Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[haidernchd]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: (3yr spouse of BC)
Method of application: Royal Mail
Date of receipt by UKBA: 10th April 2014
Date of debit of fees: 25th April 2014
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 30/04/2014
Date of receipt of approval: 9/07/2014
Date of Ceremony: TBC

Other Updates: If you wish to provide interim updates (Payment slip received with acknowledgement for £ 32 more to pay as fee from 06th April increased to £906 not £874 any more.
Interim Updates Additional fee deducted from my account 13/05/2014
Received all my documents back with the letter saying your application is successful you will receive invitation letter within two weeks.
Date: Description

[zeevirgo]

Eligibility criteria: 3yrs residency + ILR (British Spouse)
Language criteria met B1 test plus Life in the UK
Current nationality: Pakistani
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Barnet
Date of application: 24/06/2014
Payment method: Debit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: To Be Updated -- Should be 26/06/2014
Date of acknowledgment: Still WAiting
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 2nd july 2014
Date approval received: To Be Updated
Date of ceremony:To Be Updated

[haseet]

hi all

i want to apply for citizenship but due to injury i am jobless and cant afford fee

i would highly appreciate good advice and help.

Regards,

[midbar]

I'm also a January applicant (6th Jan).

Emailed my local MP this week to contact the HO on my behalf - hoping for a decision by next month (?)

ps: EU applicant with PR certificate

[sumeetsaini@gmail.com]

Hi All

I applied in Jan this year and have not had any decision yet - it will be beyond the standard service soon. Do you know what will happen after that, and will they contact me to explain the reason behind the delay?
Is there any way i can contact them to get the update

[pkris.k]

Eligibility criteria: 5yrs residency + ILR
Language criteria met (UK degree, exempt countries, PBS used documents, NARIC, or B1 test): Life in the UK + 30+10 Points in PBS
Current nationality: Indian
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Buckinghamshire
Date of application: 11/07/2014
Payment method CC/DC, Personal cheque, Bankers cheque etc: CC
Date of receipt by UKBA: To Be Updated -- Should be 12/07/2014
Date of acknowledgment: To Be Updated
Date of debit or clearance of fees: To Be Updated
Date approval received: To Be Updated
Date of ceremony:To Be Updated

There was a small goof up during my documents verification . I was applying for registering my daughter (form MN1 -- birth in UK) as well along with my naturalisation. In the reference and identify section one of the referees wrote as 'Son of Work Colleague' instead of 'Daughter of Work colleague'. The NCS coordinator called someone to check what needs to be done and i was asked to write in the additional comments section that it has been mentioned incorrectly. Hope it wont be a problem..however fingers crossed!!!

[k_alibaba]

Eligibility criteria: 10yr+ 1yr ILR
Method of application: Post
Date of receipt by UKBA: 16/04/2014
Date of debit of fees: 02/05/2014
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 06/05/2014
Date of receipt of approval: Not yet
Date of Ceremony: Not yet

UPDATE: called UKBA yesterday n been told my app is pending. dont know what it meant but got to wait a bit longer i presume.
REQUEST: pls dont write long paragraphs and argument+counter argument. you could PM for those.

[akash08]

@silvamethod

your cheap marketing gimmick is really condemnable. You are writing in a forum where the power of cumulative knowledge is far superior than any immigration lawyer and this forum has saved thousands of pound of fees for people like me who learnt to be self sufficient and not depend on immigration lawyers.

We can easily make out how stupid your post is, how unnecessary and irrelevant are the things you have mentioned. Getting citizenship is not a rocket science, we get it without paying any fee to any lawyer. Not only that, even UKBA mentions in their website that getting an agent for citizenship is hardly required. You either qualify or do not.

If you have really used the agent you mentioned, we can only pity you.

This is my first ever post in such tune in this forum but sellsmen like you is nuisance for such a beautiful forum which is lifeline for many amd hence had it to give you back.

[Beanietude]

I originally applied for citizenship in October 2013, before the latest changes took hold. I am married to a British citizen and was granted ILR in 2005... or so I thought. Apparently, the person who put my ILR visa in my passport failed to mark it as such, leaving only the expiration date at the top as the same date my passport expires. After many months and depletion of nearly £1000, I received a letter from UKBA saying "sorry, no" simply on the basis of this expiration date. Emails were exchanged (some rather snarky from me), but nobody at UKBA could tell me what visa I *did* have if not IRL? That's what I had applied for, and certainly what I had paid for, so was I wrong to trust the agents in 2005 knew what they were doing when they stamped my passport all those years ago? Apparently.

