Immigrationboards.com

• I applied for naturalisation around 6 months ago.
• Biometrics were done 3 days after submission.
• I recently received my SAR.
• From the SAR, I can see that all checks and casework actions (PNC, biometrics, SARU identity check, US biometric match, etc.) were completed within 48 hours of my biometric appointment.
• Since then, there’s been no caseworker activity logged at all apart from one redacted entry. The only other updates after October are system entries showing that my follow-up emails were logged by the Central Correspondence Team with notes like “no response needed – within SLA”.
• There’s no clear sign the case was ever assigned to a caseworker. Of course, I don’t want to accuse anyone of neglect, but it’s hard not to worry something has gone wrong or that the case has been left unattended.

1. At the 6-month point, should I send everything at once (MP, complaint, final follow-up email)? Or is it better to stagger them, and if so, in what order?
2. What’s the best tone or structure to avoid triggering just another generic reply? I’m not trying to make accusations, but I also don’t want to be ignored again. It’s clear to me that someone probably needs to unblock the case internally, but I don’t know how to say that without sounding accusatory. (There’s a chance that there are things happening behind the scenes that aren’t visible in the SAR, so I want to be both safe and effective.)
3. Has anyone here used wording that actually led to a real review? Not just another template reply?
4. Would the following points be safe or smart to include?
   
   • Mention that I received my SAR and saw that nothing has moved since the first week.
   • Acknowledge that enquiries can take time, but that I understand they can be chased or re-submitted.
   • Request internal review and ask if the case can be flagged for priority handling.
   • Avoid saying “no caseworker assigned,” but hint at the long silence (based on SAR event logs) without sounding aggressive.

tanha_rixby wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:21 pm

Hi all,

I need advice on how to write to the Home Office, MP, and complaint teams without triggering a generic response or a defensive reaction. I feel like I’ve got one good shot to do this properly at the 6-month point, before needing to wait again.

Context:

• I applied for naturalisation around 6 months ago.
• Biometrics were done 3 days after submission.
• I recently received my SAR.
• From the SAR, I can see that all checks and casework actions (PNC, biometrics, SARU identity check, US biometric match, etc.) were completed within 48 hours of my biometric appointment.
• Since then, there’s been no caseworker activity logged at all — apart from one redacted entry. The only other updates after October are system entries showing that my follow-up emails were logged by the Central Correspondence Team with notes like “no response needed – within SLA”.
• There’s no clear sign the case was ever assigned to a caseworker. Of course, I don’t want to accuse anyone of neglect, but it’s hard not to worry something has gone wrong or that the case has been left unattended.

The last two times I emailed, I got the same copy-paste reply: “enquiries are pending...” (once in February, once two weeks ago). From what I’ve seen on here, that seems to be the standard response — even after 6 months.

My questions:

1. At the 6-month point, should I send everything at once (MP, complaint, final follow-up email)? Or is it better to stagger them — and if so, in what order? Any order you want. It makes no difference. Your MP will get the same generic reply.
2. What’s the best tone/structure to avoid triggering just another generic reply? We have no idea. People usually do get the same template replies. No magic formula here. I’m not trying to make accusations, but I also don’t want to be ignored again. It’s clear to me that someone probably needs to unblock the case internally, but I don’t know how to say that without sounding accusatory. (There’s a chance that there are things happening behind the scenes that aren’t visible in the SAR — so I want to be both safe and effective.)
3. Has anyone here used wording that actually led to a real review? Not just another template reply?
4. Would the following points be safe/smart to include?
   
   • Mention that I received my SAR and saw that nothing has moved since the first week. This is a fact, you can mention it.
   • Acknowledge that enquiries can take time, but that I understand they can be chased or re-submitted.
   • Request internal review and ask if the case can be flagged for priority handling. This won't be possible.
   • Avoid saying “no caseworker assigned,” but hint at the long silence (based on SAR event logs) without sounding aggressive. Just attach the SAR and ask if a caseworker has been assigned.

I really don’t want to get flagged as “difficult,” or have this somehow backfire. But I also don’t want to let things drag on for another few months in silence. This won't backfire but no guarantee it will avoid things dragging. If we had a magic solution people wouldn't keep waiting.

If anyone has any advice (especially those who’ve had movement after 6+ months), I’d be super grateful.

Thanks so much.

contorted_svy wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:26 pm

• Avoid saying “no caseworker assigned,” but hint at the long silence (based on SAR event logs) without sounding aggressive. Just attach the SAR and ask if a caseworker has been assigned.

secret.simon wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 26, 2025 11:45 am

What would the basis of any Pre-Action Protocol be?
...

