New citizenship form UKF

[PleasantThebest]

@mercuree have you come right with TLScontact?

[mercuree]

My timeline so far:

• Application sent: ~2 July 2018
• Application received/signed for at UKBA: ~4 July 2018
• Ceremony fee deducted: 18 July 2018
• Acknowledgement email received (with case number): 19 July 2018

• 28 July 2018 - Received biometrics letter
• 28 July 2018 - mailed TLSContact for appointment (as instructed in letter). No response.
• 2 Aug 2018 - mailed TLSContact for appointment (as instructed in letter). No response.

• 17 August biometrics appointment scheduled (finally!)
• 20 August biometrics submitted

[PleasantThebest]

My timeline so far:

• Application sent: ~2 July 2018
• Application received/signed for at UKBA: ~4 July 2018
• Ceremony fee deducted: 18 July 2018
• Acknowledgement email received (with case number): 19 July 2018

• 28 July 2018 - Received biometrics letter
• 28 July 2018 - mailed TLSContact for appointment (as instructed in letter). No response.
• 2 Aug 2018 - mailed TLSContact for appointment (as instructed in letter). No response.

• 17 August biometrics appointment scheduled (finally!)
• 20 August biometrics submitted

Glad to hear its sorted Guessing went all smoothly at the PE TLSContact office?

I'm still waiting for my biometrics instruction letter/email... I just pray it comes via email and doesn't get lost in the post or something

[mercuree]

Glad to hear its sorted Guessing went all smoothly at the PE TLSContact office?

I'm still waiting for my biometrics instruction letter/email... I just pray it comes via email and doesn't get lost in the post or something

Thanks. Yeah. Now just to wait and see if I have to sell a kidney to pay for a dna test.

It should come via email. All my correspondence so far came via mail.

Yeah it took like 17 mins to do the biometrics. Including checking in at security. Still amazes me that it takes 3 weeks to arrange that. And that they don't even afford one the courtesy of an acknowledgement of receipt. But I see that this is a problem with Teleperformance as a whole, not just in South Africa.

[PleasantThebest]

Glad to hear its sorted Guessing went all smoothly at the PE TLSContact office?

I'm still waiting for my biometrics instruction letter/email... I just pray it comes via email and doesn't get lost in the post or something

Thanks. Yeah. Now just to wait and see if I have to sell a kidney to pay for a dna test.

It should come via email. All my correspondence so far came via mail.

Yeah it took like 17 mins to do the biometrics. Including checking in at security. Still amazes me that it takes 3 weeks to arrange that. And that they don't even afford one the courtesy of an acknowledgement of receipt. But I see that this is a problem with Teleperformance as a whole, not just in South Africa.

Lol also hoping to avoid DNA test... hoping HO are fine with the vault birth certificate - that in itself took approximately 6 months for SA Home Affairs to get to me

[alanwar]

Hello all, first off, thank you all (especially CR001 and KasMac) for the advice and information in this forum and also to Antsmall for fighting to change the law that allows us to register. I have a few general questions about filling out the UKF form and would appreciate any advice or guidance. My father was born in Northern Ireland, UK in 1936 and I was born in USA in 1965.

What documents pertaining to my father do I need to send ? I do not have his passport and no chance to get it since he has been dead for many years. All I have is his birth certificate that clearly shows he was born in the UK in 1936. Should I send his death certificate ?

I read in an earlier post by keji that someone was told that UKF was not the correct option as that person's parents' surnames were the same on their birth certificate and were thus presumed to be married. I am in a similar situation where my mother did not marry my father but did legally change her surname to my father's and so on my birth certificate it shows both parents with the same surname. If I write a note explaining this, will this be sufficient ? Will I need to find a legal document showing my mother's name change ?

In the guide, there is a section named "The requirements you have to meet and the citizenship you will acquire if your application is successful" and it lists 4 requirements, the fourth being "the Secretary of State is satisfied that you are of good character". Below it says "You can meet the fourth requirement above if". Does this mean that I will not need to prove good character since I would meet "You never acquired British subject or CUKC status, but would have automatically done so had your parents been married at the time of your birth (Section 4I of the British Nationality Act 1981)." as my father was born in the UK and I was born before 1983 ? This is very confusing to me.

Do I need to fill in grandparents' information (1.24 - 1.41) if my father was born in the UK and I have his birth certificate showing this ? All I know about them are their names.

