Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[Theeng90]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 2, 5 years +1 year ILR
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 05/01/2022
Date of appointment for Biometrics: 19/01/2022
Date of approval: awaiting
Citizenship ceremony invitation date: awaiting
Citizenship ceremony date: pending: awaiting

I’ve been waiting for more than 3 months, still within the 6 months…

Still waiting… it’s been 5 months. I hope I get an answer in June.

Still waiting… longer than 6 months already and let’s see how long I will wait more..

Still waiting… 7th month… I hope I get a response in August…

Still waiting.. 8th month.. Automatic macro emails from Home Office which says literally nothing.

9th month… HO still ignores my emails. MP sent a letter and received a standard response which means nothing.

More than 10 months… no update at all. They just ignore all my efforts to communicate with them.

[Shah1698]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 2G + 1 Year ILR (+ my wife and 2 children) - 4 applicants
Language/LIUK Criteria: Life in UK Test + IELTS B1
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 24/06/2022
Payment method: Credit Card (Online)
Date of payment: 24/06/2022
Date of email to use IDV app: 27/06/2022
Date of submission using IDV app: 29/06/2022 (Croydon) - Didn't use the app
Date on Approval letter: waiting
Date of Ceremony: waiting

03/10/2022 at 2:40pm
Received an email asking to pay ceremony fee £80 for my son who turns 18 in the next 3 weeks. Filled the form with the card details sent it back within 30 mins and now waiting...

10/10/2022 - £80 debited for ceremony
Date on Approval letter - 07/11/2022 - around 10:15am for all 4 applicants (15 mins delay for each applicant) - It took 4.5 months
Date of Ceremony: waiting

Thank you so much all who helped me in this journey and good luck for those still waiting.

[bobby135]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 2 5years + ILR 1year
Language/LIUK Criteria: UK Degree + LIUK
Nationality : Non EU
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 20/03/2022
Date of debit of fees: 20/03/2022
Date of acknowledgement: 20/03/2022
Date of biometric : 29/03/22 via App
Date on Approval letter: 07/11/2022
Date of receipt of approval: 07/11/2022
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 07/11/2022
Date of Ceremony: Waiting..

I received an email on 01/09/22 saying my application will not be processed within the 6 months time frame, I emailed my local MP on 03/11/22 and presumably after the chaser he's sent out for me, I received my approval/invitation on 07/11/22.

[rahuldwh2000]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2/3year ILR (self, spouse and 1 under 18 offspring)
Nationality: Non-EEA
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 8th September 2022
Date of debit: 8th September 2022
Biometric at Croydon: 18th September 2022
Online submission of documents: 15th September 2022
Date of Approval Email: Received 7th November 2022 from Home.office.Atlas email around 8:20 am
Date of ceremony: will call council and book for ceremony

Moderator edit : Please do NOT post questions in the TIMELINE ONLY threads!!

[wish_uk]

Eligibility criteria: 5year Eu spouse + 1 year ILR

Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 22/june/2022
Date of debit of fees: 22/june/2022
Date of receipt of acknowledgement:
Date of biometrics: 12/july/2022
Date of receipt of approval: 07/Nov/2022 @ 8:33am
Date on Approval Letter: 07/NOV/2022
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: within this approval letter
Date of ceremony: 07/dec/2022

Good luck to All

[Sandeep5031]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 2 skilled visa + 1Y ILR
Method of application: Online
Language/LIUK : Life in UK Test + UK PhD
Nationality: India
Date of application: 31/05/2022
Date of submission of Biometrics in person @ Luton: 20/06/2022
Date on Approval email : waiting, no response yet

UPDATE: 04 Nov 2022 email from mmst
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 applications will not be processed within the 6 month target.



This is because it is taking longer than usual to process applications because of coronavirus (COVID-19). This will not affect the decision. We expect to make a decision on your application as soon as possible, but we will write to you again if this is not going to be possible.

[Milzank]

Application timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5 year + married to BC
Date of receipt by UKBA: 9th September 2022
Date of document uploaded via app: 28 September 2022
Date of UKVI survey email: 7th October 2022
Date of receipt of approval: Not yet***
Date of Ceremony: 7th November 2022 (private £160)

***Rather unusually we received an email from the local authority inviting us to a Citizenship ceremony however we still haven’t received an email from the Home Office. I enquired with the Registration office and although unusual she said this has happened before. We have booked the ceremony for the first available private date, yet to receive Home office notification but advised can still go ahead with the ceremony as they have received confirmation from the Home Office.