Letters were exchanged between our MP and the Home Office, more months passed and, whaddya know? There's been an error! My IRL visa should've stated its purpose more clearly. Armed with these letters and a new, appropriately endorsed visa, I was free to have my citizenship application reconsidered. Finally.

I sent in my forms, tests, passport and £80 on March 17th for reconsideration. It was signed for on their end on the 18th. I've thus far had no correspondence from UKBA, not even to say "we got your stuff, thanks!" The money has not yet been taken. I recently sent them an email asking if they could simply confirm they at least have my documents and got a rather tersely worded automated reply, nothing else to date.

I know UKBA are incredibly busy at the moment, but given some of the speedy(ish) responses some seem to be getting I'm beginning to wonder if I'm ever going to see my passport again! Any ideas on how long I should leave them to it before I start panicking? I have half a mind to request it back as I may need it soon for a work-related DBS check, but I don't want to jeopardise my application.

I can't say I'm impressed by this whole experience.

UPDATE:

I had made plans to ring UKBA this coming Friday when, lo' and behold!, my documents have shown up! Huzzah! Citizenship has been approved. Now awaiting invite to ceremony from the council. So glad we're almost done!

[Maxwell]

I agree with Adamboston.

Especially strange to see the advice that your solicitor should have British sounding name.

Maybe you confuse this country with some other. I don't mean to sound rude but really, maybe you confuse it with your country of origin.

The fact that you or your family have money to spend on expensive immigration solicitors who even have British sounding names does not change the fact that this is totally unnecessary. This is democracy and firstly, you can do it yourself, secondly, in this country you can't go and give advice to people to choose professional based on how British his/her names sounds, this is ridiculous.

Anyway, this topic is for Naturalisation timelines. So I propose to assume that everybody acted in good faith and let's switch on timelines only. Take it easy.

[adamboston]

MAGNE & Co Immigration Lawyers

LOL, these so-called Ox-Cam immigration lawyers should know first that most of the stuff mentioned in this ridiculous post is not even required for naturalisation. What a stupid and cheap marketing tactic.

Firstly, it was my own decision to include these additional documents to make a stronger application and a better impression, not my lawyer's. I heard that approval is quicker if residency and economic activity is proved in more than one way. This seems to work in most cases. It worked for me.

Secondly, they may deny it, but in these situations it always matters how you present yourself and what impression the case worker gets about you as a person. Also, you shouldn't leave any doubt in their minds, hence the additional documents.

Thirdly, a lot of my friends who are going through this application had disappointing experiences with second-rate 'solicitors' who can barely speak or write in English properly and who use the same statement template for every client without adjusting it to the individual's circumstances.

I don't see any problems with sharing advice or experience with fellow applicants.

You can LOL and mock me as much as you want, BUT I got my British citizenship in record time with zero problems or delays!

Good for you mate but dont confuse the fellow applicants with this unnecessary information. There is nowhere in your previous post you mentioned that it was your own decision to add all the 'extra' bits. You are trying to give the impression that all this documents you have submitted are 'mandatory'. See below:

I submitted a very detailed application with a top immigration lawyer who really argued my case. I proved my economic activity (self-employed, sometimes employed) with different types of documents for the past 6 years (invoices I gave, invoices I received, list of transactions to my business accounts, my ads in newspapers, tax returns, tax calculations, NI contributions, letter from accountant, pay slips from work, work contracts). Same with proof of residence in Britain (bank statements for each month for the past 6 years- I have 3 bank accounts with different banks, letters from various councils which confirm that I was registered there on the electoral roll, rconfirmation letters from my university, accommodation contracts, letters from GP about appointments with my address on them etc). Prove everything for every month with at least 3-4 documents. Don't rely on just one type of proof.

[Rahel1984]

Hi, I am applying for naturalisation tomorrow. So as my referees I got one it manager in HSBC Bank and other one is a waiter. Will that be sufficient? I need urgent help please. Any advice from anyone?