Thank you again. Once I start my UKF journey I will be sure to post my experiences.

Yes include documents showing that your mother changed her surname and you can just include covering letter that she never married your Dad, include his Birth certificate , would it be possible to obtain a letter from your local registrar office that can confirm that your Mom has "unmarried " status which would help . These applications are processed at the discretion of Home Secretary if you have a criminal record ( and you have to declare it in the form) then they will decide if they want to award your citizenship to you , the 3 main criteria for UKF registrations are:

• Born before 2006

• Parents not married at the time of your birth

• British born/registered/naturalised Father - naturalisation or registration should have taken place before your birth

hello,
believe me the said friend of mine has not being registered yet as every correspondence came back upholding the caseworker"s decision. so am really interested in how yours will go,as the ukf team considered her parents married and therefore not qualified for ukf registration

Thank you for the update Keji. I have got the name change documents for my mother and am hoping that a photocopy of them and a letter will be sufficient to avoid the same issue. I will be applying at the beginning of September and will update the forum with my progress.

It doesn't make any sense to me that they would not take your friend's word on this given the fact that the UKF route is more difficult than just getting the passport. Perhaps the goal is to limit the number of people approved for citizenship by whatever means; the economist had an article about this and mentioned unofficial quotas and that the good character requirement was being used to deny citizenship to "serial polygamists".

[pinoy_possum]

Hi Guys,

I hope you are well. I would to seek you advise regarding my brothers UKF application
He is currently living and working in Macau at the moment and is planning to launch his application from Macau.

The problem is, Macau do not have (from what we understand) a bio metric facility where he can enroll his bio metrics. The nearest bio metric facility is located in Hong Kong. The UKF guide explains that he needs to submit his actual non British passport to the Home Office/UKVI team as part of his supporting documents.

In order for him to travel from Macau to Hong Kong and eventually enroll his bio metrics, he will be needing his passport. Is there a way to request to Home Office/UKVI for his passport to be returned early? or if you have any suggestions or recommendations, it would be greatly appreciated

Many Thanks!

[Kuks]

Hi Guys,

I hope you are well. I would to seek you advise regarding my brothers UKF application
He is currently living and working in Macau at the moment and is planning to launch his application from Macau.

The problem is, Macau do not have (from what we understand) a bio metric facility where he can enroll his bio metrics. The nearest bio metric facility is located in Hong Kong. The UKF guide explains that he needs to submit his actual non British passport to the Home Office/UKVI team as part of his supporting documents.

In order for him to travel from Macau to Hong Kong and eventually enroll his bio metrics, he will be needing his passport. Is there a way to request to Home Office/UKVI for his passport to be returned early? or if you have any suggestions or recommendations, it would be greatly appreciated

Many Thanks!

Hi Pinoy_possum,

So submitted my application last week and I had the same question as I wasn't sure whether we have/had a TLC office here because I had never heard of it. So I called the home office and they gave me this e-mail to contact. So I'm waiting for a reply which will take 10 business days. So I would suggest contacting them as well and I'm sure they will be able to help you.

nationalitybiometricsoverseas@homeoffice.gov.uk

[nlworth]

@nlworth, great news getting the biometrics. Did you get back your original documents (passport, etc) with the biometrics letter ?

Sorry for the late response I only just saw this! And i did get my documents back because I am living in the UK at the moment they have a section on their home office website where you can request documents back (such as passports etc you send). I submitted a request to have the documents returned and received all of them in the mail within 5 days which is great.
They also came with a letter saying that because a decision is still pending they can request them back at any time however.

[pinoy_possum]

@Kuks - Thank you for your suggestion, greatly appreciated. I have sent an email to the Nationality Biometrics Overseas team, just awaiting reply from them

@nlworth - Would you be able to advise what section of the website or like a link maybe where you can request for your documents to be returned early? we are considering that option too

Thanks all for your support!

[Kuks]

@Kuks - Thank you for your suggestion, greatly appreciated. I have sent an email to the Nationality Biometrics Overseas team, just awaiting reply from them

@nlworth - Would you be able to advise what section of the website or like a link maybe where you can request for your documents to be returned early? we are considering that option too

Thanks all for your support!

@pinoy,possum You're welcome. I hope everything works out!

