Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[Armz]

Eligibility criteria:BC Spouse 5yrs. + 1year ILR
Nationality: NON EU
Language criteria: LIUK & trinity college
Method of application: Online + UKVCAS
Date of application: 01/01/2020
Date of debit of fees: 01/01/2020
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 02/01/2020
Date Biometric appointment: 08/01/2020(croydon free appointment but paid£65
Date Biometric enrolment: 08/01/2020
Date on approval letter: 11/02/2020
Date of receipt of approval: 20/02/2020
Date of Ceremony: 26/02/2020
Date applied passport: 27/02/2020
Date passport received: waiting

[DUSTDEVIL]

Eligibility criteria: EU National (5 years) + 1 Year Permanent Residence
Language : BA Edinburgh Napier University + MSc University of St Andrews
Nationality : Polish
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 11.09.2019
Payment method: Debit Card
Date Biometrics enrolled: 01.10.2019 (Sopra Steria - Croydon Free appointment )
Date on Approval letter: 21.11.2019
Date of receipt of approval: Never arrived
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 11.02.2020
Date of Ceremony: 28.02.2020

My application was approved on 21st November 2019, so the decision was very prompt, but I have never received the Approval Letter, which was lost in post or never sent in the first place. I found out about my application via local council, which told me in February 2020 that 3 months period is almost up and they will have to sent the certificate back to the HO. I have contacted the HO and they told me to send an email requesting the digital copy of the Approval letter and extension to the ceremony deadline. I have received approval letter copy on 14th February and extension on 25th February. I have promptly booked the next available ceremony on 28th February.

My advice is to check with your local council after 2 months since the biometrics enrollment, because sometimes the Approval letter never arrives...

The email address I used was: Citizenship.Support@homeoffice.gov.uk

[learner29]

Eligibility criteria: 10 years Long Residence + 1 year ILR
Language : Masters Degree + LIUK Test
Nationality : Non-EU
Method of application: Online (Self)
Date of application: 19-Feb-2020
Payment method: Credit Card
Date of acknowledgement: 19-Feb-2020
Date of debit of fees: 19-Feb-2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 27-Feb-2020 ( (Sopra Steria - 20 Mark Lane London - Paid)
Date on Approval letter: waiting
Date of receipt of approval: waiting
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: Waiting

[rochester70]

Eligibility criteria: ILR (5 years on Tier 2 Visa) + 1 Year
Language : UKNARIC + Life in UK Test
Nationality : Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 16-Feb-2020
Payment method: Credit Card
Date of acknowledgement: 16-Feb-2020
Date of debit of fees: 16-Feb-2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 24-Feb-2020 (Sopra Steria - Birmigham Free appointment )
Date on Approval letter: Waiting
Date of receipt of approval: Waiting
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: Waiting

[Mikebe]

Refugee route
Applied on 13/07/2019
Approval 27/02/2020
Good luck everyone

[rajstyle0485]

Eligibility criteria: ILR (5 years spouse visa) + BC Spouse
Language : B1 + LIUK Test
Nationality : Non-EU
Method of application: Online (Self)
Date of application: 17-Jan-2020
Payment method: Debit Card
Date of acknowledgement: Not received
Date of debit of fees: 17-Jan-2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 21-Jan-2020 ( (Sopra Steria - Manchester - Paid)
Date on Approval letter: 18-Feb-2020
Date of receipt of approval: 27-Feb-2020
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: Waiting

[Jmxxzz99]

Eligibility criteria: 33 months student visa, 2 weeks ILR , (5 years BC spouse visa)
Language : B1 + LIUK Test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 24/12/2019
Payment method: Credit Card
Date of debit of fees: 24/12/2019
Date of acknowledgement: 30/12/2019
Date Biometrics enrolled: 30/12/2019
( Manchester Library Paid £100)
Date on Approval letter: Waiting
Date of receipt of approval: Waiting
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: Waiting

[muleya]

Nationality: Zim
ONLINE APPLICATION
DATE OF APPLICATION: 09/05/2019
PAYMENT: CREDIT CARD
BIOMETRICS: 01/06/2019
DATE OF APPROVAL/ WAITING FOR LETTER
CEREMONY LETTER/ 25/02/2020
DATE OF CEREMONY/31/03/2020
COUNCIL OFFERED ME ONE TODAY BUT I DIDNT HAVE APPROVAL LETTER.
BOOKED PRIVATE FOR THE 2ND OF MARCH 2020.


