General Discussion During Naturalisation Application Process

[IcikePicike]

Out of curiosity, how much does these solicitor services cost?

Mine £750 inc VAT and initial consultation (I paid £150 + VAT for that but as they took the work on, they counted it towards the naturalisation fee).
They are a good one too, with High Court litigation experience, pure immigration specialists, have the highest expertise rating by the Law Society. They are based in outer London and don't even have a website, they also take on legal aid work.

The fancy ones in Central London with less experience can charge double, easily.

[CR001]

Mine is one of those August applications. What I'd like to see out of interest is how many applications are decided fairly quickly that had been submitted via a solicitor.

A solicitor has absolutely no influence on your application or the speed of processing. People have applied using solicitors and been refused citizenship for example.

[alpha82]

Forgive me if this question has been asked before. I applied for naturalisation 24/5/17. Haven't heard a thing yet from HO. I need to travel 1st week of December for around 2-3 months outside of Uk. If my naturalisation case is not decided until then , will it have any adverse affect if I leave the uk for that long. Can I travel or should stay in the UK until the case is decided? When I applied for naturalisation I had hoped for all this to be over but now I'm losing hope with every passing week. Not sure if any May applicants are still waiting?
Thanks guys

[alterhase58]

You are allowed to travel after submitting your application. Recommend that you have someone check / monitor mail in case the decision letter arrives, or if HO does need to ask a question. Bar in mind that the process is only completed once you have attended the ceremony.

[navinw]

Forgive me if this question has been asked before. I applied for naturalisation 24/5/17. Haven't heard a thing yet from HO. I need to travel 1st week of December for around 2-3 months outside of Uk. If my naturalisation case is not decided until then , will it have any adverse affect if I leave the uk for that long. Can I travel or should stay in the UK until the case is decided? When I applied for naturalisation I had hoped for all this to be over but now I'm losing hope with every passing week. Not sure if any May applicants are still waiting?
Thanks guys

2-3 months is a long time as if the decision letter arrives in your post, you should book the ceremony in next 21 days i believe. If your friend or someone can keep on checking your post.
For me it looks a risky thing now to travel....that to0 2-3 months...
I believe you should hear something in next week or so.....

[alpha82]

Someone will be there at home to receive mails and notify me. And I will be in Europe so can always book the ceremony and come to uk if I receive a reply from the HO.

[navinw]

Hi,

Can someone please clarify the eligibility for BC.

one of the condition is
1. lived in the UK for at least the 5 years before the date of your application -- TRUE
2. had settlement (‘indefinite leave to remain’) in the UK for the last 12 months if you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) --- TRUE

But does this mean,
a) 5 years + 1 yr on ILR - then only you can apply OR
b) 4 years + 1 yr on ILR - you can apply(which makes it 5 years) ?

Which one of the above is true or both are TRUE ?

TIA

[CR001]

Hi,

Can someone please clarify the eligibility for BC.

one of the condition is
1. lived in the UK for at least the 5 years before the date of your application -- TRUE
2. had settlement (‘indefinite leave to remain’) in the UK for the last 12 months if you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) --- TRUE

But does this mean,
a) 5 years + 1 yr on ILR - then only you can apply OR
b) 4 years + 1 yr on ILR - you can apply(which makes it 5 years) ?

Which one of the above is true or both are TRUE ?

TIA

You need 5 year residence for ILR. You need 1 year ILR for BC. That equals 6 years in total. BUT for BC, only the 5 years (4 + 1 ILR) immediately preceding the date of application is counted for the qualifying residence period.

[navinw]

Hi,

Can someone please clarify the eligibility for BC.

one of the condition is
1. lived in the UK for at least the 5 years before the date of your application -- TRUE
2. had settlement (‘indefinite leave to remain’) in the UK for the last 12 months if you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) --- TRUE

But does this mean,
a) 5 years + 1 yr on ILR - then only you can apply OR
b) 4 years + 1 yr on ILR - you can apply(which makes it 5 years) ?

