Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[Mudapakati]

Mudapakati wrote: ↑Wed Aug 10, 2022 10:53 am
Eligibility 5years refugee + 5 indefinite
Nationality Non EU
Date of Application online 18/09/21
Date of payment (debit card) 12/10/21
Biometric and documents submission 22/10/21
Date of approval- ??
Date of ceremony-??
Date of acknowledgment of application received- nothing
I never received any form of correspondence from them since my application, nothing at all. I emailed them but no reply at all just an automated saying they will respond in 14 days . My local MP contacted them beginning of July 2022 and no reply as yet.

More than a year now and still waiting. Living in a dream

From 18/09/21 to date no reply from HO and the MP is even suprised although not sure abt that.

[Baljeet1979]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years + 1 year of ILR (settled status since May 2021)
Myself and 2 kids 13y and 15 y
Paid £3354 on 28/05/2022
Life in the UK test: (PASSED)
English Language Trinity College with distinction
Nationality: Italian (EU citizen)
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 28/05/2022
Date of submission and biometrics: 30/06/2022
Date of approval email: N/A
Citizenship ceremony date: N/A
Email received on 15/11/2022 decision can’t be made in six months because of complex situation
30/12/2022 Email from Home Office for parents consent to register teens as British citizens
Same day consent form filed and scanned and emailed to Home Office.
Approval Not yet
Many emails to Home Office about updates same automated responses

[GayRomanian]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years + 1 year of ILR (settled status since July 2021)
Life in the UK test: 17 August 2022 (PASSED)
Nationality: Romanian (EU citizen)
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 06/09/2022
Date of email to book appointment with UKVCAS: 13/09/2022
Date of submission and biometrics: 17/09/2022
Date of approval email: N/A
Citizenship ceremony date: N/A

No reply as of 6th December yet.

No reply as of 17th January 2023.

[robgreen64]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2 + 1 year ILR
Nationality: Non-EU (Russian)
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 27 May 2022
Date of payment: 27 May 2022
IDV app biometrics: 10 June 2022
Biometrics submitted in person: 20 Aug 2022
Email to Further Nationality Enquiries: 18 Dec 2022
Date of receipt of approval: 16 Jan 2023
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: 22 Feb 2023

On 31 May 2022 I've got approved by Home Office to use an IDV app. However, on 19 Aug 2022 there was an email from NationalityBiometrics @ HomeOffice stating that

We have been unable to re-use your biometric data through the IDV app and require you to attend UKVCAS.

and I have 10 working days to attend biometrics appointment in person, otherwise the application will be rejected as invalid.
After biometrics was submitted, there was no further communication from Home Office until today, except for the automatic letter from 9 Nov 2022:

Following our assessment of your case, unfortunately it appears your application will not be processed within the 6 month target

I also emailed FurtherNationalityEnquiries in December but never got any reply, which may or may not have affected timeline.

In the end it took 7 months and 20 days.
Thank you everyone on this forum for the guidance. Best of luck to all those waiting!

[Olufunke]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years spouse to British Citizen + 2 days ILR
Language: B1
Nationality: Nigeria
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 08 Nov 2022
Date of debit of fees: 08 Nov 2022
Date of receipt of acknowledgment (by UKVI): 08 Nov 2022
Date of book fingerprint appointment: 11 Nov 2022
Date of appointment: 11 Nov 2022 (Paid 132 @ Croydon)
Date of receipt of approval email from the Home Office: 16/01/2023
Letter from Council for the ceremony: TBD/
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: TBD

it took 2 month and 8 days from application to approval

Big thank you to this platform and I wish everyone waiting on approval success.

[kxhbn672]

Eligibility criteria: 6 years Tier 2 + 1.5+ years ILR
Language: IELTS Life Skills + life in the UK test
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 31 Oct 2022
Date of debit of fees: 31 Oct 2022
Date of receipt of acknowledgment (by UKVI): 31 Oct 2022
Date of book fingerprint appointment: 01 Nov 2022
Date of appointment: 22 Oct 2022 (free Appointment in Bedford Point, Croydon)
Date of receipt of approval: TBD
Letter from Council for the ceremony: TBD
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: TBD

Date of receipt of approval: 9 Jan 2023
E-mail from Council for the ceremony: 13 Jan 2023
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: TBD

[Lagosbos]

Eligibility Criteria: Settled Status (Zambrano) Previous overstayer (2014 -2016)
Language : B1
Nationality: Nigerian
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online - Credit card
Date of application: 23/10/2022
Biometrics Appointment: 18/11/2022 (free Maidstone)
The date on Approval letter/Email: 09 January 2023
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 09 January 2023
Citizenship ceremony date: Waiting

Ceremony booked for 8th Of February

[linkmestre]

