Naturalisation - Clockwatch

[basis]

Last week I submitted application for BC in Haringey. I reached late - they operate Mon - Thurs 9.30 - 11.30 - please note the changed timings. I was a bit late due to traffic etc. But on request they asked me to come in the afternoon when I told them I had to travel long distance back and was late by few minutes only.

http://www.haringey.gov.uk/services/bdm ... nd_ncs.htm

Afternoon mine was first number - quick look at the docs - they took P60 copy, application, passport copies, HO letter copies (not really required if your passport contains ILR stamp) and original degree certificate (eventhough it is from India they did not want any letter etc). Added to that fees - £ 268 (HO) and 35.25 (NCS incl VAT). Gave a track number with Royal mail spl dlv (I could track and it had reached Liverpool office next day 09.00 am).

Very quick, simple and straight forward. If you dont have appointment this is where you go.

Quick questions - I now have to go back to my native country. Can I communicate my friends' address as my changed address as when I come back I would stay with him.

[Joseph]

basis

On your question I would wait, if possible, until you get a confirmaiton letter from the Home office before you tell them about your new address. This letter, along with your returned school certificate should arrive in a week or two and include a reference number issued by the Home Office in Liverpool. I would quote that reference number when you change your address to avoid any confusion in their locating your file.

I had a few questions for you:

1. How late did you arrive after 1130am? Where there others being served?

2. Do you recall what their schedule of fees was? For example, what would have been the extra fees for spouse and children?

3. Did you offer them a letter from your school instead of the diploma? I'm asking this because my certificate is framed and not really suitable to post to Liverpool, but I also have an official sealed letter from the school's registrar certifying the issuance of the degree. Do you think they would accept that original letter instead of the diploma?

Thanks for the feedback!
Joseph

[basis]

1. I was 15 minutes late but dont plan to be late
2. No - I was the sole applicant and therefore, they told me GBP 268 a the fees.

3. No I offerred them my certificate from India. I think they will accept the letter. All they need to know is that you know required level of English.

[basis]

Hi,

My Naturailzation approval letter has been received.

[olisun]

you can submit either a degree or a diploma which has got a proper seal on it..

[John]

Basis, congratulations on getting that "application approved" letter!

Enjoy your citizenship ceremony.

[basis]

you can submit either a degree or a diploma which has got a proper seal on it..

did not unserstand this olisun.

[basis]

To clarify few points which my case proved (may be again)

1. I am on net taxes and dont get any P16 etc from the company
2. My NI contri or tax is not credited to my NINO
3. I have a NINO for past 5 yrs but it is not known to the employer
4. I had given my address as same as my referee's address
5. I had given Indian degree cert as English proof with no letter etc that the course was conducted in English

It took less than 3 weeks for me and I did not submit apart from the reqd docs.

there are many myths about above topics and with no disrespect (this Message board is truely exemplary and most useful I have ever seen - thanks mainly to the mods) generally a number of people may get discouraged by some too aggressive negative statements by board members about above topics and people may fear that something might go wrong if they apply for ILR or Naturalisation etc. Even for ILR a general letter from employer indicating continuation of employement is enough - it could be a letter addressed to bank, landlord etc as well.

So good luck people and do not get bogged down by imaginary fears.

[rogerroger]

congratulatons

hey the turnaround is 3 weeks. some one who had applied 2-3 years back told me that it took her over a year to get naturalisation and in the meantime she could not go home.

i have got a similar predicament, i am planning to go home in 3 weeks.and if i apply for citizenship a week before i might risk getting something from the HO while i am home


can i leave the country once naturalisation is granted?

[John]

Rogerroger, your public details do not disclose your location but if you live in or near one of the six Checking Service areas then certainly apply using that service.

Not only could that mean you will hear the result of your application far sooner but also you will never be without your passport. That is the Checking Service will photocopy your passport and hand it right back to you.

You mention someone who applied 2-3 years ago. The current experience bears no resemblance to what people faced that far back ... thankfully.

[rogerroger]

thanks for the reply john
i live in the surrey area.

i did a search for the checking services on the net and came up with seven.

in the london area, i think brent and haringey are the checking centres,
which one should i go for?

i also came acros references to post offices, i guess my local main post office is not one of the checking services

it is nice to know that i wont be without my passport, how long after submitting my application at the checking service will i need to remain in the UK?

[John]

it is nice to know that i wont be without my passport, how long after submitting my application at the checking service will i need to remain in the UK?

You won't! Theoretically you could leave the NCS office and go straight to the airport! Just don't overlook that after your "application successful" letter is posted to your address, you only have three months to attend a Citizenship Ceremony, so don't plan to be abroad too long!

Which NCS office to use? On this board have a search on Haringey. OK, not the nearest to you but I think they offer a walk-in no-appointment service.

[rogerroger]

thanks for the reply john


it is nice to know that the haringey office has a walk-in no appointment service.

hey basis, you stated that

Last week I submitted application for BC in Haringey. I reached late - they operate Mon - Thurs 9.30 - 11.30 - please note the changed timings. I was a bit late due to traffic etc. But on request they asked me to come in the afternoon when I told them I had to travel long distance back and was late by few minutes only.

does this mean that you did not make an appointment originally but were given an appointment in the afternoon since you had come from far?

does the brent office provide such a service too?

also, do i hand over my indian passport after i am naturalised, or after the citizenship ceremony?

[basis]

citizenship ceremnoy and naturalised are the same things. your naturalisation process completes only when you attend the citizenship ceremony.

As far the passport better to submit once you get British passport after the citizenship ceremony.

[basis]

[quote="rogerroger"]

hey the turnaround is 3 weeks. quote]

The actual dates are -

Submitted application at NCS - 1st Aug
Sent change of address request - 2nd Aug (may have reached them on 2nd Aug)
Letter issued by HO on - 5th Aug on new address

So with this complication of address change it was 5 working days - not 3 weeks - too fast.

[olisun]

mine also took 5 days

so it looks like for straight forward cases it takes min 5 working days

[Khurram]

Hi,

Would it be possible to find out roughly as how long after applying through the NCS service should one be expecting their original supporting documents back?

I did receive my acknowledgement letter from the HO almost a week after applying through the Wandsworth Office though.

Regards

[olisun]

not really as i received my original document along with the approval letter