UKM application experience and timeline

[Faircape]

Hi Ballet,
Could you maybe advise what supporting documents were required to be submitted to Durham after making your online application, also were originals required?

Many thanks

[Ballet]

I sent in:
The registration certificate that I got at the ceremony (original)
A letter from my employer confirming my residential address (our utility accounts are not in my name)
A colour photocopy of my ID card (front and back on one page)
A colour photocopy of every page of my SA passport including the cover

That was it, no covering letter or application form. The address you are given includes your unique PEX number so that is how they connect your documents to your online application.

Hi Ballet,
Could you maybe advise what supporting documents were required to be submitted to Durham after making your online application, also were originals required?

Many thanks

[Rabbit123]

Congratulations! Enjoy your upcoming trip!

So you didn’t send your original passport? That’s interesting. I thought we have to... good to know it works with foto copies.

The process is finally finished.

My passport and supporting documents have been delivered.

Eligibility criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South African
Applying from: South Africa
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 8 March 2019
Payment method: Credit card (8 March 2019)
Date of acknowledgement email: 11 March 2019
Documents sent by courier: 11 March 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI (DHL tracking): 14 March 2019
Date of biometric appt invitation email: 4 June 2019
Date of biometrics appt confirmation email: 5 June 2019
Biometrics done: 6 June 2019
Application to retain SA citizenship: 14 June 2019
SA citizenship retention granted by DHA: 12 July 2019
Email from Nationality Courier Service: 26 July 2019
Date of UK citizenship approval: 26 July 2019
Received original documents back (regular post): 31 July 2019
Invitation email for the oath ceremony: 10 September 2019
Date of ceremony: 9 October 2019

Date applied for passport: 9 October 2019
Supporting documents sent: 10 October 2019
Passport Application received in Durham: 9 October 2019 (online confirmation) and 14 October 2019 (documents received)
Passport Marked Dispatched: 29 October 2019
Date passport received: 5 November 2019

[Rabbit123]

I had my ceremony today and am finally a British citizen. I decided my journey is over for now as I am not going to apply for my passport straight away. I don’t need a visa to travel to the UK, so I can take my time.

Thank you all for your input to this forum. It has helped me a lot. I might still be waiting for my biometrics email without it.
For everyone still waiting for the end of the tunnel: you will get there eventually! All the best for your journey.

[Ballet]

I think that if you have a passport that is not for the country that you live in then you need to send in the original passport. The only original document that I sent was the registration certificate.

I travel too frequently to send my passport in. I haven’t even seen my British passport yet as I’m currently in Europe; the last time I will be using a Schengen visa!

Congratulations! Enjoy your upcoming trip!

So you didn’t send your original passport? That’s interesting. I thought we have to... good to know it works with foto copies.

The process is finally finished.

My passport and supporting documents have been delivered.

Eligibility criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South African
Applying from: South Africa
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 8 March 2019
Payment method: Credit card (8 March 2019)
Date of acknowledgement email: 11 March 2019
Documents sent by courier: 11 March 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI (DHL tracking): 14 March 2019
Date of biometric appt invitation email: 4 June 2019
Date of biometrics appt confirmation email: 5 June 2019
Biometrics done: 6 June 2019
Application to retain SA citizenship: 14 June 2019
SA citizenship retention granted by DHA: 12 July 2019
Email from Nationality Courier Service: 26 July 2019
Date of UK citizenship approval: 26 July 2019
Received original documents back (regular post): 31 July 2019
Invitation email for the oath ceremony: 10 September 2019
Date of ceremony: 9 October 2019

Date applied for passport: 9 October 2019
Supporting documents sent: 10 October 2019
Passport Application received in Durham: 9 October 2019 (online confirmation) and 14 October 2019 (documents received)
Passport Marked Dispatched: 29 October 2019
Date passport received: 5 November 2019

[Faircape]

Hi Ballet,
you indicated that you sent copies of your current RSA and ID as documents for your passport application , did you have these certified in any way?

[Ballet]

Hi Faircape

No, nothing was certified in any way. I colour copied them and popped them into the DHL envelope. They arrived back here in the same condition.

I returned from Europe yesterday and saw my brand new British passport for the first time. Now it is real! It says “British Citizen” on it and that is magical. It goes on it’s first adventure to Europe this coming week.

Hi Ballet,
you indicated that you sent copies of your current RSA and ID as documents for your passport application , did you have these certified in any way?

[Bdelrizzo]

Hi, I was wondering what you meant by "date of Biometrics approval?" I had mine done in Toronto in early September and haven't heard a peep since.

They said they submit them electronically and that there was nothing else I needed to do. So I'm wondering if you (or others) received some sort of confirmation or follow up after that was completed?

