Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[ziolnierz]

Eligibility criteria: Settled Status + 1 year
Language/LIUK Criteria: B1 language test (Pearson) + Life in the UK test
Nationality: EU (Polish)
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 05/06/2021
Payment method: Debit Card (Online)
Date of debit of fees: 05/06/2021
Date of acknowledgement: 05/06/2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 22/06/2021(paid)
Date on Approval letter/Email: Email on 15/11/2021
Date of receipt of approval: waiting...
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Called local council one day after receiving email (as I was told to do in the email) and was told they don't have my info yet and to call again after few days. I did so and booked private ceremony on 10/12/2021 (140£) as next available group ceremony wouldn't be possible untill february.

I would probably had to wait for confirmation email/letter longer but I emailed Home Office at FurtherNationalityEnquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk on Friday and magically on Monday my confirmation email arrived.

[Qayssar1980]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 1 (5 years) + ILR (1 year)
Nationality: Iraq
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 14/09/2020
Payment method: Debit card
Date of acknowledgement: 15/09/2020
Date Documents submitted on UKVCAS 27/9/2020
Invitation to use UKVCAS IDV APP 27/09/2020
Photo and document submitted using IDV APP or Biometrics: 27/09/2020 (VIA APP)
Date on Approval letter: 22/10/2021
Date of receipt of approval:2/11/2021

RECEIVED Naturalisation certificate; 10/10/2021

[Mando]

Eligibility criteria: Settled Status + 1 year
Language/LIUK Criteria: Degree + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 11/06/2021
Payment method: Debit Card (Online)
Date of debit of fees: 11/06/2021
Date of acknowledgement: 11/06/2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 06/07/2021(free)
Date on Approval letter/Email: waiting...
Date of receipt of approval: waiting...
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: waiting...

It's now almost 6 months without any communication from the HO or the local council.

Moderator edit : please do not ask questions in the timeline only topic.

[DrAhmad]

Eligibility criteria: ILR through SET(LR) + 1 year.
Language/LIUK Criteria: UK PhD and MSc Degrees + Life in the UK
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 23/06/2021
Payment method: Online
Date of debit of fees: 23/06/2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 20/07/2021
Date of approval Letter Email: waiting
Date of approval Letter: Waiting
Ceremony Invitation letter:
Ceremony Booked:
Date of Ceremony:

Sent an email to the home office on 11/08/2021 which they replied to on 21/08/2021 as follows:

"Your application is currently progressing through the system as normal, applications are currently taking approx. 6 months to process, however, due to the current coronavirus pandemic this may take longer as UKVI is operating with reduced staffing levels as per current government guidelines.
We will contact you should we require any further information or once a decision has been made."

Update:

Sent another email to the home office on 18/10/2021 which they replied to on 02/11/2021 as follow:

Dear applicant,
Thank you for your email.
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic applications may take longer to process due to staffing. Your application is in a queue and will be dealt with in due course.
A caseworker will contact you if they require any further information from you throughout the course of the application process. Please note; we will not contact you to provide regular updates and cannot provide a definitive application processing timescale.
Your application will now continue to progress until a decision is made.
If you require any further information throughout the application process, please refer to our website:
www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration
If you require any further information regarding our new UKVCAS service, please refer to the linked webpage:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ukvis-new-f ... ed-to-know
Yours sincerely,
Home Office

Update:

Received an email from my local council at 1535 hrs (19/11/2021) advising me to book a private ceremony as the group ceremonies weren't available due to covid-19 restriction. I will have to wait till Monday 22/11/2021 to speak to the local council about booking the private ceremony.

I haven't received any communication (approval or ceremony invitation letter) from the home office yet. I believe the ceremony invitation letter from the home office is required to attend the citizenship ceremony.

Although the email from the local council indicates that my naturalisation application has been approved it would have been better if I had received the formal approval email and the ceremony invitation letter from the home office.

[ringwiss]

Eligibility criteria: many, many years of living in the UK under freedom of movement + EU Settlement Scheme
Language/LIUK Criteria: PTE Home B1 + Life in the UK Test
Nationality: EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 26/09/2021
Payment method: Debit Card (Online)
Date of debit of fees: 26/09/2021
Date of acknowledgement: 26/09/2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 28/09/2021 (paid)
Date on Approval letter/Email: 15/11/2021
Date of receipt of approval: 15/11/2021 (Email from Home Office Atlas)
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: None received
Date of Ceremony: 14/12/2021

[brownman10]

Eligibility criteria: 14 year rule to ILR (2011) + 10 years of legal stay ( good Character requirement)
Language/LIUK Criteria: IELTS B1 + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Non EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 15/07/2021
Payment method: Credit Card (Online)
Date of debit of fees: 15/07/2021
Date of acknowledgement: 15/07/2021 (only automated fees confirmation)
Date Biometrics enrolled: 11/08/2021(free)
Date on Approval letter/Email: 25/10/2021 (Email)
Date of receipt of approval: 25/10/2021 (Email from Home office Atlas)
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 25/10/2021 (Same email for approval)
Ceremony Booked: 25/10/2021
Ceremony date: 28/10/2021 (online)
Naturalisation Certificate received:29/10/2021

would like to thanks everyone on this portal for all the advice. God bless you

[bmnikhil]

