Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[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.

[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!

[Newestbritontheblock]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years spouse + ILR (held for 2 weeks before applying for naturalisation)
Language/LIUK Criteria: MSc degree + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Pakistani
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 24/09/2023
Payment: 24/09/2023 online debit
Biometrics Appointment: 16/10/2023 (Manchester, Free)
Date of receipt of approval: 08/01/2024
Date of ceremony: 14/02/2024

[justatraveldoc]

Eligibility criteria: 10y pre settled + 1y settled status
Nationality: Indian
Proof of language: UK undergraduate and masters degress
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 03.11.2023
Date of biometrics: 07.11.2023 (Croydon, paid)
Date of acknowledgement email that docs and biometrics submitted to UKVI: 07.11.2023
Email sent to FNE -
1) 05.01.2024, received a reply on 27.01.2024 that application is still under processing times.
2) 26.01.2024, received a reply on 14.02.2024 that application has been approved.

Date of approval email: pending
Citizenship ceremony date: pending

[Odd-Ordinary8417]

Eligibility Criteria : EUSS + 1 year ILR
Language : LIUK + B1
Method of Application : Online
Date of Application : 21/07/2023
Biometric Appoitment : 21.07.2023 (Birmingham paid)
Sent mail to FNE for update : November and January
Date of Receipt of Approval from HO :
Date of Ceremony invitation : 12.02.2024
Date of Ceremony : waiting

[idainhaus]

Eligibility criteria: T1E, 5 years, and 1 Year ILR
Language: UK NARIC + Life in the UK Test
Nationality: Iranian
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 05/02/24
Date of enrolling biometrics: 12/02/24 (London, Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: Pending

Good luck everyone

[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: Pending...
Citizenship ceremony date: Pending...

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.

[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 approval email: pending
Citizenship ceremony date: pending

[NowBritish]

Eligibility criteria: 5y pre settled + 1y settled status
Nationality: EU
Language: UK Degree + Life in the UK Test
Method of application: Online
Date of debit of fees: 23/10/23
Date of application submission: 23/10/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 15/11/23 (London, Free)
Date of receipt of approval: 12/02/24
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: 13/03/24

[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: pending

[e210696]

Application Type: UK Naturalisation (AN)
Category: PBS Dependant of Tier 2 General (5 years) + ILR
Nationality: non-EU
Application Date: 29 October 2023 at 10:41am
Biometric Appointment: 30 October 2023 at 8am (Bedford Point Croydon)
Date of approval email: 12 February 2024 12:49
Date of ceremony: 28 February 2024

[donutaud15]

Eligibility criteria: EU settled status since 2019 + BC spouse
Nationality: Italian/Filipino
Language: UK BA and MA + Life in the UK test
Method of application: Online
Payment Method: Online
Date of application submission: 30/09/2023
Date of Biometrics: 07/11/2023 (Mark Lane, London)
Date of Approval: pending

Email to FNE: 20/01/2024 and 07/02/2024 no reply

[Rrberair]

Eligibility criteria: EU settled status 3 years
Language: UK University PhD + Life in UK Test
Nationality: French
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 12/11/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 18/11/23 (Birmingham, Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: 12/02/24
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: To be confirmed

[groundbat]

Eligibility criteria: EU settled status + 1 year, 1 week ILR/SS
Nationality: EU
Language: National of English Speaking Country + Life in the UK
Method of application: Online
Payment Method: Online
Date of application: 10/10/2023
Date of debit of fees: 10/10/2023
Date of Biometrics collection UKVCAS: 6/11/2023 (Cambridge, Free Appointment)

Email sent to FNE - 1/2/2024, did not receive a reply

Date of receipt of approval from Home Office Atlas: 12/2/2024
Date of Ceremony: 4/3/2024 (group, free)


Thanks for all the help on this forum. The timelines posted here really helped me to be patient and understand the minimum/likely waiting period. Best wishes to everybody still in the process!

[shanravi]

Eligibility criteria: Spouse, 5 years and 1 day ILR
Language: UK NARIC + Life in UK Test
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 15/10/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 19/10/23 (London, Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: 12/02/24
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: 13/03/2024

I received email from Home Office Atlas regarding approval of my application and invitation for Citizenship ceremony. The email mentioned that I should go to the Council website to book Ceremony. I did not wait for Council email and just booked the Ceremony now.

Good luck everyone

[Candyfloss]

Eligibility Criteria : BC Spouse +ILR (2013)
Language : LIUK + B1 SL
Nationality: Non EU
Method of Application : Online
Date of Application : 10.10.2023
Payment : 10.10.23
Biometric Appoitment : 06.11.2023 (Manchester,Free)
Date of Acknowledgement : 06.11.2023
Sent mail to FNE for update : 06.02.2024
Respond from FNE : 07.02.2024
Date of Receipt of Approval from HO : 12.02.2024 (13.35)
Date of Ceremony invitation : 09.02.2024
Date of Ceremony : 29.02.2024 (Free group Ceremony)

I sent mail to FNE for update yesterday ( 6.02.2024) and today I received Approved mail at 11.04 am ,now I have to wait for citizenship invitation and HO approval mail.

