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Hello,

I am trying to find answer for my question but no luck.
I would like to ask if there is a time limit to book the ceremony after received the approval?
The thing is I am going abroad for Christmas for a longer period. As it is only 3 weeks till my trip and I have not received my approval yet, I am worried a little bit.
I know 3 weeks written in the approval letter but can someone tell me what happens if I contact them later.
The thing is I am going to be away for 10 weeks.

Any answer would be highly appreciated

Can you get someone to check your post while you are away? You can call from abroad to book your ceremony (within 2/3 weeks of approval letter) and you have to attend the ceremony within 3 months. Otherwise your certificate will be sent back to HO and you will likely have to apply for citizenship (and pay the fee) again.

I couldn't find anything in the actual law about booking within 3 weeks, only that you attend the ceremony within 3 months. I think the 3 weeks criteria is just a convenience thing to make the process easier to manage.

There was someone earlier this year whose invitation was lost by Royal Mail. When they phoned up after 6 months to enquire they were told that the decision had been sent 3 months ago. HO just sent another invitation. This is probably a pretty common scenario for 2nd class unrecorded mail.

If you can't get someone to check your mail and your letter does arrive, I would just innocently phone up the HO and enquire about the state of your case. When they tell you it's been decided just say you never received any letter and it must have been lost In your case it would still be within the 90 days of the initial decision so shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks for your replies.
My husband stays in UK so he would tell me if I received something. He can even call the council to arrange it for me. I just did not want to come back during that 10 weeks