Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[Openheimmer]

Eligibility criteria: 5 Years Tier 2 + 1 Year ILR (3 applicants including a child)
Language: UK PhD Degree + Life in UK Test
Nationality: Pakistan
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 24/09/23
Date of debit of fees: 24/09/23
Date of receipt of acknowledgment (by UKVI): 24/09/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 19/10/23 (Manchester, free)
Date of receipt of submission confirmation from UKVCAS: 19/10/23
Date of receipt of approval: 15/01/2023 (three separate emails, first at 0910 HRS, second at 0915 HRS and third at 1059 HRS)
Letter from Council for the ceremony: pending
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: pending

The application has been approved in less than three months after Biometrics. Also realised that I made an error on the application form as I was absent from the UK for 7 days in April and instead I wrote 98 days. Seems they ignored my mistake and checked their records.

All the best everyone waiting. You will get this through.

[Addy135]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years + ILR on 07 June 23
Nationality: Non-EU - Pakistan
Proof of language: B1 + Life in the UK
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 15 June 2023
Date of debit of fees: 15 June 2023
Biometrics appointment: 11 July 2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 11 July 2023

Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

Contacted naturalisation team twice on 13th Oct and 1st Nov but no reply yet.

I have contacted further nationality enquiries team again on 21/12/23 but haven't received any reply yet. Not sure why it is taking that long. Please pray for me.

I have emailed Home office on few occasions in November and December and received a generic reply too saying that:

Sorry it is taking longer than 6 months. Case workers are aware of it and will reply once decision has been made.

I am getting frustrated about the whole process as seems like those who have applied in July are affected as decision is taking longer than 3 months average.

[kikzz77]

Eligibility criteria: ILR since May 2023 (spouse of British citizen)
Language: B1 test certificate + Life in UK Test
Nationality: India
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 23/09/23
Date of debit of fees: 23/09/23
Date of receipt of acknowledgment (by UKVI): 26/09/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 23/10/23 (Newcastle) Free
Date of receipt of confirmation from UKVCAS: 23/10/23
Date of receipt of approval: 08/01/24
Letter from Council for the ceremony: 08/01/24
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: 13/02/24

[mihaicristian]

Naturalisation Application Timeline

Eligibility criteria: 5 years + 1 year Settled Status
Nationality: Romanian (EU)
Language: Degree taught in English
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 30 September 2023
Date Biometrics enrolled: 25 October 2023 (free appointment in Manchester)
Date of receipt of approval email: 15 January 2024
Date of Ceremony: awaiting

Issues with application: 478 days of absences in the 5 qualifying years (excessive absences but within the 30 days' grace)

Good luck everyone!

My application has just been approved! I emailed the Manchester City Council to arrange the citizenship ceremony! I'll post an update once everything is sorted out.

This forum has kept me sane while waiting!

[Kanakdodia]

Eligibility criteria: 3 years tier 1 residency + 2 year ILR + Child 5 Year Residence + 1 Year
Language: British Bachelor's degree + Life in the UK Test
Nationality: Romanian
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 10/10/23
Date of debit of fees: 10/10/23
Date of receipt of acknowledgment (by UKVI): 10/10/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 13/10/23 Maidstone (Paid)
Date of receipt of confirmation from UKVCAS: 13/10/23 Maidstone (Paid)
Date of receipt of non availability of Biometric from UKVI: 07/12/2023
Domplaint Date of receipt of non availability of Biometric from UKVI: 07/12/2023
Date of confirmation of Biometric receipt by UKVI after investigation: 12/12/2023
Date of receipt of approval: PENDING
Letter from Council for the ceremony: PENDING
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: PENDING


We have seen some people who got asked for Biometric after the application by UK Natiaonlity department and one of the application is still pending since 2022.

We have straight forward application we hope.it does nor take the course of long processing. FINGERS crossed

[voyager1982]

Eligibility criteria: EUSS for more than 1 year
Language: English speaking degree (ECCTIS letter) + Life in UK Test
Nationality: EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 18/09/23
Date of debit of fees: 18/09/23
Date of receipt of acknowledgment (by UKVI): 18/09/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 27/09/23 (Croydon)
Date of receipt of submission confirmation from UKVCAS: 27/09/23
Date of receipt of approval: 08/01/24
Letter from Council for the ceremony: 05/01/24
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: 06/02/24

[speedbird001]

Eligibility criteria: 10 years [Tier 4 4 years + Tier 1 Exceptional Talent (Promise) Visa 5 years]+ 1 year ILR]
Language: UK degree UG&PG + Life in UK Test
Nationality: non EU (Russia)
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 18/09/23
Date of debit of fees: 18/09/23
Date of receipt of acknowledgment (by UKVI): 18/09/2023
Date of enrolling biometrics: 28/09/23 (free, Croydon)
Date of receipt of submission confirmation from UKVCAS: 28/09/23
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Letter from Council for the ceremony: pending
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: 02/02/2024 (Westminster) private

Was routinely checking Westminster council website ceremony booking service with my 16-digit application number and full name, and today was able to book the ceremony even though haven’t received any emails yet.