I AM SO PLEASED THAT THE WAITING IS COMING TO AN END AND UPSET WITH THE WAY THE HOME OFFICE PROCESS THESE APPLICATIONS. HOW DO THEY JUSTIFY 4-6WKS FOR OTHERS AND NEARLY 10MNTHS FOR SOME LIKE ME. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE AND TO ALL THE MODERATORS END EVERYONE WHO HAVE POSTED ON THIS PLATFORM

[shah4404]

Application on long residence 10 years plus 1 year ILR
Nationality Pakistani
Method of application online 05/01/2020
Fee paid debit card 05/01/2020
Biometric enrolled 05/02/2020 at Manchester library
As no free appointment waited 1 month
Approved letter received 22/02/2020
Date of approval on letter 12/02/202 means only 10 days
Approved letter received 22/02/2020
Ceremony have to be arrange waiting

today at 25/02/2020 ceremony letter received
Date on latter issued 21/02/2020
Ceremony date 8/03/2020 with in 10 days of approval
I am given option for even earlier then this can pay 60 pounds but it’s really a week so will attend group ceremony good luck guys

[ddrfan]

Eligibility criteria: ILR (5 years spouse visa) + BC Spouse
Language : B1 + LIUK Test
Nationality : Non-EU
Method of application: Online (using solicitor)
Date of application: 16-Jan-2020
Payment method: Debit Card
Date of acknowledgement: Not received
Date of debit of fees: 17-Jan-2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 22-Jan-2020 ( (Sopra Steria - Edinburgh - Paid £69.99)
Date on Approval letter: Waiting
Date of receipt of approval: Waiting
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: Waiting

[gaurav.inf]

Eligibility criteria: ILR (5 years on Tier 2 Visa) + 1 Year
Language : UK Masters degree certificate + LIUK Test
Nationality : Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 19-Jan-2020
Payment method: Debit Card
Date of acknowledgement: 19-Jan-2020
Date of debit of fees: 19-Jan-2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 17-Feb-2020 ( (Sopra Steria -Croydon )
Date on Approval letter: Waiting
Date of receipt of approval: Waiting
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: Waiting

[World Citizen]

Eligibility criteria: PR plus one year
Language criteria met: TRINITY COLLEGE + LIFE IN THE UK
Nationality: EU
Method of application: ONLINE
Date of application: 29 DECEMBER 2019
Payment method: CredIt card
Payment taken: 29 DECEMBER 2019
Date of acknowledgement: 30 DECEMBER 2019
Appointment and Biometrics (Croydon) date: 24 JANUARY 2020
Date of approval: 6 FEBRUARY 2020
Approval letter received on: 15 FEBRUARY 2020
Ceremony letter received on: 21 FEBRUARY 2020
Date of ceremony: 26 MARCH 2020

[mpandey]

Eligibility criteria: 5yr + 1yr ILR
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 01/12/2019
Fee paid debit card: 01/12/2019
Bio-metric enrolled: 09/012/2019 at London Croydon (Express service)
Date of approval on letter: 30/12/2019 means only 14 working days
Approved letter received: 06/01/2020
Naturalization Ceremony: 20/01/2020 (Premium appointment)

[shah4404]

Application on long residence 10 years plus 1 year ILR
Nationality Pakistani
Method of application online 05/01/2020
Fee paid debit card 05/01/2020
Biometric enrolled 05/02/2020 at Manchester library
As no free appointment waited 1 month
Approved letter received 22/02/2020
Date of approval on letter 12/02/202 means only 10 days
Approved letter received 22/02/2020
Ceremony have to be arrange waiting

[BirbalTG]

Eligibility criteria: EEA PR + 1 year
Language Criteria: UK BEng degree + LiUK
Nationality: EU
Method of application: Online + UKVCAS
Date of application: 12/01/2020
Date of email acknowledgment: 13/01/2020
Date biometrics enrolled: 17/01/2020 (Croydon appointment - £110 payment including documents checked)
Email request for alternative proof of residency for the last 2 years: 10/02/2020
Alternative documents sent over email: 10/02/2020
Date on Approval letter: 12/02/2020
Date of receipt of approval: 22/02/2020
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: Pending

[conaniuk]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years + ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: UK Masters degree certificate + LIUK Test
Nationality : Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 04-Jan-2020
Payment method: Credit Card
Date of acknowledgement: 04-Jan-2020
Date of debit of fees: 04-Jan-2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 09-Jan-2020. Croydon 75 pound appointment
Date on Approval letter: 08-Feb-2020
Date of receipt of approval: 20-Feb-2020
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: 20-Feb-2020
Date of Ceremony: 01-Apr-2020 Free ceremony (A London Borough). Paid 144 for Private ceromony for 25-Feb-2020 as need to travel abroad Mid-April.

[boomie]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 2 - 5 years 5months + 1 year 1 week ILR
Language Criteria: Entry IELTS (2012) + Life in UK Test (2019)
Method of application: Online + UKVCAS

Date of application: 27/11/2019
Payment method: Credit Card - they accept credit card so, why not. I always thought it had to be debit card like the Tier 2 visa, but I paid by CC since ILR
Date of acknowledgement: 28/11/2019
Date Biometrics enrolled: 06/12/2019 - £75 service

Date on Approval letter: 10/01/2020 - considering it was Christmas and New Year's
Date of receipt of approval: 20/01/2020 - includes 2 weekends

Date of booking of ceremony: 21/01/2020
Date of Ceremony: 06/02/2020 - Group (I declined the earliest 30/01/2020 option)

There is a separate passport only timeline thread, please post passport timeline there.

