Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[Mariaines2024]

24 years living in the UK with EU passport. Finally decided to apply for citizenship.

Eligibility criteria: BC Spouse
Nationality: EU
Proof of language: B1 + LITUK
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 11/06/2024 (online)
Date of debit of fees: 11/06/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 08/07/2024
Biometrics location: Oxford (Free)
Receipt of approval: Pending
Ceremony date: Pending

[mumakk]

Eligibility criteria: Private life (Came here as a child & lived here 23 years) + ILR for 1 year
Nationality: Jamaican
Proof of language: Jamaican + Life in the UK test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 27/04/2024
Date of debit of fees: 27/04/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 13/05/2024
Biometrics location: Croydon
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

Feels like the last hurdle. My brother applied a month before me & got approved in exactly 6 weeks! Im just hoping it doesn’t go over 6months for me

[rusty31]

Eligibility criteria: settled status + 1year (EU and non EU partner)
Language: New Zealand Passport
Method of application: 20/11/23 online
Biometric appointment: 7/12/23 (Mark Lane London)
FNE email 19/2/24 and 20/3/24 with no responses
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

Not sure how else to follow up as no responses from FNE every time we follow up

Just received email from MMST Workflow saying our application will take longer than 6 months with note including:

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.

Update:
8/4/24 - Emailed MP asking for assistance in chasing up matters as had been almost 5 months with no info. 23/4/24 - Response is that within 6 month timeline so no further information
24/4/24 - Received automated email from MMST workflow saying aim to process within 6 months, however "Following our assessment of your case, unfortunately it appears your application will not be processed within the 6-month target"
21/5/24 - Escalated with Minister of Migration (Tom Pursglove) as this has worked with other candidates. However told that he is only allowed to assist his constituents in Corby & East Northampshire. "In the spirit of being helpful" however has forwarded onto the home office and they will reply directly (I don't think anything will really happen here)
23/5/24 - Formal complaint raised with gov.uk website. Will waiting response but hoping this escalates process.

Has been 6+ months now since application, and will be 6 months since biometrics in a week. No idea how to speed this up, especially seeing some people approved within 6 weeks! Will hopefully hear back soon

Eligibility criteria: settled status + 1year (EU and non EU partner)
Language: New Zealand Passport
Method of application: 20/11/23 online
Biometric appointment: 7/12/23 (Mark Lane London)
FNE email 19/2/24 and 20/3/24 with no responses
Date of invitation from council: 6/7/24
Date of receipt of approval from home office: 8/7/24
Date of Ceremony: pending (will be booking post some upcoming holiday)

Almost 8 months for my process so glad its over! I received an SAR request back on 5/7 right before the council invite stating my application had actually been approved 25/6/24 and included details on my application (escalating to MP, escalating to Minister of Migration, requesting updates and finally making a complaint). The complaint and complaint review seemed to bring it back to the top of the list so potentially something that helped it last even longer past 6 months!!

[hoods24]

Application submitted: 16/03/2024
Biometric: 27/03/2024
Proof of language: B1
Approval: 08/07/2024
Eligibility: Refugee status

Red flags: Immigration breaches nearly 10-12 years ago.
Declared in cover letter.

Good luck to everyone and thanks for sharing your experiences to help others.

[Cuckuu]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 1 -General Visa -8 years ILR
Nationality: Indian
Proof of language: Engineering Degree in English
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 14/04/2024
Date of debit of fees: 14/04/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 24/04/24
Biometrics location: London (Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: 8/7/24
Date of Ceremony: tbc

Worth the wait but it seems application processing is progressing at good pace and many thanks to HO case workers who worked during election month as well to clear backlogs..

[Nania09]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 2- General Visa -5 years ILR- 12 months.
Nationality: Filipino
Proof of language: IELTS-UKVI/ Academic
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 19/04/2024
Date of debit of fees: 19/04/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 30/04/24
Biometrics location: Leeds (Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: 8/7/24
Date of Ceremony: tbc

I have a friend same timeline with me who’s married to a BC and had her approval & ceremony in less than 2 months. Good luck to all of us waiting.

* E-mail from local council came in 1601H and Approval e-mail at around 1625H. Good luck to everybody waiting.