Eligibility criteria: 5Y Spouse route (non BC) + 3y ILR
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 12/01/2023
Date of debit of fees: 12/01/2023
Date Biometrics enrolled (UKVCAS): 31/01/2023
The date of Approval letter/Email: Pending…
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: pending…
Citizenship ceremony date: pending…

[ao00137]

Eligibility criteria: 10yr Long Residence
Method of application: Online
Nationality: Nigerian
Date of application: 4 Sep 2022
Date of payment: 4 Sep 2022
Date of email to use IDV app: 13 Sep 2022
Date of submission of supporting docs on IDV app: 13 Sep 2022
Letter of advise to book UKVCAS appointment: 25 Sep 2022 (Home office unable to use my previous biometrics via IDV app)
Date of UKVCAS biometrics appointment: 6 Oct 2022
Approval/Ceremony Invitation email from home office atlas: 19 Dec 2022
Date of Ceremony: 10 January 2023

Thank you all, being part of this forum really helped my citizenship journey. Wishing you all the best and successful outcomes!

[excel_geek]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years T2 + 2 years ILR
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 12/10/2022
Date of debit: 12/10/2022
Payment method: Credit Card (Online)
Date of email to use IDV App: NA
Date of Document Submission: 12/11/2022 (Croydon, free appointment)
Biometrics submitted: 12/11/2022 (Croydon, free appointment)
Date on Approval Letter or Email: 19/12/2022 (9.13am)
Date of ceremony: 23/1/2023 (first group ceremony available @ Islington)

Update: Ceremony booked. Next up - passport! FYI Islington's ceremony booking website didn't work for me, so had to book over the phone.

[sha88]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years T2G + 1 year ILR
Nationality: Non-EU -
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 03/02/2022
Biometric date: 10/02/2022
Date of receipt of approval: 09/01/2023 from home office atlas. 'Application update'
Citizenship ceremony date: not booked yet.


it took 11 months and few days to process a simple and straight forward application. single applicant/ no change of address in whole life/ Single employer/ just disclosed a parking ticket with evidence of payment and attached a B1 English test which I did just to prove that I am still competent in English.

[Irenejg]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years T2G + 2 year ILR
Nationality: New Zealand
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 17/10/2022
Date of debit of fees: 17/10/2022
UKVCAS biometric appt. : 17/11/2022
Date of receipt of approval: 19/12/2022
Citizenship ceremony date: 4/1/2023

Much faster than I expected!

[jah_khan]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years T2G + 1 year ILR (applied for myself and my husband)
Nationality: Non-EU - Pakistani
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 10/10/2022
Date of debit of fees: 10/10/2022
UKVCAS biometric appt. : 18/11/2022
Date of receipt of approval: Waiting
Citizenship ceremony date: Waiting

I see that some people, who applied nearly same time as us, have already received their approvals (many congratulations). It makes me little hopeful that we will be hearing soon too and a little anxious that why we haven't received anything yet

[immg83]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years T2G + 1 year ILR
Nationality: Non-EU - Indian
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 10/10/2022
Date of debit of fees: 10/10/2022
UKVCAS biometric appt. : 14/11/2022
Date of receipt of approval: 09/01/2023
Citizenship ceremony date: 18/01/2023

P.S. I was told that I am not eligible for IDV and has to go via UKVCAS for biometrics and document upload..

[julia2016]

Eligibility criteria: EU Settled status + 2 years ILR
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 25/07/2022
Date of debit: 25/07/2022
Payment method: Credit Card (Online)
Date of email to use IDV App: NA
Date of Document Submission: 27/08/2022 (Croydon, free appointment)
Biometrics submitted: 27/08/2022 (Croydon, free appointment)
Date on Approval Letter or Email: WAITING
Date of ceremony: WAITING

UPDATE - 09/01/2023
Date on Approval Letter or Email: 09/01/2023
Date of ceremony: 17/01/2023

For all of those that are waiting, email with approval received today 9.39 with instructions to reach out the Council and book ceremony. Next ceremony available 17.01.2023. Good luck - be patient; ours are on your way!

[tareknet89]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Refugee + 1 year ILR
Nationality: Syrian
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 03/09/2022
Date of debit of fees: 03/09/2022
Date Biometrics enrolled (UKVCAS): 15/09/2022
The date of Approval letter/Email: 09/01/2023 10:25 am
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: pending
Citizenship ceremony date: pending

Less than 4 months from enrollment. Good luck everyone!

