January 2014 - Naturalization Application Timeline

I applied on the 6th January through an NCS office and it was received the next day by UKBA. I think the situation for January is the same as December, there was a number of approvals in the last week of January (for early December), but a lot of approvals were received in the first weeks of February. We have seen some approvals now for early January, but the majority may not be received until the beginning weeks of March (i.e 2 months from application).

I think we all worry that something is wrong, or that the Royal Mail has lost our letter in the post, but I think lets try and relax, and have that surprise rather than worrying everyday for the letter on the floor.

I am what could be considered a "straight-forward" applicant - i.e spouse of British citizen, fluent in English, no criminal record, everything by the book. It can still take time. Also it can depend on the caseworker who you have, and what order the piles of paper are on their desk.

DayDream wrote:Eligibility criteria: 2 yrs + 3 yrs + 1 yr ILR
Language criteria met : PBS calculator poof
Current nationality: Prefer not to say
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Croydon
Date of application: 09-01-2014
Payment method: Debit card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 13/01/14
Date of aknowlegment: 27/01/14
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 23/01/14
Date approval received: 27/02/14 (Date of approval: 17/02/14)
Date of ceremony: TBA

Approval received today. See timeline updated.

27pence wrote:I applied on the 6th January through an NCS office and it was received the next day by UKBA. I think the situation for January is the same as December, there was a number of approvals in the last week of January (for early December), but a lot of approvals were received in the first weeks of February. We have seen some approvals now for early January, but the majority may not be received until the beginning weeks of March (i.e 2 months from application).

I think we all worry that something is wrong, or that the Royal Mail has lost our letter in the post, but I think lets try and relax, and have that surprise rather than worrying everyday for the letter on the floor.

I am what could be considered a "straight-forward" applicant - i.e spouse of British citizen, fluent in English, no criminal record, everything by the book. It can still take time. Also it can depend on the caseworker who you have, and what order the piles of paper are on their desk.

I think we all should wait becoz the approvels which we had seen are the applications between 1st jan to 10 jan.if I m not wrong then applications which applied after 10 jan till now didnt get any approvels so we should wait for atleast 2 weeks more.

27pence wrote: but a lot of approvals were received in the first weeks of February.

Anyone got approval from Feb?

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Residence
Language criteria met : PBS used documents
Current nationality: Prefer not to say
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Hatfield
Date of application: 02-01-2014
Payment method : Credit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 03-01-2014
Date of aknowlegment: TBA
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 23/01/2014 - CC balance dropped by £874 today.
Date approval received: 21/02/2014 dated 15/02/2014.
Date of ceremony: 28/02/2014(private ceremony)

Hello Guys,

Just an hour ago I have received three brown envelopes in Royal mail. Very nervously opened them with a heavy mind and saw the sweeeeeet news! - all our applications are approved. The letter says to contact the local authority to enroll for the ceremony.

Who: Myself & 2 children
Eligibility criteria: WP(1.5 yrs) + Tier-1(3 years) + Tier-1 Ext (6months) + ILR + 1yr
Language criteria met: LIFE IN UK TEST & Cambridge ESOL Key Englist Test (Pass with Distinction)
Method of application: NCS-Newcastle Upon Tyne
Payment method: Debit card
Date of application: 16/01/2014
Date of receipt by UKBA: 17/01/2014 (AS PER RM)
Date of debit of fees: 30/01/2014 (bank balance dropped by £2052)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 01/02/2014 (letter dated 29th Jan)
Date of receipt of approval: 28/02/2014 (letter dated 24th February)
Date of ceremony: Waiting

HOME OFFICE HAVE PICKED UP THE 2ND WEEK JANUARY APPLICATIONS ALREADY. AT THIS RATE THE WHOLE LOT OF JANUARY WILL BE FINISHED BY 2ND WEEK OF MARCH ALREADY. GOOD LUCK GUYS!!!!

I WILL UPDATE YOU AGAIN AFTER I RECEIVE THE CERTIFICATE...

congrts.. 2nd week of jan application... are on!!! hope to get approvals sooon!!

varre_v wrote:Hello Guys,

Just an hour ago I have received three brown envelopes in Royal mail. Very nervously opened them with a heavy mind and saw the sweeeeeet news! - all our applications are approved. The letter says to contact the local authority to enroll for the ceremony.

Who: Myself & 2 children
Eligibility criteria: WP(1.5 yrs) + Tier-1(3 years) + Tier-1 Ext (6months) + ILR + 1yr
Language criteria met: LIFE IN UK TEST & Cambridge ESOL Key Englist Test (Pass with Distinction)
Method of application: NCS-Newcastle Upon Tyne
Payment method: Debit card
Date of application: 16/01/2014
Date of receipt by UKBA: 17/01/2014 (AS PER RM)
Date of debit of fees: 30/01/2014 (bank balance dropped by £2052)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 01/02/2014 (letter dated 29th Jan)
Date of receipt of approval: 28/02/2014 (letter dated 24th February)
Date of ceremony: Waiting

HOME OFFICE HAVE PICKED UP THE 2ND WEEK JANUARY APPLICATIONS ALREADY. AT THIS RATE THE WHOLE LOT OF JANUARY WILL BE FINISHED BY 2ND WEEK OF MARCH ALREADY. GOOD LUCK GUYS!!!!