[atto_lost]

Spouse+Kid

ILR+3 years

Application submitted:18-April-2024

Bio-metrics : 01-May-2024 (Glasgow Paid)

Application Approved: TBD
Ceremony: TBD

Approval mail from HO : 08-July-2024 16:30 PM
Invitation mail from Ceremony received : 08-July-2024 11:30 AM
Ceremony booked: 1-AUG-2024
Waiting for Approval email

[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: Pending
invitation from the council: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

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.

[Nania09]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 2- General Visa -5 years ILR- 12 months.
Nationality: Filipino
Proof of language: IELTS-UKVI/ Academic
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 19/04/2024
Date of debit of fees: 19/04/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 30/04/24
Biometrics location: Leeds (Paid)
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

I have a friend same timeline with me who’s married to a BC and had her approval & ceremony in less than 2 months. Good luck to all of us waiting.

[safdari_peyman]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 2 (3.5 years)+ Global talent (47 days)+ ILR (1.5 year)
Nationality: Iranian
Proof of language: IELTS for UKVI (expired IELTS for Tier 2)
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 13/01/2024
Date of debit of fees: 13/01/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 19/01/2024
Biometrics location: Cardiff (paid)
Date of receipt of approval: 08/07/24 (2:18 PM)
Date of Ceremony: Pending

Although I believed my case was straightforward, with no breach of any laws, not even a driving ticket, and a very clean background in the UK and my home country, it took six months to get a response. I sent three follow-up emails but always received an auto-response with an attached Word file. Last Monday, I completed that form and sent it as a new email instead of replying to the auto-response.

I also requested a SAR and found out they mentioned someone else (not the main applicant) in my application was subjected to a war crimes check!

It was a very frustrating process. Every Monday from month three, I hoped to get a response that day, only to feel nervous and hopeless after 4 PM until the following Monday.

I'm surprised when I see people complain after three months! Please try to be patient!

[atto_lost]

Spouse+Kid

ILR+3 years

Application submitted:18-April-2024

Bio-metrics : 01-May-2024 (Glasgow Paid)

Application Approved: TBD
Ceremony: TBD

Approval mail from HO : Pending
Invitation mail from Ceremony received : 08-July-2024
Ceremony booked: 1-08-2024
Waiting for Approval email

[culka11]

Eligibility criteria: EUSS + 4 years
Proof of language: UK Master degree
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 19/4/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 23/4/2024
Biometrics location: Glasgow (paid)
Date of receipt of approval: pending
invitation from the council: 8/7/2024
Date of Ceremony: 1/8/2024

Good luck to everyone waiting to hear back.

[DreamRiver]

Eligibility: ILR for 15 years, moved when I was a child.
Nationality: Zimbabwean
Proof of Language: Bachelor’s Degree and Life in the UK Test
Date of application: 27/03/2024
Date of Biometric: 12/04/2024 (Nottingham, paid)
Documents submitted confirmation from UKVCAS: 12/04/2024
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of ceremony: Pending

I sent an email asking for updates to FNE on 10/06/2024 and got an automated response.
I sent another set of emails, this time asking if I had been allocated a caseworker, to FNE, Nationality Enquiries and Citizenship Support on 28/06/2024 and either got an automated response or no response.

The same day (Friday), I submitted an SAR request.
On 01/07/2024 (Monday), I received an email back from the SAR team asking to amend my Letter of Authority. I sent it back the same day.

Date of receipt of approval: 04/07/2024, however, I never received an email from Atlas.
I received an email directly from my caseworker stating that my application was approved on the 24th of June (8 working days prior) and I will hear from my council for the ceremony. I'm not sure if the SAR request helped speed things up or if they didn't hear back from my council in time.

Date of ceremony: Pending
I have called my council trying to book a ceremony over the phone and they just told me to send an email to try and book it, but now I have the nightmare of waiting for my council to email me back. I assume the council were the ones holding up my approval as I have heard that the HO sends the approval to your council, who then confirm they received it, before the home office can send your approval directly to you. Given that I was approved on the 24th of June and have still not heard back from my council, I will give it until Wednesday and then email my local MP to see if I can get them to speed things up a bit since my council are notorious for taking forever to process or complete things.

