British Passport application processing timelines (only)

[Preacher]

Congratulations!

6 months is a long time, but it is great that you have got it finally!

[fuzulcf]

I applied for british citizenship on 12/10/2013 and got approval on 24/04/2013. I have to wait for more than 6 months so wait is finished.

[Ravi2013]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New (After Naturalisation)
Method of application: Post Office Check and Send
Date of application: 17/04/2013
Date of application delivery to IPS: 18/04/2013
Date of fee collection: Paid at Post Office
Date of text message receipt confirmation from IPS:
Date of return of documents:01/05/2013
Date of receipt of interview letter: 30/04/2013
Date of Passport Appointment: 02/05/2013
Date of Passport : TBC

[kindle]

I called them as well as I was getting a bit anxious with some travel plans next week. they told me the same thing, but I really think they do not know! I would be surprised if you didnt get your old docs back this week. They did tell me that if I REALLY needed it they could help me get it couriered over quickly, but they did get it back to me in a reasonable time. I think the memories of the incompetent UKBA are a little fresh for most of us and we are rightfully skeptical . . . but the IPS seem great so far- and you can always reach them on the phone if need be. So, just hang in there . . .almost done!

My timeline is identical to yours. I just got my docs back yesterday via secure delivery. . . the same day i had my interview and the same day my interview confirmation letter arrived. No need to provide an envelope.

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application:Post
Date of application: 08/04/2013
Date application received by IPS: should be on 09/04/2013
Date of return of documents: waiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: 18/04/2013
Date of Passport Appointment: 26/04/2013
Date of Passport Receipt: tbc

I haven't received my supporting documents so far. Today is 5 days after the interview letter. I paid 3 pounds security delivery fee for my supporting documents returned but I didn't put any prepaid envelope with my application form and my documents together(I thought I didn't need to). I am worried about my documents(original passport and naturalization certificate). I hope they are not lost. Anybody has got the same problem?

Thanks in advance for any reply.

Thanks totallylegit. I still haven't received my documents yet. I rang IPS this morning and they said maybe they hold my documents until my interview finished. Probably my documents will come back with my British passport or afterwards. Why do they hold my doc? Anybody has the same experience?

Thank you very much totallylegit! My supporting documents came back today. Thank goodness! Will go for my interview tomorrow.

[destiniation_london]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New (After Naturalisation)
Method of application: Post Office Check and Send
Date of application: 22/04/2013
Date of application delivery to IPS: 23/04/2013
Date of fee collection: Paid at Post Office
Date of text message receipt confirmation from IPS: 25/04/2013
Date of return of documents: TBC
Date of receipt of interview letter: TBC
Date of Passport Appointment: TBC (Location: TBC, First Available: TBC)
Date of Passport Receipt: TBC

Fantastic that you get a text message from IPS to confirm it has reached them! Costs them all of a couple of pence but gives applicants peace of mind. Recommend people put mobile as contact number on application for this purpose.

People seem to be indicating on this forum that it takes longer to get an appointment in London so if anyone has any experience of the waiting times to get an appointment in Reading, it would be appreciated.

yes text message is really good service recently introduced by IPS.
When they put Details of your application in their system,then you got Sms,which will be within 2 days of your application received for First New Passport and 1 day for Minor etc.

Hi guys,

do you put in your mobile number with country code or without it...

[tehmina]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New (After Naturalisation)
Method of application: Post Office Check and Send
Date of application: 22/04/2013
Date of application delivery to IPS: 23/04/2013
Date of fee collection: Paid at Post Office
Date of text message receipt confirmation from IPS: 25/04/2013
Date of return of documents: TBC
Date of receipt of interview letter: TBC
Date of Passport Appointment: TBC (Location: TBC, First Available: TBC)
Date of Passport Receipt: TBC

Fantastic that you get a text message from IPS to confirm it has reached them! Costs them all of a couple of pence but gives applicants peace of mind. Recommend people put mobile as contact number on application for this purpose.

People seem to be indicating on this forum that it takes longer to get an appointment in London so if anyone has any experience of the waiting times to get an appointment in Reading, it would be appreciated.

yes text message is really good service recently introduced by IPS.
When they put Details of your application in their system,then you got Sms,which will be within 2 days of your application received for First New Passport and 1 day for Minor etc.

