Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

[Pan13]

As you can see through the posts, many people received reply from HO that certificates will be printed and posted within weeks. So I assume something will finally move this month, I don't see the point emailing HO because when they start printing certificates again, they will print everyone. So it is just the matter to sit down and wait, and if nothing moves then query again in September but I genuinely think this month is the time.

[U Aziz]

Hello Everyone,

I guess we are all in the same boat but emotionally different place i was still enjoying my approval and now the honeymoon is over ie one month since my approval kindly asking anyone approved end of june and got decision beginning of July had any luck with the council or even better HO in regards to council having your cert or HO sending your invitation?

Hi Boyted

I was informed that my application is approved on May ( a reply to an email i sent to HO) . my council doesn't have my certificate yet.

Hello Sous49,
HO don't make sense the least they can do is email you your approval.
Bro maybe you should email your MP see if he can push for you it's approaching one e year

Hi Boyted
You are competently right.even when I chased HO lately (mid of July) i got one reply referring me th email when I was advised that it is approved and a second email from NationalityFrontEndTechnicalSpecialists ( this is the only email that I get proper replies) that they contacted the department that issues the invitation letters and they were waiting confimarion of when to start. Maybe I shall send another email to them ask about my invitation

It has been a very long and stressful wait ( still can not fully believe till i see it).but i don't really think the MP can do anything. I have contacted my MP on November and January and I didnt get any meaningful outcome

Based on HO the application has been approved since end of April 2020.
Thank you for the advice though .and good luck

This is ridiculous from the home office!!!
Why can’t they just email the invitations?
I presume the most important thing is to get the original citizenship certificate after the ceremony In order to apply the passport....
I am waiting for almost 2 months as well with no luck

[AC12]

I've received a letter from my council confirming what they told me on the phone on Monday - it states they've received my naturalization certificate and in order to attend a ceremony, I would need the HO invitation letter. Let's see how long that takes- hopefully before the second wave kicks in !

Congrats AC12!

Do you mind sharing your timeline with us? When did you receive your approval letter? Thanks

Applied mid-Feb, biometrics end of Feb, received an email in April saying application was approved on 9th March and letter is on its way. That letter was never going to arrive!
Received the decision/approval letter via email (PDF) in May. The local authority received my certificate on 27/07. Need to wait for the invitation letter now.

I have received the ceremony invitation letter today, just waiting for the ceremony now. There's a unique 'Poll/Cover Note' at the top of the letter that is the unique reference number that the councils ask for and check for during the ceremony. This is different from the application reference number.
The date on my invitation letter is 18/03/20. So I guess anyone who got approved in March/April should be expecting the letter soon.

Good luck

[Small]

That’s good to know. I guess you have to ask council when they will organise your ceremony even you got letter from HO? Or council already know about your invitation?

[Wahidwadid]

Hi there, Has anyone receive an invitation letter from HO who got approved in late may 2020.Let me know please.And I contacted to my council today and they said HO not resume to produce certificate yet but they will start in next few weeks, Anyone got any news about it, I m from mcr council.

[Moa7]

I've received a letter from my council confirming what they told me on the phone on Monday - it states they've received my naturalization certificate and in order to attend a ceremony, I would need the HO invitation letter. Let's see how long that takes- hopefully before the second wave kicks in !

I received my invitation letter today too, its dated 18 March. I contacted my council and they've said they'll call me back this week to book me into a ceremony.

[Wahidwadid]

Hello moa7,Please can u share when did you applied and when it was granted your application. Thanks.

[AC12]

I've received a letter from my council confirming what they told me on the phone on Monday - it states they've received my naturalization certificate and in order to attend a ceremony, I would need the HO invitation letter. Let's see how long that takes- hopefully before the second wave kicks in !

I received my invitation letter today too, its dated 18 March. I contacted my council and they've said they'll call me back this week to book me into a ceremony.

Nice !

Won't be surprised if we attend the ceremony on the same date too haha !!

[Raihanul]

I spoke to my local council on the 16th of July and was advised that letters will be sent to them in a week and so I should have mine by then. It's been 3 weeks since and now I'm being told to ask the home office for updates.

So, I emailed HO on citizenship.support@homeoffice.gov.uk. Just wonderig if I could expect a reply back or if this is the correct email.

[Moa7]

I've received a letter from my council confirming what they told me on the phone on Monday - it states they've received my naturalization certificate and in order to attend a ceremony, I would need the HO invitation letter. Let's see how long that takes- hopefully before the second wave kicks in !

I received my invitation letter today too, its dated 18 March. I contacted my council and they've said they'll call me back this week to book me into a ceremony.

Nice !

Won't be surprised if we attend the ceremony on the same date too haha !!

Haha yes fingers crossed it happens soon! I just want this whole wait to be over now!

[Ace1983]

I received my invitation today. My ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow. Date mentioned on my approval was 23rd March. Finally the big day tomorrow.

