Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[highgatewood]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: ILR and married to a (new) British citizen
Nationality: non-EU
Proof of language: PhD degree from a UK university
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 5 Feb 2024
Date of debit of fees: 5 Feb 2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 20 Feb 2024
Biometrics location: Mark Lane (paid)
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

Notes: Really hoping that I would have the decision by now as mine seems to be a straightforward case. Yet here I am still waiting! Won't escalate until the 6 month mark.

[myilr83]

Timelines of my spouse's application.

Eligibility criteria: 5 yr in UK (ILR + BC Spouse)
Nationality: India
Proof of language: Bachelors in English + Life in the UK test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 29 Apr 2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 17 May 2024
Biometrics location: Croydon Bedford Point (Free)
Date of receipt of approval: 15 Jul 2024 (in approx 2 month 3 weeks of the application)
Date of Ceremony: Awaiting slots

Thank you so much to this forum for all the valuable advices and guidances though out the journey.
All the best for the prospective applicants.

[eyetastic]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5 yr settlement ILR + 3 days (BC SPOUSE)
Nationality: Non eu
Proof of language: B1 + Life in the UK test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 1st July 2024
Date of debit of fees: 1st July 2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 5th July 2024
Biometrics location: London (Paid)
UKVI survey email: 11th July 2024
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

Looks like the survey email came it was actually for ILR application appointment which was just 8 days before my British citizenship application appointment. I dont think it was for my British citizenship 5th July appointment.

[19eggs]

My wife's timeline below:

Eligibility criteria: 5 Years Spouse + Married to BC. Eligible in 2018 but had not applied till now.
Nationality: Non-EU
Proof of language: Trinity London certificate + Life in the UK
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 6th of May 2024
Date of debit of fees: 6th of May 2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 24th of May 2024
Biometrics location: Bath (Free)
Date of invitation from Council: 11th of July 2024
Date of receipt of approval: 15th of July 2024
Date of Ceremony: 23rd July 2024 (Private)

Good luck to everyone.

[joujou]

Is this a new record? took 19 months.

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5 Years Settled Status (more like 20+ years resident, all legal of course).
Nationality: EU
Proof of language: Two postgrad level higher degrees (Masters and PhD) from red brick UK universities
Method of application: Online
Date of application: November 2022 (that's right).
Date of debit of fees: November 2022
Date of biometrics appointment: December 2022
Biometrics location: England (Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: July 2025
Date of Ceremony: Pending

That's right, it took 19 months. Had to have to my MP involved which probably helped. UKVI never followed up with any questions but finally approved.

Hang in there....

[BanAnna]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5 Years Settled Status + 4 years= 9 years altogether
Nationality: EU
Proof of language: Trinity London certificate + Life in the UK
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 5th of May 2024
Date of debit of fees: 5th of May 2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 19th of May 2024
Biometrics location: Leeds (Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: 15th of July 2024
Date of Ceremony: Pending

I have heard HO only starts processing the application once the biometrics are done, which means mine was approved in less than 2 months. I'm super chuffed.
The approval came via email from Atlas, it contained further instructions to contact my council to book the ceremony. They advised to wait 1 working day before trying to book 'as it may take a few days for documentation to arrive at the local authority'.
I will wait till tomorrow to contact the council, hopefully won't be too long of a wait for the ceremony.

Good luck everyone and thanks for posting your timelines!

[Samjam89]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 10YR LR + 3 days ILR (BC SPOUSE)
Nationality: Non eu
Proof of language: IELTS B1 + Life in the UK test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 27th June 2024
Date of debit of fees: 27th June 2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 28th June 2024
Biometrics location: Leeds (Paid)
UKVI survey email: 11th July 2024
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

[majidrasheed786]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: Spouse of French National
Nationality: Pakistan
Proof of language: B1 certificate + Life in the UK test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 21st April 2024
Date of debit of fees: 21st April 2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 22 April 2024
Biometrics location: Aberdeen (Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

[Aall007]

