Online apps taking preference?

[Moosh41]

Hi,

is it just me or are online apps taking preference over paper apps?
I noticed that people who applied online seem to be getting processed allot faster than people who applied through the NCS, I applied on the 10th of April and to date haven't even received an acknowledgement or any monies taken etc.

I noticed on here where people add timelines for docs processed that people who applied online seems to be getting their apps processed allot faster?

Please tell me if I am wrong?

I am applying for Naturlisation

[englishrose198]

Well, that may be true. But for those who applied on or after Feb 2018 via NCS also, the processing times looks like avg 5 weeks from what I read and experiencing myself too.

Please have a look at the timelines thread and make a decision accordingly that suits your priorities. Good luck!

[AdInfernos]

That seems to be the case. I applied last year on paper and it took 49 days for the decision (and it was one of the fastest at the time). My daughter got her approval in 20 days when applied online in January, and my wife has just received her approval 30 days after submitting the online application.

I can't see why people still apply on paper when the online process is easier and faster.

[Moosh41]

I would have done mine online but already had the NCS appointment booked.
I feel it is a bit wrong to treat people with preference since we are all paying the same amount for the application whether it being online or paper?

[danseb]

I wish, I applied online on the 5th of March, had the NCS appointment and biometrics done the very next day and yet the Home Office took a whole month to barely send me an acknowledgement email, and I'm still waiting on a response. So online or not, you're not the only one waiting, hang on in there.

[Hstepper07]

I don't think online applications are any faster than paper application. If you look at the March timeline, you will see that some paper applicants have gotten their applications approved before the online applicants. Once the biometrics are done, they seem to get their applications approved faster as opposed to online applicants who submitted their biometrics from the onset.

Another thing to consider is the fact that some cases are more straightforward than some other cases which can speed up or delay the process. i.e how quickly they can verify documents that have been submitted and also the competence and efficiency of case workers assigned to the applications. Pray you do not get a caseworker who calls in sick or takes an annual leave while processing your case or a lazy caseworker who is simply not productive.
I think that the advantage of online application so far is that you have more control over managing your side of the naturalization process faster. i.e payment and biometrics.
How the HO process these applications from there end is a different kettle of fish. No one can say for sure.

[TheRock9]

Hi,

I believe online is bit faster in a sense that we are doing some of HO stuff, like we are filling the form online and that is going straight into there system, unlike paper form where might be case worker has to enter himself/herself.

Plus as mentioned by other members, the one can save time on Bio-metric enrolment by going on the same day.

Rest it all depends on the individual case as well as the case worker.

Thanks