Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[zuruzu]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years EUSS
Method of application: online
Nationality: Romanian
Date of receipt by UKBA: 18/11/2023
Date of debit of fees: 18/11/2023
Date of biometrics: 29/11/2023 (Croydon, free)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement from UKVCAS: 29/11/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 26/02/2024
Date of Ceremony: TBC

Many, many thanks to everyone posting here, it really helped having some idea of real waiting times! Good luck to everyone still waiting!

[ashsilvv]

Eligibility criteria: form UKF
Nationality: stateless
Method of application: online
Date of online application: 02/11/2023
Biometrics appointment: 02/12/2023 (paid, Swindon)
Email from local council: 23/02/2024
Date on approval letter: awaiting
Citizenship ceremony date: 15/04/2024 (the soonest available)

86 days total, 56 working days. Feeling very grateful.

Expecting the home office email to probably arrive on Monday. Thank you all for the information in this otherwise completely blind process.

[Gillm]

Eligibility criteria: Spouse of BC, ILR + 1 year (separated from spouse)
Proof of language: American citizen
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 27.01.24
Date of debit of fees: 27.01.24
Date of documents submission: 04.02.24
Biometrics appointment: 23.02.24 (Glasgow, free)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 23.02.24
Date of receipt of approval:
Date of Ceremony:

[juliasmart7]

Eligibility criteria: BC spouse 12 years, ILR (1.5 years)
Language: B1 + Life in the UK
Nationality: Russian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 01/11/2023
Payment: 01/11/2023 online debit
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 16/11/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 16/11/2023 (Exeter free)
Date of acknowledgement: 16/11/2023
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of ceremony: Pending

Sent an email to FNE on 09/02/2024 and received a phone call on 14/02/2024 to clarify some details.
Date received an email of invitation to the ceremony: 22/02/2024
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of ceremony: 07/03/2024
Good luck everyone

[pssst__]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: EUSS + 1 Settled Status
Proof of language: UK MSc degree + Life in the UK
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 06.11.2023
Date of debit of fees: 06.11.2023
Biometrics appointment: 27.11.2023 (next available free slot)
Date of receipt of acknowledgment: 27.11.2023
Date of receipt of approval: 23.02.2024
Date of Ceremony: 03.04.2024 (requesting for earlier date)

UPDATE
Emailed FNE: 21.01.2024 (Default reply - within 6 months)
Emailed FNE: 22.02.2024 (replied today my application is approved!! Ceremony Invitation came first).

That's me done!! Passport application next. Thanks all for your timelines! And all the best to those still waiting

[dmioger]

Eligibilitiy: 5y Spouse of British Citizen + ILR (applied one week after getting ILR)
Nationality: Non-Eu (but I also have an EU citizenship, not the one used for my ILR, been recognized Italian by birth after Brexit)
Language: IELTS B1 + Life in the UK
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 22/10/2023
Date of biometrics: 23/10/2023 paid
The date on the Approval letter/Email: Pending...
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 22/02/2024
Citizenship ceremony date: Pending: 19/03/2024

05/01 - Email to FNE, no reply...
10/01 - Another new email to FNE, got a reply, standard response the application is within the timeframe.
29/01 - Email to FNE, no reply...
08/02 - Have emailed them again today, really frustrating that so many people that applied around my date or even November have already gotten their response. I absolute don't mind waiting but it is really unfair this disrespect to the chronological order of applications. My case is extremely straight forward and I just been granted ILR, that took one morning for them to approve.

One more Monday and nothing yet. No replies from FNE regarding my last emails.

Got my invitation from the council today. I believe HO Atlas email will follow on Monday. Thank you everyone in this forum for sharing your timelines.

[xsdffd]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2 / Skilled Worker + 1 year ILR
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 12/11/2023
Date of debit of fees: 12/11/2023
Date of biometrics: 16/11/2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 16/11/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 19/02/2024
Date of Ceremony: TBC

[IndianinLondon]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2 + 5 year ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: Trinity College London GESE + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 30/09/2023
Payment: 30/09/2023 online debit
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 11/10/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 12/10/2023 (Croydon Service point)
Date of acknowledgement: 12/10/2023
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of ceremony: Pending
15/01/2024: Sent an email to Further National Enquiries for an update on the application. No response
25/01/2024: Sent another email ( new thread ) to FNE team. No response
01/02/2024: Sent a follow up email on 1st email of 15/01/2024: Got a response the next day from Customer Contact & Correspondence Services team that per their records the application is within service standard of 6 months, therefore they are unable to share any update.
I will follow up again on completion of six months.

Update : 21/02/2024 Received an email from FNE on the original email thread that the application has been approved and I should be receiving ceremony invitation from local authority.
Good luck to all !

[trevoronitselec]

Family/group application
Eligibility criteria: ILR + 1YR (we applied on our 3rd yr however)
Language: Trinity College London CEFR B1.1 + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 06 Nov 2023
Date of debit of fees: 06 Nov 2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 27 Nov 2023 (biometrics)
Date of receipt of approval: 19th February 2024
Date of ceremony: TBC

Thank you for this group/website. I find the admins and people in this group very helpful all throughout our journey here in the UK. Goodluck to all who are waiting for their application approval.

