TIMELINE AFTER NATURALISATION APPLICATION SUBMISSION

[angkorgonew]

I read this timeline on another forum for those applying late March:

Application type: Postal
Criteria: HSMP (5 yrs.) + ILR (1 yr.)
Date of submission: 23 Mar 09
Acknowledgment received: 3 Apri l09
Date approval received: 26 May 09

Best of luck to those still waiting!

[MariamM]

Thanks angkorgonew for the timelines.

Finally my time has come - I got my approval today:

NCS or Postal: Postal
Date of submission or posting: 10th March 2009
CRITERIA: 3 year spouse of British citizen
Date of receipt of Application @ HO: 15th March
Date of debit of debit/credit card: 20th
Date of receipt of approval: 30th May (Dated 27th May)
Invitation Letter: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: Waiting
Date of appln. for passport: Waiting
Interview for Passport : Waiting
Passport received: Waiting

It's been comforting reading about other peoples timelines and experiences on this thread. It gave me optimism about my application. But then when I didn't hear for a while, but in the meantime others were applying and getting approved in much shorter time-scales it made me start to worry. Whereas if I hadn't heard about such short approval times, I would not have worried because I was expecting the 6 months wait as stated by the Home Office.

My advice to all of you either waiting or about to apply, to seek comfort in the knowledge that applications are (generally) being processed within a reasonable amount of time but not to compare other waiting times with your own. Expect it to take 6 months, and if the approval comes any sooner, then it's a bonus.

Thanks to everyone who has constructively posted on this thread!

Good Luck to those in waiting!

[angkorgonew]

Here's another timeline I just saw on a related board addressing an HSMP-related application:

NCS or Postal : Postal
Country of Origin: Zimbabwe
Date of submission or posting : 3 April 2009
CRITERIA : 5+1 (HSMP)
Date cheque cashed : 20 April 2009
Date of receipt of approval : 29 May 2009

As always, best of luck to those waiting...

[troyguy21]

Since NCS will return the original documents including passports, please can one travel out of the country while the application is being considered by HomeOffice?

[oscurita]

hello troyguy21,
it should be o.k., that's the beauty of NCS service, you can travel abroad but i wouldn't leave for too long cos' HO might need your orginal travel documents. I'm waiting to hear from HO and I'm going away for a week also friend of mine did the same last year.

[maya_uk]

Hi Troyguy21

When I applied through NCS, they told that I should not travel for the first 5 days within home office receiving your application. My husband was told the same thing. But you are free to travel after that time.

I hope this helps.

[troyguy21]

Many thanks for your replies, well appreciated. Please do you have an idea why you were asked to give that 5 days grace?

[angkorgonew]

Again, just wanted to share another timeline I came across detailing that some cases from late last year are now being processed:

NCS or Postal : Postal
Date of submission or posting : 10 October 2008
CRITERIA: 4 yr WP + 3.5 yr ILR
Date of receipt of acknowledgment: 15 October 2008
Date of debit (via cheque): 22 October 2008
Date of letter for additional supporting documents: 27 March 2009
Date of receipt of approval: 14 May 2009

Total turnaround time: Approx. 30 Weeks (7 months)

[angkorgo99]

Apparently, spousal applications seem to be quick...

Type: NCS
Date of submission: 18 February 2009
CRITERIA : 3years (1 yr stay +2 yrs marriage & applied immediately after receiving ILR)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 4 March 2009
Date of receipt of approval: 14 March 2009

[SidB]

NCS or Postal: NCS Marylebone (Westminster)
Date of submission or posting: 14th May 2009
CRITERIA: 6 yr stay (5 yrs WP+HSMP + 1 yr ILR)
Date of receipt of Application @ HO: 15th May 2009
Date of debit of debit/credit card: 1st June 2009
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: Waiting
Date of receipt of approval: Waiting
Invitation Letter: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: Waiting
Date of appln. for passport: Waiting
Interview for Passport : Waiting
Passport received: Waiting

[angkorgonew]

Applications from late March and early April are now apparently starting to be passing through the system!

Some recent timelines I found on other discussion forums include:

NCS or Postal: NCS
If NCS, which centre: Hamilton
Date of submission or posting: 2 April 2009
CRITERIA - marriage to BC + ILR
Date of debit of debit/credit card: 7 April 2009
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 16 April 2009
Date of receipt of approval: 23 May 2009

and

NCS or Postal: Postal
If NCS, which centre: N/A
Date of submission or posting: 1 April 2009
CRITERIA - 10 years residence + ILR
Date of debit of debit/credit card: 6 April 2009
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 8 April 2009
Date of receipt of approval: 28 May 2009

[FKarim]

Applications from late March and early April are now apparently starting to be passing through the system!

I don't think there is a clear pattern. May be the time taken to decide an application depends on certain factors but it's hard to figure out what they are. Looks quite random though. I applied in the 3rd week of October '08 and received approval in the 1st week of March '09 i.e. long after many Nov, Dec and even Jan applications were approved. Mine should have been one of the most straight forward cases. Similar situation for my wife who applied on 12th March and still waiting when some April applications have already been approved.

Best not to try and find correlations. Like MariamM suggests, if it happens quickly it's a bonus but expect the worst i.e. the official 6 months or even more if there is a problem.

