Record for longest time waited to reach a decision on naturalisation (multiple threads merged)

b44b5 · Post by **b44b5** » Thu Jan 25, 2024 11:53 am

Excerpted from [Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)] thread

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Mon Jan 15, 2024 10:49 am

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Mon Jan 08, 2024 5:43 pm

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Fri Dec 22, 2023 4:45 pm

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Wed Nov 29, 2023 11:47 am

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Sat Nov 25, 2023 7:24 pm

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Wed Nov 22, 2023 7:05 am

25/11/2023 - no reply from furthernationality. I am getting anxious.
29/11/2023 reply from caseworkflow

We aim to process all applications within 6 months from the date submitted. However, in certain circumstances this target is not possible. Following our assessment of your case, unfortunately it appears your application will not be processed within the 6-month target.

This is because your application raises exceptionally complex issues, and we require further time to consider your case thoroughly and reach a decision.

I have sent another email to further nationality on 14/12/2023. No reply yet.

No reply from Furthernationality yet

Sent them another email today asking for an update. 8/1/2024
Generic Reply 15/01/2024

Thank you for your correspondence requesting progress on your application for British citizenship. Please accept our apologies for the delay in replying.

I can confirm that your application is currently being processed, and decisions on applications are usually taken within six months from the application date.

I am sorry your application is taking longer than expected. As you may be aware, the approval of a British citizenship application is not an automatic process. We must make a number of enquiries to ensure that applicants satisfy statutory requirements of the British Nationality Act 1981 and the policy which governs decisions taking using this Act. Some enquiries can sometimes take longer than anticipated, and therefore some applications may take more than six months to decide.

Please be advised that your email has been forwarded to your case working team, who are aware that you have enquired about the progress of your current application. They will endeavor to conclude your application at the earliest opportunity once the enquiries have been completed and will contact you if any further information or documents are required to consider your application.

Please note that emails sent from the Nationality Casework teams could arrive at your email account and then may be redirected to your spam/junk email folder/s by your mailbox provider. You are advised to regularly check these folders for emails from your allocated caseworker/case working team.

Please be assured that, as soon as we can reach a decision, you will be notified accordingly.

Yours sincerely

I ve sent Furthernationality another email asking for an update - 25/01/2024. Not sure sending too many emails will be a good idea.

Congratulations to all who succeeded. It is quite disheartening not getting an approval decision yet while others have gotten it applying many months after me.
Makes me worried that my application is being denied.

b44b5 · Post by **b44b5** » Sun Mar 24, 2024 4:36 am

Dear all

I have applied for citizenship on the 26/06/2023. I ve haven't yet received an approval.
Emailed further nationality many times but got the same replay - it is not an automatic process etc

My ex-wife now has applied for divorce legally (13/3/2024). On the application of course we were still married therefore that's what I have put down on the application form.

I am a bit worried now this will derail my citizenship. Technically the divorce proceedings are still in the beginning.

Anyone with similar experience? Should I inform the UKVI about this change or wait until the divorce is finalised?

To note I have applied through EUSS (my ex-wife is European, I am not). I have Settled status since 6/2022.

Thanks in advance.

Post by **contorted_svy** » Sun Mar 24, 2024 7:25 am

Have you applied as spouse of a British citizen or in your own right? The reason I ask is that you seem to have waited for a year since your ILR, which would have made you eligible to apply in your own right under Section 6(1).

Your ILR rights under EUSS won't be affected either way so there is a bit of comfort to take in that, because your marriage was intact at the time.

As wife has only just applied for divorce, not finalised it, you are still technically married to a British citizen and at this stage I don't think it should affect your application though other members may have more to contribute to this side of the conversation.

As your application has been in the pipeline for a while you can follow the steps in this guide to chase it british-citizenship/6-months-plus-waiti ... 43483.html

b44b5 · Post by **b44b5** » Mon Apr 01, 2024 6:08 am

Thank you for your detailed reply.

