Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[IAmNullPointer]

Application Timeline

Eligibility criteria:
Family application: EEU Family Permit (5 years) + 2 year Settled Status
Child 1: Born UK before parents had ILR/Settled.
Child 2: Born Oversea.
Child 3: Born Oversea.

Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 29th November 2021
Date of debit of fees: 29th November 2021
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 29th November 2021
Date of biometrics: 23rd December 2021
Date of receipt of approval: 28th February 2022
Date on Approval Letter: 28th February 2022
Date of receipt of ceremony invitation letter: 28th February 2022
Date of ceremony: TBD

Got my email first. An hour later got approval letter for child 2. Waiting to have them all so I can book the ceremony. I was concerned that because it was a family application it would have taken longer.

Contacted council and they told me my certificates were sent back to Home Office at their request (same day I got the approval email from home office). Just when I thought this was almost over, it seems there are still some hoops to go through.

[abubarakat]

Application Timeline

Eligibility criteria: 5 years (Spouse of BC) - Applied straight after ILR was granted

Method of application: Online
Nationality - Nigerian
Date of receipt by UKBA: 13th January 2022
Date of debit of fees: 13th January 2022
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 13th January 2022
Date of biometrics: 28th January 2022
Date of receipt of approval (email): 28th February 2022
Date of receipt of ceremony invitation letter: 28th February 2022
Date of ceremony: Not yet booked

[StewbobClark]

Eligibility criteria: Ancestry (5yrs) + ILR (1yr) and Spouse (5yrs) + ILR (1yr)
Language/LIUK Criteria: Degree taught in English (and USA Spouse) + Life in the UK test
Nationality: South African and USA Spouse
Method of application: online
Payment method: online
Date of application: 10/01/2022
Date of debit of fees: 10/01/2022
Date of acknowledgement: 10/01/2022
Uploaded supporting documents: 16/01/2022
Date Biometrics enrolled: 04/02/2022 (free booking, Cardiff Library)
Date on Approval letter/Email: 28/02/2022 (Email only)
Date of receipt of approval: 28/02/2022 (Email only)
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 28/02/2022 (Email only) - for both applicants on the application
Citizenship ceremony date: pending

[kvmramavathu]

Application Timeline

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

Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 15th January 2022
Date of debit of fees: 15th January 2022
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 15th January 2022
Date of biometrics: 9th February 2022
Date of receipt of approval: 28th February 2022
Date on Approval Letter: 28th February 2022
Date of receipt of ceremony invitation letter: 28th February 2022
Date of ceremony: 23rd March 2022

[samreet]

Eligibility criteria: ILR + spouse of British national [ applied straight after getting ILR ]
Language/LIUK Criteria: Trinity + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 19/12/2021
Date of debit of fees: 19/12/2021
Date of acknowledgement: 19/12/2021
Uploaded supporting documents: 25/12/2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 30/12/2021
Date on Approval letter - pending
Date of receipt of approval: ATLAS email on 28/02/2022
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: pending
Citizenship ceremony date: pending

[samreet]

Eligibility criteria: ILR + spouse of British national [ applied straight after getting ILR ]
Language/LIUK Criteria: Trinity + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 19/12/2021
Date of debit of fees: 19/12/2021
Date of acknowledgement: 19/12/2021
Uploaded supporting documents: 25/12/2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 30/12/2021
Date on Approval letter - pending
Date of receipt of approval: ATLAS email on 28/02/2022
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: pending
Citizenship ceremony date: pending

[saj626]

Eligibility criteria: ILR + Spouse of BC
Nationality: INDIAN
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 21 July , 2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 19 AUGUST 2021
Date on Approval letter: Awaiting
Date of receipt of approval: Awaiting
Date of ceremoney: Awaiting

Eligibility criteria: ILR + Spouse of BC
Nationality: INDIAN
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 21 July , 2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 19 AUGUST 2021
Date on Approval letter: None
Date of receipt of approval: None
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 28/02/2022 (it was all one single email)
Date of ceremony: 14th March

[edu]

Eligibility criteria: EU Settled Status - Non-EU family member + Spouse of British Citizen - 3 years of evidence

Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 13th December 2021
Date of debit of fees: 13th December 2021
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 14th December 2022
Date of biometrics: 14th December 2022
Date of receipt of approval: 28th February 2022
Date on Approval Letter: 28th February 2022
Date of receipt of ceremony invitation letter: 28th February 2022
Date of ceremony: 14th March 2022

[santoshphilip88]

Eligibility criteria: 5yr tier 2 + 1yr ILR
Nationality : Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 29/10/2021
Date of biometric : 16/11/2021
Date on Approval email: 11/01/2022
Date of Ceremony: 28/01/2022

