Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[Ozgueler]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5Years Tier 1 +1 Year ILR
Language criteria: Life in the UK & IELTS (Academic 8.5)
Method of application: NCS Crawley
Date of application: 21st Jan 2015
Payment method: Credit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 22nd Jan 2015 (I guess)
Date of debit of fees: 28th Jan 2015
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 2nd Feb 2015 (dated 28th Jan 2015)
Date of receipt of approval: 25th Feb 2015 (dated 16th Feb 2015)
Date of Ceremony: Awaiting

All the best & Good luck to everyone

[huqqapani]

Alot of people on here pay the extra fee for NCS. But it doesn't necessarily make it faster. I sent my app via post next day special delivery (~£7) and received the approval as fast as anyone else that paid the extra for NCS. I don't see the point of it unless they give you back your original passport and allow you to leave the country during your application? If that's what it allows you to do, then definitely its something you should consider. If not, then use the money you saved sending in the application yourself for a nice meal to celebrate its approval when the time comes.

Most of us don't apply through NCS because it's fast(it's not fast in anyway) or that they check the application to make sure it's valid. I saw someone last turned away by NCS as his wasn't eligible to apply due to recent changes. NCS has saved him £906.
Main purpose of using NCS is that you get the keep your original documents. You don't need worry if they get lost or if the application takes forever. I think it's worth it for £56.

£56 isn't the standard price. Every council charges their own price. I paid £78 for mine. Also, not all councils will accept applications from other county residents. You could phone around to find another NCS that charges slightly less; but it's not worth the effort. It'll cost you more than £20 in fuel to drive to the next county anyway

It didn't cost me £20 in fuel to drive to the next county. I originally checked Derby and phoned around eventually ended up in Notts county. So it is still worth exploring. At the end of it I was £15 better off.

[queenofhisheart]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 5 Years EEA spouse +1 Year ILR
Language criteria met: Master Degree from UK
Method of application: NCS Ilford
Payment method: Debit Card
Date of posted by Royal Mail: 24 Feb 2015
Date of receipt by UKBA: 26/02/2015
Date of receipt by UKBA: tbc
Date of debit of fees: tbc
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: tbc
Date of receipt of approval: tbc
Date of Ceremony: tbc

[Res]

Alot of people on here pay the extra fee for NCS. But it doesn't necessarily make it faster. I sent my app via post next day special delivery (~£7) and received the approval as fast as anyone else that paid the extra for NCS. I don't see the point of it unless they give you back your original passport and allow you to leave the country during your application? If that's what it allows you to do, then definitely its something you should consider. If not, then use the money you saved sending in the application yourself for a nice meal to celebrate its approval when the time comes.

Most of us don't apply through NCS because it's fast(it's not fast in anyway) or that they check the application to make sure it's valid. I saw someone last turned away by NCS as his wasn't eligible to apply due to recent changes. NCS has saved him £906.
Main purpose of using NCS is that you get the keep your original documents. You don't need worry if they get lost or if the application takes forever. I think it's worth it for £56.

£56 isn't the standard price. Every council charges their own price. I paid £78 for mine. Also, not all councils will accept applications from other county residents. You could phone around to find another NCS that charges slightly less; but it's not worth the effort. It'll cost you more than £20 in fuel to drive to the next county anyway

Just to add on, Royal Mail Special Delivery doesn't cover loses for documents and even some electronic items like mobile phones aren't eligible for compensation in case they get lost in the post. It's better to use NCS to mitigate the risk of your original documents going missing.

Wow ...did't use NCS and now reading all this I wish I did. My only advance is I can use me ID to travel ...but still

[happyguy82]

Alot of people on here pay the extra fee for NCS. But it doesn't necessarily make it faster. I sent my app via post next day special delivery (~£7) and received the approval as fast as anyone else that paid the extra for NCS. I don't see the point of it unless they give you back your original passport and allow you to leave the country during your application? If that's what it allows you to do, then definitely its something you should consider. If not, then use the money you saved sending in the application yourself for a nice meal to celebrate its approval when the time comes.

Most of us don't apply through NCS because it's fast(it's not fast in anyway) or that they check the application to make sure it's valid. I saw someone last turned away by NCS as his wasn't eligible to apply due to recent changes. NCS has saved him £906.
Main purpose of using NCS is that you get the keep your original documents. You don't need worry if they get lost or if the application takes forever. I think it's worth it for £56.