Emailed FNE twice on 18/12/2023 and 08/01/2024, no response either.

The waiting was nerve wrecking, so I am wishing every single one of you best of luck, and you guys will be in my prayers.

This forum has replaced application tracking for me and thank you everyone here for keeping me sane!

[Kbb90]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years + ILR (will have been in the UK for 10 years this year.)
Nationality: American / Brazilian (dual)
Method of Application: online
Proof of language: American citizen

Date of application + docs upload: 21/07/2023
Date of biometrics: 28/07/2023 (Manchester)
Date of receipt: 28/07/2023
Date of approval email: waiting
Citizenship ceremony: waiting

Have not received any email yet telling me why mine is taking longer.

It's disheartening for me seeing so many people that applied months after me already get their confirmation

[obbiettiviveri]

Eligibility criteria: EUSS, Almost 10 years in UK, settled status since 2019
Nationality: Italian
Method of Application:online
Proof of language: Master's degree in Uk
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 14.09.2023
Date of documents submission: 11.10.2023
Date of biometrics:11.10.2023
Date of acknowledgement email that docs and biometrics submitted to UKVI:11.10.2023
Date of approval email: 08.01.2024
Citizenship ceremony: 01.02.2024

Thanks everyone and good luck!

[Openheimmer]

Eligibility criteria: 5 Years Tier 2 + 1 Year ILR
Language: UK PhD Degree + Life in UK Test
Nationality: Pakistan
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 24/09/23
Date of debit of fees: 24/09/23
Date of receipt of acknowledgment (by UKVI): 24/09/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 19/10/23 (Manchester, free)
Date of receipt of submission confirmation from UKVCAS: 19/10/23
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Letter from Council for the ceremony: pending
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: pending

[zoamelgustar]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years residency + 1 year Settled (EUSS)
Language: British Bachelor's degree + Life in the UK Test
Nationality: Romanian
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 10/10/23
Date of debit of fees: 10/10/23
Date of receipt of acknowledgment (by UKVI): 10/10/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 06/11/23 Newham, London (Free)
Date of receipt of confirmation from UKVCAS: 06/11/23
Date of receipt of approval: PENDING
Letter from Council for the ceremony: PENDING
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: PENDING

[Andrew1972]

Eligibility criteria: ILR since April 2023 (spouse of British citizen)
Language: B1 test certificate + Life in UK Test
Nationality: Russian
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 02/01/24
Date of debit of fees: 02/01/24
Date of receipt of acknowledgment (by UKVI): 02/01/24
Date of enrolling biometrics: 09/01/24 (Birmingham) Paid
Date of receipt of confirmation from UKVCAS: 09/01/24
Date of receipt of approval: PENDING
Letter from Council for the ceremony: PENDING
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: PENDING

[Sidali42]

Eligibility criteria: 5 Years + 1 yr ILR

Method of application: Online

Date of application submission: 10/09/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 16/09/23

Date of receipt of approval: pending
Letter from Council for the ceremony: pending
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: pending

Sent three emails to further enquiry nothing just automatic response

[tstrassberger]

Eligibility criteria: Long term ILR holder / spouse of British Citizen
Proof of language: Exempt (US Citizen) Life in UK Passed for ILR
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 27.08.2022
Date of documents submission: 27.08.2022
Date of biometrics: 03.10.2022
Date of acknowledgement email that docs and biometrics submitted to UKVI: Never received. Wrote to FNE 24.01.2023, received reply from FNE on 14.02.2023 saying 'All proceeding normally'
Further enquiries to FNE in April, July, August, 2023. September 2023, suddenly got email from Nationality Biometrics informing me that I never took biometrics. I provided proof of attendance at the appointment. SopraSteria complaint line writes back to confirm they sent my biometrics, and they can't do anything about it until UKVI raises the issue. UKVI says 'IT Issue' UKVI tells me the have raised the issue. Nothing to do but wait.
October 2023 - MP wrote on my behalf -- same reply 'IT Issue'
November 2023, December 2023 - Replies from FNE as well as UKVI complaints that there is an ongoing IT Issue. I've offered to have biometrics taken again. No reply.
Date of approval email: none
Citizenship ceremony: none

Seventeen months and zero progress. I have read a few others are in the same situation. No signs of movement at all. I have written to all addresses again on 07.01.2024 and have no had no reply.

[casanova1307]

Eligibility criteria: Asylum seeker 5 Years + 1 yr ILR

Method of application: Solicitor ( Paid 800£ )

Education: UK degree & Life in the UK

Date of application submission: 17 /09/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 26/09/23 ( Free )

Date of receipt of approval: pending
Letter from Council for the ceremony: pending
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: pending


When I applied with a solicitor I thought my application would be easy and straightforward but still waiting on decision 3 months and 10 + days. My advice for everyone is, u do not need a solicitor, it won’t help the decision at all. If you know all the documents you need do it alone save your money.

I tried my luck like others in here and I Emailed Futhernationalityrnquires 28/12/23 and 05/01/24
No answer, I only received the automated response.


