UK Citizenship application timescale

Hi.

My Thai wife got her ILR a couple of years ago and now wants to apply for her UK citizenship and passport. We live in the UK and will apply here. We've lived in the UK for 10 years.

We are planning to go to Thailand in July for 2 months, so we're worried that if we apply in the next couple of months she will not have her Thai passport back in time to go to Thailand in July.

Do we need to send her Thai passport in for the application, and if so do they send it back before a decision is made, or do they keep it until the application is completed?

I believe it can take 6 months for a decision, and then the ceremony has to be booked within 3 months. Is this still correct and an accurate timescale?

TIA

MrMatt wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 29, 2024 3:34 pm

Do we need to send her Thai passport in for the application,

No.

MrMatt wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 29, 2024 3:34 pm

I believe it can take 6 months for a decision

Can be less, can be more. You can see the timelines thread - https://www.immigrationboards.com/natur ... 80616.html

meself2 wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 29, 2024 3:42 pm

MrMatt wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 29, 2024 3:34 pm

Do we need to send her Thai passport in for the application,

No.

MrMatt wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 29, 2024 3:34 pm

I believe it can take 6 months for a decision

Can be less, can be more. You can see the timelines thread - https://www.immigrationboards.com/natur ... 80616.html

So we don't send her Thai passport in for the application?

Do we upload a scan of it or something, or take it somewhere?

Thank you.

MrMatt wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 29, 2024 3:45 pm

So we don't send her Thai passport in for the application?

Yes, you don't send anything physical to HO for this.

You upload it during the process (or when biometrics are taken, if assisted service, I think?) - same as you've done for visa applications.

Correct - no originals are submitted. Note that travel is allowed during the process (it's not an immigration/visa application).
You scan all paperwork and load to the online system - do it yourself and it's free. Or you can opt for a chargeable scanning service done at the biometrics appointment.

Thanks guys.

I know we have to book the ceremony within 3 months of getting the decision, but is it always completely open for appointments in those 3 months, or does it depend on availability? Ie we might only be able to choose a few select dates within that 3 month window if they are busy?

The council knows the rules and 90 days limit. How often group ceremony dates are available are entirely up to each of the respecitve council's. Nothing to do with UKVI.

You could pay extra for a private ceremony once application is approved, if you wish to, and your council offers the service

Great. Thanks for the help guys. Really appreciate it.

MrMatt wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 29, 2024 3:54 pm

Thanks guys.

I know we have to book the ceremony within 3 months of getting the decision, but is it always completely open for appointments in those 3 months, or does it depend on availability? Ie we might only be able to choose a few select dates within that 3 month window if they are busy?

The schedule depends on the council, there may be only few dates available depending on how many ceremonies they can hold and how much demand they have. Some councils do one/two ceremonies a week.

I'm now in the process of uploading some documents to the TLS website.

We have booked an assisted appointment at the Biometrics office next week, so they will help my wife check and upload documents.

On the TSL website it says "Once your documents have been submitted you will not be able to upload any more documents yourself.", so I'm assuming that before my wife goes to the Biometrics appointment I must submit the uploaded documents?

But once I do click submit, can the assistant at the Biometrics still upload more documents for my wife's application, or does me uploading finalise it all?

I'm pretty sure I know the answer but definitely wanted to check, just in case.

TIA

You won't be able to upload any documents at the appointment unless you pay for the £50 service.

contorted_svy wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 02, 2025 8:42 am

You won't be able to upload any documents at the appointment unless you pay for the £50 service.

We have paid the extra £50 for the assisted service.

I've uploaded every page of both our passports, and my birth certificate. I will submit this now and they can scan the rest of the documents at the Biometrics office next week then.

Thanks for the help.

I would suggest you upload as much as possible at the appointment. Remember that the staff there isn't from UKVI and can't advise on what documents you need to upload.

Sorry - meant to type BEFORE the appointment, not at the appointment.