Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[nkim2222]

Hi all i got a ceremony invitation at Newham council finally my name appeared on the lis:
10 years stay in UK .
Approved on 24th jan received 30th jan 2015.
Ceremony 10th feb 2015.

All the best my lovely people and those waiting just b patient as i always said b4 it will come..
See you at passport section mates..
God Bless you all ..

[namastelondon]

Thanks so much for your kind replies.

Recent FOI figures showing a huge backlog and I think average time is around 8/9 months now except the lucky ones who are getting the decisions quicker.

Surely, they is a way to raise our protest at a public forum where our concerns can be heard and reach out to the bosses. I feel, if perhaps we can all start campaigning for this, may be we can expect a fair treatment for us and for all the people applying in the future. I'm talking about those people waiting for 6 months and more. We are settled now and apparently hold the same rights as Brits, so why not we voice out like the passport delays issues and I'm sure this will do the trick?

Home office is a reactive institute and for such organisations, the pressure must be on to get things done. Just saying, please feel free to give your opinion.

AM in for it, where or how do we start.

Honestly I don't know but may be if someone senior could advice. I'm thinking to may be send email or letter to BBC panorama? Involving our local MP's but for that we need to make a separate forum to discuss in detail? Last resort is to protest in large numbers outside parliament or Home office or Home Secretary office. That's way too much but still an option. I have just seen a lucky one received approval within a week. What's that? Where are their so called extensive checks? Also I think we need to keep our identity descreet as much as we can to stay low and don't get caught by this ruthless department and become target of revenge.

Open to discussion and opinion?

Apparently they don't care. Elections are coming near and no body will care about immigrants now.
Mine has taken more than 6 months and I am also fed up. Mine was rejected and got a call from caseworker that my case was fine but she did a mistake and I need to fill a NR form. Since 2 months nothing has happened. Once it crosses 6 months, they dont have any timeline. They will delay it more as it does not affect their timelines. I am thinking of talking help of my local MP.

[988trader]

Applied 26/12/14 via NCS CROYDON
HO received 06/01/15
Fees deducted 12/01/15
Waiting..........
Freedom of information question....Does HO know December 2014 comes before January 2015??

[Yajiv]

No of Applicants: 1Adult
Eligibility criteria: 5yr + 1yr ILR
Method of application: NCS (Aberdeen)
Date of receipt by UKBA: 25th Nov 2014
Date of debit of fees: 4th Dec 2014
Payment method: Debit Card
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 9th Dec 2014
Date of receipt of approval: 03rd Feb 2015 (Dated 01st Feb 2015 - who knew the HO worked on a Sunday! ... go figure)

[aumar]

Thanks so much for your kind replies.

Recent FOI figures showing a huge backlog and I think average time is around 8/9 months now except the lucky ones who are getting the decisions quicker.

Surely, they is a way to raise our protest at a public forum where our concerns can be heard and reach out to the bosses. I feel, if perhaps we can all start campaigning for this, may be we can expect a fair treatment for us and for all the people applying in the future. I'm talking about those people waiting for 6 months and more. We are settled now and apparently hold the same rights as Brits, so why not we voice out like the passport delays issues and I'm sure this will do the trick?

Home office is a reactive institute and for such organisations, the pressure must be on to get things done. Just saying, please feel free to give your opinion.

AM in for it, where or how do we start.

Honestly I don't know but may be if someone senior could advice. I'm thinking to may be send email or letter to BBC panorama? Involving our local MP's but for that we need to make a separate forum to discuss in detail? Last resort is to protest in large numbers outside parliament or Home office or Home Secretary office. That's way too much but still an option. I have just seen a lucky one received approval within a week. What's that? Where are their so called extensive checks? Also I think we need to keep our identity descreet as much as we can to stay low and don't get caught by this ruthless department and become target of revenge.

Open to discussion and opinion?

[Tobi]

Eligibility criteria: 10yr + 1yr ILR
Method of application: NCS Tower Hamlets
Date of receipt by UKBA: 07 Jan 2015 (DX Tracking)
Date of debit of fees: 13 Jan 2015
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 17 Jan 2015 dated 13/01/2015
Date of receipt of approval: 03 Feb 2015 dated 24 Jan 2015
Date of Ceremony: 12 Feb 2015

Updates in Red...