I have tried all the known steps to chase my application
1. Emailed further nationality multiple times since passing the 6 months mark - generic responses
2. Made a complaint - not accepted
3. Emailed MP - no reply yet

It has been 9 months now......a term baby.

Post by **AmazonianX** » Mon Apr 01, 2024 7:05 am

b44b5 wrote: ↑
Mon Apr 01, 2024 6:08 am
Thank you for your detailed reply.

I have tried all the known steps to chase my application
1. Emailed further nationality multiple times since passing the 6 months mark - generic responses
2. Made a complaint - not accepted what do you mean by this???
3. Emailed MP - no reply yet

It has been 9 months now......a term baby.

Post by **contorted_svy** » Mon Apr 01, 2024 1:12 pm

b44b5 wrote: ↑
Mon Apr 01, 2024 6:08 am
Thank you for your detailed reply.

I have tried all the known steps to chase my application
1. Emailed further nationality multiple times since passing the 6 months mark - generic responses
2. Made a complaint - not accepted
3. Emailed MP - no reply yet

It has been 9 months now......a term baby.

You need to request a review of your complaint. A SAR could also reveal more useful information. If you review the thread I linked there are more steps you can try.

b44b5 · Post by **b44b5** » Thu Oct 10, 2024 8:58 am

Hi

I have applied for naturalization on the 26th of June 2023.
I have EU settled status from the 26th of June 2022. (Spouse)

I have emailed furthernationality many times to the point now they ignore my emails. Initially generic reply about process taking longer than intended.

I have asked MP who also recieved similar response.

I have applied for SARU back in August which also hasnt come through yet. I made a complaint about this and was supposed to have the disclosure 2 days ago and still not here.I have put another complaint about the further delay.

I have made several complaints to UKVI and these have been ignored too.

I am thinking now to make a complaint through iec@homeoffice.gov.uk

Is this recommended? Anyone has done this before?

Thank you

Post by **alterhase58** » Thu Oct 10, 2024 9:37 am

Have you followed all steps suggested in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=42&t=343483 ?
It seems you have but make sure you review the guidance on this.

Post by **contorted_svy** » Thu Oct 10, 2024 10:05 am

b44b5 wrote: ↑
Thu Oct 10, 2024 8:58 am
Hi

I have applied for naturalization on the 26th of June 2023.
I have EU settled status from the 26th of June 2022. (Spouse)

I have emailed furthernationality many times to the point now they ignore my emails. Initially generic reply about process taking longer than intended.

I have asked MP who also recieved similar response.

I have applied for SARU back in August which also hasnt come through yet. I made a complaint about this and was supposed to have the disclosure 2 days ago and still not here.I have put another complaint about the further delay.

I have made several complaints to UKVI and these have been ignored too.

I am thinking now to make a complaint through iec@homeoffice.gov.uk

Is this recommended? Anyone has done this before?

Thank you

You need to receive a response to your complaint, then ask for a review, and only when you receive the review you can escalate to the IEC. Suggest you email the current Undersecretary of the HO https://members.parliament.uk/member/4253/contact about this delay.

hiberdianThistle · Post by **hiberdianThistle** » Thu Jan 23, 2025 10:18 am

Hello,

I'm writing to ask if anyone has been in a similar situation to myself and if there's any advice (other than wait) that I can take on board.

Here's my situation:
- I applied for naturalisation in November 2023, and I am yet to hear back (as of Jan 23rd 2025).
- After 6 months, I received the auto generated email. I asked my MP to follow up, they received the same response.
- After 7 months, I raised a complaint, received the same templated response and then took it for review.
- After 8 months:
- I asked for a SAR. The information I received showed no pending checks.
- The response for the review of the complaint was not helpful.
- After 13 months: I raised it with the OIEC.
- Today: the OIEC said they raised my points with the HO, the HO rejected my points of the complaint and so the OIEC is taking it on board but there's a big shortage of investigators and the current wait is 10 months.

