Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

[Cost Manager]

Is anyone attended the ceremony without letter in Westmister?

[naruto]

Applied; 28/07/2020
Bio; 26/08/2020
Approval date; 23/10/2020
invitation letter ceremony; waiting (Barnet Council)

[Parisiana]

Received an email from Westminster Registrar office in response to the queries I sent last week. They said that they are evaluating options to resume ceremonies including potentially moving to virtual ceremonies etc. They said they haven't received my certificate yet (I was approved on August 21st) but that they expect to receive it imminently given how the backlog is being cleared. They asked me to wait for the HO invitation letter (that confirms that they received my certificate) before booking a ceremony.

[Cost Manager]

Received an email from Westminster Registrar office in response to the queries I sent last week. They said that they are evaluating options to resume ceremonies including potentially moving to virtual ceremonies etc. They said they haven't received my certificate yet (I was approved on August 21st) but that they expect to receive it imminently given how the backlog is being cleared. They asked me to wait for the HO invitation letter (that confirms that they received my certificate) before booking a ceremony.

Did they mention what was the last batch they have received?

[Parisiana]

Received an email from Westminster Registrar office in response to the queries I sent last week. They said that they are evaluating options to resume ceremonies including potentially moving to virtual ceremonies etc. They said they haven't received my certificate yet (I was approved on August 21st) but that they expect to receive it imminently given how the backlog is being cleared. They asked me to wait for the HO invitation letter (that confirms that they received my certificate) before booking a ceremony.

Did they mention what was the last batch they have received?

No they didn't. I pasted exactly what they wrote. I think that the HO is making progress it is now up to them to resume ceremonies and clear the backlog.

[askmeplz82]

I am confused. Who sends the invitation letter? Home Office or the Council?

Why are some people receiving letter from Council and some people from the Home office?

[Cocobana]

Just a quick update on the petition. I received the reply below. Apparently there is another petition similar to one created and that why the petition has been rejected.
I encourage everyone in this forum and other forum to sign it.

Sorry, we can’t accept your petition – “Digitise citizenship ceremony and certificate.”.

There’s already a petition about this issue. We cannot accept a new petition when we already have one about a very similar issue.

You are more likely to get action on this issue if you sign and share a single petition.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/552181

Click this link to see your rejected petition:
View your rejected petition

We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards:
https://petition.parliament.uk/help#standards

If you want to try again, click here to start a petition:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/check

Thanks,
The Petitions team
UK Government and Parliament

[IrobotZ]

Finally sworn in my local council earlier today. Time to apply for British Passport.

Good luck to those who still waiting, Best wishes.

[bmirac]

24th August approval here.
I rang the HO on 0300 123 2253 at 9am on the dot this morning and got told has to wait 12 weeks. Well, I’m on the week 12th.. huh

I then just spoke to the Covid Helpline 0800 678 1767 at 2:30pm and the guy told me the guideline from the HO is whoever got approved before the 06th August should be receiving their invitation letter any time soon.
But for those got approved after will not receive the invitation letter until after lockdown ended in December , so the HO can clear the backlog.

I then asked if the HO is still operating during this lockdown and the guy says Yes, but they’re clearing the backlog at the moment.

Guess I’ll just have to keep waiting *sigh*

[arselers]

My certificate arrived last week - Hounslow council confirmed to my enquiry.

Approval date Sep 8..

So stupid they’re not booking my ceremony until I receive the invitation letter.. I’m moving my home next week and no idea whom I should contact to update the address..

[toraqa]

Hi,
Here is my timeline:

Applied on 13/07/20
Approved on 04/09/20
Invitation letter 05/11/20 dated 27/10/20
Group ceremony booked on 16/11/20

Can't wait to get this over with and apply for my passport.

Best of luck for those still waiting.

[raij]

24th August approval here.
I rang the HO on 0300 123 2253 at 9am on the dot this morning and got told has to wait 12 weeks. Well, I’m on the week 12th.. huh

I then just spoke to the Covid Helpline 0800 678 1767 at 2:30pm and the guy told me the guideline from the HO is whoever got approved before the 06th August should be receiving their invitation letter any time soon.
But for those got approved after will not receive the invitation letter until after lockdown ended in December , so the HO can clear the backlog.

I then asked if the HO is still operating during this lockdown and the guy says Yes, but they’re clearing the backlog at the moment.

Guess I’ll just have to keep waiting *sigh*

hope you get it soon - i am on a week 23 of waiting now ..

[Szrsrts]

Hi,
Here is my timeline:

Applied on 13/07/20
Approved on 04/09/20
Invitation letter 05/11/20 dated 27/10/20
Group ceremony booked on 16/11/20

Can't wait to get this over with and apply for my passport.

Best of luck for those still waiting.

Hi what council is it? If I may ask. Thanks

[toraqa]

Hi,
Here is my timeline:

Applied on 13/07/20
Approved on 04/09/20
Invitation letter 05/11/20 dated 27/10/20
Group ceremony booked on 16/11/20

Can't wait to get this over with and apply for my passport.