Eligibility criteria: tuisian, Refugee, 30 years in UK (came here as a child), ILR 11 years.
Proof of Language: Undergraduate degree taught in the UK +
Life in the UK test
Method of Application: Online
Date of Application: 29/05/2024
Date of Debit of Fees: 30/05/2024
Date of Biometrics: 02/06/2024
Biometrics location: Enfield (paid) £150
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of ceremony: pending

[dejan83]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 4 yr EUSS+1.5 yr BC spouse
Nationality: Bosnian (Non-EU)
Proof of language: B1 certificate + Life in the UK test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 01 May 2024
Date of debit of fees: 01 May 2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 15 May 2024
Biometrics location: Liverpool (Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

[chicken]

Eligibility criteria: 5yr Skilled Worker + 1yr ILR
Nationality: Non-EU
Proof of language: IELTS
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 15/04/2024
Date of debit of fees: 15/04/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 10/05/24
Biometrics location: Mark Lane (free)
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

[Aofangel]

Eligibility criteria: 10 years private life but was given early concession ILR after 5 years + 1 yr ILR


Nationality: Nigerian
Proof of Language: B1 test + LITUK

Method of application: Online
Date of application: 5th March 2024 (online)
Biometrics appointment: 9th March 2024 (PAID)
Biometrics location: Croydon

Receipt of approval: 20 May 2024 (Atlas Email)

Council ceremony invitation LETTER by post: 23 May 2024

Ceremony date: 1st July 2024.

[ice_candy_me]

Eligibility criteria: EU Settled Status + 3 years
Proof of language: bachelor's degree UK
Nationality: Non-Eu
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 30/04/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 03/05/2024
Biometrics location: Croydon
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
invitation from the council: 12/07/2024
Date of Ceremony: 13/08/2024

I would like to thank this forum so much, I'm so grateful for the help I was able to have during my application.

[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.

[NikNik23]

Eligibility criteria: spousal visa + IRL 9+ years
Nationality: american
Proof of language: american passport + life in uk
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 12/04/2024
Date of debit of fees: 12/04/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 26/04/2024
Biometrics location: Manchester (paid)
Date of receipt of approval: Pending (Register's Office email 12.07.2024)
Date of Ceremony: 31.07.2024

Very excited that this is complete. Thank you for this forum. Good luck everyone.

[sbay]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years, spouse of a BC, ILR<1 month
Language: University degree, Life in the UK Test
Method of application: online
Nationality: Russian
Date of application: 12/11/2023
Date of biometrics & supporting docs submission: 19/11/2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement from UKVCAS: 19/11/2023
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

Just received an email from MMST Workflow:
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.

By way of background, naturalisation is not an automatic process, and we must make several enquiries before we can reach a decision on whether to grant citizenship.

The nature and extent of those enquiries, and the length of time taken to complete them, varies according to the circumstances of each application.

The progress of outstanding enquiries is regularly monitored with the agencies carrying out these enquiries on our behalf. It is only when we have the results of the enquiries that we can reach a decision on whether citizenship should be granted. We do not, ourselves, carry out these checks and we cannot, therefore, be sure how long they will take in each case.

I appreciate that Gov.uk website gives the following information in relation to waiting times for naturalisation applications:

"All applications for citizenship are subject to enquiries to ensure that the statutory requirements have been satisfied. Because of these enquires, we anticipate that applications may take up to six months to complete. Some applications may be dealt with more quickly and some may take longer, depending on the nature of the enquiries to be carried out".

As you will note, it is also made clear on the website that, in some cases, these enquiries may take longer than average to complete. You will appreciate the need to be careful and thorough in such matters.

These enquiries are still ongoing regarding your application, and we are sorry for the delay. We aim to make a decision on your application as soon as possible.

Have no idea what happening there.....

11.07.2024 Received an email from Further Nationality Enquiries confirming that my application has been approved.

[L226]

Eligibility criteria: year ILR, 5yr work visa
Nationality: South African
Proof of language: UK degree
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 24/04/2024
Date of debit of fees: 24/04/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 01/05/24
Biometrics location: London (Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: 01/07/24
Date of Ceremony Invitation: 01/07/24
Date of Ceremony (earliest available): 15/08/24

[thuynmac]

Eligibility criteria: 1month ILR, 5yr Spouse of BC
Nationality: Vietnamese
Proof of language: BA Degree
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 22/04/2024
Date of debit of fees: 22/04/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 24/04/24
Biometrics location: London (Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Ceremony Invitation: Pending

Good luck to all of us waiting.

