Current naturalisation/citizenship waiting times

I had intended to apply in mid-March, with hopes of having citizenship in time for the Scottish referendum vote in a couple of weeks.  But when I couldn't find my LitUK certificate (it's here somewhere...), I wasn't able to do it right away.  And by mid-April, it seemed less and less likely that I'd get it all done in time to make a difference.  So when other, more pressing expenses came up, I just decided to put it on the back burner for a while.

Looking through the other posts, I think I was probably right.  That £900 has definitely done me more good than it would have if I'd sent it to the government.

vadio, I'm so sorry about the loss of your mother. Just what you needed on your way home, huh?

woadgrrl, you did make the right decision, I think, though I don't know why you didn't want to just take the Life in the UK test again! (Joke!)

vadio, I'm so sorry about the loss of your mother. Just what you needed on your way home, huh?

woadgrrl, you did make the right decision, I think, though I don't know why you didn't want to just take the Life in the UK test again! (Joke!)

If it had only been a matter of the test fee, and a few hours' time, I would have done it in a heart-beat.  I feel very, very strongly about the referendum, and the closer it gets, the more I wish I could vote. 

But unfortunately, for me to re-take the test would eat up at least 2 days, and an extra couple of hundred pounds in travel costs.  I just couldn't afford the time away, let alone the extra money on top of the naturalisation application.

A couple of people who applied in JULY got their approvals this week, per posting on immigrationboards.com - no rhyme nor reason for that, near as I can tell, as there are still May & June applicants waiting.

Someone over there commented that the applications were straightforward, and were easy to push through.

MorganSF - dare we hope that ours will come soon as well??

Wow, that's ... upsetting, really. What is going on? There isn't any priority or fast track for naturalisation, is there?

If there's a 'fast track' I've never heard of it. When the 1st guy posted, I thought he got his dates wrong. Then another one posted.....

And, unless you and I are totally different (which I can't imagine), our applications should fall right into the 'easy-peasy, stamp it and go' pile.....unless my picture fell off, of course......

I sort of wonder if these get assigned to caseworkers by region - and maybe whoever has geographies with a bunch of 'difficult' applications starts approving the easy ones first to move some paper. 

One applicant was July 15 via NCS in Slough; the other was July 8 via NCS in Newham. I also applied on July 15, and my acknowledgement letter was dated 3 days EARLIER than the dude who was approved.

Arghhh. It's one thing to have to wait for months knowing that they are processing applications in order of receipt, but quite another thing for them suddenly to start doing it randomly! Not fair!

Like yours, mine should be very easy and straightforward.

I think your photo will be fine though, so don't worry! I seem to remember my NCS guy putting everything in an envelope.

Just an update on progress:

August 29th: NCS Appointment in Islington
September 5: Payment taken (ouch)

Just a note that it has now been 13 weeks (or three months tomorrow), and no news. Really hope I don't have to wait another three months.

14 weeks.

Just got my approval letter from the home office and the invitation letter to the ceremony from the local council.

I applied on 25th of June, through the local NCS and recieved my approval letter on 24th of Sept. Actual approval date was 17th of Sept.

Good luck to those waiting!

YAY!!!! Success for someone!!!!

Congratulations!! I'm sure you're relieved!

Really hope mine is in the mail, as I applied a week before you!

No rhyme nor reason to the approvals. Some that applied after we did and quoted 'discretion' regs for this or that (too many days out of the UK for example) got approvals fairly quickly. Meanwhile we wait. 

15 weeks ... And I got it!! The brown envelope arrived today while I was out. My husband texted me and I called immediately and said "Open it!!"

The annoying thing is that it is dated 19 September. Why did it take nearly two weeks to arrive?? And why do they send it second class, when they charge so much?

Keeping my fingers crossed for vadio and the rest who are waiting! And many thanks to this board, especially ksand24, who has been a godsend throughout this multi-year journey.