Unsuccessful applications

[alterhase58]

Congratulations - and thank you for sharing your journey.

[contorted_svy]

Dear

Today 16/12/2024 I become officially British citizenship. Got my Naturalisation Certificate, this Is Incredible. Has been very very long painful and stressful process from the beginning to now. I would like to thanks this forum, I've learn everything here by reading people stories, that help me lot. Thanks a lot everyone. May Godbess.
Note : Don't give up, God time is the best. Yours Is on the way, keep low profile, don't get Involve In any trouble, don't give a reason to H.O to refuse your application and you will be fine doesn't matter how long It take
Maximo

Congratulations. It would be very helpful if you detailed how you built your case for them to overturn their decision as it is a challenge to get approved with criminal history.

[Scotland001]

Dear

Today 16/12/2024 I become officially British citizenship. Got my Naturalisation Certificate, this Is Incredible. Has been very very long painful and stressful process from the beginning to now. I would like to thanks this forum, I've learn everything here by reading people stories, that help me lot. Thanks a lot everyone. May Godbess.
Note : Don't give up, God time is the best. Yours Is on the way, keep low profile, don't get Involve In any trouble, don't give a reason to H.O to refuse your application and you will be fine doesn't matter how long It take
Maximo

Dear Maximo,

Thank you for your recent post. I would like to kindly inquire about the details of your situation. Could you please share the nature of your sentence or conviction and its duration? Additionally, you mentioned submitting your application 18 months ago. May I ask if your application was submitted under the previous good character rules or the new rules that came into effect on 31 July 2023?

Your response would be greatly appreciated, as it would help provide clarity for everyone seeking to understand how caseworkers assess applications based on the sentence and the required waiting period before applying.

I look forward to your reply.

[maximo]

Dear Scotland

Reason of my sentence was illegal entry in the UK and working illegally .I was given 6 months prison sentence.
I've submitted my original application on April 2023 so before the new rule come into effect.hope this help.
Get a good solicitor, paid if you can because these case is very complex

[maximo]

Dear

Today 16/12/2024 I become officially British citizenship. Got my Naturalisation Certificate, this Is Incredible. Has been very very long painful and stressful process from the beginning to now. I would like to thanks this forum, I've learn everything here by reading people stories, that help me lot. Thanks a lot everyone. May Godbess.
Note : Don't give up, God time is the best. Yours Is on the way, keep low profile, don't get Involve In any trouble, don't give a reason to H.O to refuse your application and you will be fine doesn't matter how long It take
Maximo

Congratulations. It would be very helpful if you detailed how you built your case for them to overturn their decision as it is a challenge to get approved with criminal history.

Hi
Here I get prison sentence in 2009 for 6 months, with new rule coming into effect was 10 years ban , so I applied for my citizenship in April 2023 , ten year ban at that time was done already. Surprisingly H.O reason of refusing my application is that I was given 16 months Imprisonment which I challenged by getting my original conviction certificate. My Solicitor bless her ,use it to build a case and reassure me that we can win.
Nb. She said this , HO can still refused your case for another reason , fortunately everything went well after 9 months of submitting my application it came back successfull. During the waiting time I keep low profile even now I still do it. I believe my solicitor was the keys of this success really, she never panic from the first day she got my case, emailed every month to keep my moral high. That's all , keep going , reconsideration can take time (not all) . If you believe your case have been wrong decided, get yourself a good solicitor (you can feel it , is natural) to put it right. All the best.

[Riama_Jay]

Hi Maximo, Congratulations! I'm new here and not too familiar with the rules. My case is almost identical to yours. Are you able to kindly share the details of your solicitor? Many thanks

[CR001]

Hi Maximo, Congratulations! I'm new here and not too familiar with the rules. My case is almost identical to yours. Are you able to kindly share the details of your solicitor? Many thanks

Members are not permitted to post names and details of solicitors.

Please do not ask for such details.