[Small]

Ace 1983 good luck. Would you please share your timeline here so that others can benefit from it.

[BoyTed]

Send them email and can't believe they still saying they can't print certificate and are waiting for restrictions to be lifted even gyms have opened I think this is a joke.
P.s this was sent this morning i emailed them a week ago.



Good morning,

Re: Request for duplicate copy of citizenship ceremony invitation.

I refer to your application for British Citizenship and your email enquiry.  Upon investigation I can confirm that your citizenship ceremony documents have not yet been printed or despatched to the local authority. Your citizenship paperwork will be generated in coming weeks when current restrictions due to Coronavirus are eased. 

In normal circumstances customers were required to book their citizenship ceremony within three months of being sent an invitation from the Home Office.  Due to the current circumstances we have extended this period to six months. We will keep this under constant review. Please be assured that no adverse decisions will be made on your application because of delays caused by Coronavirus (unless there is a material change in your circumstances, for example, you are convicted of a criminal offence).      

Kind regards

xxxxxxx

AO - CCST -  Nationality Group

 UK Visas & Citizenship

4th Floor, Capital Building, Liverpool L3 9PP



 

www.gov.uk/home-office

 

 

 

[Wahidwadid]

Hello boyted, Can u tell please, When did you applied and when your application was granted. And did anyone applied in April during lockdown, let us know please.

[Sohail222]

Hi everyone just wanted to share good news solicitors just call this morning says he received citizenship invitation Letter from the home office dated 24 March 2020 he received this letter today I call the council today to explain them this they say they are not holding citizenship ceremony at the moment what should I do know they must have received my ceretifate.......?

[dxbdxb]

Hi, I had my e-ceremony yesterday and got the certificate today. My 6 month would have been up on 6th August.

congratulations, my six months is completing on 24 of Aug, what shall i do i ask my council (cheshire west and chester)they said you have to wait we don't have any updates, how you had your e-ceremony? could you please explain a bit more. Thanks

[Sohail222]

Which council are u

[Wahidwadid]

Hi sohail222,Can you share with us your time line please, This will help others.

[Sohail222]

Sure online application date 24 February 2020 and biometric done on the 27 February 2020 no letter received until today my solicitor call me today he received Decision today with citizenship invitation Letter dated 24 March 2020 I’m sure it hep others good luck everyone I hope you all get your soon

[Dima1]

Letter dated 24 March 2020

I think you have it until 24 September to attend a ceremony and get your certificate. 6 months count from the date of the decision. I would suggest calling them every other day for the update. If you have your decision letter on hand, they should get your certificate (if not already) shortly.

[Sohail222]

I call the council today I spoke they told me we are not holding citizenship ceremony at the moment and advice me to contact the home home tell them this so they can revise I dont understand that then I call them again later today they give me the email for the council to email them

[Sohail222]

Thanks Dimi1

[Raihanul]

Can you tell me the email you used. Is this citizenship.support@homeoffice.gov.uk. I emailed them 2 days ago and yet haven't heard back from them. I'm also awaiting my invitation. This is kind of makes me feel down knowing they are not putting any afforts on something so important to many of us.

Send them email and can't believe they still saying they can't print certificate and are waiting for restrictions to be lifted even gyms have opened I think this is a joke.
P.s this was sent this morning i emailed them a week ago.



Good morning,

Re: Request for duplicate copy of citizenship ceremony invitation.

I refer to your application for British Citizenship and your email enquiry.  Upon investigation I can confirm that your citizenship ceremony documents have not yet been printed or despatched to the local authority. Your citizenship paperwork will be generated in coming weeks when current restrictions due to Coronavirus are eased. 

In normal circumstances customers were required to book their citizenship ceremony within three months of being sent an invitation from the Home Office.  Due to the current circumstances we have extended this period to six months. We will keep this under constant review. Please be assured that no adverse decisions will be made on your application because of delays caused by Coronavirus (unless there is a material change in your circumstances, for example, you are convicted of a criminal offence).      

Kind regards

xxxxxxx

AO - CCST -  Nationality Group

 UK Visas & Citizenship

4th Floor, Capital Building, Liverpool L3 9PP



 

www.gov.uk/home-office

 

 

 

[Raihanul]

I made my application on March. Got my Biometric on June and got my approval in 7 days I think. But since then, I'm awaiting my invitation.

Hi there, did anyone applied in April during lockdown?

[Sinjin]

I call the council today I spoke they told me we are not holding citizenship ceremony at the moment and advice me to contact the home home tell them this so they can revise I dont understand that then I call them again later today they give me the email for the council to email them

All just a bit of advice, check if your council is holding private citizenship ceremonies. Public ceremonies are free and involve large gatherings so they are on hold. The councils also have a huge backlog so these don’t look to be prioritised anytime soon. You pay extra for a private ceremony but I think it’s worth it to complete the process.