Process to naturalise and then passport

alterhase58 wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 01, 2022 4:46 pm

You need to be British to apply for a passport

Londondreams221 wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 01, 2022 3:57 pm

I am somewhat confused between people's post about naturalisation and then the passport, isn't the citizenship process the only way to do it?

alterhase58 wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 01, 2022 4:46 pm

You need to be British to apply for a passport - after you have received your certificate.

Naturalisation is the the first step.
Documents to be supplied by ILR holders: Passport/Travel document, BRP, English, LITUK and Referee Declarations. Payslips or statements not required.

Please read through the complete guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... n-guidance

Continue posting your queries in this thread.

Londondreams221 wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 02, 2022 11:46 am

Thanks for this, and yes valid points, I got confused about the process, so in essence the application is first for the certificate, and then the passport ( if that is what one wants, as some people from non dual nationality countries may not be allowed to hold two passports).

Any idea of lead times for the certification process at the moment? And how long does it take after the certificate is issued, to be able to apply for a passport and what that lead time is?

Londondreams221 wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 26, 2022 3:05 pm

Ok thanks.

A few more questions regarding the application, the time period and the process:

1) I have just calculated the total number of days I was out of the country from 2016-2022 (150 days in total, the last time I travelled was October 2019, and then unable to due to the pandemic.
I was on the Tier 1 Entp (£50k route) 5 year visa route, my first Visa was issued to me on 15/3/2016, expired on 15/3/2019. I applied for the extension was granted on 2/5/2019, expiring on 2/5/2021. ILR granted on 23/6/2021, 12 months completed on 23/6/2022, so is it ok for me to apply now bearing in mind I was out of the country for a total of 150 days in 6 years? Or should I wait till end of the year to make sure I have all my days? The days out does not exclude you from applying.

2) Can one travel out of the UK with their current passport and the ILR whilst the citizenship application is under process? Yes

3) I have heard of lots of delays with government offices due to staff shortages etc, does anyone know how long it takes for the citizenship application? There is no time set in stone. Check the timeline thread.

4) Once a successful application is made for citizenship, how soon does one have to apply for a passport or can you wait for a bit?

5) My old passport which was submitted when I did my KOL has expired, I have been issued a new passport i it ok to submit the old and new passport during this application process?

Is there anything else I need to provide?

Thank you for your help.

Londondreams221 wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 26, 2022 3:05 pm

Ok thanks.

A few more questions regarding the application, the time period and the process:

1) I have just calculated the total number of days I was out of the country from 2016-2022 (150 days in total, the last time I travelled was October 2019, and then unable to due to the pandemic.
I was on the Tier 1 Entp (£50k route) 5 year visa route, my first Visa was issued to me on 15/3/2016, expired on 15/3/2019. I applied for the extension was granted on 2/5/2019, expiring on 2/5/2021. ILR granted on 23/6/2021, 12 months completed on 23/6/2022, so is it ok for me to apply now bearing in mind I was out of the country for a total of 150 days in 6 years? Or should I wait till end of the year to make sure I have all my days?
You can apply now - absences are for the five years back from the naturalisation application date - not six years. It appears you are well below the allowances. Not sure why you want to wait til year end.

2) Can one travel out of the UK with their current passport and the ILR whilst the citizenship application is under process?
Yes - free to travel.

3) I have heard of lots of delays with government offices due to staff shortages etc, does anyone know how long it takes for the citizenship application?
UKVI target is 6 months - some applications get approved within two months, others take 6+ months,most are inbetween....

4) Once a successful application is made for citizenship, how soon does one have to apply for a passport or can you wait for a bit?
Passport is not compulsory - you can apply when you wish, immediately or in a year's time, or never ...

5) My old passport which was submitted when I did my KOL has expired, I have been issued a new passport i it ok to submit the old and new passport during this application process?
You only need to submit the passports covering the five years residency period, one or more if necessary.

Is there anything else I need to provide?
Referee declarations, BRP, presumably English done as part of ILR?

Thank you for your help.

Londondreams221 wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 26, 2022 7:19 pm

Thank you both for the replies.

I wasn't sure if my 150 days out of the 5 years would impact the application as I read on the guidance the following example, so just being extra cautious:

• For example, if your application is received on 05/05/2021, you should have been
physically present in the UK on 06/05/2018.

• Most applications that fail do so because applicants have applied even though they
cannot satisfy the residence requirement to be present in the UK at the beginning
of the residential qualifying period.

What you are quoting is a separate statutory requirement and not connected with absences. When you submit the application check that you satisfy this - it's about that date and whether you were physically present. Check your absences.

2) Can one travel out of the UK with their current passport and the ILR whilst the citizenship application is under process?
Yes - free to travel

So it doesn't really matter how long I am away from after I submit the application due to the 6 months lead time? As long as I am back in the UK by the time they reply? Reason I ask is I haven't seen my family since March 2019, so it would be nice to be away for some time and spend time with them. Though it will be unpaid so I may not have any income for 3 months or so, will that be a bad idea as there will be no PAYE showing for 3 months?

It's no issue post-application whether you have income or not, UKVI are not tracking your movements or financial circumstances post-application date.

I did my MA in the UK so I should be fine for the English language part, I'll submit my MA certificate and transcript. I did the same for my ILR and all visa applications till date.

I got a speeding ticket last August and points on my licence, I attended the speeding course and paid the penalty, I should still declare this right?

From my understanding if you have been given the option of a speed awareness then this doesn't need to be disclosed, not even to your insurance company ....

Is it an issue if I was unemployed for a while so there won't be a consistent amount of payslips, and where they were, I was on very low salaries so my PAYE isn't very high, do they penalise for low income applicants? Please note I didn't use any benefits and lived off my savings when I was in between jobs.

I may have pointed this out already, naturalisation has no specific financial requirements (income/taxes/NI/profits/etc). Applicants of all levels of income and even unemployed can apply as long as they satisfy the requirements as laid down. You are not judged whether you are worthy of citizenship ....