Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[maggigadol]

Update in red
Eligibility criteria: 5 years Res. with 3 years as ILR
Language criteria met: Age exempt
Nationality: NON-EU
Method of application: JCAP NCS – Aylesbury
Date of application: 28/03/2017
Payment Method: Debit card
Date of receipt by UKVI: 29/03/2017
Date money gone off account: BC 12/04/2017, passport 18/04/2017
Date of acknowledgment: received 15/04/2017, dated: 12/04/2017
Biometrics done: 15/04/2017
Online status: Decided 02/08/17, updated status visible online 04/08/17 using case worker ref. number only. Using biometric letter ref. (beginning with surname letter) website has been saying “number not recognized” since 11/08/2017 to date.
Date of Approval: letter received 16/08/2017, letter dated 04/08/2017
Date of Ceremony:
Date of Passport Application: 28/03/2017 (JCAP NCS)
Date Passport received:

[Adusadi]

UPDATE 2
Eligibility criteria: 10 years residency + PR 1 year
Language criteria met: Life in the UK + GESE grade 5
Nationality: Polish
Method of application: myself via post
Date of application: 20 April 2017
Payment method: Debit Card
Date of receipt by HO/UKVI: 21 April 2017
Date of acknowledgement: 08 May 2017 via email
Date money gone off account: 09 May 2017
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 13 May 2017 (letter dated 10 May 2017)
Biometrics done: 13 May 2017
Online status: Decided on 16.08.2017, Application status updated on 13 August 2017
Date of approval letter: awaiting
Date of ceremony: TBC
Date applied for passports: not yet
Date passports received: not yet

Its been nearly 4 months since I applied for naturalisation (20th of April). To be honest Its quicker than I expected ... Just waiting for comfirmation letter and cermony date....well it says only decided....hopefully it is a positive decision

[ecnk]

Eligibility criteria: 5yr Tier 2 + 1yr ILR via Registration as British Citizen using form B(OTA) as a British National Overseas (BNO) passport holder
Language Eligibility: Not required for registration (but have Life in The UK & UK degree)
Method of application: NCS Lewisham + JCAP
Date of application: 04/08/2017
Payment method: Credit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 07/08/2016
Date of acknowledgement(Email): 14/08/2016
Date money gone off account: 11/08/2016
Date Online Application Status changed to Awaiting Decision: 11/08/2016
Date of letter requesting biometrics:
Biometrics done:
Date of approval:
Date of ceremony:
Date applied for passports: 04/08/2016
Date passport fee gone off account: 16/08/2016
Passport text received :
Date passports received:

[wisamt1]

Eligibility criteria: 8 Years ILR
Language Eligibility: Life in The UK + UK University Degree
Method of application: NCS Redbridge JCAP
Date of application: 01/08/2017
Payment method: Debit card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 03/08/2017
Date of acknowledgement(Email): 08/08/2017
Date of acknowledgement(Letter): dated 07/08/2017 received 16/08/2017
Date money gone off account: 07/08/2017
Date Online Application Status changed to Awaiting Decision: 07/08/2017
Date of letter requesting biometrics: dated 13/08/2017 received 16/08/2017
Biometrics done: 16/08/2017
Date of approval:
Date of ceremony:
Date applied for passports: 01/08/2017
Date passport fee gone off account: 10/08/2017
Passport text received :
Date passports received:

[wisamt1]

Eligibility criteria: 8 Years ILR
Language Eligibility: Life in The UK + UK University Degree
Method of application: NCS Redbridge JCAP
Date of application: 01/08/2016
Payment method: Debit card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 03/08/2016
Date of acknowledgement(Email): 08/08/2016
Date money gone off account: 07/08/2016
Date Online Application Status changed to Awaiting Decision: 07/08/2016
Date of letter requesting biometrics:
Biometrics done:
Date of approval:
Date of ceremony:
Date applied for passports: 01/08/2016
Date passport fee gone off account: 10/08/2016
Passport text received :
Date passports received:

[carnacourt]

Eligibility criteria: ILR obtained in Sep 2009
Language criteria met: B1 Trinity college
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: NCS Ealing
Payment method: Credit Card
Date of Application: 03/04/2017
Date of Charging Fee:18/04/2017
Date of biometric letter : Dated 19/04/2017 Received at 22/04/2017
Biometrics done:25/04/2017
Tracked online:Decision decided at 30/07/2017
Date of approval: Date of Letter is 02/08/17 Received on 14/08/17
Date of ceremony: Awaiting invitation

[pointstr8]

I really would like to post my own experiences because I know how helpful other people sharing their experiences helped keep me in perspective and realistic. So here is all the information on my own process.

