Experiences using new UKVCAS for naturalisation/citizenship applications

[johnhkg]

Hi while going through the guideline, it says we have to submit relevant documents to prove English language requirements and der is a question in paper application form as well. However I couldn’t find this question in online application.

Pls let me know whether I have missed somewhere in online application or is this not required as part of new system?

It is a bit unclear, I agree. Near the beginning of the application you are asked if you have passed the Life in UK test. Then right at the very end of the online application process you get asked about English Language. The online form will ask several questions. E.g. Do you have a degree taught in English? Have you passed an approved English Language test?

Just answer the questions, then when you finish the online process will generate a personalised list of the documents you need to provide.

Thanks for ur reply. I hve answered all the questions and checklist document has been generated. However I couldnt find question on English language requirement.

Anyone could u pls check ur online application / checklist and let me know whether this Q is der?

I cannot understand why you have not been asked for proof of English. All I can suggest is that you scan your proof and include with your uploaded documents. If you don't, your application may be delayed.

[Davin]

Hi, u said u have uploaded Degree transcripts. Could u pls confirm is der any question on this in online application. Reason being, I have filled in online application and generated checklist, However I couldnt find question on English language requirement.

Its not on my checklist. I just checked. I uploaded it anyway. I dont think I was required to. I could be wrong but there was one question on application form which I think could have something to do with it.

''Have you been granted indefinite leave to enter, or remain, in the UK?''

I guess if you have already been granted ILR then you must have met the language requirements. But this is just an assumption. I had following on my checklist:

1. The passport issued by Pakistan for Mr XYZ

2. Mr XYZ’s Life in the UK Test pass Notification

3. Proof of living in the UK for Mr XYZ

4. Mr XYZ ‘s proof of freedom from immigration time restrictions

5. Two referee declarations for Mr XYZ

6. Mr XYZ 's evidence of identity

7. Current Biometric Residence Permit for Mr XYZ

[johnhkg]

Hi, u said u have uploaded Degree transcripts. Could u pls confirm is der any question on this in online application. Reason being, I have filled in online application and generated checklist, However I couldnt find question on English language requirement.

Its not on my checklist. I just checked. I uploaded it anyway. I dont think I was required to. I could be wrong but there was one question on application form which I think could have something to do with it.

''Have you been granted indefinite leave to enter, or remain, in the UK?''

I guess if you have already been granted ILR then you must have met the language requirements. But this is just an assumption. I had following on my checklist:

This does not provide the answer, I'm afraid. Take my example. I was granted ILE in 2010. At that time there was no English test requirement for spouse route, just LITUK test. Therefore I had to take the B1 English test in order to qualify for naturalisation.

I now suspect that the problem lies in answering the following question on page 2

Have you met the requirement to qualify for settlement on or after 28th October 2013?

Maybe (I don't know for sure) if you answer "Yes", the online form assumes that you have already used an English test result in the past that is acceptable to UKVI for naturalisation. I answered "No" and therefore towards the end of the online application I encountered the section on "English language."

[Davin]

Hi, u said u have uploaded Degree transcripts. Could u pls confirm is der any question on this in online application. Reason being, I have filled in online application and generated checklist, However I couldnt find question on English language requirement.

Its not on my checklist. I just checked. I uploaded it anyway. I dont think I was required to. I could be wrong but there was one question on application form which I think could have something to do with it.

''Have you been granted indefinite leave to enter, or remain, in the UK?''

I guess if you have already been granted ILR then you must have met the language requirements. But this is just an assumption. I had following on my checklist:

This does not provide the answer, I'm afraid. Take my example. I was granted ILE in 2010. At that time there was no English test requirement for spouse route, just LITUK test. Therefore I had to take the B1 English test in order to qualify for naturalisation.

I now suspect that the problem lies in answering the following question on page 2

Have you met the requirement to qualify for settlement on or after 28th October 2013?

Maybe (I don't know for sure) if you answer "Yes", the online form assumes that you have already used an English test result in the past that is acceptable to UKVI for naturalisation. I answered "No" and therefore towards the end of the online application I encountered the section on "English language."

