Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[terreis]

Boone, you are one of the people here that I mostly think of when I am feeling anxious and disillusioned about my own situation. I do hope yours will be resolved soon, and I look forward to hearing once it does...

I made the mistake of calling the so-called 'help'-line again today... It has now been 5 months and 2 days since I sent my application via NCS (they received it on 3 June). Mistake because, once more, they have been completely unhelpful.
I have now noticed that the options on the phone-line seem to have changed, and if you select option 2 (I think - anyway, the naturalisation line), and then option 1 again (applications submitted in the last 6 months), then you get to someone who has ABSOLUTELY NO INFORMATION about your case. If you choose option 2, at least you speak to someone a bit higher up, who will open your file - but again, I was told 'application is still in process, being worked on'. Considering that I fulfil the criteria from several sides (married to BC for 7 years, EEA citizen living in the country for 13 years, and after studies, working - legally! - for 5+ years), I really don't understand the hold up. I can only imagine it is sheer incompetence that is making this take so long, and my suspicion is that the application is NOT in fact being worked on at all... Oh well, at least it's now just under 1 month to go till I can take my complaint to someone who might have a bit more clout and ability to look into this...
Good luck to those who are, like me, waiting since May or early June. I am waiting eagerly to hear what is happening to your cases...

I feel your pain terreis. My application was acknowledged on the 16 May and I still have not received anything. Phoned Home Office today and got the same comments, which is so tiresome. As I have a couple of weeks before 6 months is due I have written to my local MP to get the ball rolling. She is in agreement with why it is taking so long, so hopefully this will light the fire!! Just hope we dont have to wait another 6 months before they decide to make a start.

[DEAR_KATE]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5yr + 1yr ILR;
Method of application: Postal
Date of receipt by UKBA: 20/10/2014
Date of debit of fees: 3/11/2014
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 4/11/2014
Date of receipt of approval: waiting
Date of Ceremony: waiting

UPDATE

[boone]

I made the mistake of calling the so-called 'help'-line again today... It has now been 5 months and 2 days since I sent my application via NCS (they received it on 3 June). Mistake because, once more, they have been completely unhelpful.
I have now noticed that the options on the phone-line seem to have changed, and if you select option 2 (I think - anyway, the naturalisation line), and then option 1 again (applications submitted in the last 6 months), then you get to someone who has ABSOLUTELY NO INFORMATION about your case. If you choose option 2, at least you speak to someone a bit higher up, who will open your file - but again, I was told 'application is still in process, being worked on'. Considering that I fulfil the criteria from several sides (married to BC for 7 years, EEA citizen living in the country for 13 years, and after studies, working - legally! - for 5+ years), I really don't understand the hold up. I can only imagine it is sheer incompetence that is making this take so long, and my suspicion is that the application is NOT in fact being worked on at all... Oh well, at least it's now just under 1 month to go till I can take my complaint to someone who might have a bit more clout and ability to look into this...
Good luck to those who are, like me, waiting since May or early June. I am waiting eagerly to hear what is happening to your cases...

I feel your pain terreis. My application was acknowledged on the 16 May and I still have not received anything. Phoned Home Office today and got the same comments, which is so tiresome. As I have a couple of weeks before 6 months is due I have written to my local MP to get the ball rolling. She is in agreement with why it is taking so long, so hopefully this will light the fire!! Just hope we dont have to wait another 6 months before they decide to make a start.

[Amafia]

Applicant : Self
Eligibility Criteria : 2 Years Spouse Visa + 1 Year ILR
Language Criteria Met : B1 English Test Certificate and Life In The UK Test
Current Nationality : INDIAN
Method Of Application : POST
Date Of Application : 01/09/2014
Payment Method : Debit Card
Date Of Receipt by UKBA : 02/09/2014
Date Of Debit Or Clearance of Fees : 05/09/2014
Date Of Acknowledgment : 10/09/2014 (Dated 04/09/2014)
Date Approval Received : Just Cant Wait For It....... Will Be POSITIVE
Date Of Ceremony : Will Be Booked As Soon As The Good News Arrives

Approval Has Been Received Today: 4/November/2014 - Dated 30/October/2014

Got In Contact With The Council Straightaway & They Have Received The Paperwork From HO Today As Well...
Ceremony Will Be Booked Tomorrow For 13th November
Good Luck To You All

[arsenik1973]

Terreis; only reason because we are EU application with no ILR.I am in the same situation and there are 3 more i know from july applicant.always they say on the phone "on progress".but i know just bullshit really.

[nkim2222]

Dont worry dear,, May and June applications are being dealt with very late..am a June 13 Applicant been inUK for 11 Years legal. no crime..but August Applicants who have been here for only 6 or 5 years on work permit are given first priority, are they more economical in the country than us? the answer is NO we are all economical in the UK. ... in the country looool..its very unfair.