[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
Date of Ceremony: Pending

Fingers crossed I hear something soon. Bit nerve wracking! Good luck everyone waiting.

[Lxzlud]

Eligibility criteria: 5year Tier 2; 1.5year ILR
Nationality: Chinese
Proof of Language: UK degree
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 09/03/2024
Date of debit of fees: 09/03/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 05/04/2024 (free - Mark Lane)
Date of receipt of council invitation: 06/07/24 (I opted for City of London Corporation, but received from Islington Council)
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of Ceremony: 14/07/2024 (private)

[Fabiola]

- Method application: Online
- European with settle status.

- Fee receipt date: 05/02/24
- biometric taken appointment date: 26/02/24 in Glasgow paying £139
- approval email date: 06/05/24- the email went straight to spam and I didn’t realise. Check your spam folder!!!
- Ceremony date: 02/07/2024 Glasgow City Council

[Gulos81]

Eligibility criteria: 10 years +ILR 1 year
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 26/04/2024
Date of debit of fees: 26/04/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 07/05/2024 (paid)
Date of receipt of council invitation: 04/07/24
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of Ceremony: 06/07/2024 (private)

Good Luck to everyone!

[Link_hyrule]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years + ILR 1 year
Nationality: EU
Proof of Language: B1 citizenship test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 14/05/2024
Date of debit of fees: 14/05/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 10/06/2024
Date of receipt of approval:pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

[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: pending

[Clementine3]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years +ILR 1 year
Nationality: EU
Proof of language: Trinity College of London certificate
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 18/04/2024
Date of debit of fees: 18/04/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 10/05/2024
Date of receipt of approval:pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

[verdi]

Eligibility criteria: ILR spousal visa 16 years
Nationality: American
Proof of language: American passport
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 21/06/2024
Date of debit of fees: 30/06/2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 02/07/2024
Date of receipt of approval:pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

Good luck everyone!

[Kevin_0914]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5yrs (flrm) + 1 day ILR
Language requirement: UK degree
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 2-Jan-2024
Date of document upload: 2-Jan-2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 12-Jan-2024 (Croydon- Free)
Follow up email: 28-Jun-2024
Date of receipt of approval: 02-Jul-2024
Right on the 6 months promise. Perhaps I should have waited some time between the super priority approval of ILR to “settle” a bit.

[Paramati]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5yrs (Tier2) + 1yr ILR
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 08-April-2024
Date of debit of fees: 08-April-2024
Date of document upload: 28-April-2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 29-April-2024 (Aberdeen- Free)
Date of receipt of approval: 01/07/2024
Date of Ceremony: 31/07/2024.

FYI, Home office asked for a clarification on birth name after 2 months of application as my name was changed after the marriage. The approval came in less than 3 months.

Thanks and all the best for those still waiting.

[1234321]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria:5yr dependent visa + 1.5yr ILR
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
English Eligibility: Trinity test
Life in UK Test: April 2024
Date of receipt by UKVI: 17th-April-2024
Date of debit of fees: 17th-April-2024
Date of biometrics appointment: 1-May-2024
Biometrics location: Sheffield - Paid
Date of receipt of approval: 1st July 2024
Date of Ceremony: 19th July 2024

For some reason the approval email from the Home Office went to my mother's email address rather than mine, even though I haven't mentioned her email address in any part of my naturalisation application.

This may be because of my dependent visa prior to getting ILR. Therefore, if anyone hasn't recieved the approval email, but was on a prior dependent visa, check the email of the person you were under.

Otherwise, I thank all the moderators and applicants who have helped me in this process.

[NormaG]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: Tier 2 5yrs + ILR 1 week (British spouse)
Nationality: Non-EU
Language: UK Masters Degree
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 22nd April 2024
Date of biometrics: 25th April 2024 (paid)
Date of receipt of approval: 01 July 2024
Date of invitation to the ceremony: 28th June 2024
Date of Ceremony: 05 July 2024.


Very swift response 2 months and a week in total.
It’s finally over. Thank you to the amazing organisers of this forum for putting this together. Special thanks to alterhase for replying to my query. Good luck to everyone waiting for a positive feedback. I pray it comes as swiftly as mine did.