Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[ABC_321]

My British Citizenship Application Timeline:

Eligibility criteria: 5 years on Tier 2 Gen Visa + 1 year ILR
Language: English Language Proficiency Statement by NARIC
Nationality: Indian

Method of application: Online
Date of application: 2 Sep 2024
Date of debit of fees: 2 Sep 2024
Date of biometric appointment: 5 Sep 2024 - UKVCAS Bath (Paid £143)

Date of receipt of approval email from Home Office Atlas: Pending obviously
Date of email from Council for the ceremony with ceremony date:
Date of Citizenship Ceremony:

[maxfactorx]

When I was waiting for my result, I came here a few times to check how long it usually takes for application to be processed and I realise that in majority of normal cases it takes around 2 months to get the notification email from Atlas. Thankfully my case wasn't an exception...!

here is my timeline:

Eligibility criteria: 5 years on Tier 2 work visa + 1 year ILR (a total of 6 years)
Language: English Language Proficiency Statement by NARIC
Nationality: Iranian

Method of application: Online
Date of application: 25 June 2024
Date of debit of fees: 25 June 2024
Date of fingerprint appointment: 29 June 2024 UKVCAS London (Paid £250)

Date of email from Council for the ceremony with ceremony date: 2 September 2024
Date of receipt of approval email from Home Office Atlas: 2 September 2024
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: 23 September 2024

Good luck for everyone who is still waiting!

[bianca_blue53]

Eligibility criteria: 9 years in the UK (3 years ILR)
Nationality: Romanian
Proof of language: UK Degree + Life in the UK test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 29th June 2024
Date of debit of fees: 29th June 2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 30th June 2024
Biometrics location: Leeds (£141)
Date of receipt of approval: 2nd September 2024
Date of Ceremony: Pending

[Eve_A]

Application Timeline:

Eligibility criteria: 5 Years on Family Visa +ILR since 2018
Method of application: Online
Proof of language: Degree
Date of application: 10-Jun-2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 15-Jun-2024
Biometrics location: Croydon (£143)
Date of receipt of approval: 12-Aug-2024
Date of Ceremony: 04-Sept-2024 (I waited for my family to receive their approval so we can do the private ceremony together).

Thank you to everyone who updates this forum and good luck to those still waiting.

[Fernsby]

Application Timeline: 30th June 2024
Nationality: EU / Czech Republic
Proof of language: MSc degree

Eligibility criteria: EU Settled Status + 6 years
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 30th June 2024
Date of debit of fees: 3rd July 2024
Date of receipt of acknowledgement/biometrics appointment: 6th July 2024
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

[greyducky]

Eligibility criteria: 13.5 yrs in UK (ILR for 7.5 years + Dependent for 6 other years)
Nationality: Indian
Proof of language: Bachelors of Science + Life in the UK test (2018)
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 3rd July 2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 22nd July 2024
Biometrics location: Luton (paid)
Date of receipt of approval: 2nd September 2024 (in approx 2 months and 1 week of the application)
Date of Ceremony: To be booked soon - plenty of private ceremonies available at my local council.

Very grateful to have gotten a response so soon!

[Fernsby]

Application Timeline: 30th June 2024
Eligibility criteria: EU Settled Status + 6 years
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 30th June 2024
Date of debit of fees: 3rd July 2024
Date of receipt of acknowledgement/biometrics appointment: 6th July 2024
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

Other Updates: Emailed FES and CItizenship Support mailbox with no response, I see a lot of you were approved before 2 months mark, waiting for a while

[Hopeful80]

Praise God. My happy Monday finally arrived. Timelines below.

Eligibility Criteria: Settled Status + 1 year
Language: B1 and Life in UK test.
Method of application: Online
Nationality: EU + Indian (2 applicants)

Date of Application submission: 11th February 2024
Date of Biometric: 8th March 2024 (Free appointment Leicester)
Letter from HO: 6th August advising our application process will exceed 6 months.
Date of Approval: 02nd September 2024 (Happy Monday)
Date of Ceremony: 08th November 2024 (Trying to get a earlier date)

Took over 6 months 22 days.

The Key is PRAYER and PATIENCE. So glad the approval is here and Good luck to those waiting. Remember, no news is good news. Thank you Jesus.