Yes. What you said above makes sense. I found a post from 2015 which addresses this issue:

british-citizenship/citizenship-english ... 79871.html

[Norbi]

To let you know guys.. I got my approval using the new system.. all submitted on 19.12.18.. approved on 19.02.19 letter arrived 1.03.19.. look like in some cases they use the whole 8 weeks to give decision. Good luck all

[julia_julia]

Dear friends,

I am applying for the British passport and have already payed for the application, also I am originally from EU country.
I decided to scan and upload the documents myself and will pay £35, so the company may check my documents.

I wonder if anyone may help me with this matter:

Do we have to upload and/or show in person the proof of address at the Croydon centre?
Is it obligatory for the biometric procedure?
Also, do we have to send any sort of proof of address to Home Office?

I did not find this information anywhere and received a rather controversial information from UKVCAS after calling them twice (apparently they do not know themselves and do not really care). In contrary, it was clearly stated, what sort of documents must have been provide to proof the address for the Life in the UK Test.

My problem is, I live in the flat share where I do not pay bills. I have requested the bank (HSBC) to send me bank statements, but they keep sending me Duplicates.
Would you suggest that the Duplicates sent form the bank may be regarded as prof of address, as that document has been received directly form the bank? Also, a gentlemen at my bank (HSBC) gave me a letter where he wrote that I am HSBC client and living at that address.

I am slightly paranoid, as I was rejected during my first Life in the UK Test and have to rebook it and pay for it again, because my statement was Duplicate (yet it has been sent directly from the bank), as well as the PDF stamens printed at the bank with the letter were not accepted.

Please excuse my long post, I just tried to explain the situation as best as I could. Please do not hesitate to share you thoughts , I would be grateful for your help.

Thank you,
Julia

[Tribulations28]

Dear friends,

I am applying for the British passport and have already payed for the application, also I am originally from EU country.
I decided to scan and upload the documents myself and will pay £35, so the company may check my documents.

I wonder if anyone may help me with this matter:

Do we have to upload and/or show in person the proof of address at the Croydon centre?
Is it obligatory for the biometric procedure?
Also, do we have to send any sort of proof of address to Home Office?

I did not find this information anywhere and received a rather controversial information from UKVCAS after calling them twice (apparently they do not know themselves and do not really care). In contrary, it was clearly stated, what sort of documents must have been provide to proof the address for the Life in the UK Test.

My problem is, I live in the flat share where I do not pay bills. I have requested the bank (HSBC) to send me bank statements, but they keep sending me Duplicates.
Would you suggest that the Duplicates sent form the bank may be regarded as prof of address, as that document has been received directly form the bank? Also, a gentlemen at my bank (HSBC) gave me a letter where he wrote that I am HSBC client and living at that address.

I am slightly paranoid, as I was rejected during my first Life in the UK Test and have to rebook it and pay for it again, because my statement was Duplicate (yet it has been sent directly from the bank), as well as the PDF stamens printed at the bank with the letter were not accepted.

Please excuse my long post, I just tried to explain the situation as best as I could. Please do not hesitate to share you thoughts , I would be grateful for your help.

Thank you,
Julia

Good Morning to you, I am replying to your post mostly because I have been in a similar situation in the past and the way I went around it is by requesting a copy of my tenancy agreement from my landlord and it obviously has to be signed by both parties involved but also,if possible, stamped. I know your situation is a bit complex but there’s always ways to find a resolution. If i may ask, how long have you lived at that specific address? And the reason for my asking is to check if you previously had any dealings with the home office living at the address. If that’s the case you could always use any correspondence received at that address from the UKVI service. In case you still have some doubts that need clearing out here is some contact information for you to ask your questions. Tel 0300 123 2253 Email FurtherNationalityEnquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.ukgood luck.

[johnhkg]

Dear friends,

I am applying for the British passport and have already payed for the application, also I am originally from EU country.
I decided to scan and upload the documents myself and will pay £35, so the company may check my documents.

