Current naturalisation/citizenship waiting times

Got it... Thanks. ....Sorry I'm venting, but I have huge regrets


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Got it... Thanks. ....Sorry I'm venting, but I have huge regrets

Regrets about what?

I got my citizenship approval! Happy days.

Ceremony booked for 17 December.

Basis: Married to UKC, 3+ years in the UK with ILR
Applied through NCS: 15 Sept 2015
Money taken from account: 30 Sept 2015
Email confirming receipt: 30 Sept 2015
Letter in the post requesting biometrics: 1 Oct 2015 (dated 28 Sept 2015)
Biometrics taken: 6 Oct 2015
Approval received: 21 Nov 2015 (dated 17 Nov 2015)
Ceremony booked for: 17 Dec 2015

A little over 2 months from NCS appointment to approval letter and one month wait until the next citizenship ceremony.

For those wondering about dress code for the citizenship ceremony, my letter specifies that formal dress is required and jeans will not be accepted. I'm not sure if this varies between locations.

I plan on applying for my passport straight after my ceremony. Does anyone know how it works with the first-time passport interview? Do you just apply and then wait for them to contact you for an appointment?

I plan on applying for my passport straight after my ceremony. Does anyone know how it works with the first-time passport interview? Do you just apply and then wait for them to contact you for an appointment?

Yes. You apply then get contacted via post about your interview which you then book by phoning them.

I got my citizenship approval! Happy days.

Ceremony booked for 17 December.

Basis: Married to UKC, 3+ years in the UK with ILR
Applied through NCS: 15 Sept 2015
Money taken from account: 30 Sept 2015
Email confirming receipt: 30 Sept 2015
Letter in the post requesting biometrics: 1 Oct 2015 (dated 28 Sept 2015)
Biometrics taken: 6 Oct 2015
Approval received: 21 Nov 2015 (dated 17 Nov 2015)
Ceremony booked for: 17 Dec 2015

A little over 2 months from NCS appointment to approval letter and one month wait until the next citizenship ceremony.

For those wondering about dress code for the citizenship ceremony, my letter specifies that formal dress is required and jeans will not be accepted. I'm not sure if this varies between locations.

I plan on applying for my passport straight after my ceremony. Does anyone know how it works with the first-time passport interview? Do you just apply and then wait for them to contact you for an appointment?

Congrats!

Congrats!

Thanks kbee!

I wish they'd get the processing time more consistent. It doesn't seem fair than some people get approved in 2 months while some have to wait significantly longer. I'm happy I didn't have to wait, but I do feel a bit guilty getting it so fast.

Thanks kbee!

I wish they'd get the processing time more consistent. It doesn't seem fair than some people get approved in 2 months while some have to wait significantly longer. I'm happy I didn't have to wait, but I do feel a bit guilty getting it so fast.

Certainly don't feel guilty.  I know that I've learned that it's a complete lottery for the most part as to when they approve (or even look at) applications.  You are just one of the lucky ones so relish in that...it's over (or soon to be after ceremony and passport app  )

Certainly don't feel guilty.  I know that I've learned that it's a complete lottery for the most part as to when they approve (or even look at) applications.  You are just one of the lucky ones so relish in that...it's over (or soon to be after ceremony and passport app  )

I've got a colleague who applied in May (?) and heard back around the same time as I did.... I only applied in September. There was no reason for her application to take 6 months and mine to only take 2 months.

I'm just glad I wasn't approved way before her. That could have been awkward.

Still no biometrics letter, contacted them today and they've said it'll be posted today at last!

Naturalized a week ago today!  Now just have to get my passport.

We have just sent off my husband's application for naturalisation, it was signed for on 15/12/15. Now for the wait..! 

Basis:  5 years (T2 General for 5 + ILR for 1)
Applied through NCS:  19 Aug 2015
Application received by Home Office: 20 Aug 2015
Payment deducted: 1  Sep 2015
Letter requesting biometrics: 7 Sep 2015 (dated 01 Sep 2015)
Biometrics taken: 8 Sep 2015

I'm still waiting.

I head back to the US next week for three weeks. It would be nice if the letter arrived on the morning I head to the airport.

I had my citizenship ceremony yesterday!

I made a separate post about my experience, including the ceremony, passport application and registering to vote.

Good luck to all those waiting and congrats to those approved!

I'm still waiting.

I head back to the US next week for three weeks. It would be nice if the letter arrived on the morning I head to the airport.

Posting that yesterday did the trick. I came home to work to find the approval letter waiting for me. It was dated 4 December. Not sure why it took two weeks to arrive.

Oddly, the location for the ceremony is a different council from both the one I live in and the other council I used for NCS (South Lanarkshire). My office is in this 3rd council and the ceremony location is like a 5 minute walk from the office. So maybe the Home Office is now using people's job location to schedule ceremonies.

Basis:  5 years (T2 General for 5 + ILR for 1)
Applied through NCS:  19 Aug 2015
Application received by Home Office: 20 Aug 2015
Payment deducted: 1  Sep 2015
Letter requesting biometrics: 7 Sep 2015 (dated 01 Sep 2015)
Biometrics taken: 8 Sep 2015
Approval received: 18 Dec 2015 (dated 4 Dec 2015)

Posting that yesterday did the trick. I came home to work to find the approval letter waiting for me. It was dated 4 December. Not sure why it took two weeks to arrive.

Oddly, the location for the ceremony is a different council from both the one I live in and the other council I used for NCS (South Lanarkshire). My office is in this 3rd council and the ceremony location is like a 5 minute walk from the office. So maybe the Home Office is now using people's job location to schedule ceremonies.

Basis:  5 years (T2 General for 5 + ILR for 1)
Applied through NCS:  19 Aug 2015
Application received by Home Office: 20 Aug 2015
Payment deducted: 1  Sep 2015
Letter requesting biometrics: 7 Sep 2015 (dated 01 Sep 2015)
Biometrics taken: 8 Sep 2015
Approval received: 18 Dec 2015 (dated 4 Dec 2015)

Congrats frankbrown!

I wonder if they scheduled your ceremony near your work because you were on a work visa. I was on a spouse visa and my ceremony was scheduled for the borough I live in.

Anyway, glad the letter finally got to you and that you got your approval before Christmas!