Eligibility criteria - Long residence (since 2004) but used marriage to a British citizen as route + ILR obtained in 2015
Language criteria met: Life in the UK Test + BSC & MSC both in UK universities
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: NCS + JCAP
Date of application: 17/03/2017
Payment method: Debit Card
HO deducted fees: 22/03/2017
Email acknowledging receipt by HO/UKVI: 23/03/2017
Date of letter requesting biometrics received: 25/03/17
Biometrics done: 27/03/2017
Letter from HMPO requesting passport payment (because i filled in the wrong payment details & transaction could not be made) received: 05/04/2017
Called HMPO to pay over the phone: 06/04/2017
Dare of approval: 17/07/2017 (Exactly 4 months from application)
Letter of approval received: 22/07/2017 (exactly 4 months from fee deduction)
Letter of invitation to attend citizenship ceremony received: 22/07/2017 (dated: 21/07/2017)
Date of ceremony: 02/08/2017
Date passports received: 11/08/2017 (issued: 10/08/2017)

Please I want to add that I did not receive any text or email from HMPO advising on passport dispatch or progress status. Passport came automatically after attending ceremony. I hope this is helpful to someone because at many times I was looking for any indication to know when to expect it. (It came exactly 9 days after ceremony which includes weekends)

Best of luck!

Update: I later received a text after receiving my passport from HMPO that my passport has been dispatched and should arrive in a few days. I guess the delivery was faster than they expected

[pointstr8]

I really would like to post my own experiences because I know how helpful other people sharing their experiences helped keep me in perspective and realistic. So here is all the information on my own process.

Eligibility criteria - Long residence (since 2004) but used marriage to a British citizen as route + ILR obtained in 2015
Language criteria met: Life in the UK Test + BSC & MSC both in UK universities
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: NCS + JCAP
Date of application: 17/03/2017
Payment method: Debit Card
HO deducted fees: 22/03/2017
Email acknowledging receipt by HO/UKVI: 23/03/2017
Date of letter requesting biometrics received: 25/03/17
Biometrics done: 27/03/2017
Letter from HMPO requesting passport payment (because i filled in the wrong payment details & transaction could not be made) received: 05/04/2017
Called HMPO to pay over the phone: 06/04/2017
Dare of approval: 17/07/2017 (Exactly 4 months from application)
Letter of approval received: 22/07/2017 (exactly 4 months from fee deduction)
Letter of invitation to attend citizenship ceremony received: 22/07/2017 (dated: 21/07/2017)
Date of ceremony: 02/08/2017
Date passports received: 11/08/2017 (issued: 10/08/2017)

Please I want to add that I did not receive any text or email from HMPO advising on passport dispatch or progress status. Passport came automatically after attending ceremony. I hope this is helpful to someone because at many times I was looking for any indication to know when to expect it. (It came exactly 9 days after ceremony which includes weekends)

Best of luck!

[Sib300]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years + 1.5 year ILR ,
Language criteria met: UK Degree(MSc)
Nationality: Iranian
Method of application: NCS, Leeds
Date of application: 26/07/2017
Payment method: Debit Card
Date of receipt by HM/UKVI: 27/07/2017
Date of acknowledgement: 02/08/2017(email)
Date money gone off account: 31/07/2017
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 01/08/2017
Biometrics done: 04/08/2017
Online status updated to "Decided": **
Date of approval: **
Date of ceremony: **
Date applied for passports: 26/07/2017
Date passports received:

