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What happens if you miss ceremony
Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 10:25 am
by Xsibx
I have applied for naturalization in September and already have booked holidays for a whole month in December.
My question was what happens if i miss the ceremony/approval letter and only get it after i come back?
On a different scenario what if i attend the ceremony and don't apply for passport? Can i still use my indefinite card for traveling?
Re: What happens if you miss ceremony
Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 10:40 am
by Zerubbabel
You have 3 months from the approval to book the ceremony:
https://www.gov.uk/citizenship-ceremonies
As long as you are within the 3 months, you can book a ceremony. Otherwise, the council will return the certificate to the Home Office.
You are British the moment you sign the certificate not when you apply for a passport. I have a friend, born British, he never applied for passport but he is nonetheless British. The passport is a travel document.
Once you sign the British Citizenship certificate, you need to send your residence card back to the Home Office.
Now, on a side note, if you are mainly/mostly aboard and want to keep travelling with your current passport and permanent residence, why bother to apply for British Citizenship at all?
Re: What happens if you miss ceremony
Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 10:48 am
by Xsibx
Its a holidays after 2 years and its 28 days. Because my kids go to school i can only go during school holidays so we have to book in advance (paid in January) for this December holiday. Unfortunately now its somewhat overlapping with naturalization process but thank you for the information that i have 3 months to book the ceremony so even if i am away i can come and book it.
I was really stressed out about it. Thank you.
Re: What happens if you miss ceremony
Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 3:33 pm
by trueblue19
Xsibx wrote: ↑Sat Oct 12, 2019 10:48 am
Its a holidays after 2 years and its 28 days. Because my kids go to school i can only go during school holidays so we have to book in advance (paid in January) for this December holiday. Unfortunately now its somewhat overlapping with naturalization process but thank you for the information that i have 3 months to book the ceremony so even if i am away i can come and book it.
I was really stressed out about it. Thank you.
Sorry your understanding is incorrect. You DO NOT have 3 months to book the ceremony. You have 21 days to book the ceremony after receiving the approval. Once you call/write in to book, the ceremony can be anytime within the next 90 days (3 months). If I was you, I will call within 3 weeks of receiving the approval and then book a ceremony for a few weeks down the line.
Re: What happens if you miss ceremony
Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 4:38 pm
by CULLINAN
Zerubbabel wrote: ↑Sat Oct 12, 2019 10:40 am
You have 3 months from the approval to book the ceremony:
https://www.gov.uk/citizenship-ceremonies
As long as you are within the 3 months, you can book a ceremony. Otherwise, the council will return the certificate to the Home Office.
You are British the moment you sign the certificate not when you apply for a passport. I have a friend, born British, he never applied for passport but he is nonetheless British. The passport is a travel document.
Once you sign the British Citizenship certificate, you need to send your residence card back to the Home Office.
Now, on a side note, if you are mainly/mostly aboard and want to keep travelling with your current passport and permanent residence, why bother to apply for British Citizenship at all?
21 days to book.
90 days to attend.
Also, you dont sign the British Naturalisation Certificate.
Different council work in their own ways. Some send you an invitation letter automatically soon after they receive the paper work from HO.
Others, you will have to call and book.
In either case, you have to keep an eye that you book one within 21 days. Incase you get an automatic invitation date, you can always call back and request to re-schedule. As long you attend within 90 days of the approval, your fine.
Re: What happens if you miss ceremony
Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 6:06 pm
by aman90
Within 21 days of date of approval letter. The approval letter arrives at least a week later. So better to have someone responsible keeping a look out.