My own background:
- Came into this country legally 12 years ago (I was a child) and my family claimed asylum as they were political dissidents.
- 3 years after the asylum application, we were granted refugee status.
- 5 years later we applied for ILR.
- 1 year later we were granted ILR.
- 1 year later I applied for naturalisation.
- History:
- No criminal records.
- No points on driving license.
- No financial problems; never declared bankruptcy.
- Never been a member of an extremist organisation, group, etc.
- Graduated from top university, work in the city.
- Long-term partner is a British citizen.

My main question is what do I do next?
Due to the wait for citizenship, I had to reject work opportunities abroad due to employers not recognising the refugee travel document and other work opportunities in countries that do not allow holders of such documents to travel to it. Even in countries that recognise it (e.g. USA), work trips had to be cancelled as in the embassy they were suspicious of such a document.

lolo2 · Post by **lolo2** » Thu Jan 23, 2025 10:59 am

A member posted the steps they followed to get their citizenship approved after more than 10 months.

Check it out: https://www.immigrationboards.com/viewt ... p?t=346267

Post by **contorted_svy** » Thu Jan 23, 2025 11:11 am

hiberdianThistle wrote: ↑
Thu Jan 23, 2025 10:18 am
Hello,

I'm writing to ask if anyone has been in a similar situation to myself and if there's any advice (other than wait) that I can take on board.

Here's my situation:
- I applied for naturalisation in November 2023, and I am yet to hear back (as of Jan 23rd 2025).
- After 6 months, I received the auto generated email. I asked my MP to follow up, they received the same response.
- After 7 months, I raised a complaint, received the same templated response and then took it for review.
- After 8 months:
- I asked for a SAR. The information I received showed no pending checks.
- The response for the review of the complaint was not helpful.
- After 13 months: I raised it with the OIEC.
- Today: the OIEC said they raised my points with the HO, the HO rejected my points of the complaint and so the OIEC is taking it on board but there's a big shortage of investigators and the current wait is 10 months.

My own background:
- Came into this country legally 12 years ago (I was a child) and my family claimed asylum as they were political dissidents.
- 3 years after the asylum application, we were granted refugee status.
- 5 years later we applied for ILR.
- 1 year later we were granted ILR.
- 1 year later I applied for naturalisation.
- History:
- No criminal records.
- No points on driving license.
- No financial problems; never declared bankruptcy.
- Never been a member of an extremist organisation, group, etc.
- Graduated from top university, work in the city.
- Long-term partner is a British citizen.

My main question is what do I do next?
Due to the wait for citizenship, I had to reject work opportunities abroad due to employers not recognising the refugee travel document and other work opportunities in countries that do not allow holders of such documents to travel to it. Even in countries that recognise it (e.g. USA), work trips had to be cancelled as in the embassy they were suspicious of such a document.

You followed all the steps in the process - not many people manage to get their complaint escalated to the IEC (not a great record to hold, but one nonetheless).
Contact the HO secretary and the undersecretary of migration, with the full timeline and the toll it has taken on you (maybe be careful in mentioning you'd like to go abroad immediately after becoming a British citizen as it may not look good with the future intentions requirement).

Contacts:

https://members.parliament.uk/member/420/contact
https://members.parliament.uk/member/4253/contact

If a mod sees these contacts, could they please add them to the sticky with instructions on how to chase late applications.

hiberdianThistle · Post by **hiberdianThistle** » Thu Jan 23, 2025 11:28 am

Contact the HO secretary and the undersecretary of migration, with the full timeline and the toll it has taken on you (maybe be careful in mentioning you'd like to go abroad immediately after becoming a British citizen as it may not look good with the future intentions requirement).

Contacts:

https://members.parliament.uk/member/420/contact
https://members.parliament.uk/member/4253/contact

Thank you very much for the recommendation.

I have actually emailed both back in October (11 months wait).

The HO secretary never replied.

The undersecretary of migration responded with a forwarded reply from "Customer Operations Support Services" saying "At this time, I am unable to add anything further to our response of 30 September 2024".

As it has been some time, I should probably try emailing again.