£56 isn't the standard price. Every council charges their own price. I paid £78 for mine. Also, not all councils will accept applications from other county residents. You could phone around to find another NCS that charges slightly less; but it's not worth the effort. It'll cost you more than £20 in fuel to drive to the next county anyway

Just to add on, Royal Mail Special Delivery doesn't cover loses for documents and even some electronic items like mobile phones aren't eligible for compensation in case they get lost in the post. It's better to use NCS to mitigate the risk of your original documents going missing.

[huqqapani]

Alot of people on here pay the extra fee for NCS. But it doesn't necessarily make it faster. I sent my app via post next day special delivery (~£7) and received the approval as fast as anyone else that paid the extra for NCS. I don't see the point of it unless they give you back your original passport and allow you to leave the country during your application? If that's what it allows you to do, then definitely its something you should consider. If not, then use the money you saved sending in the application yourself for a nice meal to celebrate its approval when the time comes.

Most of us don't apply through NCS because it's fast(it's not fast in anyway) or that they check the application to make sure it's valid. I saw someone last turned away by NCS as his wasn't eligible to apply due to recent changes. NCS has saved him £906.
Main purpose of using NCS is that you get the keep your original documents. You don't need worry if they get lost or if the application takes forever. I think it's worth it for £56.

Also, the NCS fee differs quite a lot in councils, I didn't realise this until I looked around and ended up saving £15

[akhurshid]

Alot of people on here pay the extra fee for NCS. But it doesn't necessarily make it faster. I sent my app via post next day special delivery (~£7) and received the approval as fast as anyone else that paid the extra for NCS. I don't see the point of it unless they give you back your original passport and allow you to leave the country during your application? If that's what it allows you to do, then definitely its something you should consider. If not, then use the money you saved sending in the application yourself for a nice meal to celebrate its approval when the time comes.

Most of us don't apply through NCS because it's fast(it's not fast in anyway) or that they check the application to make sure it's valid. I saw someone last turned away by NCS as his wasn't eligible to apply due to recent changes. NCS has saved him £906.
Main purpose of using NCS is that you get the keep your original documents. You don't need worry if they get lost or if the application takes forever. I think it's worth it for £56.

[Nottsman]

Can anyone pls advised me ? I will apply for naturalisation based on 10 years long residency + 1 year Ilr. I have got all documents ready. I have seen the AN form it's so easy. I am not travelling outside uk next 6 months.

Do i need NCS????

Pls i need ur advise.

Alot of people on here pay the extra fee for NCS. But it doesn't necessarily make it faster. I sent my app via post next day special delivery (~£7) and received the approval as fast as anyone else that paid the extra for NCS. I don't see the point of it unless they give you back your original passport and allow you to leave the country during your application? If that's what it allows you to do, then definitely its something you should consider. If not, then use the money you saved sending in the application yourself for a nice meal to celebrate its approval when the time comes.

If I did not apply through NCS then I would not have been able to leave UK on short notice and attend funeral back home whilst my application was being considered..........the main advantage for me was that all my documents and passports were with me while I was waiting for outcome of application. This becomes even more of an issue if the application takes several months.

[Minz25]

is there anyone who applied last year received approval yet. pls update as am still waiting its been over 6months now.

Hi i applied on 26th june 2014 and still not had anything concrete yet. I like many others got the 3-6 month letter on 6th feb and nothing since then.

[imraniqbal2010]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 10years Long residency + Spouse of a british national,
Method of application: NCS Merton
Date of Application: 10/02/2015
Date receipt by ukvi: 11/02/2015
Date of Fee Deducted: 16/02/2015
acknowledgement receipt: 17/02/2015 via email
Approval Date: waiting
Cermemony: waiting

[cooldude786]

Eligibility criteria: 3 Years Spouse to British national and ILR
Nationality : Pakistani
Language criteria: Life in the UK + B1 English
Date of application: 16/02/2015 NCS Goole
Date of receipt by HO: 19/02/2015
Date of clearance of the fees: 24/02/2015
Payment method: Credit card
Date of acknowledgment: waiting
Date of Approval: waiting
Date of ceremony: waiting