[Orange96]

Eligibility criteria: ILR/ adopted child of a British National
Nationality : Nigerian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 19th August 2021
Date of biometric : September 13th(Paid)
Date on Approval letter: 28.02.2022 invitation email from Atlas finally arrived although I knew application had been approved last week but invitation email was not included. Approval was confirmed as a response to my email chase.
Date of receipt of approval: 28.02.2022
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 28.02.2022
Date of Ceremony: 10.03.2022

[Orange96]

Eligibility criteria: ILR/ adopted child of a British National
Nationality : Nigerian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 19th August 2021
Date of biometric : September 13th(Paid)
Date on Approval letter: 28.02.2022 invitation email from Atlas finally arrived although I knew application had been approved last week but invitation email was not included. Approval was confirmed as a response to my email chase.
Date of receipt of approval: 28.02.2022
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 28.02.2022
Date of Ceremony: 10.03.2022

[myouss]

Eligibility criteria: Spouse of a British citizen (Romanian got citizenship by naturalisation) + Non-EU with Settled Status. I have applied straight away after granted settled status.
Language/LIUK Criteria: UK Degree taught in English + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Egyptian
Method of application: online
Payment method: online
Date of granted settled status: 04/08/2021
Date of application: 13/08/2021
Date of debit of fees: 13/08/2021
Date of acknowledgement: Never received
Uploaded supporting documents: 14/08/2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 14/08/2021
Date on Approval letter/Email: 28/02/2022 @10:51
Date of receipt of approval: 28/02/2022 @10:51
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 28/02/2022 @10:51
Citizenship ceremony date: 23/03/2022, checked for private ceremony but apparently they don't do it here in Renfrewshire council.

Chased them up twice, as I have now been waiting for 5months and 6 days from the date of submitting my fingerprints with no response. Just received automated messages.

Last time I cashed them up was 19/01/2022.

Waiting time: 6 month and 15 days.

BTW, I have chased up through an MP two weeks ago and sent e-mails to all known enquiries emails on the same date 15/02/2022. Also, I have also raised a complain through UKVI website on 15/02/2022 which seems to be quiet useful (possibly).

For anyone still waiting from the summer, I am hoping you get your approval soon.

Thanks for this forum which was very useful for me during this frustrating time.

[ruzfactor]

Eligibility criteria: ILR + 1 yr
Language: UK Degree + Life in UK test
Nationality : Bangladeshi
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 12/01/2022
Date of document submission: 19/01/2022 (acknowledgement email received same day)
Date of biometric : 19/01/2022 (Sheffield £125 paid)
Date on approval letter: Awaiting
Date of receipt of approval: Awaiting
Date of ceremony: Awaiting

[ausmarton]

Eligibility criteria: Settled status under EUSS in 2020
Language/LIUK Criteria: B1 (Trinity College) + Life in the UK test
Nationality: EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 07/11/21
Payment method: (Online)
Date of debit of fees: 07/11/21
Date of acknowledgement: None
Date Biometrics enrolled: 20/11/21(paid) - originally booked for 13/11/21 but rescheduled due to a delay in receiving the B1 certificate
Application Update from Home Office Atlas: 25/01/22 - requested further information about place of birth
Supplied requested documentation via email: 25/01/22
Date on Approval Email: 28/02/2022
Date of receipt of approval: 28/02/2022
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: ...waiting...
Citizenship ceremony date: ...waiting...

[lw32]

Eligibility criteria: 5 year Ancestry + 1 year ILR
Nationality : Australian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 08/02/2022
Date of document submission: 08/02/2022
Date of biometric : 08/02/2022 (Croydon, Paid)
Date on approval letter: 28/02/2022 (it was all one single email)
Date of receipt of approval: 28/02/2022 (it was all one single email)
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 28/02/2022 (it was all one single email)
Date of ceremony: TBC

Less than 3 weeks from application to approval

[IAmNullPointer]

Application Timeline

Eligibility criteria:
Family application: EEU Family Permit (5 years) + 2 year Settled Status
Child 1: Born UK before parents had ILR/Settled.
Child 2: Born Oversea.
Child 3: Born Oversea.

Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 29th November 2021
Date of debit of fees: 29th November 2021
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 29th November 2021
Date of biometrics: 23rd December 2021
Date of receipt of approval: 28th February 2022
Date on Approval Letter: 28th February 2022
Date of receipt of ceremony invitation letter: 28th February 2022
Date of ceremony: TBD

Got my email first. An hour later got approval letter for child 2. Waiting to have them all so I can book the ceremony. I was concerned that because it was a family application it would have taken longer.