[terreis]

I made the mistake of calling the so-called 'help'-line again today... It has now been 5 months and 2 days since I sent my application via NCS (they received it on 3 June). Mistake because, once more, they have been completely unhelpful.
I have now noticed that the options on the phone-line seem to have changed, and if you select option 2 (I think - anyway, the naturalisation line), and then option 1 again (applications submitted in the last 6 months), then you get to someone who has ABSOLUTELY NO INFORMATION about your case. If you choose option 2, at least you speak to someone a bit higher up, who will open your file - but again, I was told 'application is still in process, being worked on'. Considering that I fulfil the criteria from several sides (married to BC for 7 years, EEA citizen living in the country for 13 years, and after studies, working - legally! - for 5+ years), I really don't understand the hold up. I can only imagine it is sheer incompetence that is making this take so long, and my suspicion is that the application is NOT in fact being worked on at all... Oh well, at least it's now just under 1 month to go till I can take my complaint to someone who might have a bit more clout and ability to look into this...
Good luck to those who are, like me, waiting since May or early June. I am waiting eagerly to hear what is happening to your cases...

[kejal_tailor]

UPDATE
Eligibility criteria: (3+2 hsmp,tier 1) + 1 year ILR
Current nationality: Indian
Method of application: NCS (Sutton, Surrey)
Date of application: 12/08/2014
Payment method : Credit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 19/08/2014
Date of acknowledgement: 19/08/2014 (letter dated)
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 20/08/2014
Date approval received: 03/11/14 (Dated 26 October)
Date of ceremony: 07/11/14
Thank you so much for all the support. This forum always helped me a lot. Thanks again and good luck to all members.

[a7medibrahim]

Hi.
I applied through the NCS on the 5th December 2013 (ILR + spouse of British citizen, I spent 3 years in the UK). The NCS guy told me that my TOEiC was accepted by the HO after he checked with them so I submitted it. Acknowledgement received in January then in march I received a letter saying that I needed to submit another English test, I did the trinity college B1 and send them the certificate in June the 5th. Since then I am still waiting, every time the NCS guy calls them they tell him it is in progress for background checks....I am so depressed because it has been nearly 11 months now and no letter from them. I sent them a letter this week to ask if there is anything I can do to the decision process. I am planning to send the same letter every month until I get a response....is anyone in a similar situation? Is there anything else I can do to make them work on my case? I feel I am so unlucky...

My advice to contact your MP asap, definitely you will have response in short time as i've seen alot of cases got sorted after contacting local mp, i have exactly same situation, send new english test 2 month ago with No Response!!! I'm just waiting till i complete 6month so i can contact my MP.good luck, let us know any updates

[a7medibrahim]

[quote="Mamadou"]Hi.
I applied through the NCS on the 5th December 2013 (ILR + spouse of British citizen, I spent 3 years in the UK). The NCS guy told me that my TOEiC was accepted by the HO after he checked with them so I submitted it. Acknowledgement received in January then in march I received a letter saying that I needed to submit another English test, I did the trinity college B1 and send them the certificate in June the 5th. Since then I am still waiting, every time the NCS guy calls them they tell him it is in progress for background checks....I am so depressed because it has been nearly 11 months now and no letter from them. I sent them a letter this week to ask if there is anything I can do to expedite the decision process. I am planning to send the same letter every month until I get a response....is anyone in a similar situation? Is there anything else I can do to make them work on my case? I feel I am so unlucky...

My advice to contact your MP asap, definitely you will have response in short time as i've seen alot of cases got sorted after contacting local mp, i have exactly same situation, send new english test 2 month ago with No Response!!! I'm just waiting till i complete 6month so i can contact my MP.good luck, let us know any updates.

[a7medibrahim]

[quote="Mamadou"]Hi.
I applied through the NCS on the 5th December 2013 (ILR + spouse of British citizen, I spent 3 years in the UK). The NCS guy told me that my TOEiC was accepted by the HO after he checked with them so I submitted it. Acknowledgement received in January then in march I received a letter saying that I needed to submit another English test, I did the trinity college B1 and send them the certificate in June the 5th. Since then I am still waiting, every time the NCS guy calls them they tell him it is in progress for background checks....I am so depressed because it has been nearly 11 months now and no letter from them. I sent them a letter this week to ask if there is anything I can do to expedite the decision process. I am planning to send the same letter every month until I get a response....is anyone in a similar situation? Is there anything else I can do to make them work on my case? I feel I am so unlucky...