[Spidery_thread]

Application Timeline

Passport for: Minor x 2
Application Type: New
Method of application: Postal
Date of application: 17-04-2013
Date application received by IPS: 18-04-2013
Application Acknowledgement: 18-04-2013 by Text message by IPS
Date of return of documents: 26-04-2013(By Second class post).
Date of Passport Receipt: 25-04-2013.

Dear All,

I would like to add some comments here about the way supporting documents(any Foreign Passport, Biometric ID cards and BC Registration Certificates are sent back by IPS.

Although I enclosed 'Do Not Bend' prepaid 'Special Delivery' envelope, IPS still sent supporting documents by 2nd Class Royal Mail Post. They also kept the prepaid envelope (This is the second occasion).

When I called IPS for an explanation I was told by the customer service staff that, 'We do not acknowledge any kind prepaid self addressed envelopes, if I wanted I should have ticked the option to send the supporting documents by secured post and have paid IPS the extra amount £ 3.00/application'.

When I asked why my children's Certificates of British Citizenship were folded in half? When UKBA mentioned in the leaflet which comes with them that it is a value document(for us, not for them) keep it safe.

The only answer I got is, 'I am sorry about that'. Now the certificates have got a permanent rough crease in the middle because of the way they were folded.

There is no where in the guidance for applying British Passport mentioned that we can not include or IPS will not acknowledge prepaid secured delivery envelopes.

Passports, Biometric ID cards & British Citizenship Registration Certificates are valuable documents. And its a real pain and financial loss to replace them if lost.

I hope in future 'The Government' should stop sucking public blood in every which way they can....!!!!!!!!!

[the_ilr_boy]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New (After Naturalisation)
Method of application: Post Office Check and Send
Date of application: 22/04/2013
Date of application delivery to IPS: 23/04/2013
Date of fee collection: Paid at Post Office
Date of text message receipt confirmation from IPS: 25/04/2013
Date of return of documents: 03/05/2013
Date of receipt of interview letter: 01/05/2013 (Dated: 29/04/2013)
Date of Passport Appointment: 09/05/2013 (Booked: 02/05/2013, Location: Reading, First Available: 09/05/2013)
Date of Passport Receipt: 13/05/2013

Fantastic that you get a text message from IPS to confirm it has reached them! Costs them all of a couple of pence but gives applicants peace of mind. Recommend people put mobile as contact number on application for this purpose.

Thanks to everyone for posting timelines, etc, very happy to have the passport in my hands and be done with the whole process - yippee!!!

[totallylegit]

I called them as well as I was getting a bit anxious with some travel plans next week. they told me the same thing, but I really think they do not know! I would be surprised if you didnt get your old docs back this week. They did tell me that if I REALLY needed it they could help me get it couriered over quickly, but they did get it back to me in a reasonable time. I think the memories of the incompetent UKBA are a little fresh for most of us and we are rightfully skeptical . . . but the IPS seem great so far- and you can always reach them on the phone if need be. So, just hang in there . . .almost done!

My timeline is identical to yours. I just got my docs back yesterday via secure delivery. . . the same day i had my interview and the same day my interview confirmation letter arrived. No need to provide an envelope.

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application:Post
Date of application: 08/04/2013
Date application received by IPS: should be on 09/04/2013
Date of return of documents: waiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: 18/04/2013
Date of Passport Appointment: 26/04/2013
Date of Passport Receipt: tbc

I haven't received my supporting documents so far. Today is 5 days after the interview letter. I paid 3 pounds security delivery fee for my supporting documents returned but I didn't put any prepaid envelope with my application form and my documents together(I thought I didn't need to). I am worried about my documents(original passport and naturalization certificate). I hope they are not lost. Anybody has got the same problem?

Thanks in advance for any reply.

Thanks totallylegit. I still haven't received my documents yet. I rang IPS this morning and they said maybe they hold my documents until my interview finished. Probably my documents will come back with my British passport or afterwards. Why do they hold my doc? Anybody has the same experience?