Thanks in advance,

Hi,
At last!!
Patience has been worthwhile, I received my invitation to the Ceremony scheduled for 2 weeks time .

I am sure JKProperties will be just around the corner

All in all from the date of my online application to the date of citizenship ceremony will 6months and 13 days.
Eligibility criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South African
Applying from: South Africa
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 02 May 2019
Payment method: Credit card ( 06 May 2019)
Date of acknowledgement : 07 May 2019
Documents sent by courier : 15 May 2019 (Apostille copies – not originals or vault copies)
Date of receipt by UKVI (DHL notified) : 17 May 2019
Application to retain SA citizenship: 25 July 2019
SA citizenship retention granted by DHA: 21 Aug 2019
Email from Nationality Courier Service : 22 Aug 2019
Date of biometrics appt confirmation: 23 Aug 2019
Biometrics done: 26 Aug 2019
Date of Biometrics approval: 30 Aug 2019
Date of Invitation to Ceremony : 30 Oct 2019
Date of ceremony: 15 Nov 2019

[Faircape]

Hi,

yes I did receive an e-mail confirming approval of my biometrics. - the time lapse was only 4 days from the date that biometrics were done, however I see that some had to wait up to 90 days before approval , the e-mail read as follows :-

I can confirm that your application has been successful .
Yes, that’s absolutely fine, I will returned your documents to your daughters address they will arrive in the next few days

Maybe try contacting the following to try speeding up things.

'NationalitySupportTeamFMT@homeoffice.gov.uk'

Good luck.

[Belle1207]

I also did my biometrics in September (on the 11th) and haven't heard anything back yet - feels like it's taking a bit longer than some of the others that applied from South Africa. But I only waited 6 weeks or so between submitting my application and the request for biometrics, which was pretty quick, so it really does seem like the timeline is different for everyone. I will just keep trying to be patient And hope that the upcoming festive season next month doesn't put a big delay on things.

[Ballet]

Hi Faircape

How was your ceremony? Have you submitted your passport application?

Doesn’t it feel great to be on the other side of all the waiting?

Hi,
At last!!
Patience has been worthwhile, I received my invitation to the Ceremony scheduled for 2 weeks time .

I am sure JKProperties will be just around the corner

All in all from the date of my online application to the date of citizenship ceremony will 6months and 13 days.
Eligibility criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South African
Applying from: South Africa
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 02 May 2019
Payment method: Credit card ( 06 May 2019)
Date of acknowledgement : 07 May 2019
Documents sent by courier : 15 May 2019 (Apostille copies – not originals or vault copies)
Date of receipt by UKVI (DHL notified) : 17 May 2019
Application to retain SA citizenship: 25 July 2019
SA citizenship retention granted by DHA: 21 Aug 2019
Email from Nationality Courier Service : 22 Aug 2019
Date of biometrics appt confirmation: 23 Aug 2019
Biometrics done: 26 Aug 2019
Date of Biometrics approval: 30 Aug 2019
Date of Invitation to Ceremony : 30 Oct 2019
Date of ceremony: 15 Nov 2019

Date applied for passport:
Passport Application received:
Passport Application Marked Dispatched:
Date passport received:

[Faircape]

Hi Ballet,

I must admit that after all the waiting finally getting my receiving my Certificate of registration as a British Citizen came with some relief rather than elation! The ceremony itself was held at the High Commissioners home and there must have been 50 -60 people in attendance (no visitors) - everything was very informal except each person had to individually read ot the oath or affirmation statement and for me all was finished in 30 minutes (others probable waited at least an hour longer.

My passport application was done Friday and documents sent Saturday morning with DHL so I will waith another 3- 4 weeks for my passport when I will really celebrate.

I am assisting a number of friends who were borne within the UKM prescribed qualifying period (1949 - 1983) for registration under Section 4C , but being born in South Africa before 1962 . Many of the emigration specialists indicated that I would not qualify under the Romein judgement as I was born when South Africa was still in the commonwealth (thus disqualified as you had to be born in a foreign country - South Africa ony became a foreign country after 1962 when it became an independent rRepublic) - - however my application was successfull so it really does help to persevere.

The consular official that I spoke to at the Ceremony recommended that those individuals that had been unsuccessful down in the past should try re-applying as things have changed, particularly with the Romein Judgement - (Ms Romein deserves a medal!)

Enjoy your well earned maiden flight using your UK passport and hopefully BREXIT doesn't muddy waters for easy access to the EU in future.

[Ballet]

I completely understand the relief. I was there, too. I’ve had my passport for a couple of weeks and am already experiencing the benefits. I’ve breezed through the e-gates in Spain; applied for an ESTA to travel to the USA (granted in only a few hours) and applied for another e-visa and it came through in 10 minutes!

