Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[Ibab]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5Yr + 1Yr ILR(EUSS Non EU family member)
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 01/03/2023
Date of debit of fees: 01/03/2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 01/03/2023
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 02/04/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 01/04/2023 (free)
Ceremony Invitation Email: 21st April 2023
Date of receipt of approval: Not received yet
Date of Ceremony: 30th May 2023

To be honest, I wasn't expecting that it ll be this quick, but only received the email from council, hopefully get the home office letter soon.

Good luck all still waiting.

Eligibility criteria: 5Yr + 1Yr ILR(EUSS Non EU family member)
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 01/02/2023
Date of debit of fees: 01/02/2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 01/02/2023
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 02/03/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 01/03/2023 (free)
Ceremony Invitation Email: 21st April 2023
Date of receipt of approval: Not received yet
Date of Ceremony: 30th May 2023

Sorry in excitement , I got the dates wrong , Application submitted on 1st Feb, Biometrics were taken on 1st March. Good luck to All

[Ibab]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5Yr + 1Yr ILR(EUSS Non EU family member)
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 01/03/2023
Date of debit of fees: 01/03/2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 01/03/2023
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 02/04/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 01/04/2023 (free)
Ceremony Invitation Email: 21st April 2023
Date of receipt of approval: Not received yet
Date of Ceremony: 30th May 2023

To be honest, I wasn't expecting that it ll be this quick, but only received the email from council, hopefully get the home office letter soon.

Good luck all still waiting.

[ShaneC]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 9Yr + 8Yr ILR
Method of application: GOV.UK
Date of receipt by UKBA: 19/02/2023
Date of debit of fees: 19/02/2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 19/02/2023
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 19/03/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 19/03/2023 (free)
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

Would recommend waiting for a free appointment or travelling for one to another city over as it was literally just collection of finger prints unless you require assistance uploading documents and or checking these I do not feel the extra cost is in any way justified or a reflection of the quality of the service on offer.

Best of luck to all.

[hawkeyejones]

Eligibility criteria: 5 year British Spouse +1 year ILR (divorce in between ILR and now)
Nationality: American
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online - debit card
Date of application: 26/03/2023
Documents submitted: 31/03/2023
Biometrics submitted: 18/04/2023 (Edinburgh-free)
The date on Approval letter/Email: Waiting
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Waiting
Citizenship ceremony date: Waiting
Passport applied: Waiting

[Yael7242]

Eligibility criteria: 5 year spouse of BC +
Applied 2 months after getting ILR

Nationality: Nigerian

Method of application: Online

Date of receipt by UKBA: 10 Sept 2022

Date of debit of fees: 10 Sept 2022

Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 12 Sept 2022

Biometrics appointment / doc submission: 12 Sept 2022

Date of approval email: 17th April 2023

Date of Ceremony: tbd

Notes:
The process took 7 months or so
At the 6 months mark, I got an email saying due to an IT issue they would not be able to process within the 6 month mark.

I literally was confused

To those still waiting from last year pls be patient. My application was the most straight fwd with no issues whatsoever ever but it took 7 months!!!

It can be depressing to come on here and see people that applied in Jan or feb 2023 getting decisions already and saying they believe the process is 3 months etc

Infact I stopped checking the forum to prevent being sad. But the truth is there is a serious back log and they are understaffed apparently.

So pls believe that your approval email is coming *fingers crossed**
I wish everyone the best and congrats in advance

Thank you for this board.
Glad it’s all over now

[as3m]

Eligibility: ILR
Language: Degree equated with UKNARIC at B1 level
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 19/10/2022
Biometrics Appointment: 09/11/2022
Date of receipt of approval: 17/04/2023
Date of ceremony:

Thank God it’s almost over. Waited close to 6 months since submission of application online.

My case was very straightforward and although glad for people it was at the same time disheartening to see many people applied way later get approvals. If you’re still waiting, I pray you hear soon !

[Johnfox]

Eligibility: ILR
Language: UK degree
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 15/08/2022
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS:07/09/2022
Biometrics Appointment: ukvcas
Date of acknowledgement: 08/09/2022
Date of receipt of approval: 17/04/2023
Date of ceremony:

It has been a long journey. I have emailed HO twice and local MP once in March.
Glad it’s finally over . Wish everyone who are still waiting the best of luck!

[Ver]

Eligibility criteria: 7years refugee + 2years indefinite
Language: IELTS & LIUK test (2022)
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 28/02/2023
Payment: 28/02/2023
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS:17/03/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 27/03/2023 fees paid £0
Date of acknowledgement: 27/03/2023
Date of receipt of approval: waiting :
Date of ceremony: waiting

[nathybes]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years PBS dependent + 2 years ILR

Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by HO: 26/01/2023
Date of debit of fees: 26/01/2023
Date of biometrics: 31/01/2023 (Birmingham-paid)
Date of receipt of approval: 17/04/2023
Date of ceremony: waiting. Council informed they will bookmin 4 weeks

[waitingkam]

Eligibility criteria: EU Settled status + 1 year ILR
Nationality: EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 04/12/2022
Date of debit: 04/12/2022
Payment method: Online by card
Date of Document Submission: 29/12/2022 (London, free appointment)
Biometrics submitted: 29/12/2022 (London, free appointment)
Date on Approval Letter or Email: WAITING
Date of ceremony: WAITING

P.S. I see that some people, who applied this year /2023/ have already received their approvals (Congratulations). It makes me a little anxious that I haven't received anything yet

[gt2015]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years in the UK (Tier 2) + 1 year ILR
Language: UK Degree + Life in the UK (from the ILR application)
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Application date : 19th November 2022
Biometrics appointment date: 28th November 2022 (paid appointment - Mark Lane)
Approval email: waiting

Update:
Approval email: received 17th April 2023 (emails to my husband and myself arrived approx. one hour apart)

Took us nearly five months but such a relief to receive the good news eventually. Thanks a lot to this forum for all the info and best of luck to everyone who is still waiting!