[revelation21]

Eligibility criteria: Minor child (<2 years old), 2 weeks+ after parents + child gained ILR
Proof of language: not required
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 17/03/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 28/03/2024
Biometrics location: Croydon (Free)
Date of receipt of approval: 11/07/2024 (certificate of naturalisation as she's a minor; no email from Home Office Atlas)
invitation from the council: n/a
Date of Ceremony: n/a

Thought it would be super quick for a child with very little life history - but hasn't been the case! >3 months now but still within 6 months so not emailing or escalating yet.

Received her naturalisation certificate today with a certificate date of July 4 and cover letter dated July 8. Interesting to think it was already making its way through the system when I posted the comment above. Approx. 15 weeks from Biometrics.

Thanks all posters for your updates!

[cfgbc54]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2/SW Dependent + 6 months ILR (applied as BC spouse)
Nationality: Non-EU
Language: Trinity College SELT test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 27/04/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 14/05/2024
Date of receipt of approval: 09/07/2024 (~2.5 months )
Date of ceremony: 05/08/2024

Thank you everyone for sharing your experience here! And separate thanks to moderators and admins who are keeping this forum actual and to the point!

Good luck with applications!

[Mcunning98]

Eligibility criteria: Zimbabwean, Refugee, 21 years in UK (came here as a child), ILR 11 years.
Proof of Language: Undergraduate degree taught in the UK + Life in the UK test
Method of Application: Online
Date of Application: 09/04/2024
Date of Debit of Fees: 10/04/2024
Date of Biometrics: 21/04/2024
Biometrics location: Bristol, Kingswood (paid)
Date of receipt of approval: 08/07/2024
Date of ceremony: 18/07/2024 (private) - next free appointment was at the end of August and want to avoid going through visa application for a holiday in September.

Did not receive email from council inviting me to ceremony - just email from Atlas telling me I’ve been awarded citizenship and to contact my local council. Also worth noting I never received an email from UKVI about receiving docs like other people have, this may be due to the fact I paid for document scanning at my appointment.

Good luck everyone with their applications!

[jakino]

Eligibility criteria: 1 year ILR (5-year T2G/Skilled worker)
Proof of language: IELTS from T2G application
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 08/04/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 21/04/2024
Biometrics location: Mark Lane London
Date of receipt of approval: 25/06/2024
invitation from the council: None (instruction to arrange ceremony was included in the approval letter)
Date of Ceremony: 17/07/2024

[followup]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years spouse visa + ILR (2 weeks)
application submitted: 14 Dec 2023
Date of biometrics appointment: 19 Dec 2023
Biometrics location: Aberdeen - Paid
Date of receipt of approval: 01 Jul 2024
Date of Ceremony: 10 Jul 2024

Thanks all for sharing your timeline, helped a lot, all the best to whom is still waiting

[rkmtrk]

Eligibility criteria: 4 years ILR, Spouse of British Citizen
Nationality: Indian
Proof of language: Masters Degree
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 29/04/2024
Date of debit of fees: 29/04/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 10/05/24
Biometrics location: Edinburgh (Free)
Date of receipt of approval: 08/07/24
Date of Ceremony Invitation:05/07/24
Date of Ceremony: tbc

2 months 6 days in total, so a quick turnaround time. I received my ceremony invitation first before the Atlas email, just waiting on a private ceremony as free ones are not available until September in Edinburgh
Thanks everyone on this forum, helped me estimate on how long would my application take, good luck to everyone else waiting

[chesterton]

Eligibility criteria: 24 years in the UK, 5 years IRL
Nationality: German
Proof of language: B1 certificate + Life in the UK test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 19 June 2024
Date of debit of fees: 19 June 2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 1 July 2024
Biometrics location: Smethwick (£143)
Receipt of approval: Pending
Ceremony date: Pending