Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[Chigwindiri]

Naturalisation Application Timeline :-
Eligibility criteria: Protection Route (ILR > 2 yrs)
Language: UK degree + Life in UK Test
Nationality: Non-EU (Africa)
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 2/05/2023
Date of debit of fees: 2/05/2023
Date of biometrics 27/05/2023- free (South East)
Date of receipt of acknowledgment: 27/05/2023
Date of receipt of approval: Awaiting
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..."

[dzonitebra]

Eligibility criteria: EUSS + 1 Yrs
Nationality: EU
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 20/06/2023
Date Biometrics enrolled (UKVCAS): 02/07/2023 (FREE)
Date of documents received email: 02/07/2023
The date of Approval letter/Email: 16/10/23 Time 12:33
Citizenship ceremony date: Waiting

[corwinpro]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5yr (Tier 2) + 1yr ILR
Proof of language: UK degree + Life in the UK
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 15.01 2023
Date of debit of fees: 15.01.2023
Biometrics appointment: 10.02.2023 (paid)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: No acknowledgement email
Date of receipt of approval: 16.10.2023
Date of Ceremony: 27.11.2023 (booked online)

Overall, just under 9 months. Got an "exceptionally complex case" email after 5 months. Asked my MP for help after 6 months, but the Home Office essentially said "keep waiting".

[saaji93]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 2 Dependant ILR + Married to British Citizen
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of online application: 12/06/2023
Date of debit of fees & Acknowledgement: 12/06/2023
Date of Biometrics collection UKVCAS: 04/07/2023 (East ham Free)
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

Date of receipt of approval Email : 16/10/2023
Date of Ceremony: 21/11/2023
Total 4 months 4days from day of application

[rufaro40]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years refugee + 5 years ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: UK Degrees
Country: Zimbabwe
Method of application: Online
Application completed & debit of fees: 26 May 2021
Biometrics appointment: 04 June 2021 (Leeds)
Receipt of acknowledgement UKVI: 05 June 2021
Receipt of approval email: 18 September 2023
Ceremony: 03 October 2023

Thought it was a straightforward application but it took ~27 months to be processed. No updates whatsoever at any point, even at 6 months. Emailed at 8 months and received a standard letter that the checks had not been completed with regard to my application. Asked the MP to help and she followed up but she was getting standard replies about COVID-19 delays and the Ukraine war etc, however, she started refusing standardised replies at the beginning of this year and she was finally told in July that a decision would be made within 3 months. I also wrote to the Home Secretary and made a complaint beginning of September. I got a reply from the Home Secretary but my application had been approved by then. It was a very stressful time. I hope everyone waiting will get their decisions faster than this.

[Grkshcb]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5yr (Settled Status) + 2.5 yr; EU citizen
Proof of language: UK degree (Master's) + Life in the UK
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 16.06 2023
Date of debit of fees: 16.06.2023
Biometrics appointment: 22.06.2023 (Belfast, free)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 22.06.2023
Date of receipt of approval: 16.10.2023, 11.53am
Date of Ceremony: 21.11.2023 (booked online)

This forum has been very helpful in understanding likely timelines. Thank you!

[Mmck24630]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5 yrs (Ancestry) + 2 yrs ILR
Nationality: Aus
Method of application: Online
Payment Method: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 19/06/2023
Date of debit of fees: 19/06/2023
Date of document submission: 28/06/2023
Date of Biometrics collection UKVCAS: 28/06/2023 (Mark Ln)
Date of approval (HO Atlas): 16/10/2023
Date of ceremony letter (council): Pending
Date of ceremony: Pending

16 weeks from biometrics appointment to approval.
Good luck to all!!

[orangeapple]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years refugee + 2 year ILR
Nationality: pakistani
Method of application: Online
Date of online application: 05/06/2023
Date of debit of fees & Acknowledgement: 05/06/2023
Date of Biometrics collection UKVCAS: 10/06/2023 (bristol)
Date of receipt of approval: 16/10/2023
Date of Ceremony: 19/10/2023
best of luck everyone

[syan123]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 17yr + 4yr ILR (EU Settled Status)
Nationality: EU (Poland)
Language: BSc Graduate + Life in the UK
Method of application: Online
Payment Method: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 14/06/2023
Date of debit of fees: 14/06/2023
Date of document submission: 11/07/2023 (Document checking requested)
Date of Biometrics collection UKVCAS: 11/07/2023 (Gloucester)
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

