Does free UKVCAS appointment slow application timeline

[Raynato]

Hi there,
I tried to extract this info from timelines submitted for the application process of naturalisation!

It seems that as of recent, the processing time is about 8-10 weeks from initial submission!

From your experience, did a UKVCAS free (thus a long waiting time) appointment affect the processing of your application?

[Ticktack]

Hi there,
I tried to extract this info from timelines submitted for the application process of naturalisation!

It seems that as of recent, the processing time is about 8-10 weeks from initial submission!

From your experience, did a UKVCAS free (thus a long waiting time) appointment affect the processing of your application?

Free or paid has no bearing on the processing time frame. It's only for convenience.

[contorted_svy]

The service standard quoted by the home office is 6 months, so be prepared to wait!

[ic11]

Hi there,
I tried to extract this info from timelines submitted for the application process of naturalisation!

It seems that as of recent, the processing time is about 8-10 weeks from initial submission!

From your experience, did a UKVCAS free (thus a long waiting time) appointment affect the processing of your application?

I was wondering the same, but I don't really think it makes much difference, especially if you submit the documents yourself on the UKVCAS website ahead of the biometrics appointment. Looking over the timelines thread for recent applications, I saw 2 people that applied at the same time one getting a free appointment in a month time and the other getting a quick paid one, and they both got the approval on the same day. I also noticed a recent application which had the appointment a month after application and got the approval a few days after the biometrics so they definitely starting processing it ahead of that appointment. So I don't think it's worth spending 132£ on an early appointment!

[Raynato]

so they definitely starting processing it ahead of that appointment. So I don't think it's worth spending 132£ on an early appointment!

Although I agree with your observation, Idont think that a case worker can start considering Ur application before biometrics are submitted as the whole file get lodged on the date of appointment as I understand it!
So my guess is that, when u initially submit Ur application it gets its place in queue, which might be few weeks long so by the time it get to the front of the queue the biometrics would have been submitted free or otherwise

[contorted_svy]

The issue is that we don't know how applications are assigned to case workers or how quick they are in processing them. The timelines on the forum are a (partial) indication that a paid biometrics appointment doesn't necessarily speed up the process. Timelines are all over the place at the moment so it is hard to look for a correlation, citizenship applications cannot be expedited.

[ic11]

Although I agree with your observation, Idont think that a case worker can start considering Ur application before biometrics are submitted as the whole file get lodged on the date of appointment as I understand it!
So my guess is that, when u initially submit Ur application it gets its place in queue, which might be few weeks long so by the time it get to the front of the queue the biometrics would have been submitted free or otherwise

Not 100% sure, but I think when you upload the documents on the UKVCAS website yourself and click submit, they're actually sent to UKVI (unless you booked document checking) so they can start looking at them before your appointment. When I submitted online I got the message that they were sent to UKVI. And that's also what I read on various other posts online, seems that's a practice that started during covid since took very long to get appointments, but I think it's likely it's still valid now. Of course, might not be the case all the time, there might a queue etc.