[Rashid]

Sharing on behalf of a relative:

Eligibility criteria: 5y residence + ILR (spouse of BC)
Language: B1 + Life in UK Test
Number of applicants: 1
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 10 Nov 2023
Date of enrolling biometrics: 14 November 2023 (Wolverhampton, Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: 19 Feb 2024 (just over 3 months after date of biometrics)
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: tbc

[ElenaS82]

Eligibility criteria: 10years spouse of BC; 10yr + 4 years of ILR
Language: Trinity College London CEFR B1.1 + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Russian
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 30th September 2023
Date of debit of fees: 30th September 2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 17th October 2023 (biometrics)
Date of receipt of approval: 19th February 2024

After 4 month is of waiting I decided to email FNE to see if there is any update, emailed them on Friday 16th Feb, received an approval email on Monday 19th February

[razergd1]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years tier 2/skilled worker + 1 year ILR
Language: UK Degree (PhD)
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 19/10/2023
Date of enrolling biometrics: 9/11/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 5/2/2024
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: 19/2/2024 (Private)

Eligibility criteria: 5 years PBS dependent + 1 year ILR (wife)
Language: B1 Trinity college certificate
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 30/10/2023
Date of enrolling biometrics: 15/11/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 19/2/2024
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: 19/2/2024 (Private)

We received my wife's approval on the date of my private ceremony so tried our luck to see if they could officiate the ceremony (private) for both of us. The service was amazing and they found my wife's certificate so we both had our ceremony together which was really nice and efficient!

[andriyanic]

Eligibility criteria: 9yrs EU resident (5yrs + 4yrs EUSS)
Proof of KOLL: UK degree + LIUK test
Nationality: Bulgarian
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 25/10/2023
Biometrics appointment: 14/11/2023 (Mark Ln, London)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 14/11/2023 (from UKVCAS, never received confirmation from UKVI)
Confirmation of approval from FNE: 07/02/2024
Date of receipt of approval: 19/02/2024
Email from council about Ceremony: 16/02/2024
Date of Ceremony: 18/03/2024 (Islington, London)

Got the HO Atlas confirmation today as expected, at 9.25am. Next stop: passport.

That’s the last from me on here—good luck again to all those waiting!

[Izzy9]

Eligibility criteria: 24 years + IRL
Language: SELT+ Life in UK Test
Nationality: European
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 01/12/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 02/12/23(London, Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: 19/02/24 (local council sent invite on 15/02/24)
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: 18/03/24

Thank you for all the insightful replies on this thread; it’s truly enlightening to see the various timelines. It appears that most approvals come around the 3.5 to 5-month mark, often on Mondays.

Observing numerous inquiries sent to the home office within the official 6-month waiting period, I believe patience is a virtue. Sending emails during this timeframe might only prompt an automatic response, potentially delaying the process further.

To everyone enduring this process, keep the faith! We’ve invested time, effort, and money in this journey, and this community provides invaluable support. Wishing each one of you success in your applications!

Eligibility criteria: 24 years + IRL
Language: SELT+ Life in UK Test
Nationality: European
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 01/12/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 02/12/23(London, Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: 16/02/24 email from local council, suspect home office will email on Monday
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: TBC


Very quick turn around 78 working days overall which may be the fastest I’ve seen!

[VirtualWaver]

Eligibility criteria: T2G + 5y ILR
Language: UK Master's degree + Life in UK Test
Number of applicants: 1
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 18 Oct 2023
Date of enrolling biometrics: 14 November 2023 (Southampton, Free)
Date of receipt of approval: 18 Feb 2024 (exactly 4 months since the day of online submission)
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: 25 Mar 2024

Enormous thanks to this forum and good luck everyone!!

[Lucky640]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years EUSS+ 3yr spouse of BC
Method of application: online
Nationality: EU
Date of receipt by UKBA: 30/10/2023
Date of debit of fees: 31/10/2023
Date of biometrics: 02/11/2023 (Mark Lane, paid)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement from UKVCAS: 02/11/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 19/02/2024
Date of Ceremony: 21/02/2024

Received an email from Home Office Atlas at around 10am this morning and in total my waiting time was 3 months and 20 days from the application date. Thank you to the forum and everyone who contributed to the timeline!!!! Best of luck to everyone waiting.

[cerotti]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years pre-settled status, 1 year Settled Status, +1.5 months
Nationality: EU - ITA
Proof of language: IELTS B1 Life Skills - Life in the UK test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 18.10.2023
Date of biometrics: 14.11.2023 (Liverpool Lord St., free)
Date of acknowledgement email that docs and biometrics submitted to UKVI: 14.11.2023
Email sent to FNE - 24.01.2024, received a reply on 12.02.2024 that my application has been approved.
Date of email for Council invitation to attend ceremony: 16/02/2024
Date of approval email: 19/02/2024
Citizenship ceremony date: 27/02/2024 (private)

That's all from me, turnaround in line with the current average, I think.
Odd thing that I got the Council invitation before the official HO Atlas email, but it arrived today.
Good luck everyone

[hanenyo]

Eligibility criteria: 10years spouse of BC+ 2 years of ILR
Language: Trinity College London CEFR B1.1 + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Nigerian
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 23/10/2023
Date of debit of fees: 23/10/2023
Date of Biometric : 20/11/2023
Receipt of acknowledgement: 20/11/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 19/02/2024

Many thanks to this forum and the contributors.