[Vixxxx]

Eligibility criteria: 8 years PR + married to BC
Nationality: Chinese
Proof of language: Degree taught in English
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 06/06/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 14/06/2024 (paid £228)
Biometrics location: Glasgow
Date of receipt of approval: 02/09/2024
invitation from the council: pending
Date of Ceremony: 22/10/2024 (phoned to book the earliest date available)

[Ari90]

Application Timeline

Eligibility criteria: 5 Year Student (MSc and PhD) +5 Years Tier 2 GENERAL+ 1 Year ILR
Nationality: non-EU
Proof of language: MSc and PhD degree from a UK university
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 16 May 2024
Date of debit of fees: 16 May 2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 12 June 2024
Biometrics location: Solihull (free)
Date of receipt of approval: ***Pending
Date of Ceremony: ***Pending

Note: I can see here that some applications took less than my waiting time and I hope I receive an update soon. I am planning to leave for holiday for almost three months during Christmas so hence the frustration.

Thanks all for sharing your experience

Update ******

Received Atlas approval email on 2nd Sep
I have contacted Council for ceremony appointment as advised in the Atlas email.

[danielh]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5 Years Residence + 1 year ILR (for myself, my wife and my 12yo son)
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 17/7/2023
Date of debit of fees: 17/7/2023
Date of biometrics: 21/07/2023 - Bath
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 21/07/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 27 August 2024
Date received an email of invitation to the ceremony: TBD
Date of Ceremony: TBD

It took 14 months. We contacted them MANY times. I've not included every message to the UKVI case worker - typically they take 4 weeks to respond (IF they respond)

DATE / DESCRIPTION
2024/03/16 - made SAR Request
2024/06/03 - sent a letter to our then MP for assistance
2024/06/06 - response from the MP's office
2024/06/10 - sent a request to the office of minister of migration (despite parliament being dissolved)
2024/07/17 - received a response from the office of the minister of migration with the same copy paste response
2024/06/17 - made a complaint to the home office
2024/07/12 - received response to our complaint (they UPHELD the complaint that it was taking so long)
2024/07/15 - received response from UKVI case worker with nothing helpful (clearly nudged by all the other requests we had made)
2024/08/13 - received a response from our MP who forwarded on a response from the UKVI - nothing helpful.

Thanks for all the write ups and advice on this forum. In the end they just did it in their own time, but I felt great knowing I had actions I could take to move things along.

[Jandali]

Eligibility criteria: 5 Years Residence + 1 year ILR
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 19/6/2024
Date of debit of fees: 19/6/2024
Date of biometrics: 27/06/2024 - London - Paid
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 27/06/2024
Date of receipt of approval: 26 August 2024
Date received an email of invitation to the ceremony: 30 Aug 2024
Date of Ceremony: 17 September 2024

I am pleased to share that I received approval today, despite it being a bank holiday. I wish all of you the very best and hope that your approvals come through swiftly as well . All the best

Alhamdulillah, I have booked a private ceremony on September 17, 2024, as I couldn't find an earlier date.

[paulinam07]

Eligibility criteria: 6yrs UK (1y Settlement Status)
Nationality: EU
Proof of language: B1 + Life in the UK test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 26th June 2024
Date of debit of fees: 26th June 2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 23nd July 2024
Biometrics location: Solihull (Free)
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

Update:

Eligibility criteria: 6yrs UK (1y Settlement Status)
Nationality: EU
Proof of language: B1 + Life in the UK test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 26th June 2024
Date of debit of fees: 26th June 2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 23nd July 2024
Biometrics location: Solihull (Free)
Date of receipt of approval: 02 Sept 2024 - 10:33 AM (Atlas Home Office)
Date of Ceremony: Pending (Have to wait few days for Council to receive the documents)


In total almost 6 weeks since my biometrics. Also was not a straightforward case as I entered the country with a different name and passport, but they didn't request any additional documents.
Good luck everyone!!

[PariJ]

Eligibility criteria: ILR+3 years (British Spouse)
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 30/06/2024
Date of debit of fees: 30/06/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 04/07/2024
Date of receipt of approval:pending
Date of Ceremony: 01 Oct (email recieved on 31 Aug).

[uk_future_citizen]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years + 1 year ILR
B1 + Life in the UK Test
Nationality: Non EU
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 10/07/2024
Date of debit of fees: 10/07/2024
Date of biometrics 13/07/2024- (Leeds, paid)
Date of confirmation sent to UKVI: 13/07/2024
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

[nickg76]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: EUSS + 1 year ILR
Nationality: Greek
Proof of language: B1 + Life in the UK test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 2nd July 2024
Date of debit of fees: 2nd July 2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 19th July 2024
Biometrics location: London (Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

[CR001]

@Raja2018 Can you please desist from posting questions in the TIMELINE ONLY topic!!! You have been a member for long enough to know the forum rules!!!

[JSJS72]

Eligibility criteria: ILR 10 years +
Proof of language: B1 certificate + University Degree
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 02 July 2024
Date of debit of fees: 02 July 2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 09 July 2024
Biometrics location: Croydon
Receipt of approval: Not received
Ceremony date: 27th September 2024

Havent received any correspondence from the Home office, but received Citizenship ceremony email date this week.
From applying online to receiving ceremony invitation 8 Weeks.