Which one of the above is true or both are TRUE ?

TIA

You need 5 year residence for ILR. You need 1 year ILR for BC. That equals 6 years in total. BUT for BC, only the 5 years (4 + 1 ILR) immediately preceding the date of application is counted for the qualifying residence period.

Tx CR001 fpr your reply.
Before 9-July-2012 the rules for settlement for dependents was 2 years....so i believe they have to fulfil the criteria of 5 years (i.e. 4+1)

[CR001]

Hi,

Can someone please clarify the eligibility for BC.

one of the condition is
1. lived in the UK for at least the 5 years before the date of your application -- TRUE
2. had settlement (‘indefinite leave to remain’) in the UK for the last 12 months if you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) --- TRUE

But does this mean,
a) 5 years + 1 yr on ILR - then only you can apply OR
b) 4 years + 1 yr on ILR - you can apply(which makes it 5 years) ?

Which one of the above is true or both are TRUE ?

TIA

You need 5 year residence for ILR. You need 1 year ILR for BC. That equals 6 years in total. BUT for BC, only the 5 years (4 + 1 ILR) immediately preceding the date of application is counted for the qualifying residence period.

Tx CR001 fpr your reply.
Before 9-July-2012 the rules for settlement for dependents was 2 years....so i believe they have to fulfil the criteria of 5 years (i.e. 4+1)

Yes, pre 9th July 2012, for a spouse of BC it was 3 years (2 years spouse visa and 1 year ILR). Now you cannot get ILR without 5 years residence in any visa category and then if married to a BC, no need to wait 1 year on ILR. If not married to a BC it is still 6 years, but for BC it is 4 + 1 ILR residency.

[navinw]

Hi,

Can someone please clarify the eligibility for BC.

one of the condition is
1. lived in the UK for at least the 5 years before the date of your application -- TRUE
2. had settlement (‘indefinite leave to remain’) in the UK for the last 12 months if you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) --- TRUE

But does this mean,
a) 5 years + 1 yr on ILR - then only you can apply OR
b) 4 years + 1 yr on ILR - you can apply(which makes it 5 years) ?

Which one of the above is true or both are TRUE ?

TIA

You need 5 year residence for ILR. You need 1 year ILR for BC. That equals 6 years in total. BUT for BC, only the 5 years (4 + 1 ILR) immediately preceding the date of application is counted for the qualifying residence period.

Tx CR001 fpr your reply.
Before 9-July-2012 the rules for settlement for dependents was 2 years....so i believe they have to fulfil the criteria of 5 years (i.e. 4+1)

Yes, pre 9th July 2012, for a spouse of BC it was 3 years (2 years spouse visa and 1 year ILR). Now you cannot get ILR without 5 years residence in any visa category and then if married to a BC, no need to wait 1 year on ILR. If not married to a BC it is still 6 years, but for BC it is 4 + 1 ILR residency.

thanks CR001......
that gives me some relaxation......

[october2013]

How long does it take HO to deduct the payment? I applied exactly 10days ago yet theu havent deducted their payment....is the normal or should i ring them pls?

[navinw]

How long does it take HO to deduct the payment? I applied exactly 10days ago yet theu havent deducted their payment....is the normal or should i ring them pls?

i believe, its all depends on caseworker.
Mine was deducted after 2 weeks.......for some people it was in 4-5 days.

[kirkerj]

My application date was 10 July which I know is not as long as some people have been waiting but is there number I can call, email address I can email to try and push them to hurry up and doing something? Their systems and processes are a joke.

[navinw]

My application date was 10 July which I know is not as long as some people have been waiting but is there number I can call, email address I can email to try and push them to hurry up and doing something? Their systems and processes are a joke.

Try your luck mate.
Usually they say, its still under 6 months time line and you need to wait untill 6 months are over.

[kirkerj]

My application date was 10 July which I know is not as long as some people have been waiting but is there number I can call, email address I can email to try and push them to hurry up and doing something? Their systems and processes are a joke.

