Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[Tee2024]

Eligibility criteria: EU Family member + Settled Status
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 09/10/2023
Date of debit of fees:09/10/2023
Date Documents Submitted: 21/10/2023
Date Biometrics enrolled (UKVCAS):21/10/2023( paid)
Approval Email from home office Atlas and invitation for citizenship ceremony : 29/01/2024 (12.37pm)
Ceremony invitation from Council : pending
Citizenship ceremony date: Pending

Emailed - FurtherNationalityEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk on 19 January 2024 and got a response today advising that my application was approved and i should expect to receive the confirmation from the Nationality Case work team and an invitation to book the citizenship ceremony.

Best wishes everyone- thanks to all who have posted their timelines for the helpful updates.

[vikmez]

Eligibility criteria: ILR + 9 years living in the UK
Language: UK BSC degree
Nationality: Hungarian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 26/09/2023
Payment: 26/09/2023 online debit
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 05/10/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 05/10/2023 London Mark lane (paid)
Date of acknowledgement: 05/10/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 29/01/2024 11:40
Date of ceremony: tbd

I emailed furthernationalityenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk on the 29/01/2024 at 9am as I saw people who submitted around the same time I did have received their email. A couple of hours later they sent me the approval email. It might be a good idea to give them a nudge if you have been waiting for longer than 3,5 months.
Good luck everyone!

[kilotonne-musters0p]

Eligibility criteria: Spouse of UK citizen - 5 yr
Language: Native English
Method of application: 28/09/2023 online
Biometric appointment 25/10/2023 Mark Lane free
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 25/10/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 29/01/2024
Date of Ceremony: 28/02/2024

Sent a chaser to FNE on Friday afternoon and had approval in my inbox Monday 9:30am. Coincidence? Probably. But didn't hurt to chase!

[GuerillaMethod]

Eligibility criteria: 10 years different visas (2 x Student + Refugee) + 1 year Long Residence ILR
Language: Trinity B1
Method of application: 15/01/2024 online
Biometric appointment 20/01/2024 Mark Lane
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: pending
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

[awesomeagni]

Naturalisation Application Timeline

Eligibility criteria: Tier 2 General visa (5 years) + 3 years ILR
Nationality: Non-EU
Language: B1 + Life in the UK
Method of application: Online
Date of online application submission: 09 Jan 2024
Date of receipt of payment confirmation from UKVI: 09 Jan 2024
Biometrics appointment: 24 Jan 2024
Date of receipt email confirming submission of supporting documents from UKVCAS: 24 Jan 2024

Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of email from the council: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

All the best, everyone.

[flyingsquirrel]

Eligibility criteria: EU citizen prior to Brexit + EU pre-SS + 1Y EUSS/ILR
Proof of Language: BSc in the UK + Life in the UK
Nationality: EU (FR)
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 09/10/2023
Date of debit of fees: 09/10/2023
Date Documents Submitted: 13/10/2023
Date Biometrics enrolled (UKVCAS): 13/10/2023 (free)
Date Receipt of Acknowledgment: 13/10/2023
Date of Approval Email from Home Office: pending
Date of Receipt of Ceremony Invitation: 26/01/2024 @ ~3 PM
Citizenship ceremony date: 27/02/2024

[Tee2024]

Eligibility criteria: EU Family member + Settled Status
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 09/10/2023
Date of debit of fees:09/10/2023
Date Documents Submitted: 21/10/2023
Date Biometrics enrolled (UKVCAS):21/10/2023( paid)
The date of Approval letter/Email: pending
Date of receipt of ceremony invitation:pending
Citizenship ceremony date: Pending

Emailed - FurtherNationalityEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk on 19 January 2024 and got a response today advising that my application was approved and i should expect to receive the confirmation from the Nationality Case work team and an invitation to book the citizenship ceremony.

Best wishes everyone- thanks to all who have posted their timelines for the helpful updates.

