General Discussion During Naturalisation Application Process

[gtht]

Processing times seem to be flying. NicNicNic had only 30 days between submitting biometrics and approval!

I wonder if they hired new staff.

[MrsT]

I've noticed. They might have hired additional staff due to higher volumes of applications, or maybe they're just working quicker to get more applications approved or refused before Christmas? Does anyone know (maybe someone who has been on the forum for a few years) whether processing times decrease before Christmas? Just guessing here..

[alterhase58]

I've noticed. They might have hired additional staff due to higher volumes of applications, or maybe they're just working quicker to get more applications approved or refused before Christmas? Does anyone know (maybe someone who has been on the forum for a few years) whether processing times decrease before Christmas? Just guessing here..

Purely speculation .... perhaps the quality of applications and documentation has improved, or maybe / probably there was a big spike pre-referendum .... perhaps the second half of the year is slow anyway .... many of those who wish to apply are still stuck in the EEA PR process .....

[malik15]

Good to see it's getting faster for new applicants. I'm waiting for almost 16 months for a decision:(

[MMM-MMM]

Been waiting since 2nd October 2015 - nearly 14 months on a straightforward case - no idea what's going on!! Every time i phone , normal answer checks not completed!!

[malik15]

Been waiting since 2nd October 2015 - nearly 14 months on a straightforward case - no idea what's going on!! Every time i phone , normal answer checks not completed!!

There were a few waiting since April but they are not active on this forum anymore. Not sure if they have received the decision or not. The longest I've seen in this forum is 16 months wait. What number do you call to check the status?

Can anyone waiting more than that please provide an update? It's really hard to get sufficient if ion this topic as most people don't update when they receive the decision.

[Melak]

Been waiting since 2nd October 2015 - nearly 14 months on a straightforward case - no idea what's going on!! Every time i phone , normal answer checks not completed!!

MMM-MMM what's your application criteria? Did you have any delay for ILR application? More than one year is too long for no explanation. If you are refugee you may have argument under the 1951 convention to get quick approval I think. Have you had any immigration problems before?

[MMM-MMM]

Been waiting since 2nd October 2015 - nearly 14 months on a straightforward case - no idea what's going on!! Every time i phone , normal answer checks not completed!!

There were a few waiting since April but they are not active on this forum anymore. Not sure if they have received the decision or not. The longest I've seen in this forum is 16 months wait. What number do you call to check the status?

Can anyone waiting more than that please provide an update? It's really hard to get sufficient if ion this topic as most people don't update when they receive the decision.

I usually call this number 0300 123 2253 - I really don't understand how can they make decisions within 2 months and for us it is over a year!! Not fair at all. Please keep me up to date. Thanks

[MMM-MMM]

Been waiting since 2nd October 2015 - nearly 14 months on a straightforward case - no idea what's going on!! Every time i phone , normal answer checks not completed!!

MMM-MMM what's your application criteria? Did you have any delay for ILR application? More than one year is too long for no explanation. If you are refugee you may have argument under the 1951 convention to get quick approval I think. Have you had any immigration problems before?

No I didn't my Indefinite Leave Application sailed through with only the paperwork being read and no interview required , got it at premium service with in 3 hours.

[yuliya_london]

I have been waiting since May 2016, i was on Tier 1 (General), never a parking ticket in my life (not only in this country). I do not understand what can be causing the delay, and I think it is completely unfair that they would be reviewing other cases before closing off the cases that are just collecting dust somewhere. I have called the general number and also wrote e-mails, but everywhere I get the same answer - we are conducting checks. I don't know what to do.

[gtht]

Pure speculation, but this could be similar to the bad luck my wife had with her name when we visited the USA. By Spanish tradition she has four names and a couple of them are pretty common. For a year and a half we were always kept by immigration when we visited for an extra 2 hours while they called Washington, DC with her details just because there was a fugitive somewhere who had a name that was kind of like hers. Each time the staff was super friendly and acknowledged that she was obviously not the person, but procedure demanded the process. Eventually, after visiting enough times her file must have been noted that she was not the person and she was never stopped ever again.

So maybe its just the bad luck of having a name only slightly similar to somebody else who would be a problem that none of us know about.

[yuliya_london]

Pure speculation, but this could be similar to the bad luck my wife had with her name when we visited the USA. By Spanish tradition she has four names and a couple of them are pretty common. For a year and a half we were always kept by immigration when we visited for an extra 2 hours while they called Washington, DC with her details just because there was a fugitive somewhere who had a name that was kind of like hers. Each time the staff was super friendly and acknowledged that she was obviously not the person, but procedure demanded the process. Eventually, after visiting enough times her file must have been noted that she was not the person and she was never stopped ever again.

So maybe its just the bad luck of having a name only slightly similar to somebody else who would be a problem that none of us know about.

Thank you for trying to cheer up, but my name is not common at all. I have travelled extensively, and was never stopped at any immigration point. I am a US citizen. Obviously, in my line of work I had my background checked numerous times and never ever have been flagged, noted or anything.