My advice to contact your MP asap, definitely you will have response in short time as i've seen alot of cases got sorted after contacting local mp, i have exactly same situation, send new english test 2 month ago with No Response!!! I'm just waiting till i complete 6month so i can contact my MP.good luck, let us know any updates.

[cbuk]

Eligibility criteria: 3yrs (Spouse of BC) + 2 year ILR
Language criteria met: LIUK + B1
Method of application: NCS Kingston
Date of application: 22/08/2014
Payment method: CreditCard
Date of receipt by UKBA: 26/08/2014
Clearance of fees: 29/08/2014
Date of acknowledgment: received 29/08/2014
Date of approval letter: received 03/11/2014, dated 26/10/2014
Date of ceremony: 20/11/2014 Yay

[a7medibrahim]

Rahel1984 wrote:
Mamadou wrote:
Hi.
I applied through the NCS on the 5th December 2013 (ILR + spouse of British citizen, I spent 3 years in the UK). The NCS guy told me that my TOEiC was accepted by the HO after he checked with them so I submitted it. Acknowledgement received in January then in march I received a letter saying that I needed to submit another English test, I did the trinity college B1 and send them the certificate in June the 5th. Since then I am still waiting, every time the NCS guy calls them they tell him it is in progress for background checks....I am so depressed because it has been nearly 11 months now and no letter from them. I sent them a letter this week to ask if there is anything I can do to expedite the decision process. I am planning to send the same letter every month until I get a response....is anyone in a similar situation? Is there anything else I can do to make them work on my case? I feel I am so unlucky...

i have excalty same situation , I send the new English test 2month ago , no respond !!. My advice is to contact your local MP , definitly they will help as i've seen a lot of posts which got sorted by Mp , good luck

[keeptrying]

Eligibility criteria: 5yr + 1yr ILR
Method of application: NCS (Cambridge)
Date of receipt by UKBA: 9-08-2014
Date of receipt of approval: 31-10-2014
Date of Ceremony: 20-11-2014

[nemo999]

Update: acknowledgement letter received 1st Nov , dated 26th Oct

My Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5yr Tier 1 + 1yr ILR
Applied on : 11-OCT-2014
Method of application: NCS (Highbury and islington)
Date of receipt by UKBA: 14-OCT-2014
Date of debit of fees: TBC
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: TBC
Date of receipt of approval: TBC
Date of Ceremony: TBC

Since I am unable to edit my post, here is my fresh update

£906 deducted on 27th October. I had applied on 11th Oct via NCS (see above)

[boone]

Hi.
I applied through the NCS on the 5th December 2013 (ILR + spouse of British citizen, I spent 3 years in the UK). The NCS guy told me that my TOEiC was accepted by the HO after he checked with them so I submitted it. Acknowledgement received in January then in march I received a letter saying that I needed to submit another English test, I did the trinity college B1 and send them the certificate in June the 5th. Since then I am still waiting, every time the NCS guy calls them they tell him it is in progress for background checks....I am so depressed because it has been nearly 11 months now and no letter from them. I sent them a letter this week to ask if there is anything I can do to expedite the decision process. I am planning to send the same letter every month until I get a response....is anyone in a similar situation? Is there anything else I can do to make them work on my case? I feel I am so unlucky...

U can make ur local MP to write a letter to them on ur behalf. Hopefully that might work.

Thank you for the advice. How do I do that? Do I just email the MP with all the details and ask him/her to send the letter for me?

Email you MP with as much details as possible, they normally respond very promptly.
There is a new option through the call centre that allows you to press option two ( if your application has been longer than 6 months). Good luck!

[nkim2222]

Congrats mate, i applied on the 13th June, hopefully my brown envelope is on its way..Inshallah..God bless you all who are waiting ..just exercise patience if its not yet 6 months...cheers..

[bga1980]

Thanks to all of you sharing your application timelines here (which kept me sane!). My application timeline is:

Eligibility criteria: Tier 1, then one year on ILR
Language criteria met: Points-based calculator recognises my degree
Method of application: NCS
Date of application: 11/06/2014
Payment method : Debit Card
Acknowledgement letter received: 20/06/2014
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 26/06/2014
Date approval received: 01/11/2014
Invited to a ceremony (in Kent) for 20 Nov but I'll try get a private appointment sooner.

[Mamadou]

Hi.
I applied through the NCS on the 5th December 2013 (ILR + spouse of British citizen, I spent 3 years in the UK). The NCS guy told me that my TOEiC was accepted by the HO after he checked with them so I submitted it. Acknowledgement received in January then in march I received a letter saying that I needed to submit another English test, I did the trinity college B1 and send them the certificate in June the 5th. Since then I am still waiting, every time the NCS guy calls them they tell him it is in progress for background checks....I am so depressed because it has been nearly 11 months now and no letter from them. I sent them a letter this week to ask if there is anything I can do to expedite the decision process. I am planning to send the same letter every month until I get a response....is anyone in a similar situation? Is there anything else I can do to make them work on my case? I feel I am so unlucky...

