Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[indianbritish1234]

Eligibility criteria: 5 Years on Tier 2/Skilled Worker+1 Year ILR
Nationality: Indian
Language/LIUK Criteria: C1 NARIC + LIUK Test Reference Code
Method of application: Online
Date of online application UKBA: 5/8/2023
Date of debit of fees & Acknowledgement: 5/8/2023
Date of Biometrics collection UKVCAS: 9/8/2023 (paid £139, Croydon)
Date of Documents Submission Email: 9/8/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 27/11/2023 @ 9:40AM
Date of Ceremony:pending

[bfvenge]

Eligibility criteria: 10 year route + 1 yr ILR for family of 4
Nationality: Non EU (South African)
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 3 April 2023
Date of debit of fees: 3 April 2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 3 April 2023
Docs uploaded via UKVCAS: 12 April 2023
Biometrics appointment: Free appointment 27 April 2023 Luton
Sent Email to FurtherNationalityEnquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk - 29 August 2023
Got reply from Further Enquiries saying “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” - 21 September 2023

Got a letter stating with Case ID 32793279 “We aim to process all applications within 6 months from the date submitted.  However, in certain circumstances this target is not possible. Following our assessment of your cases, unfortunately it appears your applications will not be processed within the 6 month target. This is because your applications raises exceptionally complex issues and we require further time to consider your case thoroughly and reach a decision” - 04 October 2023

Wrote letter to MP - 04 October 2023

Submitted a Complaint via : https://www.ukvi-complaints.homeoffice.gov.uk/reason - 10 October 2023

Got letter back from MP with the standard that says: “I can confirm that all four applications are with the relevant team for consideration.
By way of background, citizenship is not an automatic process, and we have to make a number of enquiries before we can reach a decision on whether to grant citizenship.
The nature and extent of those enquiries, and the length of time taken to complete them, varies according to the particular circumstance of each application” - 11 October 2023.

Got letter back from Complaints with a standard reply that states :  “It may be helpful if I explain that naturalisation is not an automatic process, and we have to make a number of enquiries before we can reach a decision on whether to grant citizenship” - 19 October

Sent a physical letter to - Nationality, UKVI, PO Box 306, Liverpool, L2 0QN - 30 October 2023

Got back a letter from National Enquiries saying “ I can confirm that your application is currently being processed, and decisions on applications are usually taken within six months from the application date. I am sorry if your application is taking longer than expected. As you may be aware, the approval of a British citizenship application is not an automatic process. - 9 November 2023

Date of receipt of approval: Letter received on 20 November 2023 but approval dated 14 November 2023. The Physical Letter I sent to Nationality, UKVI, PO Box 306, Liverpool, L2 0QN was also attached and I think it’s what did the trick.
Date of Ceremony: WAITING

All in all 7 months and 2 weeks since date of application and almost exactly 7 months since Biometrics
Thank you so much to this Forum for keeping me sane
Good Luck to everyone Waiting!

** UPDATE!!
Received all 4 Home Office Atlas emails between 10:14 am and 11:33 am on Monday 27 November
Booked a Private Ceremony (paid £190 for a family of 4) for 30 November, my wife's birthday so this will be a double celebration!! This is my last post and Good Luck to All still waiting.

[ada091]

Eligibility criteria: 5 yrs spouse of BC+ 4 yrs ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: UKNARIC/ECCTIS papers of my degrees + LIUK test during ILR
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 05/08/2023
Payment: 05/08/2023 online debit
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 30/08/20223
Biometrics Appointment: 31/08/2023 (Edinburgh free)
Date of acknowledgement: 31/08/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 27/11/2023
Date of ceremony: TBC

Good luck to everyone, this group has been of great help!

[Saimac]

Eligibility criteria: 5yrs spouse visa + ILR (May 2023)
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 10/06/2023
Date of debit of fees: 10/06/23
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 15/06/23
Date of Biometrics collection UKVCAS: 20/06/2023 (paid Sheffield £139 no free slots available)
Date of receipt of approval:11:37 27/11/23
Date of email from the council: none told to book direct via council web site
Date of Ceremony: 28/11/23 states on approval email to wait a day but council confirmed to go ahead and book

[bigfootisreal]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2 + 1 year ILR
Proof of language: UK degree + Life in the UK
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 25.10.2023
Biometrics appointment: 27.10.2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 27.10.2023
Email from council about Ceremony: Pending
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

[Why lie]

Date of application: 12/08/2023
Date of debit of fees: 12/08/2023
Date Documents Submitted: 21/08/2023
Date Biometrics enrolled : 21/08/2023, paid
The date of Approval letter Email: 27/11/2023 at 09:19 am
Date of receipt of ceremony invitation: waiting

Exactly 3 months and 7 days since biometric.
Good luck to everyone waiting .

