General Discussion During Naturalisation Application Process

[nika299]

Hi guys, I have two quick questions regarding the supporting docs...

1. I am an EEA national (got my PR more than a year ago) and used my ID card when doing the Life in the UK test. Is it compulsory to send my passport as a supporting doc, or could I just send my ID card? In theory they are exactly the same thing (my european passport has no stamps or anything) and as I used my ID card for Life in the UK test, I definitely need to send this one...
2. At the end of my online application I could print out the biometric enrolment doc - is this the one I need to take to the post office or do I need to wait for one to arrive by post?

Thank you so much for replies....almost there...

[sfljiaf]

2. At the end of my online application I could print out the biometric enrolment doc - is this the one I need to take to the post office or do I need to wait for one to arrive by post?

I believe that's the one you take to the post office.

[AnotherUUID]

1. I am an EEA national (got my PR more than a year ago) and used my ID card when doing the Life in the UK test. Is it compulsory to send my passport as a supporting doc, or could I just send my ID card? In theory they are exactly the same thing (my european passport has no stamps or anything) and as I used my ID card for Life in the UK test, I definitely need to send this one...

According to Guide AN, you are expected to use the same ID document you used for the Life in the UK test, so in your case this would be your national ID card. I see no reason why it would not be accepted as it is listed as an option under the "Evidence of Identity" section.

What does your document checklist PDF file say? I personally do not remember the online form explicitly asking what identity document was used for the LITUK test, so chances are it will generate a generic template asking you to provide your passport. As EU passports don't get stamped, in theory, they don't provide any additional information to your ID card. So I doubt it would be necessary to send your passport.

If the Home Office ask you for your passport separately while they process your application, you may have to send it then. Alternatively, you can send your passport in addition to your ID card and avoid the potential hassle altogether.

2. At the end of my online application I could print out the biometric enrolment doc - is this the one I need to take to the post office or do I need to wait for one to arrive by post?

Yes, that's definitely the one. You can use it straight away - you will not be receiving a different one by post.

The last page of the PDF file should have a brief one or two-line summary of your application and a massive barcode in the top-right and bottom-left corners. Make sure you don't forget this page as it's the most critical one - the PO representative will need to scan the barcode on this page to enrol your biometrics. You can take the other pages with you too, though in my case they didn't even look at them.

[nika299]

Thank you so much for your replies...I did think myself the same but just wanted to double check...

[/quote]
What does your document checklist PDF file say?
[/quote]

My document check list does list the passport and evidence of identity as separate entities (that's why it was confusing for me), but then again, at the top of the list it says: "Provide as many documents from the list below as you can." So it does not say explicitly, that I have to send my passport...

I think I will go for the option of just sending my ID card, and then of course if they ask for the passport, I could send it straight away....

Although my ID card will expire at the beginning of May - do you think it matters?

[Foyz123]

Hi, I was wondering if I could get some advice here please?

I have made a postal application for naturalisation on the 18th of Jan 2019 which was received by HO on the 21st of Jan 2019. My account was debited and received an acknowledgment from HO via email on the 14th Feb. Till now I have not received an invitation for biometric enrolment. Its been 3 weeks since the acknowledgement but I see most people who made paper application receive the biometric letter within 2-3 days of acknowledgement from HO.

I wrote to HO on the 1st of March but haven’t received a reply yet. Should I be worried or should I write a letter to them explaining the situation?

From here I can see most people make online application which makes me wonder whether HO prioritise online applications over postal.

Also, the other thing I wanted to ask is whether as part of good corrector requirements, do they look at the immigration history for the last 5-6 years or they look at the last 10 years? I had a situation where I had overstated for a bit in the last 10 years but was a child at the time. However, the qualifying period is clean. Will it affect my application?

Will be grateful over a response and thanks in advance!

[jzanetti]

Hi Everyone

Just a quick question about the notification letter about the British Citizenship,once the Office has made a decision: how are we notified ? Is it a standard letter or a signed for / recorded delivery?

Just wondering what happens If i am on holiday the week the letter is received. Looking at the timelines it seems that the ceremony is normally booked for 7 days after the letter is received

Thank you

[johnhkg]

Hi, I was wondering if I could get some advice here please?


Also, the other thing I wanted to ask is whether as part of good corrector requirements, do they look at the immigration history for the last 5-6 years or they look at the last 10 years? I had a situation where I had overstated for a bit in the last 10 years but was a child at the time. However, the qualifying period is clean. Will it affect my application?

Will be grateful over a response and thanks in advance!