[waiz89k]

Thanks so much for your kind replies.

Recent FOI figures showing a huge backlog and I think average time is around 8/9 months now except the lucky ones who are getting the decisions quicker.

Surely, they is a way to raise our protest at a public forum where our concerns can be heard and reach out to the bosses. I feel, if perhaps we can all start campaigning for this, may be we can expect a fair treatment for us and for all the people applying in the future. I'm talking about those people waiting for 6 months and more. We are settled now and apparently hold the same rights as Brits, so why not we voice out like the passport delays issues and I'm sure this will do the trick?

Home office is a reactive institute and for such organisations, the pressure must be on to get things done. Just saying, please feel free to give your opinion.

AM in for it, where or how do we start.

should be done, am up for it too

[benson147]

Thanks so much for your kind replies.

Recent FOI figures showing a huge backlog and I think average time is around 8/9 months now except the lucky ones who are getting the decisions quicker.

Surely, they is a way to raise our protest at a public forum where our concerns can be heard and reach out to the bosses. I feel, if perhaps we can all start campaigning for this, may be we can expect a fair treatment for us and for all the people applying in the future. I'm talking about those people waiting for 6 months and more. We are settled now and apparently hold the same rights as Brits, so why not we voice out like the passport delays issues and I'm sure this will do the trick?

Home office is a reactive institute and for such organisations, the pressure must be on to get things done. Just saying, please feel free to give your opinion.

AM in for it, where or how do we start.

[aumar]

Thanks so much for your kind replies.

Recent FOI figures showing a huge backlog and I think average time is around 8/9 months now except the lucky ones who are getting the decisions quicker.

Surely, they is a way to raise our protest at a public forum where our concerns can be heard and reach out to the bosses. I feel, if perhaps we can all start campaigning for this, may be we can expect a fair treatment for us and for all the people applying in the future. I'm talking about those people waiting for 6 months and more. We are settled now and apparently hold the same rights as Brits, so why not we voice out like the passport delays issues and I'm sure this will do the trick?

Home office is a reactive institute and for such organisations, the pressure must be on to get things done. Just saying, please feel free to give your opinion.

[akhurshid]

those rules were introduced on 11th of December last year.

[kingdip2oct]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5yr + 1yr ILR
Method of application: Postal on 13/01/2015
Date of receipt by UKBA: 19/01/2015
Date of debit of fees: 16/01/2015
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 19/01/2015
Date of receipt of approval: waiting...
Date of Ceremony: waiting...

Plus i just want to know that HO issue any new rules in 5th jan 2015? Because one of my friend told me that if someone overstayed in past than thay have to wait until 10 years sicw thay received legal staus in UK.
I mean i came in UK in 2006 than overstayed for 1month after my visa expired than in 2010 i got spouse visa and till than to now i am clear with rules and regulations but still I overstayed for one month in 2006 so is it going to be issue for me?
Please let me know if someone has a same issue as i have.
Thanks.

[sandy131]

My timeline:
Eligibility criteria: Tier 1+ILR
Language criteria met: NARIC+Life in UK test
Current nationality: Indian
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Tower Hamlets
Date of application: 29/12/2014
Payment method: Credit Card
Date of acknowledgment: 06/01/2015
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 06/01/2015
Date approval received: 03/02/2015(dated 24/01/2015)
Date of ceremony: awaiting

[funnyboi]

January applications approvals are coming through thick and fast.

Not seen many December 2014 approvals yet.. so hard to predict HO's pattern of processing applications.

yes you are right, i applied 18/12/14, it looks like there is no criteria set by HO for processing time and they not doing any thing to improve their service and provide good customer service after earning huge amounts from us.
last year their was delays near about only seven days in renewing passport, it was big news on every media but for these delays no one questions them, they shouldn't take more than a week to decide

Not really, I have applied in early Jan 2015 and still waiting . It's really a straight forward application based on 10 yrs and 1 ILT but haven't heard from them, I am glad to see people are getting their approval letter but at the same time it's abit annoying HO takes ages for same date application much longer. Just sitting and prying everyday to comes soon

[Kk1]