[SilvaMethod]

Eligibility criteria: 5 + 1 year (I applied as an employed and self-employed person, even though I was a student for 4 years.)
Language criteria met : CAE, CPE, IELTS (9.0 overall), Oxbridge University Degree, Life in the UK test
Current nationality: New EU country
Method of application: MAGNE & Co Immigration Lawyers
Council name if NCS used: N/A
Date of application: 21/03/2014
Payment method : Credit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 23/03/2014
Date of acknowledgment: 25/03/2014
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 27/03/2014
Date approval received: 01/05/2014
Date of ceremony: 22/05/2014

My application has been approved very quickly (about 4 weeks).

Do your application with a lawyer, preferably with a lawyer who has a British name and went to a good uni (Ox or Cam). Home Office will take you more seriously if you do so. http://www.immigration-help.co.uk/

I submitted a very detailed application with a top immigration lawyer who really argued my case. I proved my economic activity (self-employed, sometimes employed) with different types of documents for the past 6 years (invoices I gave, invoices I received, list of transactions to my business accounts, my ads in newspapers, tax returns, tax calculations, NI contributions, letter from accountant, pay slips from work, work contracts). Same with proof of residence in Britain (bank statements for each month for the past 6 years- I have 3 bank accounts with different banks, letters from various councils which confirm that I was registered there on the electoral roll, rconfirmation letters from my university, accommodation contracts, letters from GP about appointments with my address on them etc). Prove everything for every month with at least 3-4 documents. Don't rely on just one type of proof.

I had 7 referees instead of 2. All of them highly educated, British with respectable professional jobs. Included their photos and photocopies of their passports to make my application stronger and more convincing.

I created a directory guide sheet for my documents (which stated which months are covered by what) to make it easier for the case worker to go through my application. Documents were in chronological order going backwards in time.

I have never claimed any benefits, tax credits, housing benefit, job seekers allowance etc. in the past 10 years while I was here in the UK, not even when I was eligible for them. This was emphasised throughout my application.

LOL

MAGNE & Co Immigration Lawyers

LOL, these so-called Ox-Cam immigration lawyers should know first that most of the stuff mentioned in this ridiculous post is not even required for naturalisation. What a stupid and cheap marketing tactic.

Firstly, it was my own decision to include these additional documents to make a stronger application and a better impression, not my lawyer's. I heard that approval is quicker if residency and economic activity is proved in more than one way. This seems to work in most cases. It worked for me.

Secondly, they may deny it, but in these situations it always matters how you present yourself and what impression the case worker gets about you as a person. Also, you shouldn't leave any doubt in their minds, hence the additional documents.

Thirdly, a lot of my friends who are going through this application had disappointing experiences with second-rate 'solicitors' who can barely speak or write in English properly and who use the same statement template for every client without adjusting it to the individual's circumstances.

I don't see any problems with sharing advice or experience with fellow applicants.

You can LOL and mock me as much as you want, BUT I got my British citizenship in record time with zero problems or delays!

[alok_singh]

Has anyone got the approval who had applied after 06th May 2014. I had called HO and they said still no case worker is allocated to the application

[ajbhatta]

Hi,

I have currently had some problems with my landlord and fear that they might not inform me of the Letter (if Approved) that is sent from the HO via Post.

My question: Is it possible to give instructions to the HO to have it sent to the local postal collection service centre or have it Emailed to my Office address.

If any other alternatives, please advice.

[adamboston]

Eligibility criteria: 5 + 1 year (I applied as an employed and self-employed person, even though I was a student for 4 years.)
Language criteria met : CAE, CPE, IELTS (9.0 overall), Oxbridge University Degree, Life in the UK test
Current nationality: New EU country
Method of application: MAGNE & Co Immigration Lawyers
Council name if NCS used: N/A
Date of application: 21/03/2014
Payment method : Credit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 23/03/2014
Date of acknowledgment: 25/03/2014
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 27/03/2014
Date approval received: 01/05/2014
Date of ceremony: 22/05/2014

My application has been approved very quickly (about 4 weeks).

Do your application with a lawyer, preferably with a lawyer who has a British name and went to a good uni (Ox or Cam). Home Office will take you more seriously if you do so. http://www.immigration-help.co.uk/

I submitted a very detailed application with a top immigration lawyer who really argued my case. I proved my economic activity (self-employed, sometimes employed) with different types of documents for the past 6 years (invoices I gave, invoices I received, list of transactions to my business accounts, my ads in newspapers, tax returns, tax calculations, NI contributions, letter from accountant, pay slips from work, work contracts). Same with proof of residence in Britain (bank statements for each month for the past 6 years- I have 3 bank accounts with different banks, letters from various councils which confirm that I was registered there on the electoral roll, rconfirmation letters from my university, accommodation contracts, letters from GP about appointments with my address on them etc). Prove everything for every month with at least 3-4 documents. Don't rely on just one type of proof.