I WILL UPDATE YOU AGAIN AFTER I RECEIVE THE CERTIFICATE...

Congrats mate!

Who: Myself
Eligibility criteria: HSMP) + Tier-1(3 years) + ILR + 1yr
Language criteria met: LIFE IN UK TEST & UK Masters
Method of application: NCS-Warwick
Payment method: Debit card
Date of application: 06/01/2014
Date of receipt by UKBA: 9/01/2014 (AS PER RM)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 24/01/2014
Date of receipt of approval: 28/02/2014 (letter dated 17th February)
Date of ceremony:-Letter states that to contact the local council, I have called them straight way they told me its take 2 day for them to update there system by home office ,Council lady ask me to contact her again on Monday ,she told me my ceremony will be some were end of march or first week of April.

Thanks

varre_v wrote:Hello Guys,

Just an hour ago I have received three brown envelopes in Royal mail. Very nervously opened them with a heavy mind and saw the sweeeeeet news! - all our applications are approved. The letter says to contact the local authority to enroll for the ceremony.

Who: Myself & 2 children
Eligibility criteria: WP(1.5 yrs) + Tier-1(3 years) + Tier-1 Ext (6months) + ILR + 1yr
Language criteria met: LIFE IN UK TEST & Cambridge ESOL Key Englist Test (Pass with Distinction)
Method of application: NCS-Newcastle Upon Tyne
Payment method: Debit card
Date of application: 16/01/2014
Date of receipt by UKBA: 17/01/2014 (AS PER RM)
Date of debit of fees: 30/01/2014 (bank balance dropped by £2052)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 01/02/2014 (letter dated 29th Jan)
Date of receipt of approval: 28/02/2014 (letter dated 24th February)
Date of ceremony: Waiting

HOME OFFICE HAVE PICKED UP THE 2ND WEEK JANUARY APPLICATIONS ALREADY. AT THIS RATE THE WHOLE LOT OF JANUARY WILL BE FINISHED BY 2ND WEEK OF MARCH ALREADY. GOOD LUCK GUYS!!!!

I WILL UPDATE YOU AGAIN AFTER I RECEIVE THE CERTIFICATE...

Many congrats mate!

Looking at quite few approvals on this forum and a recent approval of one of my close friend it appears that most Jan applications are getting approval almost after one month of Acknowledgement letter date. So like in my friends case he got ack letter dated 27-01-2014 and he got approval 27-02-2014. Same is the case above!

My ack letter is dated 07-02-2014 ...fingers x

You appear to be right. I have closely analysed the january 2014 applications on this forum and all applications are dealt with in one months after acknoweldgement for example if an applicant applied on 14th january 2014 and the money was removed on 26th january 2014 and an acknowledgement sent on 28th January 2014. they consider 1 months or less from their acknoweldgement date. check and see.
good they are faster now.

Eligibility criteria: 2 yrs + 3 yrs + 1 yr ILR
Language criteria met : LiUK+NARIC
Current nationality: Indian
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Hatfield
Date of application: 14-01-14
Payment method :Credit card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 15-01-14
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 28-01-14
Date of acknowledgment: 01/02/2014 (Dated 28-01-14)
Date approval received: 28/02/2014 (Dated 20/02/2014)
Date of ceremony: TBA

M2008 wrote:Eligibility criteria: 2 yrs + 3 yrs + 1 yr ILR
Language criteria met : LiUK+NARIC
Current nationality: Indian
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Hatfield
Date of application: 14-01-14
Payment method :Credit card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 15-01-14
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 28-01-14
Date of acknowledgment: 01/02/2014 (Dated 28-01-14)
Date approval received: 28/02/2014 (Dated 20/02/2014)
Date of ceremony: TBA

Congrats! another proof of what I said above

I can't edit the original post, so reposting with updates here:

Eligibility criteria: Spouse of British Citizen
Language criteria met: UK master degree
Method of application: NCS Oxford
Date of application:8/1/2014
Payment method: cheque
Date of receipt by UKBA: Haven't checked
Date of aknowlegment: 29/1/2014 (dated 26/1/2014)
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 30/1/2014
Date approval received: 1/3/2014 (dated 23/2/2014)
Date of ceremony: 10/4/2014


Good luck with everyone who is still waiting! I am sure the approval letters will arrive soon. This forum has been very helpful for my own and my hubby's applications. Thank you very much!

Hi Milan69! hope you ok. After watching last few results, do you still think we should wait for approval in first 2 weeks of March or now you would like to extend this waiting time now?