My timeline:
Eligibility criteria: spouse of British citizen
Language criteria met: NARIC+Life in UK test
Current nationality: Nigerian
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Southwark
Date of application: 08/01/2015
Payment method: Debit Card
Date of acknowledgment: 16/01/2015(emai)
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 16/01/2015
Date approval received: 31/01/2015(dated 24/01/2015)
Date of ceremony: awaiting 19/02/15

In all it took less than 3weeks. Good luck to everyone still waiting

[pawant]

Eligibility criteria: 1 Year WP, 5 Years Tier 2 + 1 1/2 year ILR
Applied along with my wife (5 Years dependent + 1 1/2 year ILR
Language criteria met: PBS printout, original non uk degree certs
Current nationality: Indian
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Preston, Lancashire
Date of application: 17/11/14
Payment method: debit card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 18/11/14
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 01/12/14
Date of acknowledgment: 08/12/14 (dated 28/11/14)
Date approval received: 17/01/15 (dated 10/01/15)!
Date of ceremony: 03/02/2015

[rockstar1]

I am one of early Sep applicants. Still waiting and it is agonisingly painful to see people getting decisions in weeks and here we are approaching the 6 months mark( soon). I just called and they said it's still under consideration. It's not that I'm unhappy for all the people getting decisions but I feel it's unfair to all of us stuck in this. Today I went through my AN form that I submitted and I couldn't find any information that could take them 5 months to verify. They were quite keen to charge me with a week time and then it appears they have archived my application.

A friend of mine said that my progressive enquiries every 10 days have caused delays in my application process. He says, my application would be moved backward every time I make enquiries on the progress. Is it true?

The other question is I have to travel next month and I have my passport and biometric ILR card. So I believe I can travel but I'm little concerned that would the outcome of my application have any affect on my return and when I arrive back at the airport they might start questioning me. I'm only going for couple of weeks or may be a month at full stretch.

Last question is I am so pessimist that I sometime fear that due to the recently introduced extensive checks, they might cancel my ILR. I don't have any reason for them to do so but just a fear because I heard they will try their best to stop people getting settlement and naturalisation. Can they really?

Travelling won't effect your application as it has got nothing to do with your ILR or application. I myself had been away after submitting application to France and Spain for 12 days, and going for a long trip again next week and nobody asked me any questions. When i went to NCS, I was told that I can go abroad as long as I want but was advised try not to go for more than 2 weeks as Home office might send any correspondence so as long as somebody at the address and can check post it is pretty fine to go longer than 2 weeks.
About the application moving backward every time you call so I think its a joke which your friend might have made it to you. Home office do not deal with applications like that and they process the application in a random manner. some applications take longer because these days HO carries checks in your back country and it depends on the authorities there to respond back, so be patient and I hope you will hear very soon. I would suggest to call your council instead where you will be expecting to attend ceremony and tell them to call you if they receive any approval for you (council gets notification quicker than the applicant).
ILR can never be cancelled unless you breach any law or commit any serious crime ie: terrorism, murder etc...

[rockstar1]

My timeline:
Eligibility criteria: 3 Years(Student+2 year BC spouse) ILR+ 3 months
Language criteria met: IELTS and LITUK
Current nationality: Pakistani
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Wandsworth
Date of application: 20/01/2015
Payment method: Credit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 21/01/2015
Date of acknowledgment: 03/2/2015 dated; 27/01/2015
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 27/01/2015
Date approval received: waiting
Date of ceremony: waiting

[benson147]

I am one of early Sep applicants. Still waiting and it is agonisingly painful to see people getting decisions in weeks and here we are approaching the 6 months mark( soon). I just called and they said it's still under consideration. It's not that I'm unhappy for all the people getting decisions but I feel it's unfair to all of us stuck in this. Today I went through my AN form that I submitted and I couldn't find any information that could take them 5 months to verify. They were quite keen to charge me with a week time and then it appears they have archived my application.

A friend of mine said that my progressive enquiries every 10 days have caused delays in my application process. He says, my application would be moved backward every time I make enquiries on the progress. Is it true?

The other question is I have to travel next month and I have my passport and biometric ILR card. So I believe I can travel but I'm little concerned that would the outcome of my application have any affect on my return and when I arrive back at the airport they might start questioning me. I'm only going for couple of weeks or may be a month at full stretch.