I had 7 referees instead of 2. All of them highly educated, British with respectable professional jobs. Included their photos and photocopies of their passports to make my application stronger and more convincing.

I created a directory guide sheet for my documents (which stated which months are covered by what) to make it easier for the case worker to go through my application. Documents were in chronological order going backwards in time.

I have never claimed any benefits, tax credits, housing benefit, job seekers allowance etc. in the past 10 years while I was here in the UK, not even when I was eligible for them. This was emphasised throughout my application.

LOL

MAGNE & Co Immigration Lawyers

LOL, these so-called Ox-Cam immigration lawyers should know first that most of the stuff mentioned in this ridiculous post is not even required for naturalisation. What a stupid and cheap marketing tactic.

[theprideofpak]

Eligibility criteria: 5 + 1 year (I applied as an employed and self-employed person, even though I was a student for 4 years.)
Language criteria met : CAE, CPE, IELTS (9.0 overall), Oxbridge University Degree, Life in the UK test
Current nationality: New EU country
Method of application: MAGNE & Co Immigration Lawyers
Council name if NCS used: N/A
Date of application: 21/03/2014
Payment method : Credit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 23/03/2014
Date of acknowledgment: 25/03/2014
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 27/03/2014
Date approval received: 01/05/2014
Date of ceremony: 22/05/2014

My application has been approved very quickly (about 4 weeks).

Do your application with a lawyer, preferably with a lawyer who has a British name and went to a good uni (Ox or Cam). Home Office will take you more seriously if you do so. http://www.immigration-help.co.uk/

I submitted a very detailed application with a top immigration lawyer who really argued my case. I proved my economic activity (self-employed, sometimes employed) with different types of documents for the past 6 years (invoices I gave, invoices I received, list of transactions to my business accounts, my ads in newspapers, tax returns, tax calculations, NI contributions, letter from accountant, pay slips from work, work contracts). Same with proof of residence in Britain (bank statements for each month for the past 6 years- I have 3 bank accounts with different banks, letters from various councils which confirm that I was registered there on the electoral roll, rconfirmation letters from my university, accommodation contracts, letters from GP about appointments with my address on them etc). Prove everything for every month with at least 3-4 documents. Don't rely on just one type of proof.

I had 7 referees instead of 2. All of them highly educated, British with respectable professional jobs. Included their photos and photocopies of their passports to make my application stronger and more convincing.

I created a directory guide sheet for my documents (which stated which months are covered by what) to make it easier for the case worker to go through my application. Documents were in chronological order going backwards in time.

I have never claimed any benefits, tax credits, housing benefit, job seekers allowance etc. in the past 10 years while I was here in the UK, not even when I was eligible for them. This was emphasised throughout my application.

LOL

[sudhirbph]

My timeline:

Eligibility criteria: 10yr+ 1year ILR
Language criteria met :UK masters degree + life in the UK test
Current nationality: Indian
Method of application: NCS
Council name NCS used: Sale Manchester
Date of application: 02/07/2014
Payment method : Debit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 03/07/2014 (royal mail tracking)
Date of acknowledgment: Waiting
Date of debit or clearance of fees: Waiting
Date approval received: Waiting
Date of ceremony: Waiting

[sogy]

Finally, can update with good news!

Eligibility criteria: EEA 6+ years Treaty Rights (worker), never applied for settlement doc
Method of application: NCS Nottingham
Date of NCS appointment: 19/03/2014
Date of receipt by UKBA : 20/03/2014 (via Royal Mail tracking)
Date of debit of fees (Debit Card) : 27/03/2014 (transaction posted)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 02/04/2014 (dated 26/03/2014)
Date of receipt of approval: 04/07/2014 (dated 30/06/2014)
Date of ceremony: To be booked

106 days. One delay with my application i exactly a month ago the case worker (apparently, assigned by then) requested a Northern Ireland police check form (DAT1). I do not live in NI, but lived there in the past (5 years ago).

