Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

dogcat wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 27, 2020 5:31 pm

Yeah

I'm just pleased it's all over now lol

Wonderful!

Sorry, I’m a bit curious about ceremonies...
Is it possible to take a picture? What except for oath/ pledge/ affirmation and certificate are they doing?

Thank you.

Frou01 wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 27, 2020 5:38 pm

Social distancing, washing hands, hand sanitising

CULLINAN wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 27, 2020 5:43 pm

Frou01 wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 27, 2020 5:38 pm

Social distancing, washing hands, hand sanitising

I was hoping for a bit more than that...

Frou01 wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 27, 2020 5:46 pm

CULLINAN wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 27, 2020 5:43 pm

Frou01 wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 27, 2020 5:38 pm

Social distancing, washing hands, hand sanitising

I was hoping for a bit more than that...

Not all councils allow picture also. My cousin attended a ceremony in Merton and he was not allowed to. Just quick oath, certificate hand over and out.

Thanks for letting me know and share your cousins experience.
It seems to be in fact very individual how councils handle this, seen quite a few ceremony pictures, but some rather keep it brief.

It is what is is I guess.

There were five people all together including myself. After swearing an oath/affirmation we were given our certificates. A piece of national anthem was played ( not all of it ) and then we got to take each others pictures posing next to Her Maj lol

Given the new Tier system from 2nd Dec will allow large gatherings indoor and outdoor events, sports and business events (Tier 1-2), I think group ceremonies will be increased at pace?

dogcat wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 27, 2020 5:58 pm

There were five people all together including myself. After swearing an oath/affirmation we were given our certificates. A piece of national anthem was played ( not all of it ) and then we got to take each others pictures posing next to Her Maj lol

Sounds good!

@Cullinan

Yes, that means “maybe” guests might be allowed for tier 1 and 2 then, maybe.

However for me it will be the current rules as my ceremony is at last day of lockdown.

But I live anyway in tier 3 area. Doesn’t make a difference.

raij wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 27, 2020 3:10 pm

I have recieved same reply when my case got escalated too - i think they just copy and paste them

When did your case get escalated? They said they should respond within 10 working days. Please keep me posted if you get any updates!

few days ago , and after i recieved basically same copy and paste reply i phoned them to complain and they asked me to email again , i also replied to the email that i had just in case.

Hi. Are the ceremonies held in the evening or different time of the day? Many thanks

Still no invitation letter and my council won't book my ceremony without the letter. I was approved 3/8 so it's been 16 weeks, well past the 12 weeks timeline the HO originally gave me. Any suggestions on what should I do?

londuk1 wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 27, 2020 7:24 pm

Still no invitation letter and my council won't book my ceremony without the letter. I was approved 3/8 so it's been 16 weeks, well past the 12 weeks timeline the HO originally gave me. Any suggestions on what should I do?

Hey sorry to hear that ! I was approved on 14/8
The invitation letter arrived to the adress of my solicitor on 17 November date 7 November.
I don’t know if you used one , if you have one you should definitely ask if has received the letter.
My council Tower Hamlets they want the letter categorically

londuk1 wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 27, 2020 7:24 pm

Still no invitation letter and my council won't book my ceremony without the letter. I was approved 3/8 so it's been 16 weeks, well past the 12 weeks timeline the HO originally gave me. Any suggestions on what should I do?

I'm in same boat. Early Aug approval but no sign of invitation letter. Called ho and they said all Aug letters dispatched on 19th and should be with in 10 working days. Hope that's true. Coz 30th oct deadline neva worked. Its strange that late Aug and September approvals already had their ceremonies but somehow we still waiting

Finally Thanks almighty and all friends some positive news today.

Date of application: 24 April 2020
Date Biometrics enrolled App: 19 August 2020
Date of approval: 21 Spet 2020
Ceremony letter received: 28 November 2020
Letter dated: 19 November 2020
Ceremony: Will book on Monday Hope this will not take longer ( Hounslow Council )

Any Hounslow neighbors please update your situation. need some advice on your journey

Best of luck to all of you. I know it's so frustrating.

sulemanca1976 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 28, 2020 1:35 pm

Finally Thanks almighty and all friends some positive news today.

Date of application: 24 April 2020
Date Biometrics enrolled App: 19 August 2020
Date of approval: 21 Spet 2020
Ceremony letter received: 28 November 2020
Letter dated: 19 November 2020
Ceremony: Will book on Monday Hope this will not take longer ( Hounslow Council )

Any Hounslow neighbors please update your situation. need some advice on your journey

Best of luck to all of you. I know it's so frustrating.

Great. Please update your experience with Hounslow after you contact them on Monday as to when is the earliest slots available and what options are they providing. Thanks

Firstly, thank you all for your notes and posts - I've not been posting but reading all your infos. Some good news on my end, timewise:
Date of online application: 26 June 2020
Date Biometrics enrolled App: 14 August 2020
Date of approval: 20 August 2020
Ceremony letter received: 26 November 2020
Letter dated: 11 November 2020
Ceremony: 18 December 2020( Hertfordshire Council )

Following your advice earlier, at some point I've emailed the council. The admins at Hertfordshire are lovely and polite. A few weeks ago they said still nothing on my name but they were getting certificates with issue date late Aug/early Sept. Having in mind that my approval notification is dated 20.8, I knew mine won't be too long behind.
I'm so excited that I'll manage to do it in 2020. What a year!