I wonder if anyone may help me with this matter:

Do we have to upload and/or show in person the proof of address at the Croydon centre?
Is it obligatory for the biometric procedure?
Also, do we have to send any sort of proof of address to Home Office?

I did not find this information anywhere and received a rather controversial information from UKVCAS after calling them twice (apparently they do not know themselves and do not really care). In contrary, it was clearly stated, what sort of documents must have been provide to proof the address for the Life in the UK Test.

My problem is, I live in the flat share where I do not pay bills. I have requested the bank (HSBC) to send me bank statements, but they keep sending me Duplicates.
Would you suggest that the Duplicates sent form the bank may be regarded as prof of address, as that document has been received directly form the bank? Also, a gentlemen at my bank (HSBC) gave me a letter where he wrote that I am HSBC client and living at that address.

I am slightly paranoid, as I was rejected during my first Life in the UK Test and have to rebook it and pay for it again, because my statement was Duplicate (yet it has been sent directly from the bank), as well as the PDF stamens printed at the bank with the letter were not accepted.

Please excuse my long post, I just tried to explain the situation as best as I could. Please do not hesitate to share you thoughts , I would be grateful for your help.

Thank you,
Julia

UKVI do not require proof of address. UKVCAS ask for proof of address (they asked me) but when I asked they could not explain why they want to see it when UKVI do not request it. Therefore, there is no "definition" of proof of address. Take what you have and don't worry.

[julia_julia]

[/quote]
Good Morning to you, I am replying to your post mostly because I have been in a similar situation in the past and the way I went around it is by requesting a copy of my tenancy agreement from my landlord and it obviously has to be signed by both parties involved but also,if possible, stamped. I know your situation is a bit complex but there’s always ways to find a resolution. If i may ask, how long have you lived at that specific address? And the reason for my asking is to check if you previously had any dealings with the home office living at the address. If that’s the case you could always use any correspondence received at that address from the UKVI service. In case you still have some doubts that need clearing out here is some contact information for you to ask your questions. Tel 0300 123 2253 Email FurtherNationalityEnquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.ukgood luck.
[/quote]

Good morning! Thank you very much for your reply, the info and the contacts.

I have lived at the current address for a year, and may provide lettres received from various institution.

The receptionist at the Croydon exam centre looked more than briefly at my Duplicate bank statement as well as other letters from the bank, university, HMRC etc. asking to show her the original bank statements. And she has refused me in taking the exam which I rebooked and pay for once again. I have used similar documents for the PR Card and they were accepted.

The bank keeps positing duplicates, yet, they have send me only 1 (!) page of the original bank statements that I am planning to use just in case.

May I ask, have you received any correspondence from the UKVI before or after the biometric test?

Thank you so much for your reply.

P.S. Please excuse me for my superb quoting skills

[julia_julia]

UKVI do not require proof of address. UKVCAS ask for proof of address (they asked me) but when I asked they could not explain why they want to see it when UKVI do not request it. Therefore, there is no "definition" of proof of address. Take what you have and don't worry.

Thank you so much for your reply and for the information. Does it mean you've showed anything you have had with your as the prove of address and they've accepted without being specific?

That is true, UKVI does not ask for the prove of address. I have called UKVCAS asking twice, whether they will need it (and exactly what sort of prove of address might be required), as there is not such information on both websites, booklets or guidelines. They said yes, they need the prove or address as "Prove of identity", i.e. passport. I have tried to explain that the passport that does not have address in it, unsuccessfully..

[bookerw100]

UKVI do not require proof of address. UKVCAS ask for proof of address (they asked me) but when I asked they could not explain why they want to see it when UKVI do not request it. Therefore, there is no "definition" of proof of address. Take what you have and don't worry.

Thank you so much for your reply and for the information. Does it mean you've showed anything you have had with your as the prove of address and they've accepted without being specific?