[laji0523]

Application Timeline

Eligibility criteria: Tier-2 (5 years) + 1 year ILR

Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 12th August 2021
Date of debit of fees: 12th August 2021
Date of receipt of acknowledgement:
Date of biometrics: 26th August 2021
Date of receipt of approval: Waiting
Date on Approval Letter: Waiting
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Waiting
Date of ceremony: Waiting

It’s been over six months now and nothing. I wonder if summer applications are on hold

Updated timeline:
Date of receipt of approval: 31th October 2022
Date on Approval Letter: 24th October 2022
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 2nd November 2022
Date of ceremony: Waiting

1 year and 3 months. Thanks for all the help from the site. Wish you all good luck!

[Baljeet1979]

Applied online 28/05/2022
EU citizen 5 years + 1 year ILR
Life in UK and language certificate from Trinity College
Paid £3354 for myself + 2 kids. On 28/05
Biometric appointment attended on 30/06/2022
Same day confirmation of documents submitted email from UKVACAS.
Waiting for further updates.
few emails to further nationality Enquiries recieved answer that my application is in service standards because 6 months not yet completed. so more 25 days to complete 6 months. And then will try to contact again.

[bubbly123]

Eligibility criteria: T1/5yrs plus 2 years ILR
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 25 July 22
Date of debit of fees: 25 July 22
Date of Biometric: 12 sep 2022
Date of receipt of approval: 31/10/22 07:14 am in the Morning.

Thank you so much for the support from this board. Once again I like to thank all the senior members and moderators.

[Sreeni83]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2/ ILR/ Spouse of British citizen
Nationality: Non-EEA
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 26 Aug 2022
Date of debit: 26 Aug 2022
Invitation IDV: 30 Aug 2022
Submission via the App: 4 Sept 2022
Date of Approval Letter or Email: Received 31/10/2022 from Home.office.Atlas email @ 07:43 am
Date of ceremony: Waiting for Council to get back. Home office email advised to wait a day or two before I book.


This forum has been a great help and thanks to the all experts/moderators and query raisers. Wishing everyone all the best for their applications.

Many thanks,


Kind regards,
Sreeni

[shuaibkhan]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5yr T2 + 1 yr ILR
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 19th Oct 2022
Date of debit of fees: 19th Oct 2022
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 19th Oct 2022
Date of Biometrics collection: 25th Oct 2022
Date of receipt of approval: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: N/A

[hollygoblighty1]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 10yr + 1yr ILR
Method of application: online
Date of application: 18/08/2022
Date of debit of fees: 18/08/2022
Date of acknowledgment: 18/08/2022
Email from UKVCAS about biometrics: 22/08/2022 told me I was not eligible to use the app and that I must book a biometric appointment in person
Date of biometrics appointment: 16/09/2022 (Sopra Steria, 20 Mark Lane- waited for a free appointment)
Date of approval letter/email: 31/10/2022
Date of ceremony: pending

Total time between submitting citizenship application and decision made: 74 days or about 2.5 months
Total time between arriving to work/live in UK and citizenship decision: 11.5 years

It's been a long road. So happy it is finished!

[UKLL]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 10yr + 2yr ILR;
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 21 Aug 22
Date of debit of fees: 21 Aug 22
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 21 Aug 22
Date of documents submitted on the IDV app: 02 Sep
Date of receipt of approval: 31/10/22
Date of Ceremony: 09/11/22

[Dife]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years +2
Language:Trinity college B1 + life in the uk test
Nationality:Family application for 4 people(me Non-EU,my wife and 2 kids EU.
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 27 June 2022
Date of debit of fees: 27 June 2022
Date of receipt of acknowledgement (by UKVI): 27 June 2022
Date of book fingerprint appointment:4 July 2022.
Date of appointment:1 August 2022(free Appoinment in Newcastle)
Date of receipt of approval:24 October 2022
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: Emailed council,first free ceremony 29.11.2022,will try to book private ceremony for my family tomorrow.

Contact council and book ceremony for all family on 11.11.2022

Good luck everyone!

[jojo3]

Eligibility criteria. 6yrs leave +1 yr indefinite
Nationality Nigeria
Method of application Online
Date of Application 18/04/2022
Date of receipt by UKBA 18/04/2022
Documents submitted. 26/04/2022. ~(via App)
Approval Date TBC
Ceremony Date TBC
[received an email on the 24/10/2022 from further nationality enquiry after sending more than 15 emails, They said my application is in the process . it’s almost 7 months and i am still waiting.

[wcemail2021]

Eligibility criteria: Work Permit + EU Partner/Permanent resident + EUSS
Language/LIUK: Majority English speaking country + LIUK Test
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 12/08/2022
Date of debit of fees: 12/08/2022
Date of acknowledgement: 12/08/2022
Date of appointment: 17/08/2022 (Central London +£132)
Date of approval letter/email: 24/10/2022
Date of ceremony: 25/10/2022 (Private, London)

Good Luck Everyone!