I am literally tryna go on holiday in March. Still waiting

[Heyheyhey]

Eligibility criteria: 5 Years + 1 yr ILR

Method of application: Online

Date of application submission: 07/11/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 17/11/23

Date of receipt of approval: pending
Letter from Council for the ceremony: pending
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: pending

Finger crossed

[SupperDog]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 1 Entrepreneur + 9 months ILR
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt: 10/01/2024
Date of debit of fees: 10/01/2024
Date of biometrics: 19/10/2024
Date of receipt of acknowledgment: awaiting
Date of receipt of approval: awaiting
Date of Ceremony: awaiting

Just submitted my application today even I have less than 12 months of ILR (not married to a British citizen). Will update here if I have any news.

[IamTheTick]

Naturalisation Application Timeline

Eligibility criteria: 5 yrs + 5yrs ILR
Nationality: Non-EU
Language: Degree taught in UK + Life in the UK
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 25 Sep 2023
Docs uploaded via UKVCAS: 25 Sep 2023
Date Biometrics enrolled: 06 Oct 2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement UKVI: 06 Oct 2023
Date of receipt of approval email: 8 Jan 2024 (sent a chaser email to FurtherNationality earlier today, and voila!)
Date of Ceremony: 12 Jan 2024 Private Ceremony (called my local council as website wasn’t showing any available slots)

Battled for 23 painful years for this, finally reached the finish line. Don’t lose hope, y’all! Thank you for this forum, it’s kept me sane

Good luck, everyone!!!

[Narenvish]

Eligibility criteria: 3 Years ILR + British spouse (3 year route as I was out of the country 5 years ago)
Language: UK Naric + Life in UK Test
Nationality: India
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 02/10/23
Date of debit of fees: 02/10/23
Date of receipt of acknowledgment (by UKVI): 02/10/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 29/10/23 (West Lothian Edinburgh, free)
Date of receipt of submission confirmation from UKVCAS: 29/10/23
Date of receipt of approval: 10-Jan-24 (Email confirmation from Further Nationality)
Letter from Council for the ceremony: pending
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: pending

Emailed further nationality enquiries on 09/01/2024. Got approval response from them on 10/01/2024

This thread helped me a lot on when to chase Further National enquiries, thanks

[Lancs]

Eligibility : been in UK for around 20 years, came as a student in my teens, spouse to BC, long term settled status.
Language : life in UK, B1 trinity college Manchester.

Method of application/fees: online 9th June' 23
Date of receipt/biometric/acknowledgement : 19th July (manchester)

Recieved an email on 28th November' 23 saying my application raises complex issues and it would take longer than six months (usual email which they have been sending to a lot of other applicants)

8th January 24: I have sent an email to FNE, did got a auto-generated reply more or less straight away saying they will reply to my email within 20 days. (Waiting reply time at the moment)

Date/Approval email: Pending
Date/Ceremony: Pending.
Will keep you guys posted, this forum keeps you sane I guess and quite re-assuring. Best of luck everyone!

[Kad8888]

Eligibility criteria: 10 years [Tier 4 + Tier 2 + tier 1]+ 1 year ILR]
Language: UK degree + Life in UK Test
Nationality: non EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 05/10/23
Date of debit of fees: 05/10/23
Date of receipt of acknowledgment (by UKVI): 05/10/2023
Date of enrolling biometrics: 20/10/23
Date of receipt of submission confirmation from UKVCAS: 20/10/23
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Letter from Council for the ceremony: pending
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: pending

[Drybones]

Eligibility criteria: ILR since 2013 (Came as a teen dependant)
Language: UK degree + Life in UK Test
Nationality: non EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 20/09/23
Date of debit of fees: 20/09/23
Date of receipt of acknowledgment (by UKVI): 20/09/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 11/10/23 (Peterborough) FREE
Date of receipt of confirmation from UKVCAS: 11/10/23
(only around 5 documents requested including expired passport)
Date of receipt of approval: 08/01/2024
Letter from Council for the ceremony: 09/01/2024
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: 29/01/2024 (Huntingdon)

Straight forward case as I’ve been in the country for most of my life and only traveled out for 2 weeks in 2014.
Good luck everyone

[Yoyo77]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2 + 1 year ILR
Language: UK degree + Life in UK Test
Nationality: non EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 07/09/23
Date of debit of fees: 07/09/23
Date of receipt of acknowledgment (by UKVI): 07/09/23
Date of enrolling biometrics: 07/09/23 (Croydon)
Date of receipt of submission confirmation from UKVCAS: 07/09/23
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Letter from Council for the ceremony: pending
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: pending

Emailed further nationality enquiries on 05/01/2024. Got approval response from them on 08/01/2024

[SKondeti]

Eligibility criteria: 15 years in the UK, Settled Status since October 2015
Nationality: India
Proof of language: UK degree
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 28.09.2023
Date of biometrics: 22.10.2023 (Edinburgh, paid appointment)
Date of acknowledgement email that docs and biometrics submitted to UKVI: 22.10.2023
Date of approval email: (waiting)
Email invitation to book: (waiting)
Citizenship ceremony date: West Lothian Council (waiting)

[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)