TIMELINE AFTER NATURALISATION APPLICATION SUBMISSION

[sweetluar]

NCS or Postal: NCS
CRITERIA - 5 + years + 1 year PR
Date of submission: 1st October 2010
Date reached 4th October
Date of Debit Card deduction: 7th October
Date of receipt of acknowledgment letter:8th October
UKBA asked for further docs 1: Received letter on 25th October
Sent further docs 1: 25th October
UKBA asked for further docs 2 (different docs): Received letter on 4th November
Sent further docs 2: 4th November
Date UKBA made decision: 8th November
Date of receipt of approval: 11th November
Date of receipt of Ceremony Invitation letter: Awaiting
Date of ceremony - Awaiting
Date of Passport application - Awaiting
Date of Interview letter receipt - Awaiting
Date of receipt of supporting documents - Awaiting
Date of Passport interview - Awaiting
Date of receipt of passport - Awaiting

I haven't applied for my son (child), he is French national and wasn't born in the UK. Can I apply for him using MN1?

Do I have to wait for the invitation letter to book my ceremony?

[ICEBREAKER]

Is there anyone who was waiting his/her naturalisation application more than 6 weeks?

Did u use NCS or normal postal service?

I have used NCS in camden

[Smallfamily]

Is there anyone who was waiting his/her naturalisation application more than 6 weeks?

Did u use NCS or normal postal service?

I have used NCS in camden

I have seen many timelines who sent their applications and received them back already. Have u tried to rang HO to find out why ther are taking that long. Pls update me coz I sent the application nearly 3 weeks ago. Cheers

[Tangozebra]

Is there anyone who was waiting his/her naturalisation application more than 6 weeks?

Did u use NCS or normal postal service?

I have used NCS in camden

I have seen many timelines who sent their applications and received them back already. Have u tried to rang HO to find out why ther are taking that long. Pls update me coz I sent the application nearly 3 weeks ago. Cheers

3 weeks is nothing my friend. 17th of Nov. will be the 2nd month since I sent my application. I have called numerous times trying to find out why they are taking so long, but all I get is the standard talking points "Application can take up to 6 months", so just relax and enjoy the ride for one last time.

If you want you can write them as according to the caseworker manual, they have to at least acknowledge your letter in a way, they may even decide that it will be a waste of time to engage you in correspondence and just process your application anyway.

[ICEBREAKER]

Did u use NCS or normal postal service?

I have used NCS in camden

I have seen many timelines who sent their applications and received them back already. Have u tried to rang HO to find out why ther are taking that long. Pls update me coz I sent the application nearly 3 weeks ago. Cheers

3 weeks is nothing my friend. 17th of Nov. will be the 2nd month since I sent my application. I have called numerous times trying to find out why they are taking so long, but all I get is the standard talking points "Application can take up to 6 months", so just relax and enjoy the ride for one last time.

If you want you can write them as according to the caseworker manual, they have to at least acknowledge your letter in a way, they may even decide that it will be a waste of time to engage you in correspondence and just process your application anyway.

i called ukba on tuesday and i asked the gentleman who have responded my call, the progress of my application and what made my application more than 6 weeks. His answer was to wait for the decision. He also informed me my application is still underconsideration. I don't know what else to do ,am going to wait and see Hopefuly i will get an approval soon

[mashroom1]

Is it required to apply for a british passport after receiving the certificate? Is there any duration/timeperiod in which a british passport has to be applied after attending ceremony & receiving the certificate?

Also, I know that we need to contact council within 14 Days after receiving the approval/initation letter form HO but how far this date can be... ?

I am in middle of things and most likely miss to apply for passport as I have to fly soon after attending the ceremony....I am told by a council personnel that british Govt expects you to fly on british passport once you are naturalised....is it correct?