[Amunybot]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5 years Spouse Visa+ <1 yrILR
Proof of language: NARIC+ Life in the UK
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 02.08.2023
Date of debit of fees:02.08.2023
Biometrics appointment: 30.08.2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 30.08.2023
Date of receipt of approval:pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

Sent email to further nationality enquiry to chase up, got back from them after 15 days :

Thank you for contacting the Further Nationality Enquiry email inbox.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide you with a progress update as our records show that your nationality application is still within the service standard. Decisions on nationality applications are usually made within 6 months of submission, although some applications can take longer.

STILL WAITING….

[james_gallll]

Eligibility criteria: ILR since 2010 (I was granted ILR when I moved here as a minor)
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 12/11/2023
Date of debit of fees:12/11/2023
Date Documents Submitted: 12/11/2023
Date Biometrics enrolled (UKVCAS):20/11/2023 (Leicester, Paid appointment)
The date of Approval letter/Email: Pending
Date of receipt of ceremony invitation:pending
Citizenship ceremony date: Pending

[justanothername]

Eligibility criteria: Tie 2 visa + 1 Yr (ILR)
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 25 August 2023
Date of receipt by UKBA: 25 August 2023
Date of debit of fees:25 August 2023
Date Biometrics enrolled: 1 Sept 2023 (Mark Lane)
Date of acknowledgement documents submitted to UKVI: 1 Sept 2023 (email)
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of email from the council: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

Sent an email to FurtherInquiries and received a response saying it’s still in the 6 months timelines and that I should just wait.
It’s nerve wrecking given a lot of others have received the approvals already.

[Chigwindiri]

Eligibility criteria: Work Permit + 1 Yr (ILR)
Nationality: South African
English Language Test (Trinity) + Life in UK Test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 1 Oct 2023
Date of receipt by UKBA: 1 Oct 2023
Date of debit of fees:1 Oct 2023
Date Biometrics enrolled: 7 Oct 2023 (South Eastern)
Date of acknowledgement documents submitted to UKVI: 7 Oct 2023 (email)
Date of receipt of approval: approval email received on 22nd Jan 2024
Date of email from the council: Citizenship ceremony invitation email received 19th Jan 2024
Date of Ceremony: Booked for March 2024

Good Luck For Everybody Waiting ! Thank you to this group for all the help.

[faaa]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 2 (5 years) + 1 year ILR (July 2023)
Nationality: AE
Language + LIUK: UK degrees + Life in UK Test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 12 July 2023
Date of receipt by UKBA: 12 July 2023
Date of debit of fees: 12 July 2023
Date Biometrics enrolled: 14 July 2023 (Croydon)
Date of acknowledgement documents submitted to UKVI: 14 July 2024 (email)
Date of receipt of approval: approval email received on Sunday 21st January 2024 (9pm!)
Date of email from the council: didn't receive the council email but booked my ceremony using link on approval email
Date of Ceremony: 6 Feb 2024

Took just over 6 months.
THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
This thread has been super helpful and supportive.

[popeangela]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years in UK (tier 2) + 1 year ILR
Language: UK degree
Method of application: 2.10.2023 online
Biometric appointment 9.10.2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement:9.10.2023
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

Emailed FNE on 16th Jan but no reply yet. Thanks!

[KS09]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years in UK(presettled status/settled status+spouse of BC)
Nationality: Non-EU -Ukraine
Language: B1 + Life in the UK test
Method of application: 01.10.2023 online
Date of receipt by UKBA: biometric appointment 22.10.2023 Edinburgh (paid)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement:22.10.2023
Email Further Nationality Enquiries on 14.01.2024.
Date of receipt of approval: received email 15.01.2024 at 7.20am from Further Nationality Enquiries that my application has been approved.
Home office Atlas email to book Ceremony: 22.01.2024
Date of Ceremony: 14.03.2024 West Lothian council

[NV319]

Eligibility criteria: 5yrs of family member of an EU national in UK+ 12 months and 1 day of holding EUSS Settled Status.
Proof of language: UK degree
Life in the UK test: September 2019 Passed
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 14/03/2023
Date of documents submission: 14/03/2023
Date of biometrics: 17/03/2023
Date of Acknowledgement email that docs and biometrics submitted to UKVI: 17/03/2023
Date of approval email: pending
Citizenship ceremony date: pending

Emailed Further Nationalities on 1/9/2023 waiting for a response - no response.