Date of receipt of approval: 16/10/2023 12:15 (Ceremony Invite + Approval)
Date of Ceremony: XX November 2023

4 Months since placing application, 3 Months since biometrics.
All the best of luck to everyone on their applications!

[khush]

Eligibility criteria: British spouse ILR granted May 2023
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of Application: 15/06/2023
Biometrics appointment: 30/06/2023 (Maidstone free)
Date of of approval:
Ceremony invitation letter : 16/10/2023 11:57 am from Home Office Atlas
Ceremony date : 23/12/2023

Ceremony invitation letter : 16/10/2023 11:57 am from Home Office Atlas
Ceremony date : 23/12/2023

[Ameer_zyzom]

Eligibility criteria: Permanent Residence ( Long Residence Route 10 Yrs ) + 1 Yr ILR +
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online - Credit Card
Date of application: 16/04/2023
Documents submitted: 18/04/2023
Biometrics submitted: 18/04/2023 (paid)
The date on Approval letter/Email: 16/10/2023
Date of receipt of ceremony Email : 13/10/2023 ( 3 days before approval email)
Citizenship ceremony date: 23/10/2023 ( private)
6 months exactly

[mhat]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2 + ILR + British Citizen spouse
Nationality: Lebanese
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 12 June 2023
Date Documents Submitted: 12 June 2023
Date biometrics submitted: 16 June 2023
The date of Approval letter/Email: 9 October 2023
Date of receipt of ceremony invitation: 9 October 2023
Citizenship ceremony date: 17 October 2023

[giavouse]

Eligibility criteria: 5 year Tier 2 + 1 year ILR
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online - Credit Card
Date of application: 30/05/2023
Documents submitted: 03/06/2023
Biometrics submitted: 03/06/2023 (paid, Croydon)
The date on the Approval letter/Email: 09/10/2023
Date of receipt of ceremony Email : 09/10/2023 (same letter with approval)
Citizenship ceremony date: 16/10/2023

Best wishes everyone.

[demi]

Eligibility criteria: 5 year + 1 year ILR (for myself and 3 dependants)
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online - Credit Card
Date of application: 15/04/2023
Documents submitted: 15/04/2023
Biometrics submitted: 12/05/2023 (free, Newcastle)
The date on the Approval letter/Email: waiting
Date of receipt of ceremony Email : waiting
Citizenship ceremony date: waiting


4 months and 1 week and still no response

I have emailed them on 16th August: no response
Emailed again on 22nd Aug: and still no reply

Received a reply on 25th Aug that my application is still under consideration

Another email sent on 4th Sep, almost 5 months with no reply

I haven't received any reply since the 4th Sep, sent another one on 18th Sep.

Got a reply 28th Sep that my application is still under consideration- Contacted the MP who replied back after 5 days with the email he sent them- Waiting to hear back from MP.
5 months and 3 weeks now with no reply although my application is very straightforward.

Still waiting to hear back from my MP, but I emailed further nationality again last night as it's 6 months now, and they got back to me at 8:30 that my application was successful. Phew!

My application was straightforward and it took 5 months and 28 days to get the outcome. Good luck everyone! I know it's painful to wait for > 4 months especially when everyone else is getting theirs in the average time 0f 3-4 ms, but hopefully, you will get the good news soon! I am thinking maybe it would have been quicker to apply for the kids on their own and because I had 3 dependants in my application, it took them too long.

[immyuk]

Eligibility criteria: British spouse, ILR granted in June 2023
Nationality: American
Method of application: Online
Date of Application: 09/06/2023
Biometrics appointment: 30/06/2023 (Cardiff, free)
Date of of approval: 09/10/2023
Ceremony invitation letter : 10/10/2023
Ceremony date : 24/10/2023

[drkay1]

Eligibility criteria: ILR (EU Settled status for non EU Family member)+3 years
Nationality: Pakistan
Method of application: Online
Application completed & debit of fees: 26 April 2023
Biometrics appointment: 23 May 2023
Receipt of acknowledgement UKVI: 23 May 2023
Receipt of approval email: 25 Sept 2023
Ceremony: 02 Oct 2023
Good Luck Everyone waiting!