That is true, UKVI does not ask for the prove of address. I have called UKVCAS asking twice, whether they will need it (and exactly what sort of prove of address might be required), as there is not such information on both websites, booklets or guidelines. They said yes, they need the prove or address as "Prove of identity", i.e. passport. I have tried to explain that the passport that does not have address in it, unsuccessfully..

You can use your drivers license or a utility bill like council tax bill or gas electric bills that has been issued recently.

[Tribulations28]

Good Morning to you, I am replying to your post mostly because I have been in a similar situation in the past and the way I went around it is by requesting a copy of my tenancy agreement from my landlord and it obviously has to be signed by both parties involved but also,if possible, stamped. I know your situation is a bit complex but there’s always ways to find a resolution. If i may ask, how long have you lived at that specific address? And the reason for my asking is to check if you previously had any dealings with the home office living at the address. If that’s the case you could always use any correspondence received at that address from the UKVI service. In case you still have some doubts that need clearing out here is some contact information for you to ask your questions. Tel 0300 123 2253 Email FurtherNationalityEnquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.ukgood luck.
[/quote]

Good morning! Thank you very much for your reply, the info and the contacts.

I have lived at the current address for a year, and may provide lettres received from various institution.

The receptionist at the Croydon exam centre looked more than briefly at my Duplicate bank statement as well as other letters from the bank, university, HMRC etc. asking to show her the original bank statements. And she has refused me in taking the exam which I rebooked and pay for once again. I have used similar documents for the PR Card and they were accepted.

The bank keeps positing duplicates, yet, they have send me only 1 (!) page of the original bank statements that I am planning to use just in case.

May I ask, have you received any correspondence from the UKVI before or after the biometric test?

Thank you so much for your reply.

P.S. Please excuse me for my superb quoting skills
[/quote]
Hello I hope you and everyone else are doing good,
Now to answer your question I haven’t received any correspondence from UKVI since I applied on the 28/02/2019. And as I see it no news is good news as I am sure the only reason they would be contacting me at this point will be to request further information to support my application. And to be honest I could do with a straightforward application. I have received the generic email confirming my application submission and reference number, nothing else so far. Now I hope you found a solution to your proof of address issue I remember you saying you lived in a shared property and bills were not on your name therefore there’s no chance you could provide any utility bills or council tax paperwork for those who suggested that as an option.
P.S. your quoting skills are bang on point.

[johnhkg]

UKVI do not require proof of address. UKVCAS ask for proof of address (they asked me) but when I asked they could not explain why they want to see it when UKVI do not request it. Therefore, there is no "definition" of proof of address. Take what you have and don't worry.

Thank you so much for your reply and for the information. Does it mean you've showed anything you have had with your as the prove of address and they've accepted without being specific?

That is true, UKVI does not ask for the prove of address. I have called UKVCAS asking twice, whether they will need it (and exactly what sort of prove of address might be required), as there is not such information on both websites, booklets or guidelines. They said yes, they need the prove or address as "Prove of identity", i.e. passport. I have tried to explain that the passport that does not have address in it, unsuccessfully..

Julia,

I provided my driving licence, which they then scanned in as a document to submit to UKVI. I queried the request for this "proof of address" because it is not mentioned by UKVI or UKVCAS as a requirement, and they replied to me that it is not a mandatory document, it's optional. Don't take this as UKVCAS official policy, they simply do not know what they are doing.

My suggestion, go to your bank and request a printout of your latest statement, certified by the bank with a stamp and signature of bank staff.

[Cupcake567]

Hello All,

Many thanks for your valuable experience shared on this forum.

Could any of the Gurus help me with below, please?

1. Online application asked if I have any dependent on me. If I am a sponsor for my husband should I answer 'Yes' or 'No'?
2. Family name of my mum - would it be her maiden name or name taken after marriage?
3. I have a new passport - should I also upload copy of my previous passport?
4. I am not at uploading docs stage yet but just wondering if I use previous letters from previous employers (dated back to 2017 when applied for Permanently Residence Card) would it be acceptable as a proof of my residence in UK? I will also add letter from current employer with up-to-date date.