[fbacker]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Workpermit & Tier1 + 7 year ILR ( for self),
2 years Settlement visa + 4years ILR ( Spouse) ,
Child - 2 years Indefinite Leave to Enter
Language criteria met: UK Degree ( for self) & Trinity college GESE Grade5 for Spouse
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: NCS, Leeds
Date of application: 18/07/2017
Payment method: Debit Card
Date of receipt by HM/UKVI:
Date of acknowledgement: 25/07/2017(email)
Date money gone off account: 25/07/2017 ( for application), 28/07/2017 (For passport)
Date of letter requesting biometrics: Dated 24/07/2017 received on 27/07/2017
Biometrics done: Surname & first name reversed on the biometric barcode( for self). Sent email to Homeoffice (Awaiting response)
For spouse and kid - Biometric taken on 27/07/2017
Received email from Homeoffice on 10/08/2017 to use the original enrolment letter for
biometric. Enroled for biometric on 10/08/2017
Online status updated to "Decided":
Date of approval:
Date of ceremony:
Date applied for passports: 18/07/2017
Date passports received:

[demiori]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria :5 y. Life uk. Trinity college
Method of application: myself
Date of receipt by UKBA: 15.06.2017
Date of debit of fees: 25.06.17
Biometric letter :30.06.17
Submitted: 30.06.17
Date of receipt of approval:
Date of Ceremony:

[Trabant]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5yr + 1yr ILR + Trinity College + Life in the UK test
Method of application: NCS Hamilton Scotland 4 April 2017
Date of receipt by UKBA: 5 April 2017
Date of debit of fees: 18 april 2017
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 24 april 2017 (DATED 20 april 2017)
Date of Biometrics done: 25 april 2017
Date of receipt of approval: 07 08 2017
Date of Ceremony: 30 08 2017
Good luck everybody!!

[adrianmark2k]

Eligibility criteria: 10 years Long Residence + 1 year ILR.
Language criteria met: I met the knowledge of language and life requirement to qualify for settlement on or after 28th October 2013.
Nationality: INDIAN.
Method of application: Post.
Date of application: 21/07/17.
Payment method: Debit Card.
Date of receipt by HO/UKVI: 24/07/17.
Date of acknowledgement (email): 28/07/17.
Date of acknowledgement letter : Dated:- 27/07/2017, Received:- 05/08/2017.
Date money gone off account: 29/07/17
Date of letter requesting biometrics: Dated :- 02/08/2017, Received:- 05/08/2017.
Biometrics done: 09/08/2017.
Date of approval: Not Yet
Date of ceremony: Not Yet
Date applied for passports: Not Yet
Date passports received: Not Yet

[MAS99]

Eligibility criteria - 5 year route
Language criteria met: Life in the UK Test + IELTS
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: NCS + JCAP
Date of application: 03/07/2017
Payment method: Debit Card
Date of receipt by HO/UKVI: 12/07/2017
Date of acknowledgement (Email/Post): 10/7/17
Date money gone off account: 13/07/2017 (My bank rejected the first attempt )
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 15/7/17
Biometrics done: 16/07/2017
Online Status: Awaiting decision
Date of approval:
Date of ceremony:
Date applied for passports: 03/7/17
Date passports received: ???

[alliums]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years RPIM & 5 years ILR
Language Criteria: From predominantly English speaking country
Nationality - NON-EU
Method of application: Postal
Date of application: 25/7/17
Payment method: Debit card
Date of receipt by UKVI: 27/7/17
Date of acknowledgement email/letter: 2/8/17
Date of debit of fees: 2/8/17
Date of Biometric letter issued: 1/8/17
Date of biometric letter received: 4/8/17
Date Biometrics enrolled: Waiting
Date on Approval letter: Waiting
Date of receipt of approval: Waiting
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: Waiting
Date of Passport Application: Will apply after ceremony
Date Passport to be received: waiting

[adrianmark2k]

Eligibility criteria: 10 years Long Residence + 1 year ILR.
Language criteria met: I met the knowledge of language and life requirement to qualify for settlement on or after 28th October 2013.
Nationality: INDIAN.
Method of application: Post.
Date of application: 21/07/17.
Payment method: Debit Card.
Date of receipt by HO/UKVI: 24/07/17.
Date of acknowledgement (email): 28/07/17.
Date of acknowledgement letter : Dated:- 27/07/2017, Received:- 05/08/2017.
Date money gone off account: 29/07/17
Date of letter requesting biometrics: Dated :- 02/08/2017, Received:- 05/08/2017.
Biometrics done: Not Yet
Date of approval: Not Yet
Date of ceremony: Not Yet
Date applied for passports: Not Yet
Date passports received: Not Yet