[CR001]

Thank you for trying to cheer up, but my name is not common at all. I have travelled extensively, and was never stopped at any immigration point. I am a US citizen. Obviously, in my line of work I had my background checked numerous times and never ever have been flagged, noted or anything.

Please kindly refrain from stating your occupation in any posts you make, it is not necessary and could be seen as 'self promoting'.

[peckhampelican]

I've noticed. They might have hired additional staff due to higher volumes of applications, or maybe they're just working quicker to get more applications approved or refused before Christmas? Does anyone know (maybe someone who has been on the forum for a few years) whether processing times decrease before Christmas? Just guessing here..

Purely speculation .... perhaps the quality of applications and documentation has improved, or maybe / probably there was a big spike pre-referendum .... perhaps the second half of the year is slow anyway .... many of those who wish to apply are still stuck in the EEA PR process .....

Examining the timelines in the other thread, I see a lot of EEA applicants taking approx. 30 days between biometrics and approval.

I wonder if there is an expedited process of approval for EEA people which does not apply to us non-EEA. I think that is unlikely as the same rules apply. What do people think?

[CR001]

Examining the timelines in the other thread, I see a lot of EEA applicants taking approx. 30 days between biometrics and approval.

I wonder if there is an expedited process of approval for EEA people which does not apply to us non-EEA. I think that is unlikely as the same rules apply. What do people think?

No, everyone is treated equally. There are EU citizens who wait long too.

[Melak]

I have noticed too that EU nationals seem to have a shorter waiting time. Hope we all have a fair chance at quick reply

[LaLeLu85]

I have noticed too that EU nationals seem to have a shorter waiting time. Hope we all have a fair chance at quick reply

I'll know soon how long my citizenship application takes but I've just waited for 5.5 months to get my permanent residency card (just proof that I've been in the UK exercising my EU treaty rights for 6+ years) which is a pre-requisite for the citizenship application. No fast track available. So not necessarily all nice and quick for EU national either...

[MrsGreenside]

I very much doubt that EEA migrants have a special status when it comes to citizenship applications. I assume that some checks may be more straight forward and there will be less paperwork over all for EEA migrants. EEA migrants do not need visas and other documents that a non-EU migrant does. Hence less paperwork, hence less time?

[Indianlonly]

I think eu process take longer specially who who apply within Ncs . I all the time read this topic and I noticed that eu take longer Nd they refuse the applications from stupid point or background . I applied ages ago Nd waiting Nd I think it's Gona take long time I'm non eu used eu rout Nd I'm sure I will wait over 6 months
Mrsgreen I always follow ur post Bcos we nearly same time applied so once I see ur comment so expect u put in October
I believe they will realise October applications this week
But I guess only tir1 Nd 10 years rout but eu maybe in January or Feb

[MrsGreenside]

I am confused, are you sure you meant EU and not Non-EU?
With regards to the October applications I cannot see a trend just yet. I am still seeing more September applications getting replies. I would love to receive a confirmation letter soon but I am not holding my breath I will let the forum know

[MMM-MMM]

The wait is getting longer and longer - been waiting since 2nd October 2015! ( over 14 months now, on a straightforward case)- I don't understand, how come some people gets BC within 2 month and others can take that long - every time i call them , the checks is not completed yet!!

Anyone been waiting / waited that long , please add some info as it may be helpful for us.

[noajthan]

The wait is getting longer and longer - been waiting since 2nd October 2015! ( over 14 months now, on a straightforward case)- I don't understand, how come some people gets BC within 2 month and others can take that long - every time i call them , the checks is not completed yet!!

Anyone been waiting / waited that long , please add some info as it may be helpful for us.

Timeline updates go in timeline thread. However frustrating it must be what else could anyone add apart from "no news".

[malik15]

The wait is getting longer and longer - been waiting since 2nd October 2015! ( over 14 months now, on a straightforward case)- I don't understand, how come some people gets BC within 2 month and others can take that long - every time i call them , the checks is not completed yet!!

Anyone been waiting / waited that long , please add some info as it may be helpful for us.

I'm waiting since August 2015. Anyone waiting for longer than me?

[CR001]

The wait is getting longer and longer - been waiting since 2nd October 2015! ( over 14 months now, on a straightforward case)- I don't understand, how come some people gets BC within 2 month and others can take that long - every time i call them , the checks is not completed yet!!

Anyone been waiting / waited that long , please add some info as it may be helpful for us.

I'm waiting since August 2015. Anyone waiting for longer than me?

As far as I am aware, we still have 1 or 2 members waiting since mid 2014.

[MrsGreenside]

It makes you wonder what is taking so long. Unless you lived under a rock for the majority of the qualifying period surely there should be enough evidence to finish background checks within two years and more. I am keeping my fingers crossed for everyone on this forum that this rather stressful period of waiting is short and successful in the end. Stay positive!