Last question is I am so pessimist that I sometime fear that due to the recently introduced extensive checks, they might cancel my ILR. I don't have any reason for them to do so but just a fear because I heard they will try their best to stop people getting settlement and naturalisation. Can they really?

You traveling will not affect your application long as you still meet the criteria of staying outside UK, i have been out of the country couple of times myself and never got asked at the airport where i why i went away, and its 6months now still waiting for a result, about your application been moved back everytime you call to ask about progress of it, i do not believe that,and your ilr will never be cancelled unless you have something hidden going on lol. i think the home office just decide application on random basis thats why people like me and are still waiting.

[Babloo85]

I made request to HO under freedom of information act about July/August applications. And look at the shocking figures they gave me today. They processed only 105 applications out of 4989.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... ing-613374

[aumar]

I am one of early Sep applicants. Still waiting and it is agonisingly painful to see people getting decisions in weeks and here we are approaching the 6 months mark( soon). I just called and they said it's still under consideration. It's not that I'm unhappy for all the people getting decisions but I feel it's unfair to all of us stuck in this. Today I went through my AN form that I submitted and I couldn't find any information that could take them 5 months to verify. They were quite keen to charge me with a week time and then it appears they have archived my application.

A friend of mine said that my progressive enquiries every 10 days have caused delays in my application process. He says, my application would be moved backward every time I make enquiries on the progress. Is it true?

The other question is I have to travel next month and I have my passport and biometric ILR card. So I believe I can travel but I'm little concerned that would the outcome of my application have any affect on my return and when I arrive back at the airport they might start questioning me. I'm only going for couple of weeks or may be a month at full stretch.

Last question is I am so pessimist that I sometime fear that due to the recently introduced extensive checks, they might cancel my ILR. I don't have any reason for them to do so but just a fear because I heard they will try their best to stop people getting settlement and naturalisation. Can they really?

[PAK321]

I have requested FOI for naturalization process time, and asking why home office taking almost half year and more. what home office doing to improve service and many questions.

i dont know pasting the follow up my request link is ok here or not.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... tions_proc

Lets see what HO says, its unfair to take more than six months and hanging people in middle of nowhere.

[pinina]

Unbelievable
It took HO 3 days to approve your naturalisation
Congrats!!

Crazy! I won't complain though.
It might be because I did everything for them really took photocopies of every single page of every document and they didn't have much to do?

Who knows, 4 days.. amazing.

Thank you all!
This is a new door that opens after a very very hard time with an abusive husband that no longer "owns" me.

[pinina]

Sorry is taking far too much time to figure out how to edit my post (and I'm a website administrator, so usually quite good at this) so I just quoted myself to add the rest of the dates.

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 3yr spouse of BC
Method of application: NCS (Southwark) 9/01/2015 but sent on the 12
Date of receipt by UKBA: 21 of January 2015
Date of debit of fees: 21 of January 2015
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 19/01/2015
Date of receipt of approval: 2 of February (Letter dated 24/01/2015)
Date of Ceremony: 9th of February


I need to check the other dates but I wanted to post it to say thank you for all your help.
I was pleasantly surprised of receiving the letter today, not even a month after I applied!

[PAK321]

January applications approvals are coming through thick and fast.

Not seen many December 2014 approvals yet.. so hard to predict HO's pattern of processing applications.

yes you are right, i applied 18/12/14, it looks like there is no criteria set by HO for processing time and they not doing any thing to improve their service and provide good customer service after earning huge amounts from us.
last year their was delays near about only seven days in renewing passport, it was big news on every media but for these delays no one questions them, they shouldn't take more than a week to decide

[PAK321]

Eligibility criteria: ILR+1 year [1 dependent]
Language criteria met: Life in The UK passed after 28th Oct 13+ Degree taught in English by university letter
Current nationality: Indian
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: North Shields, Newcastle
Date of application: 25/12/2014
Payment method: Debit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: NA
Date of acknowlegment: NA
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 31/12/2014
Date approval received: 31/01/2015 dated 23rd Jan
Date of Cermony: Not booked yet.

All the very best to all

thanks prda
you are very lucky.
wish us good luck