Hi jmehmud, I still believe it is very possible that within 2 weeks one of us could possible get an approval. Possibly you could be first as I allied for discretion as I was out of UK for 120 days in the past year.
As you can see 3 post earlier, M2008 who has applied 2 weeks before us has received had his/hers approval.

i am a 13th Jan applicant and still waiting for approval.

I can see people who applied after me are getting approvals already, it's rather frustrating to know the way HO deal with applications, my case is absolutely straightforward, i am not from a high risk country either.

JPB wrote:You appear to be right. I have closely analysed the january 2014 applications on this forum and all applications are dealt with in one months after acknoweldgement for example if an applicant applied on 14th january 2014 and the money was removed on 26th january 2014 and an acknowledgement sent on 28th January 2014. they consider 1 months or less from their acknoweldgement date. check and see.
good they are faster now.

Thanks for the analysis. If this is true then I am supposed to receive my approval letter this week on 6th March. Hopefuly, you are right. .

sidhujazz wrote:i am a 13th Jan applicant and still waiting for approval.

I can see people who applied after me are getting approvals already, it's rather frustrating to know the way HO deal with applications, my case is absolutely straightforward, i am not from a high risk country either.

Hi Sihujazz,

I applied through an NCS on the 6th January and received by UKBA on the 7th,

My case is also straight forward (married to native British citizen with British parents, Grandparents, G-Grand parents, etc), but I have still not heard anything.

I think we need to take four things into account. - 1) The case worker we are assigned too, some are slower/ less competant than others, 2) - The Royal Mail - I cant beleive that the UKBA use 2nd class post for something so important, I have seen cases where it has taken 11 days from date of apporval to actually receiving that approval. I also think there is a small possibility letters could get lost. 3) If we look at December and November applicants, it was the case that about a 1/3 to a half of applicants in the first two weeks of those months received approval 6-8 weeks later. There are still people waiting for approval and have had their money taken out. 4) - People posting on these forums probably worry a lot, and the 100 people or so who have said they have applied in January on this forum will not be indicative of everybody in the country who has applied.

I agree and get your point 27pence.

i was just letting frustration out really, i know there is nothing more we do expect wait.

I did call the HO this morning, same response "your application is incomplete", but it means it's being dealt with; so hopefully the brown envelope will arrive soon.

sidhujazz wrote:I agree and get your point 27pence.

i was just letting frustration out really, i know there is nothing more we do expect wait.

I did call the HO this morning, same response "your application is incomplete", but it means it's being dealt with; so hopefully the brown envelope will arrive soon.

I think the most annoying thing, is that there is no mechanism to track the progress of your application, and that when you ring up to speak with the Home Office they do not have access to the relevant databases. When my husband goes to my home country, he just shows his passport and gets the visa stuck inside in a couple of days, and this can be tracked online.

Before we got married, way back when, we had to apply for a certificate of approval, which the UKBA royally f***** up. When I applied for my two year ILR and permanant ILR my husband insisted we use the premium offices, because you got the decision on the same day. I wish you could use the premium service for citizenship applications!!!. That is why I used the NCS, because it would not be a good idea for them to have my passport for months, if something urgent happened and I would need to leave the country. I was told though at the NCS it would be 8 weeks before I received an acknowledgement from UKBA, while it was 3.5 weeks. This forum is probably making us think it should go even quicker.

This is true @27pence - no way to know the processing stage- STATUS.

Hi i have applied on the 3rd of January no approval yet. I think there is nothing to worry about as some of nov and dec applicant are still waiting.

No option to edit - booked ceremony
Eligibility criteria: 2 yrs + 3 yrs + 1 yr ILR
Language criteria met : LiUK+NARIC
Current nationality: Indian
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Hatfield
Date of application: 14-01-14
Payment method :Credit card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 15-01-14
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 28-01-14
Date of acknowledgment: 01/02/2014 (Dated 28-01-14)
Date approval received: 28/02/2014 (Dated 20/02/2014)
Date of ceremony: 05/03/2014 - Private

Update : Thanks be to God, got my approval, my timeline is as below. I have only received only one envelope from the HO regarding the approval. It also states to contact the home office to arrange ceremony, which I will do so tomorrow.

Big thank you to jotter, p2kin, trigger and tier_2_applicant for their time and effort in recording and updating everyone with stats . Thanks guys, much appreciated.

Eligibility criteria: 10yrs Long term residence+ 2 yr ILR
Language criteria met : UK Degree + LIfe in the UK
Method of application: NCS (OXford)
Date of application: 07/01/2014
Payment method: Credit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 09/01/2014 (DX Tracking)
Date of aknowlegment: TBA
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 27/01/2014 (Balance dropped)
Date approval received: 01/03/2014 (dated 21/02/2014)
Date of ceremony: TBA

Good luck to everyone who has applied and waiting.