[Riama_Jay]

Hi Maximo, Congratulations! I'm new here and not too familiar with the rules. My case is almost identical to yours. Are you able to kindly share the details of your solicitor? Many thanks

Members are not permitted to post names and details of solicitors.

Please do not ask for such details.

Many thanks for clarifying. Are we allowed to send private messages?

[CR001]

Hi Maximo, Congratulations! I'm new here and not too familiar with the rules. My case is almost identical to yours. Are you able to kindly share the details of your solicitor? Many thanks

Members are not permitted to post names and details of solicitors.

Please do not ask for such details.

Many thanks for clarifying. Are we allowed to send private messages?

As a newly registered member, you don't have access yet to the private messaging function.

Please also remember, everyone on the forum is a complete stranger and we have many scammers and spammers on the forum daily.

[bcenq]

I think as you decided to go ahead with a PAPL let's see what they say in 3 months. If the answer is negative you may have to apply again and build a stronger case.

Hey guys,

The PAPL made them reopen the case, but after 3 months of deliberations, they decided to stick with the initial decision to refuse the application which was confusing, considering there was enough evidence for them to reopen the case that previously reconsidered and closed.

I received that decision first week of December 2024, and I immediately started to prep for a new application, in March 2025 I submitted a new application with same evidence I submitted for PAPL and some additional evidence as well and wrote a very comprehensive cover letter which addressed my journey all the way.

I am happy to share with you guys that I received an invitation letter from my council today stating that my application has been approved and they are in possession of my certificate of naturalisation. I have booked a private ceremony already and I excited to go pledge my allegiance to the King. Although I am still yet to receive the email from Home Office Atlas.

I am sharing this to thank you all and encourage those that are still waiting and in a similar situation like me.

[contorted_svy]

Congratulations. Glad you secured a positive outcome in the end.

[rootsys]

Hi all.
My second application was rejected.

I received my ILR on 11/01/2024 and applied for citizenship on 11/01/2025.

However, on 01/08/2024, I was arrested at the airport for being drunk and causing a disturbance. The next day, I appeared in court. Manchester Magistrates Court found me guilty of being Drunk and Disorderly and gave me a 6-month conditional discharge.
I paid the court fees, completed the 6-month period, and did not commit any further offences.
I assumed the case had been dismissed. I submitted my application without including a cover letter and was rejected. The rejection letter for my first application stated the following: ‘It is noted that you have provided information on your application form outlining criminality recorded against you. You were also given the opportunity, as part of the application process, to submit information in support of your good character.
However, it is noted that you have chosen not to present any mitigating factors in this regard. If you still wish to become a British citizen, you can make a new application. You can do this at any time, but you are advised to ensure, as far as possible, that the requirements are met before doing so.’

Based on this, I submitted a new application and included a cover letter this time. In the letter, I explained everything. However, I received another rejection today.

The rejection was for the same reason: ‘If you wish to become a British citizen, you can submit a new application. You can do this at any time, but you are advised to ensure, as far as possible, that the requirements are met before doing so. Any future application will be considered based on the information available at that time. No guarantees can or will be given regarding the outcome of any future application you may submit. Guidance on the good character requirement is published on the GOV.UK website. Before submitting a further application for citizenship, you should consider whether you meet all of the requirements to become a British citizen.’

Where am I going wrong, or what should I do? Thank you.

[bcenq]

Hi all.
My second application was rejected.

I received my ILR on 11/01/2024 and applied for citizenship on 11/01/2025.

However, on 01/08/2024, I was arrested at the airport for being drunk and causing a disturbance. The next day, I appeared in court. Manchester Magistrates Court found me guilty of being Drunk and Disorderly and gave me a 6-month conditional discharge.
I paid the court fees, completed the 6-month period, and did not commit any further offences.
I assumed the case had been dismissed. I submitted my application without including a cover letter and was rejected. The rejection letter for my first application stated the following: ‘It is noted that you have provided information on your application form outlining criminality recorded against you. You were also given the opportunity, as part of the application process, to submit information in support of your good character.
However, it is noted that you have chosen not to present any mitigating factors in this regard. If you still wish to become a British citizen, you can make a new application. You can do this at any time, but you are advised to ensure, as far as possible, that the requirements are met before doing so.’