[cooldude786]

Eligibility criteria: 3 Years Spouse to British national and ILR
Nationality : Pakistani
Language criteria: Life in the UK + B2 English
Date of application: 16/02/2015 NCS Goole
Date of receipt by HO: 19/02/2015
Date of clearance of the fees: 24/02/2015
Payment method: Credit card
Date of acknowledgment: waiting
Date of Approval: waiting
Date of ceremony: waiting

[iconavdeep]

Eligibility criteria: 5 Year Tier 1 and Tier 2 +12 Month ILR
Language criteria met: Life in the UK + UK Naric
Current nationality: Indian
Method of application: NCS
Council name if NCS used:NewHam
Date of application: 29/01/2015
Payment method: Debit card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 30 Jan 2015
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 06/02/2015
Date of acknowledgment: 18th Feb 2015 by Post(Letter Dated 5th Feb 2015)
Date of Approval letter: 21 Feb 2015 by Post(Letter Dated 14th Feb 2015)

Note: I never received any email neither Acknowledgement nor Approval.
Last time when i enter UK via Heathrow Terminal 5 Passport got stamped with date one month in past.
I wrote covering letter explaining this to Immigration Officer along with email copy of British Airway tickets.

I was scared this date issue many not be a blocker.

Query:
I applied for spouse visa from india and still waiting.
It has been 37 working day , SLA for settlement visa 60 working day/
My question is If I go ahead for ceremony ,will wife settlement visa process will be impacted.
Or i should wait for wife visa to get processed.

-------------------------------------
Today Received below email from Border Force complain team after 1 month.

The operational manager at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 has confirmed that an error has been made and your passport has been stamped incorrectly with the date 3 November 2014 instead of
3 December 2014. The officer who dealt with you that day recalls that he erroneously used a stamp with the incorrect date and submitted a report to that effect. They would like to apologise and have confirmed that the naturalisation application will not be affected in any way by the error.

Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused. I hope my reply is of help and clarifies the matter for you

I will advise people with wrong stamp on passport to complain at below email id
borderforcecomplaints@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

[happyguy82]

Can anyone pls advised me ? I will apply for naturalisation based on 10 years long residency + 1 year Ilr. I have got all documents ready. I have seen the AN form it's so easy. I am not travelling outside uk next 6 months.

Do i need NCS????

Pls i need ur advise.

Alot of people on here pay the extra fee for NCS. But it doesn't necessarily make it faster. I sent my app via post next day special delivery (~£7) and received the approval as fast as anyone else that paid the extra for NCS. I don't see the point of it unless they give you back your original passport and allow you to leave the country during your application? If that's what it allows you to do, then definitely its something you should consider. If not, then use the money you saved sending in the application yourself for a nice meal to celebrate its approval when the time comes.

No one said it'll be faster.

NCS officer acts as a visa advisor. If one is unsure what to fill in certain parts of the form, they can advice on the spot. The officer will also make sure the application form is filled in correctly. The other benefit is that they don't take any originals from you as they will photocopy everything, certify and send them off. It's not a matter of 'allow you to leave the country during application' but mitigates the risk of you losing everything if the post goes missing etc. Yes Special Delivery is insured, but what will you do if your passport goes missing? It's worth paying for the service and security.

A normal visa advisor would charge you circa £300 for document checking service anyway.

[BeenThruItAll]

Sorry to read that some of you have applied since 2014 and have yet to receive any news.
For info, I satisfy all their criteria and have nothing in the application that they need to check so it was a quick approval. Good luck to the rest of you.

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 10 years
Number of Applications: 1
Language criteria met: UK Degree & Life in the UK
Method of application: Post
Date of tracked receipt by UKBA: 2 Feb 2015
Date of letter of acknowledgement: 10 Feb (sent by post)
Date of letter of approval: 15 Feb (sent by post)

[BeenThruItAll]

Can anyone pls advised me ? I will apply for naturalisation based on 10 years long residency + 1 year Ilr. I have got all documents ready. I have seen the AN form it's so easy. I am not travelling outside uk next 6 months.

Do i need NCS????

Pls i need ur advise.