[Emma84]

NCS or Postal: NCS (Market Harborough)
Date of submission: 18th March 09
Category: 5 years residence as unmarried partner + 1 year ILR
Date of debit of debit/credit card: 23 March 09
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 25 March 09 (dated 22 March)
Date of receipt of approval: 1 May 09 (dated 21 April 09)
Date of ceremony: 21 May 09
Date of passport application: 03 June 09
Method used: Check & Send
Date of passport receipt:

[SidB]

NCS or Postal: NCS Marylebone (Westminster)
Date of submission or posting: 14th May 2009
CRITERIA: 6 yr stay (5 yrs WP+HSMP + 1 yr ILR)
Date of receipt of Application @ HO: 15th May 2009
Date of debit of debit/credit card: 1st June 2009
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 3rd June 2009
Date of receipt of approval: Waiting
Invitation Letter: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: Waiting
Date of appln. for passport: Waiting
Interview for Passport : Waiting
Passport received: Waiting

[SidB]

NCS or Postal: NCS Marylebone (Westminster)
Date of submission or posting: 14th May 2009
CRITERIA: 6 yr stay (5 yrs WP+HSMP + 1 yr ILR)
Date of receipt of Application @ HO: 15th May 2009
Date of debit of debit/credit card: 1st June 2009
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 3rd June 2009
Date of receipt of approval: Waiting
Invitation Letter: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: Waiting
Date of appln. for passport: Waiting
Interview for Passport : Waiting
Passport received: Waiting

[angkorgonew]

Another timeline for people's reference from another forum:

NCS or Postal: Postal
If NCS, which centre: N/A
Date of submission or posting: 24 March 2009
Date of receipt of approval: 29 May 2009

Total Turnaround time: 10 Weeks

[Mandy2]

NCS or Postal: Postal
Date of submission or posting: 15th May 2009
CRITERIA: 6 yr stay (5 yrs WP+ 1 yr ILR)
Date of receipt of Application @ HO: 18th May, 2009
Date of debit of debit/credit card: 1 June, 2009 (Posted on 31st May, 2009)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 3rd June 2009(dated 31st May, 2009)
Date of receipt of approval: Waiting
Invitation Letter: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: Waiting
Date of appln. for passport: Waiting
Interview for Passport : Waiting
Passport received: Waiting

[angkorgonew]

I came across this timeline in another immigration forum and thought people here might be interested, too:

NCS or Postal : Postal
Date of submission or posting : 8 April 2009
CRITERIA : 10 years + 1year ILR
Date of receipt of acknowledgement : 18 May 2009 (Dated 1 May 2009)
Date of receipt of approval from HO/Invitation letter: 4 June 2009 (Dated 30 May 2009)

Total turnaround time: 9 Weeks

[carmeloreyes]

CRITERIA:3 year spouse , North East

Date of submission or posting: 07/03/09
Date of debit of debit/credit card: 20/03/09
Date of receipt of acknowledgement:15/03/09
Date of receipt of approval from HO: 21/04/09 (Dated 15/04/09)
Date of Ceremony: 21/05/09
Date of appln. Pass: 23/05/09 Check&Send
IPS asking for more info: 05/06/09
Passport Interview:
Passport received:

I just can'y believe it... I sent my Passport (from my contry of birth) on the application, in that passport is my clearance to entry to the uk and
my ILR both with my photos both issues by British Gov. , is the same passport that i used since the first time i came to England i think it has
ten stamps for entry to the UK and they still asking for more information about where i live and not to say that my referee singed my photograph on the passport application ...and almost the 100 of documents that i sent to the home office in orther to get my british citizenship this guys are crazy...
they should know every thing about me by now.

[angkorgonew]

Here are few other timelines for people's reference (from another forum):

NCS or Postal: Postal
Date of submission or posting : 12 March 2009
CRITERIA 'marriage/long resd'- : 5 Year WPermit and 1 1/2 year ILR
Date of debit of debit/credit card : 20 March 2009
Date of receipt of acknowledgement : 21 March 2009 dated (18 March)
Date of receipt of approval: 22 April 09 (dated 17 April)

Total turnaround time: 6 Weeks

NCS or Postal: Postal
Country of Origin: South Africa
Date of submission or posting: 23 April 09
CRITERIA 'marriage/long resd'- : 5 Year WPermit and 8 yrs ILR
Date of debit of debit/credit card: 30 April 09
Date of receipt of acknowledgement : 05 May 09
Date of receipt of approval: 10 June 2009

Total turnaround time: 7 Weeks

Best of luck to everyone still waiting and hope this helps!

[whirly]

IPS asking for more info: 05/06/09
Passport Interview:
Passport received:

I just can'y believe it... I sent my Passport (from my contry of birth) on the application, in that passport is my clearance to entry to the uk and
my ILR both with my photos both issues by British Gov. , is the same passport that i used since the first time i came to England i think it has
ten stamps for entry to the UK and they still asking for more information about where i live and not to say that my referee singed my photograph on the passport application ...and almost the 100 of documents that i sent to the home office in orther to get my british citizenship this guys are crazy...
they should know every thing about me by now.

I know you're frustrated but just send the info they request. The same thing happened to me. You're right that the UKBA must have a thick file with your details, but remember that IPS handles passports - they don't necessarily have access that file. They're treating your application like any other first-time ap by a British person: they just want to make sure you are who you say you are. It's silly, but on the other hand, would you want someone else to be able to get a passport with your name on it?

Good luck... You're very close now!

[jsky]

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[anjali_devi]

angkorgonew

Thanks for the status updates

[angkorgonew]

You're more than welcome!

Of course, the UK Border Agency should be providing all this data and letting us know real-time how our applications are progressing (e.g., as is done in Canada)... but maybe that will happen in another life

[angkorgonew]

You're more than welcome!

Of course, the UK Border Agency should be providing all this data and letting us know real-time how our applications are progressing (e.g., as is done in Canada)... but maybe that will happen in another life