U can make ur local MP to write a letter to them on ur behalf. Hopefully that might work.

Thank you for the advice. How do I do that? Do I just email the MP with all the details and ask him/her to send the letter for me?

[Rahel1984]

Hi.
I applied through the NCS on the 5th December 2013 (ILR + spouse of British citizen, I spent 3 years in the UK). The NCS guy told me that my TOEiC was accepted by the HO after he checked with them so I submitted it. Acknowledgement received in January then in march I received a letter saying that I needed to submit another English test, I did the trinity college B1 and send them the certificate in June the 5th. Since then I am still waiting, every time the NCS guy calls them they tell him it is in progress for background checks....I am so depressed because it has been nearly 11 months now and no letter from them. I sent them a letter this week to ask if there is anything I can do to expedite the decision process. I am planning to send the same letter every month until I get a response....is anyone in a similar situation? Is there anything else I can do to make them work on my case? I feel I am so unlucky...

U can make ur local MP to write a letter to them on ur behalf. Hopefully that might work.

[Mamadou]

Hi.
I applied through the NCS on the 5th December 2013 (ILR + spouse of British citizen, I spent 3 years in the UK). The NCS guy told me that my TOEiC was accepted by the HO after he checked with them so I submitted it. Acknowledgement received in January then in march I received a letter saying that I needed to submit another English test, I did the trinity college B1 and send them the certificate in June the 5th. Since then I am still waiting, every time the NCS guy calls them they tell him it is in progress for background checks....I am so depressed because it has been nearly 11 months now and no letter from them. I sent them a letter this week to ask if there is anything I can do to expedite the decision process. I am planning to send the same letter every month until I get a response....is anyone in a similar situation? Is there anything else I can do to make them work on my case? I feel I am so unlucky...

[Rahel1984]

Good to see that people are getting Approval letters now.
I have received a brown envelope as well today. Finally my acknowledgement letter has arrived today. It is dated the 25th.
Now I guess i just need wait and hope for the best. My application is quite straightforward as well like others have mentioned on this forum so it will be interesting to see how long it will take HO to make a decision.
Congratulations to everyone who received their approval letters and good luck to everyone who is waiting for one.

My timeline:
Eligibility criteria: Married to BC + ILR
(Living in UK for 8 years)
Language criteria met: B1-Trinity college +LIUK
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Hastings
Date of application: 10/10/2014
Payment method : Credit Card
Date of acknowledgment: 25/10/2014
Acknowledgement letter received: 31/10/2014
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 25/10/2014
Date approval received: Waiting
Date of ceremony: Waiting

Mine is exactly like urs. But still waiting for a decision for nearly 4 months now.

[waitwaitwait]

Good to see that people are getting Approval letters now.
I have received a brown envelope as well today. Finally my acknowledgement letter has arrived today. It is dated the 25th.
Now I guess i just need wait and hope for the best. My application is quite straightforward as well like others have mentioned on this forum so it will be interesting to see how long it will take HO to make a decision.
Congratulations to everyone who received their approval letters and good luck to everyone who is waiting for one.

My timeline:
Eligibility criteria: Married to BC + ILR
(Living in UK for 8 years)
Language criteria met: B1-Trinity college +LIUK
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Hastings
Date of application: 10/10/2014
Payment method : Credit Card
Date of acknowledgment: 25/10/2014
Acknowledgement letter received: 31/10/2014
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 25/10/2014
Date approval received: Waiting
Date of ceremony: Waiting

[bezveze]

Criteria: 5years + 1 year ILR
Council Name: NCS Hammersmith
Date of Submission: 10/09/2014
Date App Recv'd by UKBA: 12/09/2014
Date of fee clearance: 18/09/2014
Date or receipt of Acknowledgement letter:
Date of Approval: 29/10/2014
Date of receipt of Approval Letter: 31/10/2014
Date of Ceremony:

[Khaleesi]

Hi Guys finally i got my approval letter today i was over the moon and called my council immediately to book a ceremony.
Here are my dates:

Criteria: 5years + 1 year ILR
Council Name: NCS Camden
Date of Submission: 02/08/2014
Date App Recv'd by UKBA: 05/08/2014
Date of fee clearance: 13/08/2014
Date or receipt of Acknowledgement letter: 14/08/2014
Date of Approval: 25/10/2014
Date of receipt of Approval Letter: 31/10/2014
Date of Ceremony: 05/11/2014


Good luck to all those who are still waiting, keep up hope! And thank you for this timeline, it made waiting bearable .