[Fimirza_Haadi]

Eligibility Criteria: Tier 2 + ILR (Myself, my wife, 2 children)
Language : NARIC
Nationality: Pakistani
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online - credit card
Date of application: 10/06/2022
Invite to IDV App: 13/06/2022
IDV App Submission: 14/06/2022
04/08/2022: Received an email from Home Office that we should have attended an appointment at a UKVCAS Service Point to enroll biometrics.
04/08/2022: Sent email to nationalityenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk that I submitted the applications using IDV App and it was successful.
18/08/2022: Received an email from NationalityBiometrics@homeoffice.gov.uk apologizing for the earlier email to register biometrics.
25/08/2022: Sent email to nationalityenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk to change the address as I had moved house.
31/08/2022: Received email from UKVIChangeofAddressTeam@homeoffice.gov.uk that my address is updated.
22/11/2022: Received email from Home Office that our applications raise exceptionally complex issues and our applications won't be processed within 6 months.
12/13/2022: Contacted my local MP to raise the issue with Home Office. MP's office called Home Office and was told that our applications have been escalated and will be processed on priority basis.
09/01/2023: Received emails from Home Office that our applications are successful.
Citizenship Ceremony: TBC.

It took exactly 7 agonizing months but it is all done now.

[as3m]

Eligibility Criteria: Spouse Settlement + ILR
Language : University Degree
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 19/10/2022
Biometrics Appointment: 09/11/2022 (free)
The date on Approval letter/Email: Waiting
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Waiting
Citizenship ceremony date: Waiting

[Lagosbos]

Eligibility Criteria: Settled Status (Zambrano) Previous overstayer (2014 -2016)
Language : B1
Nationality: Nigerian
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online - Credit card
Date of application: 23/10/2022
Biometrics Appointment: 18/11/2022 (free Maidstone)
The date on Approval letter/Email: 09 January 2023
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 09 January 2023
Citizenship ceremony date: Waiting

[yesaya]

Eligibility criteria: EUSS + 1 year
Language/LIUK criteria: Trinity College London GESE5 (B1) + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Non-EU (Serbian)
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 22/10/2022
Date of debit of fees: 22/10/2022
Date of receipt of acknowledgement (by UKVI): 22/10/2022
Date of biometrics appointment: 18/11/2022 (Edinburgh, free appointment)
Date of receipt of approval: 09/01/2023@10:38AM
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: TBD

[YKK]

Eligibility criteria: 5 year T2 + 1 year ILR
Nationality: South Asian
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online - credit card
Date of application: 19/Sep/2022
Documents submitted via ID app: 26/Sep/2022
The date on Approval letter/Email: waiting
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: waiting
Citizenship ceremony date: Waiting

[Omar222]

Eligibility Criteria: ILR + Spouse of BC
Language : CEFr level B1
Nationality: Pakistani
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online - debit card
Date of application: 29/11/2022
Biometrics Appointment: 22/12/2022 (southampton - £132)
The date on Approval letter/Email: Waiting
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Waiting
Citizenship ceremony date: Waiting

[a.mitra.6668]

Eligibility criteria: 5 year T2 + 1 year ILR
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online - credit card
Date of application: 15/10/2022
Documents submitted: 18/10/2022
Biometrics submitted: 18/10/2022 at Croydon
The date on Approval letter/Email: waiting
Date of receipt of ceremony letter:waiting
Citizenship ceremony date: Waiting

The date on Approval letter/Email: 12/12/2022 at 09:57 AM, email received from HO

Private Ceremony booked for 28/12. It took a bit of time for my council to get my details from the home office. And due to the Xmas holidays, 28th was th earliest I could get a private ceremony. The free one was in February.

Thanks everyone for all the help and good luck to all who are waiting

[lancaster27]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2 + 1 year ILR
Nationality: Russia
Method of application: Online
Language/LIUK: Life in the UK + 5 year old IELTS UKVI (C1)
Date of application: 07/09/2022
Date of email to use IDV: 13/09/2022
Biometrics submitted via IDV: 13/09/2022
UKVI Survey email: 07/11/2022
Approval email from Home Office Atlas: 14/11/2022 @ 9.33 a.m. (Email titled "Citizenship ceremony invitation", so not sure I am supposed to receive separate invitation from the council. Emailed the council - London, Southwark)
Date of ceremony: ...pending...

Another quest that may await me is replacing the certificate as they seem to have included transliterated patronymic in it, which is known to cause problems with passport applications as reported numerous times on this forum.

Date of ceremony (online): 16/11/2022
Certificate collected: 16/11/2022 - Wrong spelling of name
Certificate sent back: 18/11/2022
Received new one: 21/12/2022

Keep in mind, folks, your ceremony might not be the end of it ...

[samhtfc]

For my wife

Eligibility Criteria: ILR + BC Spouse
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online - credit card
Date of application: 02/12/2022
Biometrics submitted: 08/12/2022 Leeds
The date on Approval letter/Email: TBC
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: TBC
Citizenship ceremony date: TBC