Best of luck for those still waiting.

Hi what council is it? If I may ask. Thanks

Lewisham, the administration officer is very helpful, they have private ceremonies as early as tomorrow.

[CheshireKnight]

24th August approval here.
I rang the HO on 0300 123 2253 at 9am on the dot this morning and got told has to wait 12 weeks. Well, I’m on the week 12th.. huh

I then just spoke to the Covid Helpline 0800 678 1767 at 2:30pm and the guy told me the guideline from the HO is whoever got approved before the 06th August should be receiving their invitation letter any time soon.
But for those got approved after will not receive the invitation letter until after lockdown ended in December , so the HO can clear the backlog.

I then asked if the HO is still operating during this lockdown and the guy says Yes, but they’re clearing the backlog at the moment.

Guess I’ll just have to keep waiting *sigh*

hope you get it soon - i am on a week 23 of waiting now

I’ve just seen one of members posts that he called the HO and been told that all they’re dispatching all the August approvals invitation letters now. Besides I’ve seen many September approvals had received theirs and booked their ceremonies. Therefore not sure if that guy is aware of what’s going on.

[dhoraji]

Preston ( Lancashire County Council)

Hello Everyone

Can someone have any updates from Preston ( Lancashire County Council)

As I was approved in Mid August by email confirmation

[dogcat]

Preston ( Lancashire County Council)

Hello Everyone

Can someone have any updates from Preston ( Lancashire County Council)

As I was approved in Mid August by email confirmation

Hi, I am from the same county and August approval as well.
When contacted reg office was told to wait ''at least one more month as they're now dealing with July approvals' and that I ''hopefully could have the ceremony THIS YEAR ''.

[dhoraji]

Thanks for the updates but their website says that, they have cancelled all the ceremonies due to recent lockdown

[dogcat]

Thanks for the updates but their website says that, they have cancelled all the ceremonies due to recent lockdown

Indeed. I was told that they are 'considering' virtual ceremonies.

[bmirac]

24th August approval here.
I rang the HO on 0300 123 2253 at 9am on the dot this morning and got told has to wait 12 weeks. Well, I’m on the week 12th.. huh

I then just spoke to the Covid Helpline 0800 678 1767 at 2:30pm and the guy told me the guideline from the HO is whoever got approved before the 06th August should be receiving their invitation letter any time soon.
But for those got approved after will not receive the invitation letter until after lockdown ended in December , so the HO can clear the backlog.

I then asked if the HO is still operating during this lockdown and the guy says Yes, but they’re clearing the backlog at the moment.

Guess I’ll just have to keep waiting *sigh*

hope you get it soon - i am on a week 23 of waiting now ..

Bless you .. hope you’ll get yours very soon too. *fingers crossed*

[macka284]

Hi all, just throwing my timeline into the mix for reference as well.

Applied: 01/05/2020
Biometrics (via app): 28/09/2020
Approved: 01/10/2020
Ceremony invitation letter: going to be a while, I imagine

Good luck to everyone and stay well!

[bmirac]

24th August approval here.
I rang the HO on 0300 123 2253 at 9am on the dot this morning and got told has to wait 12 weeks. Well, I’m on the week 12th.. huh

I then just spoke to the Covid Helpline 0800 678 1767 at 2:30pm and the guy told me the guideline from the HO is whoever got approved before the 06th August should be receiving their invitation letter any time soon.
But for those got approved after will not receive the invitation letter until after lockdown ended in December , so the HO can clear the backlog.

I then asked if the HO is still operating during this lockdown and the guy says Yes, but they’re clearing the backlog at the moment.

Guess I’ll just have to keep waiting *sigh*

hope you get it soon - i am on a week 23 of waiting now

I’ve just seen one of members posts that he called the HO and been told that all they’re dispatching all the August approvals invitation letters now. Besides I’ve seen many September approvals had received theirs and booked their ceremonies. Therefore not sure if that guy is aware of what’s going on.

I know. I’ve seen that today too that’s why I’ve decided to ring to find out myself.. but got told the different story.. *very confusing*
I do hope HO keep sending out the letters.. *fingers crossed*

[dhoraji]

Thanks for the updates but their website says that, they have cancelled all the ceremonies due to recent lockdown

[dhoraji]

Thanks for the updates but their website says that, they have cancelled all the ceremonies due to recent lockdown

Indeed. I was told that they are 'considering' virtual ceremonies.

that will be great

[amazingneo]

REDBRIDGE Council:

Approved: 1-Sep-2020
Invitation Letter Received: 5-Nov-2020 (date of letter: 27-Oct-2020)
Ceremony Booked for: 10-Nov-2020 (just received a call from them)

Good luck to me and all.

PS - Redbridge has plenty of slots available now for virtual ceremonies, and they are also conducting group ceremony (there was a slot available later this week but I have chosen virtual as it is tomorrow. Kind of lost all the enthu to go there and say the oath in person )