[kindle]

My timeline is identical to yours. I just got my docs back yesterday via secure delivery. . . the same day i had my interview and the same day my interview confirmation letter arrived. No need to provide an envelope.

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application:Post
Date of application: 08/04/2013
Date application received by IPS: should be on 09/04/2013
Date of return of documents: waiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: 18/04/2013
Date of Passport Appointment: 26/04/2013
Date of Passport Receipt: tbc

I haven't received my supporting documents so far. Today is 5 days after the interview letter. I paid 3 pounds security delivery fee for my supporting documents returned but I didn't put any prepaid envelope with my application form and my documents together(I thought I didn't need to). I am worried about my documents(original passport and naturalization certificate). I hope they are not lost. Anybody has got the same problem?

Thanks in advance for any reply.

Thanks totallylegit. I still haven't received my documents yet. I rang IPS this morning and they said maybe they hold my documents until my interview finished. Probably my documents will come back with my British passport or afterwards. Why do they hold my doc? Anybody has the same experience?

[tier1_newbie]

Hi,

Here is my timeline.

2Yrs WP + 3 Yrs Tier-1 + 1 year ILR
Naturalization applied: 28th Feb( NCS Hounslow )
Acknowledgement received: 6th March
Approval Received: 28th March
Private Ceremony: 6th April
Passport Applied: 8th April NCS Check&Send
Application received by IPS: 11th April
Interview letter received: 17th April
Documents received: 19th April
Passport interview attended: 20th April.
Passport issued: 20th April
Passport Received: 24th April

Immigration Journey Completed!!

Entire process finished in less than two months.
Thank you very much for this forum which provides valuable insights and all the best for those who are waiting to finish their immigration journey

[nikkyraj]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult after Naturalisation
Application Type: New
Method of application:Check and Send
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: 26/03/2013
Date of application: 27/03/2013
Date application received by IPS: 28/03/2013
Date of fee collection-Paid at Post Office
Date of return of documents: 10/04/2013
Date of receipt of interview letter: 10/04/2013
Date of Passport Appointment: 20/04/2013 (Glasgow)
Date of Passport Receipt: 24/04/2013 (issued 20/04/2013 )

[Bornstar007]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult after Naturalisation
Application Type: New
Method of application:Check and Send
Date of application: 05/04/2013
Date application received by IPS: 08/04/2013
Date of fee collection-Paid at Post Office
Date of return of documents: 16/04/2013
Date of receipt of interview letter: 16/04/2013
Date of Passport Appointment: 18/04/2013
Date of Passport Receipt: 22/04/2013 printed 18/04/2013

To everyone in this forum that shared their experience from ILR to becoming British Citizen I say Thank you all. Sharing your experience made the journey less hassles and to everyone still waiting Best of Luck. Stay bless!

[totallylegit]

My timeline is identical to yours. I just got my docs back yesterday via secure delivery. . . the same day i had my interview and the same day my interview confirmation letter arrived. No need to provide an envelope.

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application:Post
Date of application: 08/04/2013
Date application received by IPS: should be on 09/04/2013
Date of return of documents: waiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: 18/04/2013
Date of Passport Appointment: 26/04/2013
Date of Passport Receipt: tbc

I haven't received my supporting documents so far. Today is 5 days after the interview letter. I paid 3 pounds security delivery fee for my supporting documents returned but I didn't put any prepaid envelope with my application form and my documents together(I thought I didn't need to). I am worried about my documents(original passport and naturalization certificate). I hope they are not lost. Anybody has got the same problem?

Thanks in advance for any reply.

[kindle]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application:Post
Date of application: 08/04/2013
Date application received by IPS: should be on 09/04/2013
Date of return of documents: waiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: 18/04/2013
Date of Passport Appointment: 26/04/2013
Date of Passport Receipt: tbc

I haven't received my supporting documents so far. Today is 5 days after the interview letter. I paid 3 pounds security delivery fee for my supporting documents returned but I didn't put any prepaid envelope with my application form and my documents together(I thought I didn't need to). I am worried about my documents(original passport and naturalization certificate). I hope they are not lost. Anybody has got the same problem?

Thanks in advance for any reply.