[balded]

mashroom1, you can apply for a British passport whenever you wish to do so. There is
no time limit on that.
However, once you attend the ceremony and acquire a British citizenship, you should
use a British passport to leave and enter the UK.
A simple solution is to arrange your citizenship ceremony after your return to the UK ?
(as long as it is within the allowed 90 days)

[Faithful]

Hi, can anyone pls tell me the soonest time I can apply for Naturalisation?
ILR given 15 Sept 2010.
3.8yrs in total before ILR was given. Thanks a lot.

[Generalisimus]

Hi, can anyone pls tell me the soonest time I can apply for Naturalisation?
ILR given 15 Sept 2010.
3.8yrs in total before ILR was given. Thanks a lot.

Visit these sites for answer to your question:

Standard requirements: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/briti ... uirements/

If married to a British citizen: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/briti ... ofcitizen/

[md_qureshi]

Application Type: HSMP 4years+ ILR (JUdicial Review)

Type: NCS Cottingham
Date applied: 12/10/2010 (posted by NCS 13/10/2010)
Date Received at HO: 14/10/2010
Acknowl Letter: 21/10/2010 (dated 15/10/2010)
Date Direct Debit: 19/10/2010
Approval Letter: 12/11/2010 (dated 03/11/2010)
Ceremoney Invitation: Received 12/11/2010 (dated 10/11/2010)
Ceremoney Date: 30/11/2010

[Faithful]

Hi Generalisimus.
No I didn't get it through marriage. I got it by discretion. So that's why I don't know how long specifically I need to possess it for and as I've been residing just under 4yrs.
Thanks.

[Generalisimus]

Hi Generalisimus.
No I didn't get it through marriage. I got it by discretion. So that's why I don't know how long specifically I need to possess it for and as I've been residing just under 4yrs.
Thanks.

ok, in that case the standard requirements apply, my friend (at least 1 year of ILR and at least of 5 years of residence in total).

[sami99]

My wife time line final:

Postal or NCS: NCS
Criteria: 3 years spouse
Date Submitted: 20 Sept 2010
HO received: 21 Sept 2010
Payment Processed: 23 Sept 2010
Payment Method: Debit Card
Acknowledgement Letter Received: 29 Sept 2010
Decision Made: 04 october 2010 (was told over the phone by an operator)
Approval Letter Received: 14 october 2010 [Dated 04 october 2010 ]
Ceremony Date: 01 november 2010 (public ceremony, booked over the phone as council has no private ceremony available now)
Passport Application: 02 november 2010
Interview booked over the phone: 04 november 2010
Passport Interview:05 november 2010
Documents Recevied: 06 november 2010
Interview letter received:08 november 2010
Passport received:09 november 2010

[johnty]

CRITERIA - :EEA Spouse- automatic PR (5+1)
NCS or Postal: POSTAL
Date of submission or posting: 11/11/2010
HO received: 12/11/2010
Date of debit of debit/credit card: 17/11/2010
Date of receipt of acknowledgement
Date of receipt of approval
Date of Ceremony
Date of appln. for passport
Method used
Date of Receipt

[mashroom1]

Balded/Others,

Thanks for thep reply. Is it compulsary to do so?...i.e. to travel on british passport once is ceremony attended?

What if I am travelling with my passport having ILR?

I mean there is a difference between 'should' & must....

mashroom1, you can apply for a British passport whenever you wish to do so. There is
no time limit on that.
However, once you attend the ceremony and acquire a British citizenship, you should
use a British passport to leave and enter the UK.
A simple solution is to arrange your citizenship ceremony after your return to the UK ?
(as long as it is within the allowed 90 days)

[blue.olive]

My wife time line final:

Postal or NCS: NCS
Criteria: 3 years spouse
Date Submitted: 20 Sept 2010
HO received: 21 Sept 2010
Payment Processed: 23 Sept 2010
Payment Method: Debit Card
Acknowledgement Letter Received: 29 Sept 2010
Decision Made: 04 october 2010 (was told over the phone by an operator)
Approval Letter Received: 14 october 2010 [Dated 04 october 2010 ]
Ceremony Date: 01 november 2010 (public ceremony, booked over the phone as council has no private ceremony available now)
Passport Application: 02 november 2010
Interview booked over the phone: 04 november 2010
Passport Interview:05 november 2010
Documents Recevied: 06 november 2010
Interview letter received:08 november 2010
Passport received:09 november 2010

I found the chronology of passport very interesting. Thank you for sharing
Cong.