• I have already read the great guide by contorted_svy which mentions steps 1-5.
• I have also read solicitor link removed by moderator this blog by a solicitor[/url] who CLAIM one could escalate to PaP and the court (steps 6 and 7)

secret.simon wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 26, 2025 11:45 am

You do not have a legal right for the decision to come through in six months. It is a Home Office aspiration, not a legal deadline.

lolo2 wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 26, 2025 1:01 pm

secret.simon wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 26, 2025 11:45 am

You do not have a legal right for the decision to come through in six months. It is a Home Office aspiration, not a legal deadline.

Starting all these actions before the given time will not speed up the process. If there is any issue with the application, the Home Office always contact the applicant.

I fully understand that these waiting periods can be a bit daunting - I have been myself in a similar situation more than once during my immigration journey - but I don't think it's necessary to start chasing them earlier, not following the Home Office instructions....

tanha_rixby wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 26, 2025 3:54 pm

lolo2 wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 26, 2025 1:01 pm

secret.simon wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 26, 2025 11:45 am

You do not have a legal right for the decision to come through in six months. It is a Home Office aspiration, not a legal deadline.

Starting all these actions before the given time will not speed up the process. If there is any issue with the application, the Home Office always contact the applicant.

I fully understand that these waiting periods can be a bit daunting - I have been myself in a similar situation more than once during my immigration journey - but I don't think it's necessary to start chasing them earlier, not following the Home Office instructions....

I think there might be a misunderstanding.
Just to clarify:

The Home Office has formally confirmed in writing a few days ago that my case will not be decided within 6 months. And now my 6-month point has already fully passed.

So, with respect, I’m a bit confused — are you suggesting I shouldn't even file a complaint after 6 months have passed? you can file a complaint. But it doesn't guarantee it will speed up the decision.
Filing a complaint now seems like the normal and reasonable step to take.

My real question is simply:
Should I write the complaint myself (Step 2) — or would hiring a solicitor to help draft it make any real difference at this stage? It wouldn't. You are free to spend your money however you want.

I'm not asking about PAP yet. I'm not escalating aggressively.
I'm just trying to get the complaint stage right and wondering if getting professional help now could improve my chances later if escalation becomes necessary. You can do however you please. Using a solicitor is recommended for particularly tricky cases that eg may require discretion. If yours isn't you risk spending money on something unnecessary. You can always appoint a solicitor later. Unless you are rude or demanding, the wording you use in any communication with UKVI is unlikely to make a wolrd of difference to the outcome of your application or the time that UKVI will take to process it.

Thanks again for any advice!

contorted_svy wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 27, 2025 7:31 pm

Unless you are rude or demanding, the wording you use in any communication with UKVI is unlikely to make a wolrd of difference to the outcome of your application or the time that UKVI will take to process it.

tanha_rixby wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 28, 2025 8:41 pm

contorted_svy wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 27, 2025 7:31 pm

Unless you are rude or demanding, the wording you use in any communication with UKVI is unlikely to make a wolrd of difference to the outcome of your application or the time that UKVI will take to process it.

Just trying to fully understand your point properly...

I have already filed the complaint (which is a one-off) and contacted my MP (who doesn't seem to care), but I can still keep sending follow-up emails directly to the Home Office. As we know, most emails tend to get ignored.

I was wondering: how frequently can I re-send follow-up emails before it risks being seen as “rude or demanding”?

On one hand, most emails seem to be ignored (based on my experience), so it feels logical to follow up regularly. On the other hand, from my SAR, I can see that some emails are logged into the system, so too much contact might possibly look bad (is that the kind of thing you meant by "rude"?).

Worth saying that I revise and slightly adjust my emails each time, so it is not just a copy-paste repeat, but the core message remains the same.

Would you say once every few days (like every 3 to 5 days) is still fine? Or would it be better to leave a longer gap between emails now that the 6-month deadline has passed?

I am not asking whether it would "work" or change anything, more about your gut feeling from experience on whether this could hurt my case or be logged negatively if I email too often. Even if it does not help, it gives some peace of mind that I am doing my part, but I do not want to cause unnecessary problems.

Also, when sending such emails, would you recommend circulating between different Home Office addresses (like citizenship.support, furthernationalityenquiries, fmt, etc.), or just emailing all of them together each time?

Thanks again, really appreciate your advice and experience.

Please note that you are permitted to travel during the application process, and you should inform us of any dates you will be outside the UK.

• Should I reply to that message now and tell them I was abroad in December?
• Or wait and only mention it if/when a caseworker gets in touch?
• Or just ignore it unless it comes up again?