[KasMac]

Here is a little update from us

We have applied for our sons citizenship , he was born in the UK in June 2006 (4 weeks before the law was changes) but at the time he wasn't eligible for his British Citizenship due to us not being married, at the time he was registered and lived there with us on his EU passport ( through myself) well all is done now and we are awaiting his registration certificate back so we can apply for his British Passport ( he is a minor so doesn't require citizenship ceremony)

07 march sent via courier from Durban ( South Africa)
13 march delivered and signed for
27 March email acknowledging application received
26 march biometric letter sent*not received*
15 may email sent to UKVI requesting an update
18 may reply received +new biometric letter attached
28 may biometrics submitted in Durban TLS
14 August British Citizenship Granted

thank you for all the support in the group and good luck to those who are still waiting

[PleasantThebest]

Here is a little update from us

We have applied for our sons citizenship , he was born in the UK in June 2006 (4 weeks before the law was changes) but at the time he wasn't eligible for his British Citizenship due to us not being married, at the time he was registered and lived there with us on his EU passport ( through myself) well all is done now and we are awaiting his registration certificate back so we can apply for his British Passport ( he is a minor so doesn't require citizenship ceremony)

07 march sent via courier from Durban ( South Africa)
13 march delivered and signed for
27 March email acknowledging application received
26 march biometric letter sent*not received*
15 may email sent to UKVI requesting an update
18 may reply received +new biometric letter attached
28 may biometrics submitted in Durban TLS
14 August British Citizenship Granted

thank you for all the support in the group and good luck to those who are still waiting

I submitted my application online on 5 Aug (received automated acknowledgment with case no on 6th) and they received my docs on 9 Aug. Still nothing from UKVI re. biometrics. Think its worth asking for an update or am i being hasty? Also what UKVI email address did you contact to find out about biometrics?

[KasMac]

Here is a little update from us

We have applied for our sons citizenship , he was born in the UK in June 2006 (4 weeks before the law was changes) but at the time he wasn't eligible for his British Citizenship due to us not being married, at the time he was registered and lived there with us on his EU passport ( through myself) well all is done now and we are awaiting his registration certificate back so we can apply for his British Passport ( he is a minor so doesn't require citizenship ceremony)

07 march sent via courier from Durban ( South Africa)
13 march delivered and signed for
27 March email acknowledging application received
26 march biometric letter sent*not received*
15 may email sent to UKVI requesting an update
18 may reply received +new biometric letter attached
28 may biometrics submitted in Durban TLS
14 August British Citizenship Granted

thank you for all the support in the group and good luck to those who are still waiting

I submitted my application online on 5 Aug (received automated acknowledgment with case no on 6th) and they received my docs on 9 Aug. Still nothing from UKVI re. biometrics. Think its worth asking for an update or am i being hasty? Also what UKVI email address did you contact to find out about biometrics?

Apparently they are snowed under with applications and i know of some people who have waited 2-4 weeks for email with acknowledgement, biometrics letters is normally sent on the day as acknowledgement , when you email them to ask for an update you ned to include their own UKVI reference number and without that asking for an update may not give you the result you are hoping for but you can certainly try and the address is NationalityBiometrics@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk , good luck

[KasMac]

Here is a little update from us

We have applied for our sons citizenship , he was born in the UK in June 2006 (4 weeks before the law was changes) but at the time he wasn't eligible for his British Citizenship due to us not being married, at the time he was registered and lived there with us on his EU passport ( through myself) well all is done now and we are awaiting his registration certificate back so we can apply for his British Passport ( he is a minor so doesn't require citizenship ceremony)

07 march sent via courier from Durban ( South Africa)
13 march delivered and signed for
27 March email acknowledging application received
26 march biometric letter sent*not received*
15 may email sent to UKVI requesting an update
18 may reply received +new biometric letter attached
28 may biometrics submitted in Durban TLS
14 August British Citizenship Granted

thank you for all the support in the group and good luck to those who are still waiting

I submitted my application online on 5 Aug (received automated acknowledgment with case no on 6th) and they received my docs on 9 Aug. Still nothing from UKVI re. biometrics. Think its worth asking for an update or am i being hasty? Also what UKVI email address did you contact to find out about biometrics?