[chicona]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application:Check and Send
Date of application: 10/04/2013
Date application received by IPS: 15/04/2013
Date of fee collection-Paid at Post Office
Date of return of documents: 19/04/2013
Date of receipt of interview letter: tbc
Date of Passport Appointment: tbc
Date of Passport Receipt: tbc

I have seen that almost all of the applicants for Passport have received their invitation for interview the same day/the following day of receiving the docs back but I still haven't received mine. Not sure what's happening.

Any similar experiences?

me same documents come back 19/04 interview letter still no received

[tier1_newbie]

Hi,

Here is my timeline.

2Yrs WP + 3 Yrs Tier-1 + 1 year ILR
Naturalization applied: 28th Feb( NCS Hounslow )
Acknowledgement received: 6th March
Approval Received: 28th March
Private Ceremony: 6th April
Passport Applied: 8th April NCS Check&Send
Application received by IPS: 11th April
Interview letter received: 17th April
Documents received: 19th April
Passport interview attended: 20th April.
Passport Received: Waiting

Now waiting for Passport. Many thanks to this forum . All in all it takes less than two months to complete the entire process.

[imads]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application:Check and Send
Date of application: 10/04/2013
Date application received by IPS: 15/04/2013
Date of fee collection-Paid at Post Office
Date of return of documents: 19/04/2013
Date of receipt of interview letter: tbc
Date of Passport Appointment: tbc
Date of Passport Receipt: tbc

I have seen that almost all of the applicants for Passport have received their invitation for interview the same day/the following day of receiving the docs back but I still haven't received mine. Not sure what's happening.

Any similar experiences?

[JOECHAKS]

Application Timeline
Passport for:2 Minors
Application Type: New
Method of application:Postal 1st Class Recorded
Date of application: 20/04/2013-Saturday
Date application received by IPS:22/04/2013 (Royal Mail Tracking)
Date of fee collection:23/04/2013
Application acknowledgement:24/04/2013 (Text Msg from IPS)
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter: N/A
Date of Passport Appointment:
Date of Passport Receipt:01/05/2013

[Rehan Arain]

Hi there,

Does somebody know, when DX gets there delivery out,,,, My interview was on Thursday 18. And I assume My passport should have come by now.

I am waiting, normally passport office is very efficient and print passports some time on the day of interview and post it.

[Dondanell]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application:Check and Send
Date of application: 17/04/2013
Date application received by IPS: 19/04/2013
Date of fee collection-Paid at Post Office
Date of return of documents: tbc
Date of receipt of interview letter: tbc
Date of Passport Appointment: tbc
Date of Passport Receipt: tbc

[tehmina]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application:postal-post office next day service
Date of application: 20/04/2013-Saturday
Date application received by IPS:22/04/2013 -possibly
Date of fee collection-tba
Date of return of documents: tba
Date of receipt of interview letter: tba
Date of Passport Appointment: tba
Date of Passport Receipt: tba[/quote]

[kindle]

I applied 8th April, got my letter 18th April, got an interview at Luton 23 April (earliest at London was 1 May). still no docs back.

Me too. Applied on 8th April. letter on 18th April, interview on 26th April. no docs back either.

[totallylegit]

I applied 8th April, got my letter 18th April, got an interview at Luton 23 April (earliest at London was 1 May). still no docs back.

[hsmpengineer]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 18/04/2013
Date application received by IPS: 19/04/2013
Date of return of documents: 26/04/2013
Date of receipt of interview letter: tba 27/04/2013
Date of Passport Appointment: 29/04/2013 (Luton) Earliest available date in London was 08/05/2013!!
Date of Passport Receipt: 01/05/2013

I received my passport yay!! Opened it checked all the details were correct and they were. Okay after living here for circa 10yrs the immigration battle is over, but to be honest the excitement died down in minutes. Almost felt like payday. You expect to get paid after working all month so no need to do cartwheels over it is there? I guess its a different feeling for those who are able to get over the line in 3/4 yrs.

Ah well its all good so lets leave it there. Good luck to you all and long live immigrationboard! I'll still chip in to help from time to time like we all do.

Ciao.....Its the hsmpengineer signing off