[Orange96]

Eligibility criteria: ILR/ adopted child of a British National
Nationality : Nigerian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 19th August 2021
Date of biometric : September 13th(Paid)
Date on Approval letter: 28.02.2022 invitation email from Atlas finally arrived although I knew application had been approved last week but invitation email was not included. Approval was confirmed as a response to my email chase.
Date of receipt of approval: 28.02.2022
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: Waiting

[leviga]

Application Timeline

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

Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 2nd February 2022
Date of debit of fees: 2nd February 2022
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 2nd February 2022
Date of biometrics: 7th February 2022
Date of receipt of approval: 28th February 2022
Date on Approval Letter: 28th February 2022
Date of receipt of ceremony invitation letter: 28th February 2022
Date of ceremony: 24th March 2022

[65ahr]

Eligibility criteria: spouse of BC + 25 years ILR
Nationality: USA
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 20/09/2021
Date biometrics enrolled: 02/10/2021
Date of receipt of approval: 28/02/2022 by email at 08:42
Date of ceremony: pending
[]

[Spa123]

Eligibility criteria: EUSS + 1 year
Language/LIUK Criteria: Trinity + Life in the UK test
Nationality: EU
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 10/09/2021
Date of debit of fees: 10/09/2021
Date of acknowledgement: 10/09/2021
Uploaded supporting documents: 12/09/2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 14/09/2021
Date on Approval letter/Email: pending
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: pending
Citizenship ceremony date: pending

Same update as above, but received on Sunday, 27th February:

"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.

We expect to make a decision on your application soon, but we will write to you again if this is not going to be possible."

It looks like the Covid excuse can no longer be used, so they are using the complex issues one now. I believe my case is not complex at all (continuous job, no crimes, etc). My partner applied later than me and received the approval over a month ago.

[Zinny]

Eligibility criteria: 1 Year ILR + British Citizen Spouse
Language/LIUK Criteria: MBA + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Nigerian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 12/09/2021
Payment method: Debit Card (Online)
Date of debit of fees: 12/09/2021
Date of acknowledgement: 12/09/2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 27/09/2021(paid)
Date on Approval letter/Email: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: Booked : Waiting

It’s 5 months and 3 days today but still waiting!!!
I sincerely hope the wait will come to an end soonest for me and everyone still waiting.

Application Update on Saturday the 26th February 2022:

Email from Home Office Atlas:

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.

We expect to make a decision on your application by date, but we will write to you again if this is not going to be possible.

Yours sincerely

Nationality Technical Specialist Team
Home Office

I believe this is a system generated email sent out when they certainly can not make a decision within the 6months time frame, they come up with excuses to delay the process as I know in my case there isn't any complexity or circumstance to delay in decision making.

[sco]

Eligibility criteria: 10 LR +1 year ILR
Method of application: Online
Nationality: Non EU
Application Date: 7/2/22
Biometric Date: 8/2/22 croydon
Date of receipt of approval: waiting
Date of invitation to ceremony: waiting

[Chaddar]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 10 LR +1 year ILR
Method of application: Online
Nationality: Non EU
Application Date:March 2021
Biometric Date: March 2021
Date of receipt of approval: didn't receive any email from HO.
Date of invitation to ceremony: 25th of Feb ( Received letter from the council to state that my application was successful and that they have received my certificate of naturalisation and invited me to book a ceremony)
Date of Ceremony: booked for the 27 April however,I didn’t received approval from UKVI yet.

[Mahrass_gamelah]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 10 year continuous residence +1 year ILR
Method of application: Online
Nationality: Yemeni
Application Date:10/11/2021
Biometric Date: 30/12/2021
Date of receipt of approval: didn't receive any email
Date of invitation to ceremony: 25th of Feb ( received an email from the council to state that my application was successful and that they have received my certificate of naturalisation and invited me to book a ceremony)
Date of Ceremony: booked for the 9th of March, however, letter from council still states that they want me to forward the approval email from the home office which I didn't receive.

Hopefully I'll receive the email from the home office on Monday but if not I'll chase them to send the e-mail, not sure why the council still needs to see the email when they already have the certificate of naturalisation.

[swrajit]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5 Year British Spouse + ILR
Method of application: Online
Nationality: Indian
Application Date: 07/01/2022
Biometric Date: 08/01/2022
Biometric Croydon (Fees Paid)
Date of receipt by UKBA: 08/01/2022
Date of debit of fees: 08/01/2022
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 08/01/2022
Date of receipt of approval: Awaiting
Date of Ceremony: Awaiting

Seems like Croydon Application center is taking much longer than expected. Others are getting it faster and across the thread 500+ pages it is a norm for those who have used Croydon Core Service Point.

Wishing rest of you who got it congratulation.