Also, could you share your experience regarding the current appointment time? Is it possible to get it within 5 working days after submitting application?


Many thanks!

[FB087]

Hi all,
I applied online for citizenship and received a case ID from UKVI on the 5th of December. I attended an appointment with UKVCAS the 13th of December, everything went fine and they told me it normally takes 6-8 weeks for a decision (potentially a bit more due to Xmas) and I should be able to track my application online. But neither of these is the case, it's been more than 3months and haven't heard back and when I log into UKVCAS nothing has changed I can still see my uploaded documents, I can even upload new ones I think and manage services. Is this usual? Should I get in touch with someone (UKVI or UKVCAS) to ask what's going on with my application or do I need to wait for 6 months?
Thank you

[jafarkuku]

Its normal

[jafarkuku]

Hi all,
I applied online for citizenship and received a case ID from UKVI on the 5th of December. I attended an appointment with UKVCAS the 13th of December, everything went fine and they told me it normally takes 6-8 weeks for a decision (potentially a bit more due to Xmas) and I should be able to track my application online. But neither of these is the case, it's been more than 3months and haven't heard back and when I log into UKVCAS nothing has changed I can still see my uploaded documents, I can even upload new ones I think and manage services. Is this usual? Should I get in touch with someone (UKVI or UKVCAS) to ask what's going on with my application or do I need to wait for 6 months?
Thank you

It's normal.My application has been approved I can still log in to UKVCAS. Don't stress about that. You can write to your M.P or send an email to request an update on your application

[Nhr]

Hi Everyone,

Do we have to upload the documents on UKVCAS system? Is it mandatory? or if we pay ekstra 35 they will do it for us? I dont have facilities to upload.


My previous lawyer said it is their job because we are paying them so I shouldn't .


Is there anyone who went to appointment without uploading any documents? Did anyone have any problem?

Thanks

[Santa D-Finest]

If you can, please do it yourself

[Santa D-Finest]

Hi Everyone,

Do we have to upload the documents on UKVCAS system? Is it mandatory? or if we pay ekstra 35 they will do it for us? I dont have facilities to upload.


My previous lawyer said it is their job because we are paying them so I shouldn't .


Is there anyone who went to appointment without uploading any documents? Did anyone have any problem?

Thanks

My advise is, try as much as you can to upload your documents yourself. You stand a better chance of arranging your documents accurately than UKVCAS doing it for you. Remember, this is your personal and/or your final UK immigration application journey, you don't want to someone messing things up for you or omitting a vital doc or even not scanning it properly / eligible. If you can, please do it yourself

[Tribulations28]

Hi Everyone,

Do we have to upload the documents on UKVCAS system? Is it mandatory? or if we pay ekstra 35 they will do it for us? I dont have facilities to upload.


My previous lawyer said it is their job because we are paying them so I shouldn't .


Is there anyone who went to appointment without uploading any documents? Did anyone have any problem?

Thanks

« Hey I did not have any scanning facilities as well so I decided to put my faith into the agents at UKVCAS hands. Overall, my experience was quite good, I mean they scanned every single document I had brought along to support my application with powerful scanning machines, furthermore I felt in charge throughout the whole process, telling them what exactly I was expecting and how I wanted things done. Eventually, I was shown how things were arranged and asked if I was ready for submission. Bear in mind I didn’t pay anything extra for the service I received. For what it’s worth, based on my experience, I do recommend you let them scan your documents if you are unable to do it yourself. And let’s face it that’s their job and contrary to popular belief the service is not free and we do pay for it with the application fee.

[Nhr]

Hi Everyone,

Do we have to upload the documents on UKVCAS system? Is it mandatory? or if we pay ekstra 35 they will do it for us? I dont have facilities to upload.


My previous lawyer said it is their job because we are paying them so I shouldn't .


Is there anyone who went to appointment without uploading any documents? Did anyone have any problem?

Thanks

My advise is, try as much as you can to upload your documents yourself. You stand a better chance of arranging your documents accurately than UKVCAS doing it for you. Remember, this is your personal and/or your final UK immigration application journey, you don't want to someone messing things up for you or omitting a vital doc or even not scanning it properly / eligible. If you can, please do it yourself

Yes, you are right. Thank you.