The good character guidance (page 45) says :-

"When assessing failure to comply with immigration requirements, it will normally be appropriate to disregard failure relating to a child when assessing their good character, if it is accepted this was outside of their control. For example, where a parent applied for the child to come to the UK as their dependant but failed to apply
for an extension of leave when the child’s temporary leave expired, the child should not be penalised."

The legal definition of a child is:-

In England, Northern Ireland and Wales, a child is someone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday. Once they turn 18, they are legally an adult.

[AnotherUUID]

Hi Everyone

Just a quick question about the notification letter about the British Citizenship,once the Office has made a decision: how are we notified ? Is it a standard letter or a signed for / recorded delivery?

Just wondering what happens If i am on holiday the week the letter is received. Looking at the timelines it seems that the ceremony is normally booked for 7 days after the letter is received

Thank you

It will be standard second class Royal Mail, without signed for / recorded delivery. The size varies as it may come separately from your supporting documents or all in one. In the latter case, it will usually be an envelope sized slightly bigger than A4 to accommodate your paperwork, either brown paper or one of those white "plastic bag" types that you see in post offices.

Your ceremony invitation can also come as a separate letter or as part of the approval letter (combined). You will usually be given 3 weeks (21 days) from the date on the ceremony invitation or combined letter to book your ceremony at a suitable date and you must attend a ceremony within 90 days from the date on the invitation letter. Otherwise your application will be refused and you will have to apply again. Note that your ceremony letter, if arriving separately, may have the same date as the approval letter despite arriving later. Depending on where you live, it is generally highly unlikely that the ceremony will be pre-booked for you, and you will have to get in touch with the local council yourself to arrange it citing the reference number on the invitation letter.

It's not critical if you're not present at the time your letters and supporting documents arrive, but you should plan your holidays accordingly.

[AnotherUUID]

My document check list does list the passport and evidence of identity as separate entities (that's why it was confusing for me), but then again, at the top of the list it says: "Provide as many documents from the list below as you can." So it does not say explicitly, that I have to send my passport...

Mine was the same, it's likely to be a fairly generic list. There can also be an overlap for some documents. For example, a single passport could be used to tick off all three requirements - passport, evidence of identity, and proof of nationality - so no need to provide a separate one for each.

I think I will go for the option of just sending my ID card, and then of course if they ask for the passport, I could send it straight away....

Just in case, if I were you I would put this in wording in a covering letter. I.e. mention that you have kept your passport because you used your ID card for the LITUK test but can send the passport if requested. This way they'll know that you have it and are not intentionally withholding it.

Although my ID card will expire at the beginning of May - do you think it matters?

I'm personally not aware of a rule (except common sense and logic) that explicitly requires your ID document to be within the validity period, and this is not mentioned in either Guide AN, Booklet AN, or the nationality guidance documents. But don't take my word for it. If I were you I would mention this in a covering letter, offering to provide your passport if requested.

May I ask why you are reluctant to send your passport as well? If you're concerned you will be left without an ID for a certain period of time, I think the best course of action if I were you would be to explain this in wording in the covering letter and also supply a colour copy of the passport's front two pages (where your personal details and passport details are) for their reference.

Many countries offer inter-governmental services (and sometimes even open to the original document holder) to verify the validity of a government issued document online. It could make it easier for them to process the application if they need your passport details. This way they will have all the relevant details and will only ask you to send the original passport if they should feel they need to see and verify it.

[Foyz123]

Hi guys,

can someone please help as i am getting a little impatient here and feel helpless as there’s nothing i can do about it.

I have made a postal application for naturalisation on the 18th of Jan 2019 which was received by HO on the 21st of Jan 2019. My account was debited and received an acknowledgment from HO via email on the 14th Feb. Till now I have not received an invitation for biometric enrolment. Its been 3 weeks since the acknowledgement but I see most people who made paper application receive the biometric letter within 2-3 days of acknowledgement from HO.

I wrote to HO on the 1st of March but haven’t received a reply yet. Should I be worried or should I write a letter to them explaining the situation?

From this forum I can see most people make online application which makes me wonder whether HO prioritise online applications over postal?

many thanks

[Prem]

Hi all, have a few questions:

The question regarding the national identity card, for an indian passport holder applying for naturalisation, would this be the Adhar card?

Whats the difference between the new service and the old service, is there a preference? whats the difference as I still see people applying by post, surely the new service is better?

If i use the new service, do I pay, book an appointment and then upload my docs? Do I also Scan the 2 referee forms and upload or take that with us for the appointment?

Lastly my wife is applying, am i allowed to attend the appointment with her and are there appointments available on a Saturday.

Sorry quite a lots of questions in the end, hope you can answer...