[bluebird12]

Eligibility criteria: British spouse , ILR
Nationality: Pakistani
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 12/05/2022
Date of appointment: 17/06/2022
Date of Approval Email: 24/10/2022
Date of ceremony: 10/11/2022

[Dife]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years +2
Language:Trinity college B1 + life in the uk test
Nationality:Family application for 4 people(me Non-EU,my wife and 2 kids EU.
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 27 June 2022
Date of debit of fees: 27 June 2022
Date of receipt of acknowledgement (by UKVI): 27 June 2022
Date of book fingerprint appointment:4 July 2022.
Date of appointment:1 August 2022(free Appoinment in Newcastle)
Date of receipt of approval:24 October 2022
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: Emailed council,first free ceremony 29.11.2022,will try to book private ceremony for my family tomorrow.

Good luck everyone!

[skyebird]

Eligibility criteria: 10 Year LR + 1 year ILR
Nationality: American
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 08/10/2022
Date of debit of fees: 08/10/2022
Date of acknowledgement: 08/10/2022
Acknowledgement not eligible for IDV app: 14/10/2022
Date of Biometrics appointment: 26/10/2022
Date on Approval letter/Email: Waiting...
Date of receipt of approval:
Date of receipt of ceremony letter:
Citizenship ceremony date:

[mkuser]

Eligibility criteria: 5 Year T1 General + 7 year ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: Life in the UK test + UK Degree
Nationality: Pakistan
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 14/06/2022
Date of Biometrics submission - in-person (Croydon): 27/06/2022
Date on Approval Email: 24/10/2022
Citizenship ceremony date: 01/11/22

Good luck to those are waiting for approval.

[tckraju]

Eligibility criteria: 10 Year Stay + 1 year ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: Life in the UK test + B1
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 22/08/2022
Uploaded supporting documents: 06/09/2022
Date of Biometrics submission via IDV: 06/09/2022
Date on Approval letter/Email: 24/10/2022

[danishpastry]

Eligibility criteria: 17 years living in the UK + ILR
Nationality: EU & Commonwealth (I was already dual national)
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 10/07/2022
Date of debit of fees: 10/07/2022
Date of UKVCAS acknowledgement: 10/07/2022
Date of Biometric App Invite: 18/07/2022, @4:00pm
Uploaded supporting documents: 23/07/2022
Date Biometrics enrolled: 23/07/2022 via the app
Date of HO Error Biometric Email: 24/08/2022
The date on Approval letter/Email: 24/10/2022 @12:10pm
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 21/10/2022
Citizenship ceremony date: 13/12/2022


Been a bit of a rollercoaster, as I received an email from Home Office Atlas in August, about a month after submitting my application and biometrics via the UKVCAS app, stating that I had failed to book a biometric appointment. I got in touch with UKVI via their general enquiries helpline who said that many people are receiving this email in error, and to confirm if it's an error it's best to confirm with UKVCAS to see if Home Office had been in touch with them to say that they still need my biometrics. Got in touch with UKVCAS and they confirmed that UKVI hadn't been in touch. Looks like the error email hasn't affected the timing of my application outcome or timeline.

I also applied as a dual national (with an EU nationality and a Commonwealth nationality) and that didn't affect my outcome either.

Strangely as well, I received my ceremony letter from my local authorities before I received my Home Office Atlas approval email by a few days.

Also one thing I have noticed in almost all of the posts submitted in this forum is that the Home Office Atlas email comes through on a Monday morning to midday, so if you are still waiting for your decision it's best to check your inbox around then!

Best of luck everyone.

[ykd]

Eligibility criteria: EU citizen + 3 years Settled Status
Language/LIUK Criteria: Life in the UK test + UK degree
Nationality: Bulgarian
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 21/08/2022
Date of debit of fees: 21/08/2022
Date of acknowledgement: 21/08/2022
Uploaded supporting documents: 29/08/2022
Date of Biometrics submission by paid appointment (Mark Lane): 31/08/2022
Date on Approval letter/Email: 24/10/2022
Date of receipt of approval: 24/10/2022
Date of receipt of ceremony letter:
Citizenship ceremony date:

[iamsunika]

Eligibility criteria: 5 Year T2 General + 1 year ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: Life in the UK test + Foreign Degree for language
Nationality: Chinese
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 05/07/2022
Date of debit of fees: 12/07/2022
Date of acknowledgement: 12/07/2022
Uploaded supporting documents: 13/07/2022
Date of Biometrics submission via IDV: 13/07/2022
Date on Approval letter/Email: 24/10/2022
Date of receipt of approval:
Date of receipt of ceremony letter:
Citizenship ceremony date:

Seems like home office only send those approvals on Mondays. Thank this community so much for support and everyone else for sharing! Good luck for those still waiting