[sweetluar]

Has anyone attend/ booked the ceremony without the invitation letter?

Can I call the council directly or shall I wait for the letter?

Thank you in advance.

[Generalisimus]

Balded/Others,

Thanks for thep reply. Is it compulsary to do so?...i.e. to travel on british passport once is ceremony attended?

What if I am travelling with my passport having ILR?

I mean there is a difference between 'should' & must....

Legally speaking, no, you can't use your ILR to enter the UK after you have become a British citizen. First, you can enter the UK on only a residence permit that is currently valid. Second, your ILR got replaced by the right of abode (via naturalisation), just like the ILR may have replaced an unexpired limited leave to remain. Therefore, legally speaking, you can only re-enter the UK by demonstrating that you have the right of abode.

Practically speaking, you might be able to use your ILR to re-enter the UK even though you have been naturalised. For instance, a friend of mine was re-entering the UK on a foreign passport plus ILR for months after their citizenship ceremony and had no problems whatsoever. Eventually, they did get the UK passport and the fact that they had travelled on a foreing passport plus ILR after naturalisation was not an issue when applying for the UK passport.

[HaseebKhan]

Has anyone attend/ booked the ceremony without the invitation letter?

Can I call the council directly or shall I wait for the letter?

Thank you in advance.

I did but depend on your council ... how helpful they are

[HaseebKhan]

NCS or Postal Postal
If NCS, which centre
Date of submission or posting 14.Oct.2010
CRITERIA - 6 yr stay (5 + 1 yr ILR) WorkPermit
Date of HO receipt 15.Oct.2010
Date of debit of CREDIT card 18.Oct.2010
Date of letter of acknowledgement 18.Oct.2010
Date of receipt of acknowledgement 22.Oct.2010
Date of decision 28.Oct.2010
Date of receipt of approval 04.Nov.2010
Date of Ceremony 10.Nov.2010
Date of appln. for passport 10.Nov.2010
Method used Check and Send
Date of Passport Interview TBC
Date of Receipt TBC

NCS or Postal Postal
If NCS, which centre
Date of submission or posting 14.Oct.2010
CRITERIA - 6 yr stay (5 + 1 yr ILR) WorkPermit
Date of HO receipt 15.Oct.2010
Date of debit of CREDIT card 18.Oct.2010
Date of letter of acknowledgement 18.Oct.2010
Date of receipt of acknowledgement 22.Oct.2010
Date of decision 28.Oct.2010
Date of receipt of approval 04.Nov.2010
Date of Ceremony 10.Nov.2010
Date of appln. for passport 10.Nov.2010
Method used Check and Send
Date of Passport Interview 16.Nov.2010
Date of Receipt TBC

[mashroom1]

@Generalisimus!, Thanks a lot for your time & effrot to reply.......I will stop asking furhter questions as your answer is quite explainatory..but just for understanding....isnt a british citizenship certificate itself a right of abode? (i.e. not a british passport but a citizenship certificate).

Balded/Others,

Thanks for thep reply. Is it compulsary to do so?...i.e. to travel on british passport once is ceremony attended?

What if I am travelling with my passport having ILR?

I mean there is a difference between 'should' & must....

Legally speaking, no, you can't use your ILR to enter the UK after you have become a British citizen. First, you can enter the UK on only a residence permit that is currently valid. Second, your ILR got replaced by the right of abode (via naturalisation), just like the ILR may have replaced an unexpired limited leave to remain. Therefore, legally speaking, you can only re-enter the UK by demonstrating that you have the right of abode.