Apparently they are snowed under with applications and i know of some people who have waited 2-4 weeks for email with acknowledgement, biometrics letters is normally sent on the day as acknowledgement , You can email them and request electronic copy of biometrics letter NationalityBiometrics@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk , it has taken them some for them to reply to our email. Good luck

[KasMac]

Here is a little update from us

We have applied for our sons citizenship , he was born in the UK in June 2006 (4 weeks before the law was changes) but at the time he wasn't eligible for his British Citizenship due to us not being married, at the time he was registered and lived there with us on his EU passport ( through myself) well all is done now and we are awaiting his registration certificate back so we can apply for his British Passport ( he is a minor so doesn't require citizenship ceremony)

07 march sent via courier from Durban ( South Africa)
13 march delivered and signed for
27 March email acknowledging application received
26 march biometric letter sent*not received*
15 may email sent to UKVI requesting an update
18 may reply received +new biometric letter attached
28 may biometrics submitted in Durban TLS
14 August British Citizenship Granted

thank you for all the support in the group and good luck to those who are still waiting

I submitted my application online on 5 Aug (received automated acknowledgment with case no on 6th) and they received my docs on 9 Aug. Still nothing from UKVI re. biometrics. Think its worth asking for an update or am i being hasty? Also what UKVI email address did you contact to find out about biometrics?

Apparently they are snowed under with applications , biometrics letters is normally sent on the day as acknowledgement , You can email them and request electronic copy of biometrics letter , ours was sent to SA in march..we still haven't received hence the email with update request, they were very helpful and had no problem issuing another letter and forwarding it via email , the address we have used is "NationalityBiometrics@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk" , it has taken them some for them to reply to our email. Good luck

[PleasantThebest]

Apparently they are snowed under with applications , biometrics letters is normally sent on the day as acknowledgement , You can email them and request electronic copy of biometrics letter , ours was sent to SA in march..we still haven't received hence the email with update request, they were very helpful and had no problem issuing another letter and forwarding it via email , the address we have used is "NationalityBiometrics@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk" , it has taken them some for them to reply to our email. Good luck

Thanks, will give it a go. Assuming you just quoted your case number and explained that you never received any instructions re. biometrics?

[KasMac]

Apparently they are snowed under with applications , biometrics letters is normally sent on the day as acknowledgement , You can email them and request electronic copy of biometrics letter , ours was sent to SA in march..we still haven't received hence the email with update request, they were very helpful and had no problem issuing another letter and forwarding it via email , the address we have used is "NationalityBiometrics@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk" , it has taken them some for them to reply to our email. Good luck

Thanks, will give it a go. Assuming you just quoted your case number and explained that you never received any instructions re. biometrics?

this is what i wrote to UKVI ( i have changed all personal details)



Good afternoon,


This email is in regard to my son’s British citizenship application.

We have submitted it via post to Liverpool from south Africa and received an email confirming application on 01 January 2018 ( i


My son’s details

Johny Smith

DOB 01 January 2006

REF ******** ( insert your UKVI reference from acknowledgement letter)


We have received acknowledgement letter and no further communication since then.I am concerned we may miss the letter requesting biometrics enrolment which will then put the application in jeopardy.

Is it possible to please have the biometric letter forwarded to my email address blablabla@google.com( fake email-instert your address) which is the same email address we have used as contact email in the application for UKF citizenship

We are based in South Africa
Please may I request an update about this application as I am very concerned with the lack of communication.


Regards

Jaine Smith
Applicants Mother

[PleasantThebest]

Apparently they are snowed under with applications , biometrics letters is normally sent on the day as acknowledgement , You can email them and request electronic copy of biometrics letter , ours was sent to SA in march..we still haven't received hence the email with update request, they were very helpful and had no problem issuing another letter and forwarding it via email , the address we have used is "NationalityBiometrics@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk" , it has taken them some for them to reply to our email. Good luck

Thanks, will give it a go. Assuming you just quoted your case number and explained that you never received any instructions re. biometrics?

this is what i wrote to UKVI ( i have changed all personal details)



Good afternoon,


This email is in regard to my son’s British citizenship application.

We have submitted it via post to Liverpool from south Africa and received an email confirming application on 01 January 2018 ( i


My son’s details

Johny Smith

DOB 01 January 2006

REF ******** ( insert your UKVI reference from acknowledgement letter)


We have received acknowledgement letter and no further communication since then.I am concerned we may miss the letter requesting biometrics enrolment which will then put the application in jeopardy.

Is it possible to please have the biometric letter forwarded to my email address blablabla@google.com( bad quality email-instert your address) which is the same email address we have used as contact email in the application for UKF citizenship

We are based in South Africa
Please may I request an update about this application as I am very concerned with the lack of communication.


