General Discussion During Naturalisation Application Process

[alterhase58]

Hi everyone,

I have a question regarding choosing council for your British Citizenship ceremony. On the new online application form, it asks "Do you want to attend a ceremony in a different council?"

Does this mean we can choose a different council to our local council to do our citizenship ceremony?

I have read in the past that it is quite difficult and long to change location if you want it elsewhere from your local council.

Thanks,

That's ok at time of applicatiuon - it's difficult if you try and arrange it after you have been approved.

[johnhkg]

Hi everyone,

I have a question regarding choosing council for your British Citizenship ceremony. On the new online application form, it asks "Do you want to attend a ceremony in a different council?"

Does this mean we can choose a different council to our local council to do our citizenship ceremony?

I have read in the past that it is quite difficult and long to change location if you want it elsewhere from your local council.

Thanks,

Yes, you can choose. It may well be difficult to change once your application has been approved, but if you enter the details of the local authority of your choice during the online application there should be no problem.

[nadworks]

What I'm unsure about is how this all looks with Brexit ahead. I should be able to get the confirmation of Permanent Residence and apply for naturalisation before the 29th of March, but what happens to my application if it's not processed by the time the UK leaves the EU? As in, how does it affect my Permanent Residence status and therefore my eligibility of the citizenship?

Keep one thing in mind: Germany only allow dual citizenship with other EU countries. If the UK mess this up and crash out of the EU without a deal before you have achieved British citizenship, there's a chance the German government will ask you to choose between the two nationalities when you finally receive your certificate after Brexit has already happened.

[Jane_Doe]

Naturalisation is not affected by brexit (British nationality law).
Guessing now, that UKVI will complete processing PR applications in their system, und you will use the PR document for the AN application.
Settled status will also come into force after 29.3.2019 - with public beta open on 21.1.2019. Guessing again, you will qualify for settled status (ILR) the successor to EU RC/PR. You will not loose your eligibility for AN.
https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

Thanks. I have read about the settled status but it was unclear to me what exactly happens to the PR in case of no deal and thus no transition period. I know it would be converted through the settlement scheme, but I wasn't sure about the period directly after leaving the EU and before being granted the new status.

So just out of curiosity, is the PR, when acquired, no longer strictly tied to EU law? Europa.eu states that it gives the right to live in a given country without any conditions (bar the 2 year period of absence), so it makes sense, plus the eligibility for it seems fairly similar to any other ILR, but I was wondering how it works given that it's still strictly EU/EEA related. Since PR will stop being a thing after Brexit and everyone will need to get the settled status, I'm thoroughly confused.
I'm absolutely not questioning the current situation, but I know next to nothing about law I'm just wondering if, in theory, the status could become meaningless when the EU law no longer applies?

Lastly, I have finally come across the official guide to naturalisation — am I so bad at searching for information, or is it the proper pdf document really only to be found under the "apply for naturalisation" link, and not anywhere else in the frustratingly incomplete online guide? It makes it fairly clear that PR can be used to apply for naturalisation even after the settlement scheme is introduced.

Difference is with PR you can apply for naturalisation ASAP (after 12 months from acquiring the status but not the document) once you get your document, with the new EU Settlement Scheme you have to wait 12 months from the date your ILR is issued.

Thanks, that's exactly why I applied now, I'd like to get this sorted out as soon as possible.

[Jane_Doe]

Keep one thing in mind: Germany only allow dual citizenship with other EU countries. If the UK mess this up and crash out of the EU without a deal before you have achieved British citizenship, there's a chance the German government will ask you to choose between the two nationalities when you finally receive your certificate after Brexit has already happened.

I'm a Polish citizen, so I'd say chances of the German government getting involved in my case are pretty slim!

(Sorry for double post, I don't seem to be able to edit my previous one anymore.)

[Phil2020]

Hi everyone, In the online application process on the documents section I'm being required to check the box that says "The travel document issued by Eritrea To Mr____. " before submitting my application.

The problem is I don't have any kinds documents issued by Eritrea, I have a travel document issued by the H/O of the UK. And in the application form I answered that my travel document is issued by the Home Office of the United Kingdom NOT Eritrea.

Maybe it's a system bug but I'm not sure how to proceed from this on forward.

Any advice will be appreciated.

[alokpanda123]

Hi All,
I recently received my ILR and am in process to apply for naturalization for UK born child using MN1. I hold an Indian Passport and the child has never held any other identity documents than UK Birth Certificate. Under nationality for the child, should I state Indian (Not sure if that is true)? Also is anyone aware of an alternate form for the NCS or do I have to submit all the original documents as part of the application?

Appreciate the kind assistance.

