Citizenship application process timeline

[u_n]

Hi,

We have made a family application for the Citizenship and this includes my minor child.

At NCS we are told that the child will attain its UK Citizenship as soon as the letter inviting parents for the oath ceremony has been received (which we were unaware of).

Meanwhile, we have plans to visit relatives at the home country in August and will be back in September. We had planned to take the oath after returning from the trip (travelling on our earlier nationality). But now that my child will be UK Citizen, our trip plans have to be re-visited.

Should I write to UKBA requesting to defer the processing of our application forms until September? We are happy to postpone our trip (but that would be the last option).

Kindly advice. Thanks in advance.

[legalalien]

Does the child carry your native citizenship - if so, would it be possible for the child to travel with their native citizenship too. When you are back you can do your oath, before giving up your old nationality (and your childs old nationality). I am assuming your native country do not allow dual nationality?

I cant see how your home country immigration officer will be aware that your child has automatic right to citizenship if they are carrying their old passport.

Also you never know, UKBA may process your application by July, and if lucky you may be able to get your oath and passport before you travel home (if your expenses allow)

[u_n]

Hi,
Many thanks for your reply. It is much appreciated.

I am exploring the possibility to request UKBA for postponing the processing of the family application itself. Would this be possible? In that case, we would have returned from the trip using Indian passport.

[Plum70]

Isn't there also a grace period for children of up to 3 months within which they must renounce their Indian citizenship on acquiring another?

[u_n]

Thanks for the reply.
Surrendering Indian passport is not a problem.

My concern is with the British national child travelling on Indian passport will attract penalties. Surrendering Indian passport, applying for British passport, applying for OCI is time consuming and it will not be sooner than our planned trip.

Has anyone had experience of requesting UKBA to postpone their Citizenship application process for a couple of months?

[u_n]

Got a confirmation from VFS, London that the child can travel with Indian passport within 3 months grace period from the date of receiving the naturalisation certificate (as Plum70 had suggested).

Many thanks folks:)

[legalalien]

excellent news...enjoy your holiday

[ban.s]

Isn't there also a grace period for children of up to 3 months within which they must renounce their Indian citizenship on acquiring another?

an indian citizen including minor automatically loses indian citizenship at the moment a foreign citizenship is acquired.
the grace period is for formal renunciation and allows to travel with an indian passport and applicable to everyone including adult.

[ban.s]

Got a confirmation from VFS, London that the child can travel with Indian passport within 3 months grace period from the date of receiving the naturalisation certificate (as Plum70 had suggested).

Many thanks folks:)

I presume your child has got a valid UK leave to remain on the indian passport?

[u_n]

Yes, she has ILR on Indian passport.

Thanks:)

[u_n]

Thanks legalalien, Plum 70 and to all those who gave me valuable suggestions.
Much appreciated.