Regards

Jaine Smith
Applicants Mother

Thanks. Basically said something similar to above. Did your son's approval letter come in the post? I'm just worried about the shocking postal system in SA..

[KasMac]

Thanks. Basically said something similar to above. Did your son's approval letter come in the post? I'm just worried about the shocking postal system in SA..

we are waiting for it .... he is getting his actual registration certificate as he is under 18 and doesn't need ceremony, they sent it out on 14th of August. If you are over 18 you will be notified by British High Commission when your citizenship ceremony is going to happen and only then you will receive your registration certificate

[Giacomo378]

Hi all!

I've submitted my application with the NCS service and I wanted to update you.

I've been at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on August 15, and, despite what's written on the website, they were indeed able to give advice on the application. In fact, we went through all the application, talked about my doubts, agreed on what to write down on the parts I'd left blank; they even called the Home Office cause at first they thought I might already be a british citizen and then decided that in any case it was worth sending the application. All went smooth, they gave me the receipt and on August 20 I received my enrolment letter. On August 21 I then received the aknowledgment letter, and the following day another automatic aknowledgment of my application.

All the abovementioned communications occured via email and not via post. The £80 fee was deducted on August 20.

I've submitted my biometrics on August 30 through a post office.

Now all I have to do is wait I guess.

Hope this will be of any help.

[KasMac]

Hi all!

I've submitted my application with the NCS service and I wanted to update you.

I've been at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on August 15, and, despite what's written on the website, they were indeed able to give advice on the application. In fact, we went through all the application, talked about my doubts, agreed on what to write down on the parts I'd left blank; they even called the Home Office cause at first they thought I might already be a british citizen and then decided that in any case it was worth sending the application. All went smooth, they gave me the receipt and on August 20 I received my enrolment letter. On August 21 I then received the aknowledgment letter, and the following day another automatic aknowledgment of my application.

All the abovementioned communications occured via email and not via post. The £80 fee was deducted on August 20.

I've submitted my biometrics on August 30 through a post office.

Now all I have to do is wait I guess.

Hope this will be of any help.

wow ! awesome , thanks for the update

[mercuree]

Here is a little update from us

We have applied for our sons citizenship , he was born in the UK in June 2006 (4 weeks before the law was changes) but at the time he wasn't eligible for his British Citizenship due to us not being married, at the time he was registered and lived there with us on his EU passport ( through myself) well all is done now and we are awaiting his registration certificate back so we can apply for his British Passport ( he is a minor so doesn't require citizenship ceremony)

07 march sent via courier from Durban ( South Africa)
13 march delivered and signed for
27 March email acknowledging application received
26 march biometric letter sent*not received*
15 may email sent to UKVI requesting an update
18 may reply received +new biometric letter attached
28 may biometrics submitted in Durban TLS
14 August British Citizenship Granted

thank you for all the support in the group and good luck to those who are still waiting

That is great news @KasMac! I am glad it was granted. Was gonna ask about the ceremony but I see this was not necessary in your case.

[KasMac]

Here is a little update from us

We have applied for our sons citizenship , he was born in the UK in June 2006 (4 weeks before the law was changes) but at the time he wasn't eligible for his British Citizenship due to us not being married, at the time he was registered and lived there with us on his EU passport ( through myself) well all is done now and we are awaiting his registration certificate back so we can apply for his British Passport ( he is a minor so doesn't require citizenship ceremony)

07 march sent via courier from Durban ( South Africa)
13 march delivered and signed for
27 March email acknowledging application received
26 march biometric letter sent*not received*
15 may email sent to UKVI requesting an update
18 may reply received +new biometric letter attached
28 may biometrics submitted in Durban TLS
14 August British Citizenship Granted

thank you for all the support in the group and good luck to those who are still waiting

That is great news @KasMac! I am glad it was granted. Was gonna ask about the ceremony but I see this was not necessary in your case.

just got an email from Our caseworker , the certificate was sent 1st Class Royal Mail and was told it can take up to 8 weeks to receive it .....

[PleasantThebest]

just got an email from Our caseworker , the certificate was sent 1st Class Royal Mail and was told it can take up to 8 weeks to receive it .....

Nice. Probably 1 week for it to leave the UK, then another 7 weeks to get out of the Johannesburg mail sorting office