Good luck, all!
Warmly, George

Fortunately, I have received my invitation today;

Applied online: 01/07/20
UKVCAS: 11/09/20
Approval email: 18/09/20
Invitation received: 28/11/20, dated 20/11/20.
Council: Slough. Will contact them on Monday.

It’s almost over. I wish to express my profound gratitude to the moderators as well as the members of this great group.
I got my GOOD NEWS today. The following is my timeline.

Date of application: 11 May, 2020
Date Biometrics enrolled via app: 26th August,2020
Date of Approval : 17 September,2020
Ceremony letter received : 28th November,2020
Date on the ceremony letter: 18th November,2020
Ceremony: To be book on Monday @ Greenwich council.

I can understand the anxiety of everybody still expecting the BROWN envelope at their doors, I’m sure sooner than later, the postman will knock on your door.
Once again, I wish everyone the very best of luck.
Lest I forget, anyone who has booked @ Greenwich can please share their experience .
Many thanks.

Hi Everyone, I will be submitting my UK Citizenship application in January. I have heard that when I submit the application online I can choose which council my ceremony will be held at. Is this actually true? If so, my plan is to select Hammersmith & Fulham Council because I have read on this forum that they do not ask to see the ceremony invitation letter, whereas my actual council (Wandsworth) seems to be very strict about asking for the ceremony invitation letter. I need my citizenship as soon as possible and don't want to be delayed by any potential issues in receiving the letter, which I have read a lot of people on this forum seem to have experienced. Thank you very much in advance for any responses!

aquamarine_16 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 28, 2020 5:04 pm

Hi Everyone, I will be submitting my UK Citizenship application in January. I have heard that when I submit the application online I can choose which council my ceremony will be held at. Is this actually true? If so, my plan is to select Hammersmith & Fulham Council because I have read on this forum that they do not ask to see the ceremony invitation letter, whereas my actual council (Wandsworth) seems to be very strict about asking for the ceremony invitation letter. I need my citizenship as soon as possible and don't want to be delayed by any potential issues in receiving the letter, which I have read a lot of people on this forum seem to have experienced. Thank you very much in advance for any responses!

Yes you can select a council of your choice at the point you apply. Changing that later on could be a nightmare, given covid times. So be sure to make an informed decision.

aquamarine_16 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 28, 2020 5:04 pm

Hi Everyone, I will be submitting my UK Citizenship application in January. I have heard that when I submit the application online I can choose which council my ceremony will be held at. Is this actually true? If so, my plan is to select Hammersmith & Fulham Council because I have read on this forum that they do not ask to see the ceremony invitation letter, whereas my actual council (Wandsworth) seems to be very strict about asking for the ceremony invitation letter. I need my citizenship as soon as possible and don't want to be delayed by any potential issues in receiving the letter, which I have read a lot of people on this forum seem to have experienced. Thank you very much in advance for any responses!

Yes you can choose your council and yes avoid Wandsworth I wish I has selected a different council, they are not helpful at all.

Applied on 28/08/2020
Biometric-11/09/2020
Approval-16/09/2020
Invitation letter-28/11/2020 dated 18/11/2020
Ceremony location 84 miles away
any similar experience

londuk1 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 28, 2020 7:10 pm

aquamarine_16 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 28, 2020 5:04 pm

Hi Everyone, I will be submitting my UK Citizenship application in January. I have heard that when I submit the application online I can choose which council my ceremony will be held at. Is this actually true? If so, my plan is to select Hammersmith & Fulham Council because I have read on this forum that they do not ask to see the ceremony invitation letter, whereas my actual council (Wandsworth) seems to be very strict about asking for the ceremony invitation letter. I need my citizenship as soon as possible and don't want to be delayed by any potential issues in receiving the letter, which I have read a lot of people on this forum seem to have experienced. Thank you very much in advance for any responses!

Yes you can choose your council and yes avoid Wandsworth I wish I has selected a different council, they are not helpful at all.

Londuk1 any news regarding invitation letter?

beginat wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 28, 2020 8:36 pm

Applied on 28/08/2020
Biometric-11/09/2020
Approval-16/09/2020
Invitation letter-28/11/2020 dated 18/11/2020
Ceremony location 84 miles away
any similar experience

The rule for citizenship ceremonies is that it should be held at your local council unless you specifically asked for a different council at the time of application.

However, I recall two instances (from a long time ago) on these forums when the certificates were sent to a similarly spelt, but physically distant council (so, for instance, a certificate meant for Newham being sent to Newport in Wales). Is it a similar case (that the council inviting you to the ceremony is spelt very similarly to the council that is local to you)?