After the pain of visa applications with an SA passport for so many years this is an absolute pleasure!

Hi Ballet,

I must admit that after all the waiting finally getting my receiving my Certificate of registration as a British Citizen came with some relief rather than elation! The ceremony itself was held at the High Commissioners home and there must have been 50 -60 people in attendance (no visitors) - everything was very informal except each person had to individually read ot the oath or affirmation statement and for me all was finished in 30 minutes (others probable waited at least an hour longer.

My passport application was done Friday and documents sent Saturday morning with DHL so I will waith another 3- 4 weeks for my passport when I will really celebrate.

I am assisting a number of friends who were borne within the UKM prescribed qualifying period (1949 - 1983) for registration under Section 4C , but being born in South Africa before 1962 . Many of the emigration specialists indicated that I would not qualify under the Romein judgement as I was born when South Africa was still in the commonwealth (thus disqualified as you had to be born in a foreign country - South Africa ony became a foreign country after 1962 when it became an independent rRepublic) - - however my application was successfull so it really does help to persevere.

The consular official that I spoke to at the Ceremony recommended that those individuals that had been unsuccessful down in the past should try re-applying as things have changed, particularly with the Romein Judgement - (Ms Romein deserves a medal!)

Enjoy your well earned maiden flight using your UK passport and hopefully BREXIT doesn't muddy waters for easy access to the EU in future.

[Belle1207]

So, I got an email from Nationality Courier Service last night, saying a decision has been made (but not what that decision is) and asking how I want my documents returned. I assume the decision will be included with the documents (which the courier is collecting on Friday), so it seems an answer is in sight, one way or another

[Belle1207]

Update: My curiosity got the better of me and I asked the lady who emailed me about my documents if I needed to wait to get them back before finding out the decision. She said she could tell me now...and my application has been approved

[Faircape]

xxxxxx in the Courier service is a star, she also got my Case Worker onto my application very quickly, with some patience your process will soon be completed!

[Ballet]

Hi

I’ve popped in here to see how you’re getting on. I think you’re the last of our wave of applicants to complete the process.

XXX

Hi Everyone,
I have been advised my certificate will be sent to PTA this week from the Home office.
So about a month after approval.

Does anyone know how long the Diplomatic Post takes to reach SA?

so, have you been told your certificate has been posted on a specific date and received x amount of days/weeks later?

The Consulate lady said she will contact me as soon as it arrives.
Have a great week.

[Belle1207]

Update:

Eligibility Criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South Africa
Applying from: South Africa
Method of application: Online with documents sent via DHL
Payment method: Credit card
Date of application: 25 July 2019
Date funds withdrawn: 25 July 2019
Date of UKVI acknowledgement email: 26 July 2019
Date documents sent: 26 July 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI: 29 July 2019 (confirmation from DHL)
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 8 September 2019 (just under 6 weeks from receipt of documents)
Biometrics appointment: 11 September 2019
Date of approval: Advised of successful application by Nationality Courier Service on 20 November 2019, but letter dated 11 November 2019 (two months from biometrics)
Notice documents ready for collection: 19 November 2019
Documents returned: 27 November 2019 (DHL)
Invitation for ceremony: Pending
Date of ceremony: Pending
Date applied for passport: Pending
Date passports received: Pending

[jkproperties]

HI,
I was advised that my certificate has been received on Monday,
But they couldn’t confirm a ceremony date yet.

I think I am a few waves before already to be honest.
Been at this since March, but the end is in sight, however my immigration planning has been destroyed.

I will have to pay for priority settlement visa’s for my children just to make up some time, I am unemployed from January.

Hi

I’ve popped in here to see how you’re getting on. I think you’re the last of our wave of applicants to complete the process.

XXX

Hi Everyone,
I have been advised my certificate will be sent to PTA this week from the Home office.
So about a month after approval.

Does anyone know how long the Diplomatic Post takes to reach SA?

so, have you been told your certificate has been posted on a specific date and received x amount of days/weeks later?

The Consulate lady said she will contact me as soon as it arrives.
Have a great week.

[jkproperties]

Congratulations

Update:

Eligibility Criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South Africa
Applying from: South Africa
Method of application: Online with documents sent via DHL
Payment method: Credit card
Date of application: 25 July 2019
Date funds withdrawn: 25 July 2019
Date of UKVI acknowledgement email: 26 July 2019
Date documents sent: 26 July 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI: 29 July 2019 (confirmation from DHL)
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 8 September 2019 (just under 6 weeks from receipt of documents)
Biometrics appointment: 11 September 2019
Date of approval: Advised of successful application by Nationality Courier Service on 20 November 2019, but letter dated 11 November 2019 (two months from biometrics)
Notice documents ready for collection: 19 November 2019
Documents returned: 27 November 2019 (DHL)
Invitation for ceremony: Pending
Date of ceremony: Pending
Date applied for passport: Pending
Date passports received: Pending

[Belle1207]

Thanks! Hope you get to have your ceremony soon.