Post by **contorted_svy** » Thu Jan 23, 2025 1:39 pm

You could also try requesting another updated SAR and attach it to your email.

hiberdianThistle · Post by **hiberdianThistle** » Thu Jan 23, 2025 2:21 pm

contorted_svy wrote: ↑
Thu Jan 23, 2025 1:39 pm
You could also try requesting another updated SAR and attach it to your email.

Just sent another one, thank you!

Will report back here in case of any updates.

Post by **contorted_svy** » Thu Jan 23, 2025 2:24 pm

Hopefully things move along - there aren't many cases that take this long, it's always unfortunate when they don't respond timely.

asimuk · Post by **asimuk** » Tue Mar 04, 2025 12:46 am

I am also in same situation and waiting since November 2023 and after so many emails not yet any good news.im totally frustrated due to this long wait.

b44b5 · Post by **b44b5** » Tue Mar 04, 2025 9:44 am

I have been waiting slightly longer than you , with almost identical story.

I have applied on the 23rd of June 2023.
Entered country legally in 2016 through TIER5 Visa, and then applied to family visa when wife arrived)
I have Settled status through EU scheme (Through wife , now ex wife and divorce still not finalised)
I am from Sudan (Thought alot if this could be the reason, perhaps checks with sudanese embassy taking longer? it wouldn't be unusual)

Have 3 points on my license which I declared (for speeding)

Multiple complaints raised - only to receive generic reply.
PM emailed them on two occasions - received generic reply.
Undersecretary emailed - never replied
SARU done - some bits are redacted (Is this the same for you too?) - no clear reason for delay.

I have lost faith in the complaint system PM or undersecretary.
I do not think there is anything we can do as they will always claim there are pending checks, and there is nothing we can do know what these checks are!

Post by **contorted_svy** » Tue Mar 04, 2025 10:15 am

If you received a response to any of your complaints you can ask for a review.

asimuk · Post by **asimuk** » Tue Mar 04, 2025 11:02 pm

i was divorced back 2018 and have my ilr 2021 and applied for passport 11 November still 2023 and also have 3 points which mentioned in application and have 3 more points which i later send them email and my DBS clear no issue still checks going on no idea what kind od checks .I recently received email for saru and it say my case with other person or organization and last further action was updated in November 2024 and after that nothing special.I have send them email again and lodge review against last appeal as well email my MP.
sadly its waiting game and recently i have child born outside of uk and due to this long process he is not eligible to apply passport.

b44b5 · Post by **b44b5** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 5:13 pm

My application was in 26/6/2023

I complained to the undersecretary of immigration and citizenship.

This is the response I got today.

Thank you for your email correspondence of 26 February 2025 to the Minister for Migration and Citizenship about your application for Nationality. Your enquiry has been passed to me to reply.

We are sorry that we have not been able to conclude you application within our Service Level Agreement.

We are progressing your application and do not seek to delay any consideration unnecessarily.

We will write to inform you of our decision at the earliest opportunity.

We believe we have addressed all the points you have raised. If you do have any further questions, please contact us at: www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk

To me this is a polite way of them saying "don't bother us we will get it done when we feel like it"

Post by **contorted_svy** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 5:30 pm

Have you received a response to any of your complaints?

b44b5 · Post by **b44b5** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 5:52 pm

Only generic responses .

I havent received any response to the many requests to review the complaints.

smaj99 · Post by **smaj99** » Fri Mar 28, 2025 11:42 pm

I am in a similar circumstance.
I applied in Feb. 2024
Received the automatic email by the sixth month saying the application cannot be completed within 6 months blah blah. Funny enough, it had someone else’s name but my reference number. I complained about that and they apologised.

I have sent series of emails on the 12 months of application (Feb 2025). I received the standard email that naturalisation is not automatic and all.
I plan to send another email on the 14 months of application.

Post by **contorted_svy** » Sat Mar 29, 2025 6:37 am

Did you lodge a complaint?

Immigrationboards.com: Immigration, work visa and work permit discussion board

Record for longest time waited to reach a decision on naturalisation (multiple threads merged)

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