- Update -

I received Council ceromony invitation mail today and booked for ceromony...I just have to wait for HO atlas mail,I guees Monday or next week anytime I will have an information.If I cant ,I will contack with them ,giving 3 working days after council invitation just like they mentioned on the FNE mail.

I just wanted to thanks everyone for their advice,experience and time..Specially for your time cos time is precious.Wish you all the best of luck with your applications.

[shanravi]

Eligibility criteria: Spouse, 5 years and 1 day ILR
Language: UK NARIC + Life in UK Test
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 15/10/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 19/10/23 (London, Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: 12/02/24
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: To be confirmed

Good luck everyone

[phaseolinus]

Eligibility criteria: 7 years in the UK, Settled Status since 2021
Nationality: EU
Proof of language: UK degree
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 18.10.2023
Date of biometrics: 09.11.2023 (Bristol, free)
Date of acknowledgement email that docs and biometrics submitted to UKVI: 09.11.2023
Date of approval email: (waiting)
Email invitation to book: (waiting)
Citizenship ceremony date: (waiting)

Eligibility criteria: 7 years in the UK, Settled Status since 2021
Nationality: EU
Proof of language: UK degree
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 18.10.2023
Date of biometrics: 09.11.2023 (Bristol, free)
Date of acknowledgement email that docs and biometrics submitted to UKVI: 09.11.2023
Date of approval email: (pending)
Email sent to FNE - 05.02.2024, received a reply that my application has been approved today (06.02.2024)
Email invitation to book: (pending)
Citizenship ceremony date: (pending)

Thanks everyone and good luck to all those who are still waiting

Eligibility criteria: 7 years in the UK, Settled Status since 2021
Nationality: EU
Proof of language: UK degree
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 18.10.2023
Date of biometrics: 09.11.2023 (Bristol, free)
Date of acknowledgement email that docs and biometrics submitted to UKVI: 09.11.2023
Date of approval email: 12.02.2024
Email sent to FNE - 05.02.2024, received a reply that my application has been approved on 06.02.2024
Citizenship ceremony date: 21.03.2024 (Free)

[torquaycat]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5yr Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) + 1yr ILR
Nationality: Russian
Method of application: online
Date of application and debit of fees: October 4, 2023
Biometrics: October 13, 2023 (Exeter paid)
Date of receipt of approval: February 12, 2024 (Home Office Atlas)
Date of Ceremony: tbd

Sent 3 emails to FNE (January 8, 18, 26), received an auto-response after each. On January 31, received an email from FNE stating that my application has been approved. The official approval came 12 days later (today). Just called the council, hopefully will have the ceremony sometime soon.
Thank you for this forum, it stopped me from climbing the walls while waiting

[Kad8888]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 4 + Tier 2 + Tier 1+ 1 year ILR
Proof of language: UK degree + Life in the UK
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 05.10.2023
Biometrics appointment: 21.10.2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 21.10.2023
Date of official approval from Home office (Atlas): Pending

Email sent to FNE on the 23.01.2024 and a response received on the 09.02.2024, specifying that my application is still within the service standard and therefore no update.

[CR001]

Please respect that this is a TIMELINE ONLY topic to be posted in the correct timeline format. Please do not post questions, chit chat, analysis, opinions or discussions in this thread. Any such posts will be removed.

If you have any questions, please start your own topic or continue in one you already have.

@citizen kane

[tapera]

Eligibility Criteria : Refugee + 5 yr ILR
Proof of English : UK Postgraduate Degree
Nationality : Zimbabwe
Method of Application: Online
Date of Application: 20 May 2021
Biometrics : 29 May 2021 - Leeds
Letter of Approval : 23 August 2023
Invitation to Ceremony: 5 September 2023
Date of Ceremony : 14 September 2023

Got there in the end but , boy oh boy , what a painful wait. Years of following up , eventually involved MP but the HO didn’t seem to be moved.

[a66013]

Application Timeline

Eligibility criteria: 5yr Tier 2 + 1yr ILR
Citizenship: British National Overseas
Method of application: Online
Date of application & debit of fees: 17 Sept 2023
Biometrics appointment: 03 Oct 2023 (Mark Lane, free)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 03 Oct 2023
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Letter from Council for the ceremony: 10 Feb 2024 (Date showing on letter was 2 Feb 2024)
Date of Ceremony: pending

Weird that didnt receive the approval email but receive the letter from council
It seems the timeline is now 4 months since the Biometrics appointment.
Good luck everyone

[Kad8888]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 4 + Tier 2 + Tier 1+ 1 year ILR
Proof of language: UK degree + Life in the UK
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 05.10.2023
Biometrics appointment: 21.10.2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 21.10.2023
Date of official approval from Home office (Atlas): Pending

Email sent to FNE on the 23.01.2024 and a response received on the 09.02.2024, specifying that my application is still within the service standard and therefore no update.