Try your luck mate.
Usually they say, its still under 6 months time line and you need to wait untill 6 months are over.

Yes, wait 6 months for them to realize they have lost my application down the side of a desk. You should be able to call and be provided with the status of your application,. Extremely poor customer service

[navinw]

My application date was 10 July which I know is not as long as some people have been waiting but is there number I can call, email address I can email to try and push them to hurry up and doing something? Their systems and processes are a joke.

Try your luck mate.
Usually they say, its still under 6 months time line and you need to wait untill 6 months are over.

Yes, wait 6 months for them to realize they have lost my application down the side of a desk. You should be able to call and be provided with the status of your application,. Extremely poor customer service

yes, ideally they should be able to provide the status like something..caseworker should update it....it gives some relief to applicants.....
now its like CLUE LESS.....

[kirkerj]

My application date was 10 July which I know is not as long as some people have been waiting but is there number I can call, email address I can email to try and push them to hurry up and doing something? Their systems and processes are a joke.

Try your luck mate.
Usually they say, its still under 6 months time line and you need to wait untill 6 months are over.

Yes, wait 6 months for them to realize they have lost my application down the side of a desk. You should be able to call and be provided with the status of your application,. Extremely poor customer service

yes, ideally they should be able to provide the status like something..caseworker should update it....it gives some relief to applicants.....
now its like CLUE LESS.....

Yes and I am now obsessed by the delay and the unfairness of processing. I may end up getting approved(fingers crossed) but at the expense of my mental health

[navinw]

Try your luck mate.
Usually they say, its still under 6 months time line and you need to wait untill 6 months are over.

Yes, wait 6 months for them to realize they have lost my application down the side of a desk. You should be able to call and be provided with the status of your application,. Extremely poor customer service

yes, ideally they should be able to provide the status like something..caseworker should update it....it gives some relief to applicants.....
now its like CLUE LESS.....

Yes and I am now obsessed by the delay and the unfairness of processing. I may end up getting approved(fingers crossed) but at the expense of my mental health

Yes i understand, i am in a same boat......
I did mailed them FurtherNationa on 19-sep but they didn't replied as yet...

[tdealing]

I'm still waiting for my decision too. I applied at the end of May, and my application got updated to "awaiting a decision" on their website on 7th of June. Is it normal to wait this long?

[tdealing]

Hey guys,

I'm on the same boat. I am literally going crazy! My application online was lastly updated to 7th of June so it's going to be 5 months on 7th of October.

I hope I'll hear from them soon. I am thinking the worst!

I am also reading those timelines in other threads and some people who have applied well after me already received their letters. Do you think they forgot about us?

Yes, wait 6 months for them to realize they have lost my application down the side of a desk. You should be able to call and be provided with the status of your application,. Extremely poor customer service

yes, ideally they should be able to provide the status like something..caseworker should update it....it gives some relief to applicants.....
now its like CLUE LESS.....

Yes and I am now obsessed by the delay and the unfairness of processing. I may end up getting approved(fingers crossed) but at the expense of my mental health

Yes i understand, i am in a same boat......
I did mailed them FurtherNationa on 19-sep but they didn't replied as yet...

[tdealing]

Thanks minister
It does look like people from July have now started getting decisions.
Ukba Uses 2nd Class Mail to post out the letters and it's only a matter of time when it lands on your door..

Really? I am a June applicant and still haven't heard anything.

[kirkerj]

Thanks minister
It does look like people from July have now started getting decisions.
Ukba Uses 2nd Class Mail to post out the letters and it's only a matter of time when it lands on your door..

Really? I am a June applicant and still haven't heard anything.

I am 10 July and if you don't have it.......

[CR001]

Can this topic please not descend into a 'any update', 'when did you apply' 'timeline' topic. There is the topic link below for such discussions.

british-citizenship/check-the-status-of ... 32268.html

[navinw]

After 5 months waiting after application- yesterday, we got a post asking for sending the original passport(old&new) ....
I did submitted my application thru JNCP....

I sent today in special delivery....