[saaji93]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 2 Dependant ILR + Married to British Citizen
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of online application: 12/06/2023
Date of debit of fees & Acknowledgement: 12/06/2023
Date of Biometrics collection UKVCAS: 04/07/2023 (East ham Free)
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

[DaffyDuckAD]

Eligibility criteria: ILR + Married to British Citizen
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of online application: 02/06/2023
Date of debit of fees & Acknowledgement: 02/06/2023
Date of Biometrics collection UKVCAS: 09/06/2023 (MarkLane, London, Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

[escribitionist]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria : ILR + 3yr spouse of BC
Method of application : Online
Date of receipt by UKVI : 17th May 2023
Date of debit of fees : 17th May 2023
Docs uploaded : 17th May 2023 (UKVCAS website)
Biometric submitted at UKVCAS : 4th July 2023 (free, Southampton; I was travelling in June so delayed the submission a bit)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement : 4th July 2023
Date of receipt of approval : 18th September 2023
Date of Ceremony : 4th October 2023

[heskeysleftleg]

Eligibility criteria: 10 years + 1 year ILR
Nationality: Nigeria
Method of application: Online
Date of online application and payment: 14/06/23
Appointment date and biometrics: 08/07/23 (Luton)
Date of acknowledgement UKVI: 09/07/2023
Receipt of approval email: 09/10/2023
Date of ceremony: 13/10/23

[farrellcsun]

Eligibility criteria: ILR (SET(M)) – married to British citizen (five years living in UK)
Nationality: USA
Language/LIUK : USA passport + Life in UK
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 13 June 2023
Date Biometrics enrolled: 19 June 2023 (paid-Birmingham)
Date of acknowledgement documents submitted to UKVI: 19 June 2023 (email)
Call to Request to confirm town of birth: 2 October 2023 11:50
Date on Approval letter: pending
Date of receipt of approval: 10 October 2023
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

UPDATE 10 OCT 2023: A week after receiving call from Home Office as mentioned above, I sent an email to Further Nationality Enquiries on Mon. 9 Oct 2023 for an update since they said decision would be "soon."

Received email reply this morning (10/10/23) that application was approved. Waiting on invitation email for citizenship ceremony, which Home Office said would be arriving within two weeks. Will update here once received.

[Omoba18]

Eligibility criteria: 10 years Partner route + 2wks ILR
Nationality: Non EU
Method of application: Online
Date of online application: 23 Sep 2023
Date of debit of fees & Acknowledgement: 23 Sep 2023
Type Of Appointment: Paid Appointment
Date of Biometrics collection UKVCAS: 02 Oct 2023 (Southampton)
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

[Kabans]

Update: approval email came to my inbox on 02 October 2023.
In total, 1 year and 6.5 months waiting.

Good luck all!

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2 + 1 year ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: Life in the UK test
Method of application: Online (IDV app)
Payment: 11/03/2022
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 15/03/2022
All the rest: pending...

When the 6-months waiting period passed, I began to act.
19/09/2022 = a mail to furthernationalityenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk
18/10/2022 = addressed MP for assistance
28/10/2022 = repeated me status request mail to furthernationalityenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk
01/11/2022 = a reply from HO: "As you may be aware, naturalisation is not an automatic process, and we have to make a number of enquiries to ensure that applicants can satisfy the statutory requirements. Some of these enquiries are carried out by external agencies on our behalf and can sometimes take longer than six months to complete."
03/01/2023 = a reply from MP "we have received a verbal update from a member of the MP Accounts Management Team at the Home Office... checks are still ongoing and that UKVI would endeavour to conclude your application as soon as operationally possible... Please do get back in touch if you experience a significant further delay in this case."

Today is 13 months since I completed the payment and started the application process. I can't put into words how upset I am. However I've seen other cases when people waited 16, 18 months without any luck... I don't know what to do - seems to be a dead end.

[orangeapple]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years refugee + 2 year ILR
Nationality: pakistani
Method of application: Online
Date of online application: 05/06/2023
Date of debit of fees & Acknowledgement: 05/06/2023
Date of Biometrics collection UKVCAS: 10/06/2023 (bristol)
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

[CosmosS]

Route: 5 years of Skilled worker/Tier 2. 1 year ILR.
Nationality: non-EU
Application submitted: 15 June 2023
Biometrics submitted in application centre: 6 July 2023
Home Office Atlas email approval: 2 Oct 2023
Haven't contacted my council for the ceremony yet.

Council citizenship ceremony on the 21st of November...