[Nhr]

Hi Everyone,

Do we have to upload the documents on UKVCAS system? Is it mandatory? or if we pay ekstra 35 they will do it for us? I dont have facilities to upload.


My previous lawyer said it is their job because we are paying them so I shouldn't .


Is there anyone who went to appointment without uploading any documents? Did anyone have any problem?

Thanks

« Hey I did not have any scanning facilities as well so I decided to put my faith into the agents at UKVCAS hands. Overall, my experience was quite good, I mean they scanned every single document I had brought along to support my application with powerful scanning machines, furthermore I felt in charge throughout the whole process, telling them what exactly I was expecting and how I wanted things done. Eventually, I was shown how things were arranged and asked if I was ready for submission. Bear in mind I didn’t pay anything extra for the service I received. For what it’s worth, based on my experience, I do recommend you let them scan your documents if you are unable to do it yourself. And let’s face it that’s their job and contrary to popular belief the service is not free and we do pay for it with the application fee.

Hi,

Thank you very much for the information. Yes, that's what they should do in theory, but we don't know who is going to deal with our case. You were lucky then. May I ask which centre did you go for your appointment? In London it shows everywhere full. Only Croydon is kind of available, so I need to choose Croydon.
Also, about that extra fee. One of my friends paid it and he said they even didn’t check his documents properly. Another friend said he didn’t pay extra, and they checked his documents. Not if I should pay it or not!!! I think it depends on who is dealing with our application.

[Tribulations28]

Hi Everyone,

Do we have to upload the documents on UKVCAS system? Is it mandatory? or if we pay ekstra 35 they will do it for us? I dont have facilities to upload.


My previous lawyer said it is their job because we are paying them so I shouldn't .


Is there anyone who went to appointment without uploading any documents? Did anyone have any problem?

Thanks

« Hey I did not have any scanning facilities as well so I decided to put my faith into the agents at UKVCAS hands. Overall, my experience was quite good, I mean they scanned every single document I had brought along to support my application with powerful scanning machines, furthermore I felt in charge throughout the whole process, telling them what exactly I was expecting and how I wanted things done. Eventually, I was shown how things were arranged and asked if I was ready for submission. Bear in mind I didn’t pay anything extra for the service I received. For what it’s worth, based on my experience, I do recommend you let them scan your documents if you are unable to do it yourself. And let’s face it that’s their job and contrary to popular belief the service is not free and we do pay for it with the application fee.

Hi,

Thank you very much for the information. Yes, that's what they should do in theory, but we don't know who is going to deal with our case. You were lucky then. May I ask which centre did you go for your appointment? In London it shows everywhere full. Only Croydon is kind of available, so I need to choose Croydon.
Also, about that extra fee. One of my friends paid it and he said they even didn’t check his documents properly. Another friend said he didn’t pay extra, and they checked his documents. Not if I should pay it or not!!! I think it depends on who is dealing with our application.

« I attended the Croydon centre for my appointment. And as I said I didn’t pay any extra fees and the service I received was good enough. How hard can it be to sit on a chair, scan a few document and click on a submit button? Now my advice to you is to stick to your mandatory support documents checklist but it also won’t hurt to add any extras on top. Also don’t be afraid to ask questions and voice your opinion (suggestions on how and what should be done).
When is your appointment by the way?
At the end of the day it’s your application and only you can decide if you want to pay more for a little supplement. Again don’t be afraid to ask, suggest or even require a different agent but as far as I am concerned they are all knowledgeable on what needs to be done as they have had enough time to familiarise themselves with the new service.
Best of luck.

[Nhr]

Thank you Tribulations28 I am planning to go on Thursday.


BTW, I have just noticed that I made a mistake on my form.
'Do you have a valid national identity card?' question I said yes as I thought they were asking about my countries Identity card. I gave the details about that card as well


Is it a big problem. What can I do about it?