[fbao2004]

Update No:2 ==> acknowledgement Letter & Date of letter requesting biometrics: & Biometrics done

Now The Wait Start !!! Let see how fast they could sort this out


I am praying for the processing timeline for my application to be max 10 weeks , I believe in miracles.
I would need the passport for travel on the last week of October . let see ...

Here we go

Eligibility criteria ==> 5 years residence + 1 year PR
Language criteria met: ==> UK MSc
Nationality: ==> Non-EU
Method of application: ==> NCS Croydon
Date of application: ==> 27/07/2017
Payment method: ==> Debit Card
Date of receipt by HM/UKVI: ==> 31/07/2017
Date of acknowledgement: ==> 05 August 2017 (date 02/08/2017)
Date money gone off account: ==> 03 August 2017
Date of letter requesting biometrics: ==> 05 August 2017 (date 02/08/2017)
Biometrics done: ==> 05 August 2017
Online status updated to "Decided": ==>
Date of approval: ==>
Date of ceremony: ==>
Date applied for passports: ==>
Date passports received: ==>

[yorky]

Just curious - Degree (x2), what is that?

Sorry. Two degrees awarded in the UK. (Submitted evidence of both 'just in case'.


The last update from me as i have to delay applying for passport (work committments / travel).

Eligibility criteria: EEA PR (acquired in 2009) + 1 year
Language criteria met: UK Degree (x2)
Nationality: EU (Latvia)
Method of application: Post (from within the UK)
Date of application: 13 March 2017
Payment method: Card
Date of receipt by HO/UKVI: 14 March (Royal Mail tracking)
Date of acknowledgement: 22 March (letter, as dated), 23 March (e-mail)
Date money gone off account: 20 Match
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 22 March (together with acknowledgement letter)
Biometrics done: 27 March
Date of approval: 4 July 2017 (letter, as dated; received - 8 July)
Date of ceremony: 3 August 2017 (invitation from HO dated 7 Jul, received - 21 Jul, I contacted local council to book the ceremony on 31 Jul).

The online status check still says "awaiting decision".

Thank you everyone for sharing your info - it was really reassuring and appreciated. Good luck!

[fbao2004]

Update No:1 ==> Money Gone off Account : 03 August 2017


I am praying for the processing timeline for my application to be max 10 weeks , I believe in miracles.
I would need the passport for travel on the last week of October . let see ...

Here we go

Eligibility criteria ==> 5 years residence + 1 year PR
Language criteria met: ==> UK MSc
Nationality: ==> Non-EU
Method of application: ==> NCS Croydon
Date of application: ==> 27/07/2017
Payment method: ==> Debit Card
Date of receipt by HM/UKVI: ==> 31/07/2017
Date of acknowledgement: ==>
Date money gone off account: ==> 03 August 2017
Date of letter requesting biometrics: ==>
Biometrics done: ==>
Online status updated to "Decided": ==>
Date of approval: ==>
Date of ceremony: ==>
Date applied for passports: ==>
Date passports received: ==>

[RavUKI]

Eligibility criteria: ILR + 1 year
Language criteria met: Life in the UK Test + Tier1 application+ NARIC certficate
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: NCS + JCAP (Nottingham)
Date of application: 07/03/2017
Payment method: Debit Card
Date of receipt by HO/UKVI: 10/03/2017
Date of acknowledgement (Email/Post):
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 15/03/2017
Biometrics done: 18/03/2017
Online Status: Updated 29 June 2017
Date of approval: Received 12 July 2017, Dated 8 July 2017
Date of ceremony: 26 July 2017
Date applied for passports: 07/03/2017
Date passports received: ???