Eligibility criteria: 10 years total (1+3 year Tier 4 student, 5 Years Tier 2, 1 year ILR)
Language/LIUK Criteria: UK Degrees (MSc+PhD) + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Indian
Applicants: Me + wife + son (5yr old)
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 19 June 2021
Payment method: Credit Card (Online)
Date of debit of fees: 19 June 2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 28 June 2021, paid £71.50 each
Date on Approval letter/Email: NA
Date of receipt of approval: NA
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: NA
Date of receipt of ceremony email: 19 Nov 2021 (exactly 5 months to the date) inviting for ceremony on 8th Dec (Devon county council).

PS: contacted UKVI requesting a status update on 26 Oct 2021, recieved a response on 15 Nov 2021 (The applications have been decided and you will be contacted in due course)

Thank you members.

[YasToh]

Eligibility criteria: ILR + British Citizen Spouse
Language/LIUK Criteria: Used same one used in ILR + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Non EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 23/06/2021
Payment method: Debit Card (Online)
Date of debit of fees: 23/06/2021
Date of acknowledgement: 23/06/2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 03/07/2021(paid)
Date on Approval letter/Email: None Recived
Date of Ceremony: Booked 03/12/2021


It was a long Journy!! I did not recieve any email from Home Office.

Received letter and email on 18/11/2021 from local council with Invitation for Ceremony on 03/12/2021.

EDITED

[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

[YasToh]

Eligibility criteria: 5 Years ILR (Tier 2) + British Citizen Spouse
Language/LIUK Criteria: Used same one used in ILR + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Non EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 23/06/2021
Payment method: Debit Card (Online)
Date of debit of fees: 23/06/2021
Date of acknowledgement: 23/06/2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 03/07/2021(paid)
Date on Approval letter/Email: None Recived
Date of Ceremony: Booked 03/12/2021


It was a long Journy!! I did not recieve any email from Home Office.

Received letter and email on 18/11/2021 from local council with Invitation for Ceremony on 03/12/2021.

[moerytz]

Eligibility criteria: ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: UK Degree + Life in the UK pass
Nationality : Non EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 24/09/2021
Payment method: DEBIT CARD ONLINE
Date of debit of fees: 24/09/2021
Date of acknowledgement: 24/09/2021
Date of biometric : 21/10/2021 (Free)
Date Biometrics enrolled: 21/10/2021
Date on Approval letter: PENDING
Date of receipt of approval: PENDING
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: PENDING
Date of Ceremony: PENDING

[deo96]

Type: Citizenship
Route: 5 years BRC + 1 year
Method: Online
Nationality: Non EU
Language/LITU Cretirea: B1 at Trinity College + Life in the UK

Online application submitted: 17 June 2021
Fees have been taken: 17 June 2021
Date of Acknowledgement: None
Biometric enrolment: 06 July 2021
Supporting documents submitted: 06 July 2021
Date on decision letter: Awaiting
Date of receipt of decision letter: Awaiting
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Awaiting
Date of ceremony: Awaiting

[fepute]

Language/LIUK Criteria: B1 at Trinity College + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Non EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 28/06/2021
Payment method: Debit Card (Online)
Date of debit of fees: 28/06/2021
Date of acknowledgement: 28/06/2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 08/07/2021(paid)
Date on Approval letter/Email: awaiting
Date of Ceremony: awaiting

[sam1947]

Eligibility criteria: 5 Years ILR (Tier 2) + 1 year
Language/LIUK Criteria: B1 at Trinity College + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Non EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 07/06/2021
Payment method: Debit Card (Online)
Date of debit of fees: 07/06/2021
Date of acknowledgement: 07/06/2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 02/07/2021(paid)
Date on Approval letter/Email: 15/11/2021
Date of Ceremony: Booked 25/11/2021

[migrant_uk16]

Eligibility criteria: 6 Years ILR (Tier 2 ICT) + 5 year on ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: IELTS UKVI Life Skills + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Non EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 19/09/2021
Payment method: Debit Card (Online)
Date of debit of fees: 19/09/2021
Date of acknowledgement: 19/09/2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 18/10/2021(free)
Date on Approval letter/Email: 16/11/2021 (Email from Home office Atlas)

Thanks to the wonderful moderators on this forum, who are helping with many different and complex queries.