[itaintrocketscience]

Eligibility criteria: Settled Status + 1 year ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: Trinity college test + Life in the UK test
Nationality: EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 17/07/2023
Payment: 17/07/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 08/08/2023 (Free - Manchester)
Date of acknowledgement: 08/08/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 27/11/2023
Date of ceremony: Pending

[nnaitik]

Eligibility criteria: 10 years (Set LR) ILR + 1 year
Language/LIUK Criteria: MSc degree + Life in the UK test
Nationality: INDIA
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 21/08/2023
Payment: 21/08/2023online debit
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 21/08/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 02/09/2023 (Paid - Aberdeen)
Date of acknowledgement: 02/09/2023
Date of receipt of approval: Waiting
Date of ceremony: Pending

[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 receipt of approval: Pending
Date of ceremony: Pending

[Dralpi]

Eligibility criteria: Long Residence & ILR
Proof of language: UK Degree + Life in the UK
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 04.09.2023
Date of debit of fees: 04.09.2023
Biometrics appointment: 08.09.2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 08.09.2023
Date of receipt of approval: 20.11.2023

[b44b5]

Eligibility criteria: Settled status EU-Settlement Scheme (Spouse) + 1 year
Language: B1 + Life in UK test
Citizenship: Sudan
Method of application: Online
Date of application & debit of fees: 26/06/2023
Biometrics: 26/06/2023 - Peterborough
Date of receipt of acknowledgment: 26/06/2023
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending



Send email to further nationality on 15/Nov/2023 - only automated reply
Taking longer than expected. No further information is requested.

25/11/2023 - no reply from furthernationality. I am getting anxious.

[mihaicristian]

[Posting this for reference on behalf of someone else with their permission]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years + 1 year EU (settled status)
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 09.06.2023
Biometrics appointment: 06.07.2023 (free)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 14.07.2023
Date of receipt of approval: 09.10.2023
Date of Ceremony: 08.11.2023

[kmhah1525]

Eligibility criteria: 3 years (Tier 2+Global Talent) + 1 year ILR
Proof of language: UK PhD Degree
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 10.07.2023
Date of debit of fees: 10.07.2023
Biometrics appointment: 14.07.2023 (Leeds)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 14.07.2023
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

[sdimpis]

Naturalisation Application Timeline :-
Eligibility criteria: ILR 1yr + EU
Language: UK degree + Life in UK Test
Nationality: EU
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 25/04/2023
Date of debit of fees: 25/04/2023
Date of biometrics 20/05/2023- free (East Ham)
Date of receipt of acknowledgment: 20/05/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 24/11/2023 (reply from Further Enq. confirming approval)
Date of Ceremony: Awaiting

SSHD Reply : Sun 15/10/2023
"...application raises exceptionally complex issues, and we require further time to consider, will take more than 6 months..."

Further Enq. (Replied) : 31/10/23
"...Please be advised that your email has been forwarded to your case working team, who are aware that you have enquired about the progress of your current application..."

Identical timeline to @Chigwindiri wrt application and biometrics (7 days apart) and identical dates on the e-mails received from the Home Office so my guess is we have the same "case working team"

Sent again an email to Further Enq. on 23rd Nov at 5pm, got a reply this morning at 7:33am to confirm I have been approved.

Still waiting for official HO email so I can book my ceremony.

7 months since application date in total.

[alterhase58]

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.

@cattennis

[cattennis]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2 + 1 year ILR
Proof of language: transcript + NARIC English Proficiency cert + Life in the UK
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 24.07.2023
Date of debit of fees: 24.07.2023
Biometrics appointment: 25.07.2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 25.07.2023
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

Thank you

[MRC1991]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5-year Ancestry Visa + 1 year ILR
Proof of language: Trinity College London
Nationality: South African
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 03.08.2023
Date of debit of fees: 03.08.2023
Biometrics appointment: 12.08.2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 12.08.2023
Date of receipt of approval: 23/11/2023
Date of Ceremony: Waiting on the council

Goodluck everyone

[hamada1092]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 10 years long residence, 1 day INDIFINET LEAVE spouse of BC
Method of application: ONLINE
Date of receipt by UKVI: 07.06.2023
Date of debit of fees: 07.06.2023
Date of BIOMATRIC AND receipt of acknowledgement: 07.06.2023
Date of Email FurtherNationalityEnquiries on 13.11.2023 requesting application status.
Date of response Email: 21.11.2023
Received response


