Recent Experiences on Naturalisation Process/Applications?

[skiptonlad]

I understand that it is very difficult to get appointments at the NCS centres.
Has anyone submitted applications in the last 6 weeks and if so, any success stories? What do you think is the turnaround time now for a straightforward application, please?

[John]

Good post ... pointing out that NCS centres could get very busy this month.

If you really can't get an appointment and want to avoid the new Citizenship Test, it is of course always possible to post the application to Liverpool. However do note that the new requirement applies to all applications received by IND on or after 01.11.05. So absolutely essential to post so that it arrives no later than Monday 31st October.

In fact, treat as absolute deadline, post by Special Delivery no later than Friday 28th October, unless you are going to use an NCS service.

From this, given that NCS offices post applications to Liverpool, the last possible NCS appointment date to avoid the new test is on Friday 28th October.

[Khurram]

Has anyone submitted applications in the last 6 weeks and if so, any success stories?

NCS Centre used : Wandsworth (by appointment)
Date Applied : Aug 20, '05

Application Fee debited from account : Aug 24, '05

Letter from HO acknowledging receipt of application : Aug 26, '05

Application approval letter from HO : Sep 9, '05

Regards

[Joseph]

Went to Haringey walk in NSC on 12 September. Note that walk-in service is no longer available there.

On 16 September, I received acknowledgment letter saying application and fees were received on 13 September.

I'm still waiting for the next step.

Joseph

[John]

Joseph, I think we need to accept that IND in Liverpool are probably receiving well above average numbers of applications at the moment. And it will only get worse as we can closer to the end of October.

So I think absolutely no cause for worry or concern about the fact that it has already been over two weeks. But hopefully you will not need to wait much longer.

[olisun]

got my passport today.. next step to apply for the IOC card

[skiptonlad]

Joseph,
It would be great if you can update us of the progress once you get it..All the best to you.
Folks, any more updates / success stories?
SL

[Joseph]

skiptonlad, John and others,

Speak of the devil! I got my approval letter today!

All in all it took 20 days or about 14 working days. It may have delayed bacause of the pre-November rush, or because it was a family application with children. In any case 3 weeks is very fast and I'm not complaining.

Joseph

[yorkking]

Joseph,
Hearty congrats! Well done!
I am a real fan of this NCS. I think it is a great idea and works well for straightforward applications.
I have submitted my application today using NCS and shall start waiting now with fingers crossed!!!!!!!!
YK

[yorkking]

a friend was asking me yesterday
he has made more than 70 trips out of uk on business so far
he said that uk immigration stamps on the passport only on return, not on exit
he wanted to know how the absences declared are cross-cheked and verified??????
any thoughts?????????????
he has posted his appln in august end and still awaiting response
yj

[John]

They might have a number of ways to check, assuming they feel the need. For example, OK no exit stamp on leaving the UK, but an entry stamp in the country he is flying to? Also they quite possibly can obtain information from airlines if necessary.

Assuming your friend has completed the form honestly then he should have nothing to worry about. Also assuming of course that his total number of days outside the UK is not excessive.

He posted the application .... August is just two months ago and the IND website is still reporting that the average time to process naturalisation applications is over four months.

[yorkking]

hi,
thanks for the reply.
ya, all his visits are business related and his absence is well within the prescribed limits.
but , my point is, lookslike postal applns. take longer than NCS applications?
what do u think?

[John]

my point is, lookslike postal applns. take longer than NCS applications?

Well let's put it this way, IND have never hidden that applications submitted via NCS are given priority. So clearly applications submitted via the postal route are not given the same priority.

[yorkking]

Whilst this case shows that postal appln. gets delayed, I thought I have read in a few sites that NCS 'is not a priority service'. I am not too sure that NCS appln. go thru a priority route....

[John]

Having quickly checked I agree that IND do not use the word "priority" when talking about NCS. However they do say :-

Applications containing all necessary details can be dealt with more quickly than those that are incomplete and those using the service will be able to keep their passports rather than sending them to the Home Office.

In other words, the pre-vetting done at NCS offices ensures that only applications supported by all the right documents arrive at Liverpool where applications are processed, and thus such applications .... can be dealt with more quickly.

Indeed the evidence is abundantly clear from lots of postings on this Board .... applications submitted via NCS are dealt with much quicker than those sent using the postal route.

[yorkking]

I agree with you completely.
thanks