Practically speaking, you might be able to use your ILR to re-enter the UK even though you have been naturalised. For instance, a friend of mine was re-entering the UK on a foreign passport plus ILR for months after their citizenship ceremony and had no problems whatsoever. Eventually, they did get the UK passport and the fact that they had travelled on a foreing passport plus ILR after naturalisation was not an issue when applying for the UK passport.

[Generalisimus]

@Generalisimus!, Thanks a lot for your time & effrot to reply.......I will stop asking furhter questions as your answer is quite explainatory..but just for understanding....isnt a british citizenship certificate itself a right of abode? (i.e. not a british passport but a citizenship certificate).

Your are welcome.

As for your additional question, herewith some thoughts.

According to the current rules, in order to be able to demonstrate the right of abode at the UK border, you need a document that both proves your identity and confirms your right of abode. Either a UK passport or a foreign passport in conjunction with a "certificate of entitlement to the right of abode" sticker is acceptable.

A naturalisation certificate is not a proof of identity (the document itself says so), nor is it linked beyond reasonable doubt to a document that is a proof of identity. Therefore, you cannot use it (even in conjunction with a foreign passport) to enter the UK, as far as the rules go.

By the way, if presenting a naturalisation certificate and a foreign passport was as good as showing a UK passport, there would not be any difference in the amount of red tape between applying for the first UK passport and applying for a UK passport renewal. But, as you probably know, there are substantial procedural differences between the two.

Finally, I have not heard of someone trying to use their naturalisation certificate and a foreign passport to enter the UK, so I cannot advise what happens in practice when that avenue is pursued. Personally, I would not test it myself, but the choice is yours.

[muttong]

Method: NCS (Nationality Checking Service) at Tower Hamlet
Criteria: 4 years HSMP + 1 Year ILR
Date of submission.........................: 1 September 2010
Date reached Home Office..............: 2 September 2010
Date of Debit Card deduction..........: 4 September 2010
Date of receipt of acknowledgment..: 5-6 September 2010
Date UKBA made decision...............: 15 September 2010
Date of receipt of approval..............: 24 September 2010 (9 days after!)
Date of receipt of Ceremony Invitation: 25 September 2010
Date of ceremony...........................: 20 October 2010

Date of Passport application................: 28 October 2010 (C & S)
Date of receipt of supporting documents: 10 November 2010
Date of Interview letter receipt............: 11 November 2010
Date of Passport interview..................: 13 November 2010
Date of receipt of passport..................: 16 November 2010

Just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who posted on this forum. You have been a great help. All the best to those who are in the process of applying!

[azad]

Method: Solicitor / Glasgow
Criteria: 10 years ILR
100£ fine not spent
Date of submission.........................: 27 September 2010
Date reached Home Office..............: 28 September 2010
Date of Debit Card deduction..........: 5 October 2010
Date of receipt of acknowledgment..: 6 October 2010
Date UKBA made decision...............: 10 November 2010
Date of receipt of approval..............: 16 November 2010
Date of receipt of Ceremony Invitation: Pending
Date of ceremony...........................: Pending

I had 100£ fine from court (keeping car on the road with Road Tax from another car) - I declared it and explained the situation. Today I got my approval.
Thanks everyone for helpful posts. I wish all of you will get your approval soon.

[Muz]

ILR Issued: 19th October 2010
NCS or Postal: Postal
Date of submission: 25th October 2010
Date of receipt of application at UKBA Liverpool: 26th October 2010
Date of receipt of acknowledgment letter: 3rd November 2010 dated 28/10/2010
Date UKBA made decision: 11 November 2010
Date of receipt of Approval: 12 November 2010
Date of receipt of invitation to ceremony: Awaiting
Date of ceremony - Awaiting
Date of Passport application - Awaiting
IPS letter for interview sent out on Awaiting
IPS letter for interview received Awaiting
Date of Interview: Awaiting
Receipt of passport: Awaiting


I called the council but they haven't received anything on me yet. Is this normal. I know I received my approval letter asap due to the eclosed self addressed special delivery envelope. Perhaps the invitation for the ceremony might take the usual 7 to 10 days in second class post.

Should I be worried?