[jrcallens]

Eligibility criteria: EU Settled Status + 1 year
Proof of language: B1 LanguageCert Test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 13/08/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 30/08/2024
Biometrics location: Croydon (free)
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Invitation from the council: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

[Tellie96279]

Eligibility criteria: 20 years in the UK (12 years ILR)
Nationality: Zimbabwean
Proof of language: b1 + Life in the UK test
Method of application: Online via solicitor
Date of application: 26th June 2024
Date of debit of fees: 26th June 2024 (1,630)
Date of biometrics appointment: 8th July 2024
Biometrics location: Manchester (£143)
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Ceremony: 05th September 2024 (email received 29th Aug 2024)

I was initially worried that my application might get declined. On the day of my biometrics appointment, I couldn't find my travel document and BRP. The staff at the biometrics center were very supportive and suggested that I go back home to search for it. After spending 5 hours searching the entire house, I couldn't find it and ended up using my driver's license as a form of ID. (You won't believe where I found it three days later... in my safe spot, the area where I store my important documents. Somehow I overlooked it and "Man looked" lol

It seems that this mishap has not affected my application. My solicitor reassured me that it is common for the Home Office to delay the approval letter and that I will receive it before the ceremony

[ronnie87]

Eligibility criteria: EU Settled Status + 1 year
Proof of language: Master's Degree taught in English
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 17/02/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 12/03/2024
Biometrics location: Cambridge
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
invitation from the council: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

4 months from biometrics and nearing 5 months from application, still waiting

I applied at the exact same time as my fiancee, who has received her approval in May. Before submitting the application, I had an immigration lawyer review it and they said it was a very straightforward case: EU citizen wit settled status, in continuous employment with the same company sincs 2018, all tax returns completed and paid in time, haven't been out of the country for more than <30-40 days per year, etc.

I can't imagine what can take so long, but I'll wait for the 6 month deadline to pass before emailing them for an update.

Still waiting. Almost 7 months since application, 6 months since biometrics

Just got an email from Atlas that it will take more than 6 months due to "the nature" of the checks they are running. I can't imagine what special checks they need to run, as my record is as clean as it can be, I never stayed here (or anywhere else) illegally.

[viczzz85]

Eligibility: Tier 2 + ILR, applied just same day of 1 year ILR
Nationality:China
Proof of Language: B2 + life in the UK
Online application submission:27 May 2024
Biometric provided: 28 May 2024 (Croydon, £300)
Date of approval:Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

Not a straight fwd case, have excessive leave in past 5 years and 1 year.
Email FNE twice but no reply. Screaming.

Email from Citizenship Support Aug 29th 6:01pm , indicated the application approved and waiting for ALTAS email. Seems the CS email is more reactive vs. FNE recently.

Quite grateful as the approval chance is quite lean per guildance. Asked TWO discretion with low hope. One as 5 years residence over 800 days absence, using COVID reason. One as 200 days leave in past 1 year, using job nature reason. Worth a try!

[ronnie87]

Eligibility criteria: EU Settled Status + 1 year
Proof of language: Master's Degree taught in English
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 17/02/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 12/03/2024
Biometrics location: Cambridge
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
invitation from the council: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

4 months from biometrics and nearing 5 months from application, still waiting

I applied at the exact same time as my fiancee, who has received her approval in May. Before submitting the application, I had an immigration lawyer review it and they said it was a very straightforward case: EU citizen wit settled status, in continuous employment with the same company sincs 2018, all tax returns completed and paid in time, haven't been out of the country for more than <30-40 days per year, etc.

I can't imagine what can take so long, but I'll wait for the 6 month deadline to pass before emailing them for an update.

Still waiting. Almost 7 months since application, 6 months since biometrics

[BottleNeck]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years EUSS (started as dependent on EU national while I am Indian by nationality) + 1 year ILR
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 22/06/2024
Date of debit: 24/06/2024
Date of biometrics: 12/07/2024
Date of receipt of approval: 26/08/2024
Date of citizenship ceremony: 10/09/2024

Was processed very quickly - I was surprised! Good luck to everyone and thanks to this thread for keeping me going!

[fearshanu]

Quite quick processing

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier2/Skill visa + 1.5 year ILR
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 25/06/2024
Date of debit of fees: 25/06/2024
Date of biometrics: 17/07/2024
Date of receipt of approval: 26/08/2024
Date received an email of invitation to the ceremony from Council: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

Took exactly 2 months from date of application and 5 weeks from the biometrics appointment. Quite quick.
Plus wasn't expecting to get approval on bank holiday. Hope the process remains as smooth and efficient for others.

Good luck!