Apart from the system always acknowledges the next day, the timing looks ok.

[DoctorJay]

Eligibility criteria: Refuges +ILR in 2015 , Waited 10 years for good character requirement
Nationality: Pakistani
Method of application: Online + UKVCAS
Date of application: 23/12/2020
Payment method: Online
Date of acknowledgment: 23/12/2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 02/01/2020 (Sopra Steria )
Date on Approval letter: 13/02/2020
Date of receipt of approval: 20/02/2020
Date of receipt of ceremony email: 20/02/2020 contacted council for booking
Date of Ceremony: 04/03/2020

[Nitch]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2 (General) + 1 Year ILR
Nationality: USA/Israel
Method of application: Online + UKVCAS
Date of application: 13/01/2020
Payment method: Online
Date of acknowledgment: 13/01/2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 31/01/2020 (Sopra Steria - Enfield)
Contacted by home office for more details: 06/02/2020
Date on Approval letter: 11/02/2020
Date of receipt of approval: 20/02/2020
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Seems to be the letter as approval now
Date of Ceremony: 23/04/2020 - Group Ceremony

Thanks to everyone here, but especially CR001 for the invaluable support over the past years!

[Post2]

Eligibility criteria: 3 Years British Spouse (ILR) (Came to the UK with Fiance visa - had two, 2.5 spouse visa, got my ILR August 2019, for no reason I waited for like 6 months before applying for citizenship!)
Language/LIUK Criteria: MSc UK degree + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Non-EU/EEA
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 08-Jan-2020
Payment method: Debit Card - paid on 08-Jan-2020
Date of acknowledgment: 09-Jan-2020 (I received an email with my case ID)
Date Biometrics enrolled: 11-Jan-2020 (Glasgow - Paid £50)

06/02/2020 - Sent an email to HO asking if my case has been allocated to a caseworker - they replied next day saying 'my application will be allocated to a caseworker next week' - Then on the same day I got an email from HO with their work email asking me to send my husband's passport via email ( we only submitted his birth certificate)

Date on Approval letter: 10-Feb-2020
Date of receipt of approval: 20-Feb-2020 (WHY DONT THEY JUST PAY an extra 9p to send the letter via 1st class!!!
Date on ceremony letter: AW Im planning to phone the council today
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: AW
Date of Ceremony: AW

[Armz]

Eligibility criteria:BC Spouse 5yrs. + 1year ILR
Nationality: NON EU
Language criteria: LIUK & trinity college
Method of application: Online + UKVCAS
Date of application: 01/01/2020
Date of debit of fees: 01/01/2020
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 02/01/2020
Date Biometric appointment: 08/01/2020(croydon free appointment but paid£65
Date Biometric enrolment: 08/01/2020
Date on approval letter: 11/02/2020
Date of receipt of approval: 20/02/2020
Date of Ceremony: waiting
Date applied passport: -waiting
Date passport received: waiting

[donny123]

Eligibility criteria: ILR Long Residence+ 1 year
Nationality: Non EU
Method of application: Online + UKVCAS
Date of application: 07/01/2020
Payment method: Online Debit Card
Date of acknowledgment: 08/01/2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 13/01/2020 (Sopra Steria - Sheffield)
Date on Approval letter: 07/02/2020
Date of receipt of approval: 17/02/2020
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Not received - Contacted to the council.
Date of Ceremony: 25/02/2020 Private

It took exactly 1 month To get approved, thanks everyone here specially moderators.

[SG_23]

Eligibility criteria: ILR + Married to British Citizen
Nationality: USA
Method of application: Online + UKVCAS
Date of application: 03/01/2020
Payment method: Online
Date of acknowledgment: 03/01/2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 07/01/2020 (Sopra Steria - Edinburgh)
Date on Approval letter: 04/02/2020
Date of receipt of approval: 15/02/2020
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Not yet received - Contacted council via email.
Date of Ceremony: 24/03/2020

Well, that concludes 6 years of visa anxiety...
I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone (particularly the moderators), who spend so much time helping others here. Your help has been invaluable.
Best wishes to all of you for the future.

[Tao]

Eligibility criteria: 6 years descretionary + ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: B1(GESE Grade 5) + LiUK
Nationality : Non EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 6 February 2020
Payment method: Debit Card (Online)
Date of acknowledgement: 7 February
Date of debit of fees: 6 February 2020
Date of biometric letter received/issued: N/A
Date Biometrics enrolled: UKVCAS
Date on Approval letter: waiting
Date of receipt of approval: waiting
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: waiting
Date of Ceremony: waiting

[Sinjin]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 8yr ILR
Method of application: Online + UKVACS
Date of receipt by UKBA: 31/12/2019
Date of debit of fees: 31/12/2019
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 31/12/2019
Date of Biometric enrolment: 17/01/2020
Date Chased: 03/02/2020
Date of Email approval: Email not received
Date on Approval Letter: 10/02/2020
Date of receipt of approval: 18/02/2020
Date of Ceremony: To be organised