Emailed again Further Nationalities on 11/09/2023 waiting for a response.

Also asked MP to email HO to get an update on 11/09/2023. Awaiting response.

Received a response today from Further Nationalities that application is still being processed and the enquiry has been forwarded to caseworker team.

Received a similar above response from HO via MP. I guess we must just wait as they say enquiries are ongoing.. so frustrating process this is..

Received an email regarding service standard stating:
This is because your application raises exceptionally complex issues and we require further time to consider your case thoroughly and reach a decision.

Emailed MP today to request to follow up with HO to check what is so complex about my simple straight forward application and also to ask if that is a generic email template that I have received.

Raised a complaint end of Sept 2023, and still, no response from HO. Asked MP to chase this, they received a normal standard reply. Email FNE, they also replied and said if I have not received a response within 3 months, then I should get back in touch with them. Seems like I have reached a dead end.. nothing else to do apart from waiting..very frustrating.

Received first response from HO on 27/11/23 saying they cannot uphold my complaint and gave a standard response. I replied back on the same day escalating it and saying I am unsatisfied with their response and it is a generic response they have provided and that no proper investigation has been undertaken.

HO emailed on 29/12/23, saying they require more time to investigate and get back regarding the second review of the complaint - therefore, still waiting.

Once they respond back to me on the review of their first response to my complaint, if I am unsatisfied, I will escalate it to an independent body called IEC to review the HO responses to my complaint.

My MP is also chasing them up, however, no response.
I have also submitted another SAR on 5/12/2023. Waiting for it to come through this week.

SAR came through on 12/01/2024. There is a note stating that IT issues preventing progression on the application on 21/09/2023!!

I have requested for an urgent update on the matter via MP and have escalated the matter to IEC.

IEC proposed to UKVI that a decision and timeline for the decision should be given on 17/01/2024. On 22/01/2024, IEC cane back to me and said UKVI have agreed to IEC proposal and that the case-working team have concluded this case. I had sent an email to FNE for an update on 22/01/2024 and FNE came back to me on 23/01/2024 confirming my application was successful and invitation will be sent out within the next 3 weeks.

I believe this is the end of the journey for me (hopefully)!

Best of luck all!

[App2024]

Eligibility criteria: BC spouse 5 years, ILR
Language: B1 + Life in the UK
Nationality: Russian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 01/10/2023
Payment: 01/10/2023 online debit
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 12/10/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 12/10/2023 (Croydon free)
Date of acknowledgement: 12/10/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 21/01/2024
Date of ceremony: 26/02/2014

Good luck to everyone who is still waiting, hope you get your approval soon

[Ssu13]

Eligibility criteria: EU Family member + 12 months EU Settlement.
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 22/07/2023
Date of debit of fees:22/07/2023
Date Documents Submitted: 09/08/2023
Date Biometrics enrolled (UKVCAS):09/08/2023 free
The date of Approval letter/Email: 22/01/2024
Date of receipt of ceremony invitation:pending
Citizenship ceremony date: Pending

It is taking longer than I expected

Emailed FurtherNationalityEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk on 20/01/24, got a reply on 22/01/24 saying my application has been approved and the approval email could have gone to spam otherwise should be received within 2 weeks.
Now just waiting to get the invitation letter to go ahead and book my ceremony .
Have faith everything will work out.

[Ssu13]

Eligibility criteria: EU Family member + 12 EU Settlement.
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 22/07/2023
Date of debit of fees:22/07/2023
Date Documents Submitted: 09/08/2023
Date Biometrics enrolled (UKVCAS):09/08/2023 free
The date of Approval letter/Email: 22/01/2024
Date of receipt of ceremony invitation:pending
Citizenship ceremony date: Pending

It is taking longer than I expected

Emailed FurtherNationalityEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk on 20/01/24, got a reply on 22/01/24 saying my application has been approved and the approval email could have gone to spam otherwise should be received within 2 weeks.
Now just waiting to get the invitation letter to go ahead and book my ceremony .
Have faith everything will work out.