Regards,
Alok

[AnotherUUID]

Thanks. I have read about the settled status but it was unclear to me what exactly happens to the PR in case of no deal and thus no transition period. I know it would be converted through the settlement scheme, but I wasn't sure about the period directly after leaving the EU and before being granted the new status.

There will be a transition period regardless of deal/no-deal Brexit as outlined on the Gov.UK page:

The deadline for applying will be 30 June 2021, or 31 December 2020 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

So just out of curiosity, is the PR, when acquired, no longer strictly tied to EU law? Europa.eu states that it gives the right to live in a given country without any conditions (bar the 2 year period of absence), so it makes sense, plus the eligibility for it seems fairly similar to any other ILR, but I was wondering how it works given that it's still strictly EU/EEA related. Since PR will stop being a thing after Brexit and everyone will need to get the settled status, I'm thoroughly confused.
I'm absolutely not questioning the current situation, but I know next to nothing about law I'm just wondering if, in theory, the status could become meaningless when the EU law no longer applies?

As far as I can tell so far, if one does not "transfer" their acquired PR status (i.e. their DCPR) to the new settled status by the end of the transition period, they might lose their PR status since, as you point out, it would have been acquired under EU rules. I have personally had trouble finding out how exactly this will play out for people already having been issued with a DCPR - perhaps others can share their input.

That said, the UK government does sometimes provide long-term transitional clauses in some cases, so as far as I can tell it's not completely out of the question that if you have already been issued a DCPR it could be easily exchanged for a settled/ILR equivalent even beyond the stated transitional period if they choose to make such provisions. The way I see it it's not that unlikely as I seriously doubt that HO/UKVI would be able to deal with all the exchanges in addition to new applications within a year or two. It would require quite a workforce of caseworkers (though perhaps good for making jobs).

Unfortunately, most of the information I have come across so far largely concerns people who have yet to apply for settlement and do not already have a DCPR.

[AnotherUUID]

Apologies for the double post, I forgot to mention above that the same Gov.UK page also does include information about people who have already been issued with a DCPR.

According to the information there, it will be a simple exchange. However, as I mentioned before, there is no clear information of whether this will need to be done within some transitional period or one would be able to do it at any point in time in the future within reason (i.e. the issued DCPR remains valid).

My personal opinion is that given the inevitable likelihood of people (holding DCPR) that would not be aware of the transitional periods, would have forgotten about such periods, or would simply be unable to apply for an exchange in said periods, the HO/UKVI will probably allow for longer transitional periods for these people that already hold a DCPR. Of course, this is pure speculation on my part.

[Vesh123]

Hi, I've a question. once I applied for Naturalisation , can I still travel while my application is pending?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks
Vesh

[CR001]

Hi, I've a question. once I applied for Naturalisation , can I still travel while my application is pending?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks
Vesh

Yes!!!

[Vesh123]

Hi, I've a question. once I applied for Naturalisation , can I still travel while my application is pending?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks
Vesh

Yes!!!

Thanks , how long the whole application process takes?

Vesh

[AnotherUUID]

Thanks , how long the whole application process takes?

Vesh

The service standard given by the Home Office is up to six months. It may take more or less time depending on the individual application and the enquiries they need to make.

If you keep an eye on the timeline threads in this forum, a rough average at this point in time (based on Oct/Nov 2018 timeline threads) appears to be 4-8 weeks. This is of course only an observation and purely based on the voluntary timeline submissions of members of this forum, thereby a fairly small sample size on the grand scheme of things. Hence, there's no guarantee.

As a general rule of thumb, if you do not receive a reply within six months, you can get in touch and enquire about the progress of your application. As stated on the official guidance notes (which ideally you should have read by now) the Home Office will normally not respond to any progress enquiries if the application still falls within the said service standard of six months.

I suggest you familiarise yourself with the application process as a whole, and keep an eye on the timeline threads of this board.

[Vesh123]

Hi,

I've filled the online form and when I came to the Pay section, it only says the standard service pay. My question is it the existing service or new service? And when it will ask me to book the appointment and upload the documents.

Hope to hear soon from experts.

Thanks
Vesh

[Hioru]

Hi,

I've filled the online form and when I came to the Pay section, it only says the standard service pay. My question is it the existing service or new service? And when it will ask me to book the appointment and upload the documents.

Hope to hear soon from experts.

Thanks
Vesh

It should ask that question before the pay section.
How much is it asking you to pay?
If £1330 then it's the old service, if £1349.20 then it's the new one (you pay for citizenship and biometrics together in this one).

[Vesh123]

Hi,

I've filled the online form and when I came to the Pay section, it only says the standard service pay. My question is it the existing service or new service? And when it will ask me to book the appointment and upload the documents.

Hope to hear soon from experts.

Thanks
Vesh

It should ask that question before the pay section.
How much is it asking you to pay?
If £1330 then it's the old service, if £1349.20 then it's the new one (you pay for citizenship and biometrics together in this one).