Based on this, I submitted a new application and included a cover letter this time. In the letter, I explained everything. However, I received another rejection today.

The rejection was for the same reason: ‘If you wish to become a British citizen, you can submit a new application. You can do this at any time, but you are advised to ensure, as far as possible, that the requirements are met before doing so. Any future application will be considered based on the information available at that time. No guarantees can or will be given regarding the outcome of any future application you may submit. Guidance on the good character requirement is published on the GOV.UK website. Before submitting a further application for citizenship, you should consider whether you meet all of the requirements to become a British citizen.’

Where am I going wrong, or what should I do? Thank you.

I'm really sorry you're going through this. Having been through something similar myself not too long ago, I genuinely empathise — I know how frustrating and disheartening it can be. I had three refusals before finally getting approved, so I understand how discouraging the process can feel.

While I’m not a legal expert or qualified to give formal advice, I can share a few thoughts based on my own experience. Given that your drunk and disorderly conviction is still less than a year old, it might be wise to give it a bit more time before reapplying. In the meantime, try to engage in activities that can demonstrate your good character and personal growth.

Some examples might include:

Attending alcohol treatment or support programmes (if you have problem with controlling your alcohol consumption)

Volunteering with charities that support alcohol recovery or rehabilitation

Getting involved with local community organisations

These kinds of efforts show a genuine commitment to change and can make a positive impression. When you’re ready to reapply, ask the organisations you’ve been involved with for letters of support or recommendation, and include them with a detailed cover letter. In that letter, be honest and reflective: explain what happened that led to the arrest, what you’ve learned, and what steps you’ve taken to ensure it never happens again.

Since citizenship applications are quite expensive, it’s important to make sure your application is as strong as possible — something that clearly demonstrates positive change and meets the Home Office’s good character requirements.

Wishing you strength and success on your journey — don’t give up.

[rootsys]

Thank you very much for your valuable comment. Yes, I did everything you mentioned. I underwent alcohol treatment and have a certificate to prove it. I submitted a very strong cover letter with my second application. But I think I applied too early. They said that they rejected my first application because I didn't include a cover letter, so I immediately reapplied with a strong cover letter. And this is the result. Nowhere does it say how long the waiting period is for conditional release. I don't know if it's one year from the date the conditional release was granted or 12 months after the remaining period of the conditional release.

[bcenq]

Thank you very much for your valuable comment. Yes, I did everything you mentioned. I underwent alcohol treatment and have a certificate to prove it. I submitted a very strong cover letter with my second application. But I think I applied too early. They said that they rejected my first application because I didn't include a cover letter, so I immediately reapplied with a strong cover letter. And this is the result. Nowhere does it say how long the waiting period is for conditional release. I don't know if it's one year from the date the conditional release was granted or 12 months after the remaining period of the conditional release.

I understand — the new guidelines introduced on 31st July 2023 have changed a lot. Prior to that, there were clear time thresholds linked to different types of sentences. For example, with a conditional discharge, you knew exactly how long you had to wait before applying, and the same applied to other sentencing outcomes.

Now, many of those defined thresholds are gone, and decisions are largely made at the Home Office’s discretion — except in cases where the application is stated to be "normally" refused. Your situation seems to fall under the category assessed on the balance of probabilities when it comes to determining good character.

This makes it harder to pinpoint exactly how long you should wait before reapplying. I recommend reading through the current Home Office guidance carefully, especially the section outlining the factors used to assess whether someone meets the good character requirement on a balance of probabilities.

Understanding those factors can help you prepare a stronger application when the time is right.