Alot of people on here pay the extra fee for NCS. But it doesn't necessarily make it faster. I sent my app via post next day special delivery (~£7) and received the approval as fast as anyone else that paid the extra for NCS. I don't see the point of it unless they give you back your original passport and allow you to leave the country during your application? If that's what it allows you to do, then definitely its something you should consider. If not, then use the money you saved sending in the application yourself for a nice meal to celebrate its approval when the time comes.

[akhurshid]

If yes then where your ceremony is ?

Ceremonies in Glasgow are held in 40 John Street.

[Babloo85]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: (5yr tier 1 + 1yr ILR
Number of Applications: 2
Language criteria met: UK Degree & Life in the UK
Current nationality: PAKISTANI + MALAYSIAN
Method of application: NCS Hamilton
Date of receipt by UKBA: 28th January 2015
Date of debit of fees: 4th of February 2015
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 10th February 2015 dated 4th of February 2015
Date of receipt of approval: 20th of February 2015 dated 13th of February
Date of Ceremony: 17th of March


Best of luck to all those still waiting

Are you in Glasgow ?
If yes then where your ceremony is ?

[Mido35]

Eligibility criteria: 6 years EEA Family Member ( 6 years rule without PR )
Language criteria met: Life in The UK+B1 English
Current nationality: Egyptian
Method of application: Post, it is Joint application myself+my wife (EEA National ) + My son (Born in uk)
Council name if NCS used: None
Date of application: 27/09/2014
Payment method: Credit Card
Date of receipt by UKBA: 28/09/2014
Date of acknowlegment: 04/10/2014
Date of debit or clearance of fees: 30/09/2014
Date approval received: Waiting
Date of ceremony: Waiting

looking here in this forum for smiler cases some got approved in 4 months and some in 8 months i really dont know how long mien will take ,i already called HO to ask about the process but the answer was call after when it is after 6 month to check for you ..all what i can say it is frustrating ............

[HowILR]

Can anyone pls advised me ? I will apply for naturalisation based on 10 years long residency + 1 year Ilr. I have got all documents ready. I have seen the AN form it's so easy. I am not travelling outside uk next 6 months.

Do i need NCS????

Pls i need ur advise.

U never knw when u need to travel. Also there is possibility to lose ur docs. So better to pay £50 and play safe.

My NCS cost £78. The cost depends on the council.

Yeah it's still very cheap. Better to do it and keep your original documents safe with you rather than post them away. The advantage is, if things go missing you can easily submit another application as you'll have all your original docs with you.

Thx for ur good advise

[happyguy82]

Can anyone pls advised me ? I will apply for naturalisation based on 10 years long residency + 1 year Ilr. I have got all documents ready. I have seen the AN form it's so easy. I am not travelling outside uk next 6 months.

Do i need NCS????

Pls i need ur advise.

U never knw when u need to travel. Also there is possibility to lose ur docs. So better to pay £50 and play safe.

My NCS cost £78. The cost depends on the council.

Yeah it's still very cheap. Better to do it and keep your original documents safe with you rather than post them away. The advantage is, if things go missing you can easily submit another application as you'll have all your original docs with you.

[imraniqbal2010]

Can anyone pls advised me ? I will apply for naturalisation based on 10 years long residency + 1 year Ilr. I have got all documents ready. I have seen the AN form it's so easy. I am not travelling outside uk next 6 months.

Do i need NCS????

Pls i need ur advise.

U never knw when u need to travel. Also there is possibility to lose ur docs. So better to pay £50 and play safe.

[lovebritishweather]

I applied in july, still waiting for approval. also recieved 3-6 month letter. spouse of british citizen, irl.
Very frustrating.

[HowILR]

Can anyone pls advised me ? I will apply for naturalisation based on 10 years long residency + 1 year Ilr. I have got all documents ready. I have seen the AN form it's so easy. I am not travelling outside uk next 6 months.

Do i need NCS????

Pls i need ur advise.

[Res]

Hi all

Eligibility criteria: 6 years + 1 year ILR
Language criteria met: B1 + Life in The UK Test
Current nationality: Romanian
Date of application: 20/02/2015
Date of receipt by UKBA: 23/02/2015 (royal mail website check)
Payment method: Debit card
Date of debit or clearance of fees: Awaiting
Date of acknowledgment letter received: Awaiting
Date approval received: Awaiting
Date of ceremony: Awaiting

Fingers cross
Good luck to everyone