Hi, it is asking me only £1330, it means it’s old service? What shall I do now ? Any advice please
Thanks
Vesh

[kmlenna]

Anyone here use the return documents online form? If so ,how long does it take to get the documents back if it’s urgent? Thanks

[Vesh123]

Hi , On documents Section , I'm non-EEA , Do I need to ticked on the below option. , if so then do I need to send all my previous passports?


Proof of living in the UK for Mrs.....

If you are an EEA National, you need to include letters from employers, educational establishments, or other Government Departments indicating your presence in the United Kingdom during the relevant period.

If you are an Non-EEA National, you need to include your passport to prove you have lived in the UK for the past 5 years (3 years if you are married to, or the partner of, a British citizen).

If you do not have your passport, or it was not stamped when you entered the UK, you need to include letters (for example, from your employer or government department) as proof.

Bank statements or household bills are not suitable proof you have been living in the UK.[/i]

Hope to hear someone soon please
Thanks
Vesh

[AnotherUUID]

Hi , On documents Section , I'm non-EEA , Do I need to ticked on the below option. , if so then do I need to send all my previous passports?


Proof of living in the UK for Mrs.....

If you are an EEA National, you need to include letters from employers, educational establishments, or other Government Departments indicating your presence in the United Kingdom during the relevant period.

If you are an Non-EEA National, you need to include your passport to prove you have lived in the UK for the past 5 years (3 years if you are married to, or the partner of, a British citizen).

If you do not have your passport, or it was not stamped when you entered the UK, you need to include letters (for example, from your employer or government department) as proof.

Bank statements or household bills are not suitable proof you have been living in the UK.[/i]

Hope to hear someone soon please
Thanks
Vesh

Yes, you will need to include your current passport as well as any other expired passports that you may have that can confirm your presence in the UK within the last 5 years. If you do not have such evidence on your passport pages that spans the whole period, this can be further supplemented by letters from employers, payslips, P60s, P45s, etc that can confirm your presence, as explained in the supporting materials for the application.

[himmy21]

I do apologise in advance because I’m sure this topic has been covered in the past.
But just to check, especially with the new UKVCAS in place.
I know it’s ok to travel while pending naturalisation. But what happens if you’re approval letter comes in the post while you are abroad? Does your current BRP become invalidated?
Do you have to return the BRP after receiving the approval letter or after doing your ceremony?

Thanks! (And again apologies for any unnecessary repetition of previously discussed topics.)

[Hioru]

I do apologise in advance because I’m sure this topic has been covered in the past.
But just to check, especially with the new UKVCAS in place.
I know it’s ok to travel while pending naturalisation. But what happens if you’re approval letter comes in the post while you are abroad? Does your current BRP become invalidated?
Do you have to return the BRP after receiving the approval letter or after doing your ceremony?

Thanks! (And again apologies for any unnecessary repetition of previously discussed topics.)

You can travel. And you're only British after you attend the ceremony, until then you do need to use your BRP.

BUT keep 2 things in mind:
1. If Home Office will want something else from you like additional evidence, they will send you a letter and give you very little time to respond (I believe 1 week or so).
2. I might be wrong on this but I saw people mentioning that you need to book your ceremony within 21 dqys after the invitation? You have to attend it within 90 days but based on the forum it seems you have even less time to arrange a booking if approved.

Buuut.... you can travel!

[kmlenna]

Received a letter from my case worker yesterday requesting for a new English language qualification, my concern is I don’t have my passport with me to book a new test. I submit my passport together with my other supporting documents when I applied. I did requested yesterday to return my passport as soon as possible in order I can book a test because my case worker gave me until 05/02/2019 to submit a new English language qualification. But the return of documents might take 10 working days and in that case i’m running out of time...what shoul I do?

[Vesh123]

Hi, could someone please help me with the below question URGENTLY, I've ticked the below question as 'Yes' but I got confusion that dependent means wife or child as I don't have child as yet??

Do you have any dependants not applying with you at this time?


Thanks
Vesh

[alsanober]

Hi, could someone please help me with the below question URGENTLY, I've ticked the below question as 'Yes' but I got confusion that dependent means wife or child as I don't have child as yet??

Do you have any dependants not applying with you at this time?


Thanks
Vesh

if you wife has ILR /BC, then she is not your dependent.

[Vesh123]

Hi, could someone please help me with the below question URGENTLY, I've ticked the below question as 'Yes' but I got confusion that dependent means wife or child as I don't have child as yet??

Do you have any dependants not applying with you at this time?


Thanks
Vesh

if you wife has ILR /BC, then she is not your dependent.

Thanks for your reply. She hasn’t got ILR yet. She is on FLR(M). So she tis still my dependent or spouse ?

Thanks
Vesh