[karolis31]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years in the UK ( settled )+ 2 year IRL
Language: B1 speaking and listening + Life in the Uk
Nationality: EU - Lithuanian
Method of application: Online
Payment Method: Online
Application date : 1st of February 2023
Biometrics Appointment date: 23rd of February 2023 free appointment
Approval email: 17th of April 2023 8:16 am
Ceremony date: awaiting

[Zeenat]

Eligibility criteria: Spouse of British Citizen & ILR (ILR granted 15/06/2022
Language: IELTS & LIUK test (2022)
Nationality: Pakistani
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 31/03/2023
Payment: 31/03/2023
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS:31/03/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 11/04/2023 fees paid £132
Date of acknowledgement: 31/03/2023
Date of receipt of approval: waiting
Date of ceremony: waiting

[Zeenat]

Eligibility criteria: Spouse of British Citizen & ILR (ILR granted 15/06/2022
Language: IELTS & LIUK test (2022)
Nationality: Pakistani
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 31/03/2023
Payment: 31/03/2023
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS:31/03/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 11/04/2023 fees paid £132
Date of acknowledgement: 31/03/2023
Date of receipt of approval: N/A
Date of ceremony: N/A

[wellwisher1928]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years on spouse visa then got ILR. (Got ILR on 16th January 2023)
Applying for naturalisation based on 3 years stay in the UK as spouse of British citizen

Language: Degree in English (UK NARIC Letter)

Nationality: Pakistani

Method of application: Online

Date of receipt by UKBA: 19 January 2023

Date of debit of fees: 19 January 2023

Date of book fingerprint appointment: 26 January 2023 at 11am (Free appointment Stratford Library, London)
**Its very hard to get closer date of the application and free. I tried all day and check dates to get free and closer to the date of application and luckily got it.

Date of receipt of approval email from the Home Office: 03/04/2023 (at 09:34)

Email from Council to book the ceremony: Have to email council to book appointment for ceremony.

Date of Citizenship Ceremony: 26/04/2023

Average it take 3 months to get citizenship.

I wish you all good luck.

[Gilly]

Eligibility criteria: 5 year spouse of BC + 1 yr ILR
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 4 April 2023
Date of debit of fees: 4 April 2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 4 April 2023
Docs uploaded via UKVCAS: 5 April 2023
Biometrics appointment: Free appointment 29 April 2023 Manchester
Date of receipt of approval:
Date of Ceremony:

[umer.shahzad1]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years T1 Ent /1 year ILR
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 04/03/2023
Biometric date: 30/03/2023
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Citizenship ceremony date: Pending

[garnettff]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years T2 General/Skilled Worker + 1 year ILR
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 19/03/2023
Biometric date: 12/04/2023
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Citizenship ceremony date: Pending

[dko]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: Refugee 5yrs +1yr ILR
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 18/3/2023
Date of debit of fees:18/3/2023
Date of biometrics: 6/4/2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 6/4/2023
Date of receipt of approval:
Date of Ceremony:

[SunnyDay2023]

Application Timeline

Eligibility criteria: EU Settled Status 2019 + 3.5 years
Language: BSc Degree - UK
Nationality: Romanian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 05/04/2023
Date of payment: 05/04/2023
Date of documents' upload & submition to UKVCAS: 05/04/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 23/04/2023 (free)
Date of acknowledgement: tbc
Date of receipt of approval: tbc
Date of ceremony: tbc

PS: not sure if the clock starts on application/documents' submission or when the biometrics are taken - does anyone know?
PSS: I realised I forgot to make sure the "applicant name" is on the referee declations and will be re-submitting these before my biometrics appointment. Probably for the best as they were over a year old (2022)!

[Gentry]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years spouse visa + 1 year ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: UK Masters degree + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Non-EU (African)
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 30/01/2023
Date of debit of fees: 30/01/2023
Date of biometrics: 06/02/2023
Date of receipt of approval email: 09/04/2023 (Good Sunday)
Date of receipt of ceremony invite: pending
Date of ceremony: pending

[Kabans]

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.

[SALSAIDI]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5 years living in the UK under the EU settlement scheme + 1 Year of ILR
EU passport (Romanian)
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Debit Card
Date of debit of fees: 05/02/2023
Date of biometrics appointment: 04/03/2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgment: pending.
Date of receipt of approval: pending...
Date of Ceremony: pending...

[lucilinburhuc]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years + 1 year EU Settled Status
Language/LIUK Criteria: UK Degree + Life in the UK test
Nationality: EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 30/09/2022
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 30/09/2022
Invitation to book biometrics appointment: 04/10/2022
Biometrics appointment: 31/10/2022 (first available free appointment in London)
Follow-up question received: 08/03/2022 (email from Home Office Atlas asking to confirm applicant's town of birth)
Response to follow-up question sent: 08/03/2022
Date of approval email: 27/03/2023
Date of ceremony: 05/04/2023

[Londoner8881]

Eligible criteria: 5 years on spouse dependent
Date of receipt UKBA: 12-01-2023 online
Date of debit fees: 12-01-2023
Date of biometric: 13-01-2023 paid Croydon
Date of acknowledgment:13-01-2023
Date of approval: 09-04-2023
Date of ceremony: not booked yet