Congratulations

Update:

Eligibility Criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South Africa
Applying from: South Africa
Method of application: Online with documents sent via DHL
Payment method: Credit card
Date of application: 25 July 2019
Date funds withdrawn: 25 July 2019
Date of UKVI acknowledgement email: 26 July 2019
Date documents sent: 26 July 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI: 29 July 2019 (confirmation from DHL)
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 8 September 2019 (just under 6 weeks from receipt of documents)
Biometrics appointment: 11 September 2019
Date of approval: Advised of successful application by Nationality Courier Service on 20 November 2019, but letter dated 11 November 2019 (two months from biometrics)
Notice documents ready for collection: 19 November 2019
Documents returned: 27 November 2019 (DHL)
Invitation for ceremony: Pending
Date of ceremony: Pending
Date applied for passport: Pending
Date passports received: Pending

[jkproperties]

Thank you,
I called the consulate now, sounds like I will receive my invite later today, the lady said she would try for mid December.

I should be excite but am actually so frustrated.

Almost there...

Thanks! Hope you get to have your ceremony soon.

Congratulations

Update:

Eligibility Criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South Africa
Applying from: South Africa
Method of application: Online with documents sent via DHL
Payment method: Credit card
Date of application: 25 July 2019
Date funds withdrawn: 25 July 2019
Date of UKVI acknowledgement email: 26 July 2019
Date documents sent: 26 July 2019
Date of receipt by UKVI: 29 July 2019 (confirmation from DHL)
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 8 September 2019 (just under 6 weeks from receipt of documents)
Biometrics appointment: 11 September 2019
Date of approval: Advised of successful application by Nationality Courier Service on 20 November 2019, but letter dated 11 November 2019 (two months from biometrics)
Notice documents ready for collection: 19 November 2019
Documents returned: 27 November 2019 (DHL)
Invitation for ceremony: Pending
Date of ceremony: Pending
Date applied for passport: Pending
Date passports received: Pending

[Faircape]

Hi,
I hope your process speeds up now. I found it strange that the envelope containing my Certificate of Registration had a receipt date which was 1 month earlier than the date when I received my invitation (ie my Registration Document was at the High Commissionj or consulate for a full month before receipt of the e-mail invitation.
I can understand your frustration , one positive factor is that upon receipt of my certificate of registration 2 weeks ago I immediately applied online for my passport, 13 days later I received an e-mail from the passport service notifying me that my application had been approved , printed and that the passport was on its way via DX delivery services

[Ballet]

That is super frustrating!

Processing of passports and other documents seems to be on track though. My father got his spouse visa in 4 weeks which is under the estimated time. Hopefully everything following your ceremony is going to be better for you and you can recover some time that has been lost through delays.

Thank you,
I called the consulate now, sounds like I will receive my invite later today, the lady said she would try for mid December.

I should be excite but am actually so frustrated.

Almost there...

[Faircape]

WOW

I am relieved as I finally received my passport today , less than 3 weeks since applying , so processing is quite prompt. (DHL seems to take the most time)

My final timeline from commencement of my application to receipt of passport is a few days short of 7 months.
I have been fortunate in that there have been no glitches in my process, but the assistance and encouragement of other contributors on this site , has materially shortened the processing time on my application.

I wish jkproperties a speedy finalisation of his process and receipt of passport

Eligibility criteria: UKM (Romein)
Nationality: South African
Applying from: South Africa
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 06 May 2019
Payment method: Credit card 06 May 2019
Date of acknowledgement : 07 May 2019
Documents sent by courier : 15 May 2019 (Apostille copies – not originals or vault copies)
Date of receipt by UKVI (DHL notified) : 17 May 2019
Application to retain SA citizenship: 25 July 2019
SA citizenship retention granted by DHA: 21 Aug 2019
Email from Nationality Courier Service : 22 Aug 2019
Date of biometrics appt confirmation: 23 Aug 2019
Biometrics done: 26 Aug 2019
Date of Biometrics approval: 30 Aug 2019
Date of Invitation to Ceremony : 30 Oct 2019
Date of ceremony: 15 Nov 2019
Date applied for passport: 15 Nov 2019
Date Documents sent : 16 Nov 2019
Passport Application received: 21 Nov 2019
Passport Application marked Dispatched: 28 Nov 2019
Date passport received: 04 Dec 2019