Failed to attend biometrics appointment by date 'required' by HO

[marrybritgal]

Hi All,

Thanks to Immigrationboards I have been able to come to the UK and live with my partner - who is now looking to apply for Naturalisation.

As a quick background, applying for Naturalisation as someone with ILR. Completed the application form and made payment on 10 Jan 21. The '6. Further Actions' page mentions the following:

'Attend an appointment to provide your documents and biometrics by 15 March 2021'.

This date was not met however, due to COVID. As photo booths/shops were closed, getting pictures sent for printing online etc then sending the referee forms to referees took well over a month, over which time one of the referees left the UK. Also worth noting, we cannot change the details as we have already completed the form and paid online etc.

As a result, one of our selected referees has still not completed the referee form and we are past the date of 15 March 21. We have booked an appointment for mid April for now and hoping to complete the application then.

I have not been able to find details on this, but does Home Office really care if the appointment is not attended by the recommended date? As they themselves mention

'We will send you a reminder after this date if you have not attended an appointment.

Do not want money to go to waste of course, and do not want to apply again with updated details and a different referee, so will this be a problem? Otherwise, is there any way to inform them that this happened due to COVID?

Many, many thanks,

Marrybritgal.

[CULLINAN]

Just attend the biometrics appointment mid-April. Do not delay it any further. Due to corona, HO is lenient. Hopefully you will be OK.
If you wish you can add a cover letter and explain. Upload with your documents before biometrics. But it should be okay anyways.

[marrybritgal]

Just attend the biometrics appointment mid-April. Do not delay it any further. Due to corona, HO is lenient. Hopefully you will be OK.
If you wish you can add a cover letter and explain. Upload with your documents before biometrics. But it should be okay anyways.

Thanks, the cover letter is a good idea, and will definitely do that. Fingers crossed - should be understandable for them that there are delays at this time.

[CULLINAN]

You can always arrange another referee if need be. You can not change the details on the online form, however, you can add the NEW referee details on the cover letter and the NEW referee declaration form signed. Do not let referee travel plans affect your application unless you absolutely have no other choice.

[marrybritgal]

You can always arrange another referee if need be. You can not change the details on the online form, however, you can add the NEW referee details on the cover letter and the NEW referee declaration form signed. Do not let referee travel plans affect your application unless you absolutely have no other choice.

I was not aware that a new referee can be provided so was feeling quite stressed about this! I have contacted the referee for now and informed them, but I will also write up a cover letter and get other referee forms ready from now - just in case. Thanks again!

[CULLINAN]

You could have done that earlier if you were aware. But as I said, do not delay your biometrics any further now. If need be, arrange another referee, provide exact details as per AN online form for the new referee on the cover letter and get a new declaration form signed. Upload both before biometrics. No issues.