of 21st November)
Ceremony: 24th November 2020
Council: Newham

Hi Shahzy,

Yes I used the reference number on my approval letter, the one that begins with 0

Hi all,

I wanted to share that I’ve received my ceremony invitation letter today.
Council: Birmingham City Council
Applied: June 1
Approval date: Sept 14

I will be calling on Monday to book in for my ceremony so hopefully they will have a date in the next week or two! Thanks so much to everyone here for the help and support! @baybars1 your formula was spot on!!

See you all in the passport thread!

Helen123 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:03 pm

Hi all,

I wanted to share that I’ve received my ceremony invitation letter today.
Council: Birmingham City Council
Applied: June 1
Approval date: Sept 14

I will be calling on Monday to book in for my ceremony so hopefully they will have a date in the next week or two! Thanks so much to everyone here for the help and support! @baybars1 your formula was spot on!!

See you all in the passport thread!

Great you have received it!

Birmingham is doing group ceremonies every Tuesday and private ceremonies every Wednesday.

I have decided for a group ceremony which is 1 December.

Frou01 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:16 pm

Helen123 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:03 pm

Hi all,

I wanted to share that I’ve received my ceremony invitation letter today.
Council: Birmingham City Council
Applied: June 1
Approval date: Sept 14

I will be calling on Monday to book in for my ceremony so hopefully they will have a date in the next week or two! Thanks so much to everyone here for the help and support! @baybars1 your formula was spot on!!

See you all in the passport thread!

Great you have received it!

Birmingham is doing group ceremonies every Tuesday and private ceremonies every Wednesday.

I have decided for a group ceremony which is 1 December.

Ah that’s great to know!! Thank you so much @Frou01 for all your help during this whole process!

baybars1 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 8:49 pm

JETK wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 7:46 pm

Thank you Baybars1
I understand that now.
Does that mean they will revisit my file or delay it as when I received that email I panicked and I sent them another email asking them to clarify more on “external checks” Or shall I have a faith and wait few more weeks for letter to arrive.

I doubt that the CT will decide to reopen your case merely because you had asked the wrong team for an update about your invitation. They would probably need a stronger reason to spend more time on it, such as a criminal conviction. Therefore, I wouldn't worry too much if I were you.

Thank you baybars1 that’s a relief. I will just wait for the letter now

Finally I received my invitation today
Approved 21/08/2020
Invitation received today dated 12/11/2020

Ceremony booked for 01/12/2020. Havering.

Thanks for your swift response.

Good luck with your ceremony.

Thanks

luckylucky7 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 8:58 pm

shahzy970 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 8:51 pm

Hi,
How did you manage to book ceremony without the invitation letter? Did you use the reference number on approval letter?

Thanks

luckylucky7 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 5:14 pm

Hi all,

I’ve managed to book my ceremony online today despite my letter not having arrived yet (newham council)- ceremony booked for this Tuesday 24th November.

My letter may come Monday but even if it doesn’t I will print out my approval letter and take that with me as since I managed to book online they definitely have my certificate.

My timeline is as follows:
Date of application: 20 May 2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 14 August 2020
Date of approval: 26 August 2020 (letter attached to email)
Ceremony letter received: not yet (as of 21st November)
Ceremony: 24th November 2020
Council: Newham

Hi Shahzy,

Yes I used the reference number on my approval letter, the one that begins with 0

hi guys ,

Thank you for sharing of your information's during this lockdown .

i hope everyone well

My timeline is as follows:
Date of application: 1 june 2020
Date of approval: 16 September 2020 (letter attached to email)
Ceremony letter received: not yet

i dont know when will i have my letter it took really longer than usual.

if you have any thoughts all welcome

Regards

Helen123 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:48 pm

Frou01 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:16 pm

Helen123 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:03 pm

Hi all,

I wanted to share that I’ve received my ceremony invitation letter today.
Council: Birmingham City Council
Applied: June 1
Approval date: Sept 14

I will be calling on Monday to book in for my ceremony so hopefully they will have a date in the next week or two! Thanks so much to everyone here for the help and support! @baybars1 your formula was spot on!!

See you all in the passport thread!

Great you have received it!

Birmingham is doing group ceremonies every Tuesday and private ceremonies every Wednesday.

I have decided for a group ceremony which is 1 December.

Ah that’s great to know!! Thank you so much @Frou01 for all your help during this whole process!

Aww, you’re most welcome Helen. Bless.

Let me know what date you got on Monday. Fingers crossed it’s very soon!

Hi everyone,

I am still waiting for my invitation, I was approved on August 24th. My European passport I used to apply for citizenship was due to expire in December , therefore, I have recently renewed it. Do I need to give the details of my new passport to the Home Office? Also when I go to my ceremony, would I show my new passport?

Thanks in advance.

Date of application: 09.12.2019
Date Biometrics enrolled: 08.01. 2020
Date of approval: 05 August 2020 (letter attached to email)
Ceremony letter received: 12.11.2020 (Date on letter.22.10.2020)
Ceremony: 20 November 2020 Done
Council: Reading

kyabaathe3 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 22, 2020 11:30 am

Date of application: 09.12.2019
Date Biometrics enrolled: 08.01. 2020
Date of approval: 05 August 2020 (letter attached to email)
Ceremony letter received: 12.11.2020 (Date on letter.22.10.2020)
Ceremony: 20 November 2020 Done
Council: Reading

Hi kyabaathe3,

Congratulations! Do you know how often Reading council organise ceremonies? Do they organise group or private ceremonies? I'm also from Reading and received my invitation from HO yesterday. Thanks.