[alliums]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years RPIM & 5 years ILR
Language Criteria: From predominantly English speaking country
Nationality - NON-EU
Method of application: Postal
Date of application: 25/7/17
Payment method: Debit card
Date of receipt by UKVI: 27/7/17
Date of acknowledgement email: 2/8/17
Date of debit of fees: 2/8/17
Date of Biometric letter issued: Waiting
Date of biometric letter received: Waiting
Date Biometrics enrolled: Waiting
Date on Approval letter: Waiting
Date of receipt of approval: Waiting
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: Waiting
Date of Passport Application: Will apply after ceremony
Date Passport to be received: waiting

[zapzap]

Eligibility criteria: 5 Years RC + 1 yr PR
Language criteria met: Life in the UK Test + IELTS
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: NCS + JCAP
Date of application: 14/07/2017
Payment method: Credit Card
Date of receipt by HO/UKVI: N/A
Date of acknowledgement (Email/Post): 25/09/2017 - 27/07/2017
Date money gone off account: 24/07/2017
Date of letter requesting biometrics: 27/07/2017
Biometrics done: 29/07/2017
Date of approval:
Date of ceremony:
Date applied for passports: 14/07/2017
Date of debit of fees for passport application: 27/07/2017
Date passports received:

[fbao2004]

I am praying for the processing timeline for my application to be max 10 weeks , I believe in miracles.
I would need the passport for travel on the last week of October . let see ...

Here we go

Eligibility criteria ==> 5 years residence + 1 year PR
Language criteria met: ==> UK MSc
Nationality: ==> Non-EU
Method of application: ==> NCS Croydon
Date of application: ==> 27/07/2017
Payment method: ==> Debit Card
Date of receipt by HM/UKVI: ==> 31/07/2017
Date of acknowledgement: ==>
Date money gone off account: ==>
Date of letter requesting biometrics: ==>
Biometrics done: ==>
Online status updated to "Decided": ==>
Date of approval: ==>
Date of ceremony: ==>
Date applied for passports: ==>
Date passports received: ==>

[fbacker]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Workpermit & Tier1 + 7 year ILR ( for self),
2 years Settlement visa + 4years ILR ( Spouse) ,
Child - 2 years Indefinite Leave to Enter
Language criteria met: UK Degree ( for self) & Trinity college GESE Grade5 for Spouse
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: NCS, Leeds
Date of application: 18/07/2017
Payment method: Debit Card
Date of receipt by HM/UKVI:
Date of acknowledgement: 25/07/2017(email)
Date money gone off account: 25/07/2017 ( for application), 28/07/2017 (For passport)
Date of letter requesting biometrics: Dated 24/07/2017 received on 27/07/2017
Biometrics done: Surname & first name reversed on the biometric barcode( for self). Sent email to Homeoffice (Awaiting response)
For spouse and kid - Biometric taken on 27/07/2017

Online status updated to "Decided":
Date of approval:
Date of ceremony:
Date applied for passports: 18/07/2017
Date passports received:

[Fleckitt]

FINAL UPDATE:

DATE OF 2 TEXTS FROM HMPO: "you should receive your passport within a few days...." 25/07/17
Date passports received: 26/07/2017

TOTAL TIME BETWEEN APPLICATION AND PASSPORT: 4 months and 2 weeks

GOOD luck on all your applications! I hope you all have a fast and positive outcome! Thanks to everyone on this forum for giving timeline approximations!

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier1 + 1 year ILR
Language criteria met: Life in the UK Test + MSc UK in 1996
Method of application: NCS Cambridgeshire (JCAP)
Date of application: 13/03/17
Nationality: NON EU
Payment method: Debit Card
Date of acknowledgement / letter requesting biometrics: 24/03/17
Date money gone off account: 28/02/17
Date money gone off account PASSPORT: 02/04/17
Biometrics done: 25/03/17
Date of approval: 28/06/17 (on letter) Online application shows DECIDED 25/06/2017
Received: 07/07/17
Date of ceremony: 19/07/2017 (Today just about to leave for it in CAMBRIDGE )
Date applied for passports: JCAP 13/03/17
Date passports received:

TIME BETWEEN BIOMETRIC AND DECISION: 3 months exactly!
TOTAL TIME FROM APPLICATION TO CEREMONY: 4 months and 1 week!