[Beowulf]

Hello everyone. I thought I should share the good news. I applied on January 28, and today I received my documents back, with a letter saying soon I am going to be invited to attend a ceremony. Good luck everyone.

[alterhase58]

Hello everyone. I thought I should share the good news. I applied on January 28, and today I received my documents back, with a letter saying soon I am going to be invited to attend a ceremony. Good luck everyone.

Congratulations!

[shurki]

Hi Guys
I want to apply for wife Naturalization as per new application online process, just want to check if it is still OK to travel while application is in process like its use to be in old process

[CR001]

Hi Guys
I want to apply for wife Naturalization as per new application online process, just want to check if it is still OK to travel while application is in process like its use to be in old process

You are free to travel.

[shurki]

Hi Guys
I want to apply for wife Naturalization as per new application online process, just want to check if it is still OK to travel while application is in process like its use to be in old process

You are free to travel.

Thanks

[Anthony2]

Where you have to list previous UK immigration applications, which date do you have to put when the application was made?

Is it the date you applied (posted the application), the confirmation letter date or the date the application was approved and the visa was granted?

I asked the question in this discussion a few months ago but no one replied.

[CR001]

Where you have to list previous UK immigration applications, which date do you have to put when the application was made?

Is it the date you applied (posted the application), the confirmation letter date or the date the application was approved and the visa was granted?

I asked the question in this discussion a few months ago but no one replied.

Application approval date.

[Britney99]

Hi all - I applied for citizenship online 04/02, UKVAS appointment 06/02. I received receipt for payment of fee however no other correspondence since application submitted. If Home office requires further information from me, will they email or post ? I would like to check progress, is there anyway I can do this ? Thank you

[Wanderingrooh]

Could be either but email preferably I would imagine.
Unfortunately there is no way to follow up on your application...trust me, I have tried everything

[Wanderingrooh]

Hi all - I applied for citizenship online 04/02, UKVAS appointment 06/02. I received receipt for payment of fee however no other correspondence since application submitted. If Home office requires further information from me, will they email or post ? I would like to check progress, is there anyway I can do this ? Thank you

Could be either but email preferably I would imagine.
Unfortunately there is no way to follow up on your application...trust me, I have tried everything

[Britney99]

Thank you. I find it a bit odd that I haven’t heard from them since I paid them the £1300 plus fee.

[Anthony2]

Where you have to list previous UK immigration applications, which date do you have to put when the application was made?

Is it the date you applied (posted the application), the confirmation letter date or the date the application was approved and the visa was granted?

I asked the question in this discussion a few months ago but no one replied.

Application approval date.

Many thanks.

Can I please ask what do I put as the reference number?
Is it the Case ID's for the previous three applications or the BRP numbers? If it is BRP numbers then I have the previous two, but the original spouse visa is a stamp the passport, would that be the VAF number then or is it the bigger red number in the top right corner?

Thanks.

[AnotherUUID]

Many thanks.

Can I please ask what do I put as the reference number?
Is it the Case ID's for the previous three applications or the BRP numbers? If it is BRP numbers then I have the previous two, but the original spouse visa is a stamp the passport, would that be the VAF number then or is it the bigger red number in the top right corner?

Thanks.

Yes, the HO reference numbers would be the Case IDs for your previous applications. Sometimes you might see "Our Ref" instead of "Case ID", this can also be used if there's no Case ID.

[adazion]

Hello, sorry dont have any reply, dont know how to start any question.
So, i applied for my naturalization in May 2018, i was sent a good behaviour questionaire which i answered well with suporting documents. August 2018 i was refused! I applied for reconsideration which has been approved. however i have not received letter inviting me for a swearing ceremony.
My QUESTIONS ARE-
1. ANY IDEA HOW LONG SWEARING LETTER TAKES TO ARRIVE AFTER SUCCESSFUL RECONSIDERATION APPLICATION?
2. CAN I BOOK APPOINTMENT WITH THE COUNCIL PENDING LETTER OF INVITATION FOR SWEARING IN?

I have already booked to go on holiday in April, and am aware that once you have received your certificate of naturalization, you have literally 5 days to send the ILR/PR BRP Card unless you get fined a 1000 GBP by the home office. Also, if i dont get the letter soon ,it might delay in my passport application and affect travel plans. and wont get a refund if i cancel the ticket?
Any suggestions or answers will be appreciated.

Hello Guys,
quick update. I have received my invitation letter and attended my citizenship ceremony. Just waiting for my British passport and passport of my 'home' country to arrive. I hope this happens soon as i have holiday booked since january, way before i got my approval letter.