[Al33]

Eligibility criteria: 5 Years ILR (Tier 2) + 3 year
Language/LIUK Criteria: UK Degree + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Non EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 04/07/2021
Payment method: Debit Card (Online)
Date of debit of fees: 04/07/2021
Date of acknowledgement: 07/07/2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 30/07/2021 paid 71£
Date on Approval letter/Email: 16/11/2021
Date of receipt of approval: 16/11/2021 (Email from Home office Atlas)
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 16/11/2021 (Same as approval email)

[forestgump]

Type: Citizenship
Route: 5 years BRC + 1 year
Method: Online
Nationality: Non-EU
Language/LITU Cretirea: B1 at Trinity College + Life in the UK

Online application submitted: 08 November 2021
Fees have been taken: 08 November 2021
Date of Acknowledgement: 08 November 2021
Biometric enrolment: 16 November 2021
Supporting documents submitted: 16 November 2021
Date on decision letter: Awaiting
Date of receipt of decision letter: Awaiting
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Awaiting
Date of ceremony: Awaiting

[ps1234]

Eligibility criteria: 5Yr Tier 2+ 1 year ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: US Degree+ Life in the UK
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 04/10/2021
Payment method: credit card online
Date of debit of fees: 04/10/2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 09/10/2021
Ceremony Invitation letter: No letter - got email on 16/11/2021.
Ceremony Booked: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: Waiting

[GondalUK]

Eligibility criteria: 5 Years ILR (Tier 2) + 1 year
Language/LIUK Criteria: Degree + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Non EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 19/09/2021
Payment method: Debit Card (Online)
Date of debit of fees: 19/09/2021
Date of acknowledgement: 19/09/2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 11/10/2021(free)
Date on Approval letter/Email: 16/11/2021
Date of receipt of approval: 16/11/2021 (Email from Home office Atlas)
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 16/11/2021 (Same as approval email)

[YOLO123]

UPDATE: Yesterday (08/11) I recieved an email from the Home Office Atlas inviting me to book my citizenship ceremony

EDIT 1: I recieved the approval email from Home Office Atlas on the 8th of November, however 8 days later, I come to find out via the HO phone line that the ceremony invitation letter was supposed to arrive with the approval email and now it can take between 4-8 weeks to get the ceremony letter...

Eligibility criteria: 21 years + Settled Status
Language/LIUK Criteria: IELTS + Life in the UK test
Nationality: EU (Italy)
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 04/06/2021
Payment method: Debit Card (Online)
Date Biometrics appointment: 28/06/2021
Date on Approval letter: 08/11/2021
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Awaiting
Date of Ceremony: Awaiting

[antw50]

Eligibility criteria: 14 year spousal visa + ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: B1 English Test + Life in UK
Nationality: South African
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 13/09/2021
Payment method: Debit Card (Online)
Date of debit of fees: 13/09/2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 16/09/2021 [Paid Extra for a quick appointment]
Date of receipt of approval (via e-mail): 16/11/2021
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Awaiting
Date of Ceremony: Awaiting

9 weeks, can't complain about that.

[Indo01]

Eligibility criteria: 5 year spousal visa + ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: Uni Degree and LIUK Test
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 08/10/2021
Payment method: Debit Card (Online)
Date of debit of fees: 08/10/2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 11/10/2021
Date of receipt of approval (via e-mail): 16/11/2021
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Awaiting
Date of Ceremony: Awaiting

[Khadaffi2002]

Eligibility criteria: ILR + Spouse of British Citizen
Language/LIUK Criteria: B1 English Test + Life in UK.
Nationality : Nigerian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 5th July 2021
Payment method: Debit Card (Online)
Date of acknowledgement: 6th July 2021 (Email)
Date of debit of fees: 5th July 2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 6th July 2021 at UKVCAS - West Croydon
Date of approval: 15 Nov 2021 (email)
Date of ceremony letter: 15 Nov 2021 (email)
Date of Ceremony: 16 Nov 2021 (Paid Private)

Officially a British citizen, I want to thank everyone on this platform who has contributed to making it easy for everyone by sharing their application timelines and process and answers question regarding application. I pray that those who are yet to hear back from the HO regarding their application, I pray a positive news from everyone.

[Khadaffi2002]

Eligibility criteria: ILR + Spouse of British Citizen
Language/LIUK Criteria: B1 English Test + Life in UK.
Nationality : Nigerian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 5th July 2021
Payment method: Debit Card (Online)
Date of acknowledgement: 6th July 2021 (Email)
Date of debit of fees: 5th July 2021
Date Biometrics enrolled: 6th July 2021 at UKVCAS - West Croydon
Date of approval: 15 Nov 2021 (email)
Date of ceremony letter: 15 Nov 2021 (email)
Date of Ceremony: 16 Nov 2021 (Paid Private)

Officially a British citizen, I want to thank everyone on this platform who has contributed to making it easy for everyone by sharing their application timelines and process and answers question regarding application. I pray that those who are yet to hear back from the HO regarding their application, I pray a positive news from everyone.

[TerryGH]

Application: 22 June 2021
Biometrics: 9 July 2021
Approval email: 16 November 2021