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That’s corona virus immigration helpline. Normally they don’t have access to the system. What details did they ask you to let you know the dispatch date.
Just called them after seeing your post, they did not give any information saying that they are a general inquiry helpline and don't have access to the system to check status, etc. not sure how you got the information.
Interesting, I thought the help line people didn't have access to the system and thus couldn't provide any case-specific information. I called now and they said they got an update from the HO earlier this week that all the letters for people approved by the end of August have been dispatched and should be on the way, it usually takes 10 working days to arrive. The lady on the phone said 10 working days would be on 3 December - she told me if I don't receive anything by then I should give them a call and they could escalate.
Yes i just called as well and had the same information that you! He said he can’t check my individual case!nnn15 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 1:01 pmInteresting, I thought the help line people didn't have access to the system and thus couldn't provide any case-specific information. I called now and they said they got an update from the HO earlier this week that all the letters for people approved by the end of August have been dispatched and should be on the way, it usually takes 10 working days to arrive. The lady on the phone said 10 working days would be on 3 December - she told me if I don't receive anything by then I should give them a call and they could escalate.
This is at least 4th timeline they give me since April, so I'm not very hopeful, but maybe at some point they could investigate what happened to the applications that haven't been printed for months...
Good luck for getting the information you are after. Sorry but I just wasted my time by calling this number as they can’t check or advise anything lol
so what is the purpose of this team then. 
For me they said they sent a lot of letters on 19th November and if it doesn't arrive in the next 7 days to call them back. They couldn't provide specific info. Btw, my approval is 27th July.
After all that I received a letter from the council today with my ceremony date! Group ceremony on December 29th. The charge for a private ceremony is £235 so I’ll probably just wait!!!Frou01 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 9:55 amHi Helen,Helen123 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 9:41 amHi @Frou01!
So my invitation letter states that I should contact my local authority to arrange my ceremony (Birmingham) but when I called the number written on the letter there was an automated message saying something along the lines of “if you have received your invitation letter from the home office, we will contact you when your paperwork arrives to arrange your ceremony” and then just cuts off the line. Also it says on the Birmingham city council website that it could take “a few weeks” for them to receive your paperwork from the home office after you receive the invitation letter but it says in my letter that it could take up to 2 working days for the council to receive it. I have emailed the council to ask about booking my ceremony but it’s typical Birmingham, making everything so difficult and going about things in the slowest way possible.
Sorry to hear that.
In my experience the council had my certificate on a Thursday and following Monday I’ve had my invitation from Home Office.
Did you email Citizenship.Ceremonies@birmingham.gov.uk
You will get an automated response first and then they reply within some hours.
Let me know if you have luck with that please.
I have never used their phone number, always by email.
They are very kind.
Sanfarquad wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:24 pmHello all members
Just a quick question.
My application have been approved on end of July by email. Since then i haven’t heard from the council or HO.
Is it only me or there are people in the same situation.
Thanks
Hi my ceremenoy on this Friday. How did it go? Does it take long?Cocobana wrote: ↑Mon Nov 23, 2020 6:55 pmAttended my ceremony today @ Maidstone-KCC.) and got my certificate I can finally say this Journey has come to an end for me. Thank God!
I wish everyone much love and great success and hope you won’t have to wait much longer!
A big thanks to moderator and co. Special thanks to Baybars1
....... off to the passport section now
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 08 July 2020
Payment method: Debit card
Date of debit fees: 08 July 2020
Date of acknowledgement: 08 July 2020
Date of Biometric reuse email: 06 August 2020
Opted out -07 August 2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 20 August 2020
Date on Approval letter: 1 September 2020 email
Date of receipt of approval: Email
Date on ceremony letter: 26/10/20
Date of Ceremony: 23/11/20
======================================================British_Man2020 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 3:44 pmSanfarquad wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:24 pmHello all members
Just a quick question.
My application have been approved on end of July by email. Since then i haven’t heard from the council or HO.
Is it only me or there are people in the same situation.
Thanks
same here, approved since August. Not heard anything yet from the council or the HO. Called HO so many times and same story - "they don't have a timeline". Also emailed my council and they've said the same thing, Not received my certificate from the HO and to continue to wait.
Tiring now.
As you are less than 5 weeks into the 'up to 12 weeks' timeframe that HO advised in the approval letter I wouldn't harass your council too much about this just yet. You'll probably have to be patient until Christmas/January.Kay100 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25, 2020 11:41 am======================================================British_Man2020 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 3:44 pmSanfarquad wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:24 pmHello all members
Just a quick question.
My application have been approved on end of July by email. Since then i haven’t heard from the council or HO.
Is it only me or there are people in the same situation.
Thanks
same here, approved since August. Not heard anything yet from the council or the HO. Called HO so many times and same story - "they don't have a timeline". Also emailed my council and they've said the same thing, Not received my certificate from the HO and to continue to wait.
Tiring now.
Same here. I received an email my application was successful on 22 October 2020 (applied 25 Aug) and still waiting for further comms. Sent an email to my local council and they wrote back they have not received my paper work.
The wait continues..
Jetk any news? I call them and they told me the same thing.JETK wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:08 pmI called in home office 3 times today to discuss my situation as my certificate was arrived at council on 26th Oct and was sent back to home office on 3rd November due to printing error(this explain “external checks”). they assured me that they have sent out certificates for all who were approved before 31st August and the letters were sent on 19th November so should be expecting my letter by 4th of December.
I am scared to trust them but I will wait until 4th December.
so did you change address after approval ? and how did you find out they sent to old address ?snuptz wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 6:44 pmSooo I just got my invitation letter and surprise surprise, it was sent to my old address, even though I updated my address via UKVI when I was approved and they confirmed that.
Date on letter: 19 October
I was approved on 27th July
Just emailed Lewisham council to book citizenship ceremony, fingers crossed all good
so did you change address after approval ? and how did you find out they sent to old address ?snuptz wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 6:44 pmSooo I just got my invitation letter and surprise surprise, it was sent to my old address, even though I updated my address via UKVI when I was approved and they confirmed that.
Date on letter: 19 October
I was approved on 27th July
Just emailed Lewisham council to book citizenship ceremony, fingers crossed all good
Doc12345 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25, 2020 8:13 pmJetk any news? I call them and they told me the same thing.JETK wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:08 pmI called in home office 3 times today to discuss my situation as my certificate was arrived at council on 26th Oct and was sent back to home office on 3rd November due to printing error(this explain “external checks”). they assured me that they have sent out certificates for all who were approved before 31st August and the letters were sent on 19th November so should be expecting my letter by 4th of December.
I am scared to trust them but I will wait until 4th December.
Doc12345 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25, 2020 8:13 pmJetk any news? I call them and they told me the same thing.JETK wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:08 pmI called in home office 3 times today to discuss my situation as my certificate was arrived at council on 26th Oct and was sent back to home office on 3rd November due to printing error(this explain “external checks”). they assured me that they have sent out certificates for all who were approved before 31st August and the letters were sent on 19th November so should be expecting my letter by 4th of December.
I am scared to trust them but I will wait until 4th December.
Hi CULLINAN,CULLINAN wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 12:21 amSame. All approvals since Nov do not mention the “12 week” wait.Nature11 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 12:21 amYeah, I hope will get our invitation soon as on my approval letter they have not mention any time-frame about the ceremony invitiation
Application submitted 2/07/2020
Aside from the usual congratulatory platitudes, the invitation letter advises that you get in touch with the relevant local council within 21 days of the date of the letter, stating the address of the council building where the ceremony will be held. The letter also states your full name, the name at birth, if different, your date of birth and the town and the country of birth.