[ciitrong]

Eligibility criteria: 2 yrs HSMP + 3 years Tier1 + 1year ILR
Language criteria met : IELTS (expired)
Current nationality: Pakistani
Method of application: NCS -
Council name NCS used: Southwrak
Date of application: 20/06/2014
Payment method : Debit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 27/06/2014
Date of acknowledgment: 03/07/2014
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 30/06/2014
Date approval received: Waiting
Date of ceremony: Waiting

[mhent]

[quote="Beanietude"]I originally applied for citizenship in October 2013, before the latest changes took hold. I am married to a British citizen and was granted ILR in 2005... or so I thought. Apparently, the person who put my ILR visa in my passport failed to mark it as such, leaving only the expiration date at the top as the same date my passport expires. After many months and depletion of nearly £1000, I received a letter from UKBA saying "sorry, no" simply on the basis of this expiration date. Emails were exchanged (some rather snarky from me), but nobody at UKBA could tell me what visa I *did* have if not IRL? That's what I had applied for, and certainly what I had paid for, so was I wrong to trust the agents in 2005 knew what they were doing when they stamped my passport all those years ago? Apparently.

Letters were exchanged between our MP and the Home Office, more months passed and, whaddya know? There's been an error! My IRL visa should've stated its purpose more clearly. Armed with these letters and a new, appropriately endorsed visa, I was free to have my citizenship application reconsidered. Finally.

I sent in my forms, tests, passport and £80 on March 17th for reconsideration. It was signed for on their end on the 18th. I've thus far had no correspondence from UKBA, not even to say "we got your stuff, thanks!" The money has not yet been taken. I recently sent them an email asking if they could simply confirm they at least have my documents and got a rather tersely worded automated reply, nothing else to date.

I know UKBA are incredibly busy at the moment, but given some of the speedy(ish) responses some seem to be getting I'm beginning to wonder if I'm ever going to see my passport again! Any ideas on how long I should leave them to it before I start panicking? I have half a mind to request it back as I may need it soon for a work-related DBS check, but I don't want to jeopardise my application.


Hi
you really need to call them on 03001232253 tell them your situation and hopefully they will confirm whether they have your documents or not. Try to call them 9 am. To make them give you the right information ask for the name and surname of the advisor as soon as they pick up the phone


Gd luck

[Beanietude]

I originally applied for citizenship in October 2013, before the latest changes took hold. I am married to a British citizen and was granted ILR in 2005... or so I thought. Apparently, the person who put my ILR visa in my passport failed to mark it as such, leaving only the expiration date at the top as the same date my passport expires. After many months and depletion of nearly £1000, I received a letter from UKBA saying "sorry, no" simply on the basis of this expiration date. Emails were exchanged (some rather snarky from me), but nobody at UKBA could tell me what visa I *did* have if not IRL? That's what I had applied for, and certainly what I had paid for, so was I wrong to trust the agents in 2005 knew what they were doing when they stamped my passport all those years ago? Apparently.

Letters were exchanged between our MP and the Home Office, more months passed and, whaddya know? There's been an error! My IRL visa should've stated its purpose more clearly. Armed with these letters and a new, appropriately endorsed visa, I was free to have my citizenship application reconsidered. Finally.

I sent in my forms, tests, passport and £80 on March 17th for reconsideration. It was signed for on their end on the 18th. I've thus far had no correspondence from UKBA, not even to say "we got your stuff, thanks!" The money has not yet been taken. I recently sent them an email asking if they could simply confirm they at least have my documents and got a rather tersely worded automated reply, nothing else to date.

I know UKBA are incredibly busy at the moment, but given some of the speedy(ish) responses some seem to be getting I'm beginning to wonder if I'm ever going to see my passport again! Any ideas on how long I should leave them to it before I start panicking? I have half a mind to request it back as I may need it soon for a work-related DBS check, but I don't want to jeopardise my application.

I can't say I'm impressed by this whole experience.

[Cdn78]

Updated to reflect acknowledgment letter

Eligibility criteria: 5 year WP/Tier 2 + 1 year ILR
Language criteria met : Majority English Speaking Country (Canada)
Current nationality: Canadian
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used: Wandsworth
Date of application: 20/06/2014
Payment method : Debit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 23/06/2014
Date of acknowledgment: 28/06/2014 (received 3/7/2014)
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 28/06/2014
Date approval received: Waiting
Date of ceremony: Waiting

[anandh79]

Hi Alok

This is the number 03001232253.

Good Luck!

Regards
Krish

[alok_singh]

Please can some post 0300 contact number to check the status of application applied on 2nd May still no update after 2 months