[Rj2023]

Eligibility criteria: 13 yrs ILR + Spouse of BC
Nationality: Indian
Language + LIUK: NARIC letters + Degree + Life in UK Test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 22 Sept 2023
Date of receipt by UKBA: 22 Sept 2023
Date of debit of fees: 22 Sept 2023
Date Biometrics enrolled: 30 Sept 2023 (139£ Leicester)
Date of acknowledgement documents submitted to UKVI: 30 Sept 2023 (email)
Date of receipt of approval: approval email received on 22nd Jan 2024
Date of email from the council: Citizenship ceremony invitation email received 18th Jan 2024
Date of Ceremony: Booked for 24th Jan 2024 (Free group ceremony)

Approved within 3.5months. I was little worried due to 8.5 months of holidays on single trip to India in middle of last 3 qualifying years. Surname was missing on current passport & all previous visas issued with middle name as surname.
Thanks and best of luck to you all.

[NFSMW]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2 + 1 year ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: IELTS for UKVI (2017) at the time of entry clearance + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 11/11/2023
Payment: 11/11/2023 online credit card
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 08/12/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 08/12/2023 (Birmingham)
Date of acknowledgement: 08/12/2023 (Acknowledgement for the submission of the documents from UKVCAS)
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of ceremony: Not applicable yet

[echoeara]

Eligibility criteria: Tier-4 (9 years) + Tier-2 (3 years) + ILR (Set LR) 1 year ( living in the UK since 2010)
Language: UK PhD Degree and Life in the UK
Nationality: Turkish
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 03/10/23
Payment: 03/10/23
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 13/10/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 13/10/23 (Bristol)
Date of acknowledgement: 13/10/23 (Acknowledgement for the submission of the documents)
Date of receipt of approval: 22/01/24 (11:25 a.m)
Date of ceremony: pending

I believe my case was straightforward, I have a pristine clear immigration and criminal record, and it took 3 months and 9 days to receive approval after submitting the biometrics. I did not contact FNE at any point nor did the home office contact me. I hope this gives an idea of how long it might take.

[mr86]

Eligibility criteria: LR + 3 year ILR
Language: B1 + Life in the UK
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 03/10/2023
Payment: 03/10/2023 online
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 02/11/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 02/11/2023 (Oxford free)
Date of acknowledgement: 02/11/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 22/01/2024 (Home office Atlas email)
Date of ceremony: 21/02/2024

[azimrad]

Eligibility criteria: Long residency , ILR 1 year
Language: UK Degree and Life in the uk
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 08/09/23
Payment: 08/09/23
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 13/09/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 14/09/23 (Manchester-free)
Date of acknowledgement: 14/09/23
Date of receipt of approval: 22/1/24
Date of ceremony: pending (email received from Leicester City Council to await a call to arrange a date)

Emailed further nationality enquires on 18/12, 09/01 and again on 13/01/24 - no response just auto reply

Altogether 4.5 months since biometric appointment

Good Luck Everyone!

[Endelig]

Eligibility criteria: EUSS 5 years, ILR 5 months, BC spouse 4 years
Language: B1 + Life in the uk
Nationality: EEA
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 3/10/23
Payment: 3/10/23
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 5/10/23
Biometrics Appointment: 20/10/23 (free)
Date of acknowledgement: 20/10/23
Date of receipt of approval: 22/1/24 11am atlas
Date of ceremony: pending

[Niroo11]

Eligibility criteria: Spouse of a British Citizen + 5 days ILR
Nationality: Iranian
Proof of language: UK masters
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 01 October 2023
Date of debit of fees: 01 October 2023
Biometrics appointment: 03 October 2023 (Cardiff)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 03 October 2023
Further info requested by Home Office: 07/01/2024 (Confirm place of Birth) (I was born in the UK) Replied same day.
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of receipt of ceremony Email: pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

Emailed FNE three times (01/01/2023- 10/01/2024 - 22/01/2024) no reply yet!