[RowenaUK]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years ancestral visa + 1 year ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: English B1 + Life in the UK
Nationality: South African
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 21/10/2023
Payment: 21/10/2023 online debit
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 21/10/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 26/10/2023 (Croydon paid appointment)
Date of acknowledgement: 26/10/2023
Date of invitation to ceremony: 12/2/2024
Date of ceremony: 13/3/2024

When I was able to log in, but unable to book for the ceremony, I called the borough on Wednesday 14th February who informed me that they only get paperwork once a week on a Thursday. Details are uploaded during the day on Friday and for me to check again on Monday 19th February. I have been able to book an appointment this morning, 17th February, and 13th March was the earliest available.

[Lucky640]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years EUSS+ 3yr spouse of BC
Method of application: online
Nationality: EU
Date of receipt by UKBA: 30/10/2023
Date of debit of fees: 31/10/2023
Date of biometrics: 02/11/2023 (Mark Lane, paid)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement from UKVCAS: 30/10/2023
Date of receipt of approval: TBC
Date of Ceremony: TBC

[andriyanic]

Eligibility criteria: 9yrs EU resident (5yrs + 4yrs EUSS)
Proof of KOLL: UK degree + LIUK test
Nationality: Bulgarian
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 25/10/2023
Biometrics appointment: 14/11/2023 (Mark Ln, London)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 14/11/2023 (from UKVCAS, never received confirmation from UKVI)
Confirmation of approval from FNE: 07/02/2024
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Email from council about Ceremony: 16/02/2024
Date of Ceremony: 18/03/2024 (Islington, London)

I got the ceremony invite from Islington Registrar today and booked for the first available date which was in a month's time. Presumably, the HO approval will follow on Monday. All in all just under 5 months from application to ceremony or 4 months after the biometrics appointment. Will report on the passport timeline once I get round to it.

Thanks everyone for sharing your timelines in this thread, as I said before it's been really helpful in setting expectations. And best of luck to all those waiting to hear back!

[Izzy9]

Eligibility criteria: 24 years + IRL
Language: SELT+ Life in UK Test
Nationality: European
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 01/12/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 02/12/23(London, Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: TBC
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: TBC

Thank you for all the insightful replies on this thread; it’s truly enlightening to see the various timelines. It appears that most approvals come around the 3.5 to 5-month mark, often on Mondays.

Observing numerous inquiries sent to the home office within the official 6-month waiting period, I believe patience is a virtue. Sending emails during this timeframe might only prompt an automatic response, potentially delaying the process further.

To everyone enduring this process, keep the faith! We’ve invested time, effort, and money in this journey, and this community provides invaluable support. Wishing each one of you success in your applications!

Eligibility criteria: 24 years + IRL
Language: SELT+ Life in UK Test
Nationality: European
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 01/12/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 02/12/23(London, Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: 16/02/24 email from local council, suspect home office will email on Monday
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: TBC


Very quick turn around 78 working days overall which may be the fastest I’ve seen!

[Lunabanoona]

Eligibility Criteria: 5years skilled worker + 1 year ILR
Nationality: Philippines
Date of Application: 12 September 2023
Date of Biometrics: 28 September 2023
Date of Approval: 8 January 2024
Date of Ceremony: 14 February 2024

Took around 3 months for my results to come. Pretty quick considering it was during the holidays. Im very pleased with the processing times. Ive just applied for my passport hopefully it will be smooth sailing from here. Fingers crossed. Goodluck everyone xx

[spidermat]

Eligibility criteria: 5ys pre-settle status + 1y settled status
Nationality: Dual Ecuadorian-Spanish
Proof of language: C1 (Trinity College London)
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 24.10.2023
Date of biometrics: 07.11.2023 (Leeds, FREE appointment)
Date of acknowledgement email that docs and biometrics submitted to UKVI: 07.11.2023
Date of approval email: 12.02.2024
Citizenship ceremony date: 22.03.2024
First thing that I received was the invitation for the ceremony with a date and time. This was on the 8th of February, I didn’t get to choose the day or the time, just was allocated that. I received the email from HO with the approval on the 12.02.2024, not sure why it was all the way around. Thank you everyone for your posts! Good luck!

[demiane]

Eligibility criteria: EUSS + BC spouse
Language: UK degree + Life in UK Test (passed in Oct 2015)
Nationality: Greek
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 02/10/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 02/11/23(Nottingham, free)
Date of receipt of approval: 12/02/24
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: 07/03/24

Received outcome within about 4.5 months after I submitted my application which seems similar to other posted timelines here. Thank you for all the help in this forum. Many posts have been invaluable, especially the ones which alerted me to the CSI requirement back in 2015 when I first decided to apply for naturalisation. I kept postponing the application for almost 10 years but I have finally done it and so happy to be successful. Cheers all.