Date of receipt of approval: 21.11.2023 14:59 In response to my email from Further Nationality Enquiries:
"...pleased to confirm that your application for British citizenship has been approved... invitation letter to attend your citizenship ceremony will be sent to you by email within the next two weeks..."
Date of Ceremony: Not decided

[rs101]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5yr Tier 2 General + 1yr ILR
Method of application:
Date of receipt by UKVI: 28.05.2023
Date of debit of fees: 28.05.2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 05.06.2023
Date of Email FurtherNationalityEnquiries on 02.11.2023 requesting application status.
Date of response Email: 08.11.2023 Received response from NationalitySupportTeam:
"We aim to process all applications within 6 months from the date submitted. However, in certain circumstances this target is not possible. Following our assessment of your case, unfortunately it appears your application will not be processed within the 6-month target. This is because your application raises exceptionally complex issues, and we require further time to consider your case thoroughly and reach a decision"

Date of receipt of approval: 22.11.2023 14:14 In response to my email from Further Nationality Enquiries:
"...pleased to confirm that your application for British citizenship has been approved... invitation letter to attend your citizenship ceremony will be sent to you by email within the next two weeks..."
Date of Ceremony: Not decided

My experience/ takeaway/ learning for the forum:
1. Took nearly 6 months from date of applications, over 5.5 months from date of bio metrics - but within the 6 months time frame, even though HO said it might go over 6 months.
2. Many who completed their applications (including bio metrics) 1-2 months after me, received the approvals before me - which did lead to some anxiety.
3. There were some who have had to wait more than I had to and so I consider myself fortunate.
4. HO under promised, and over delivered on timelines, in the end - which is GREAT!
5. I see many who start contacting HO after 2-3 months. I believe we should give them time they state to let them focus on the work at hand, rather address anxious applicant queries. However, if you come close to 6 months, do give a nudge by emailing them (it helps, it helped others, and it helped me too!)
6. This site is a great forum and perhaps moderators should boil the data to draw some insights in the world of AI - so future users can benefit even more... just thought!

Thank you to all.

[Carlnke]

Eligibility criteria: EU Spouse (Divorced) + 1 year EU Settled status
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 31/07/2023
Date of debit of fees:31/07/2023
Date Documents Submitted: 01/08/2023
Date Biometrics enrolled (UKVCAS):01/08/2023
The date of Approval letter/Email: 20/11/2023 Home Office Atlas Email 10:36am
Date of receipt of ceremony invitation:23/11/2023
Citizenship ceremony date: 12/12/2023

A Journey of a thousand miles comes to an end. Thankful. Grateful for this forum. Goodluck everyone

[Lbas]

Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 01.08.2023
Biometrics appointment: 14.08.2023 Free
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 14.08.2023
Date of receipt of approval: 20.11.2023
Email from council about Ceremony: Didn’t Get One, Called Up To Book.
Date of Ceremony: 22. 11. 2023 (£165 Private)

[domink27]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years ILR + 1 year
Language/LIUK Criteria: ECCTIS + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 24/6/23
Payment: 24/6/2023 online debit
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 24/6/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 07/07/23
Date of acknowledgement: 07/07/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 21/11/23
Date of ceremony: Pending, trying to book for early Jan so as not to mess us Dec holiday travel

Took a total of 4.5 months. A big thank you to the moderators and everyone else that held my hand through this whole process from ILR application to naturalisation. This board is awesome and I recommend it to my friends all the time. Thanks again

[karan270]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2 + 1 year ILR ,
Proof of language: UK degree
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 4.08.2023
Biometrics appointment: 4.08.2023 paid Peterborough
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 4.08.2023
Email from council about Ceremony: got phone call from Council to book ceremony
Date of receipt of approval: 20.11.2023
Date of Ceremony: 7.12.2023

I am posting with the sole purpose of THANKING ALL THE MODERATORS who have assisted us in this long journey over the years ... thanks again!

[b44b5]

Eligibility criteria: Settled status EU-Settlement Scheme (Spouse) + 1 year
Language: B1 + Life in UK test
Citizenship: Sudan
Method of application: Online
Date of application & debit of fees: 26/06/2023
Biometrics: 26/06/2023 - Peterborough
Date of receipt of acknowledgment: 26/06/2023
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending



Send email to further nationality on 15/Nov/2023 - only automated reply
Taking longer than expected. No further information is requested.

[Renamori123]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2 + 1 year ILR
Proof of language: UK degree + Life in the UK
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 11.09.2023
Biometrics appointment: 13.09.2023 paid
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 13.09.2023
Email from council about Ceremony: tbc
Date of receipt of approval: 20.11.2023
Date of Ceremony: tbc

thanks everyone!