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I hope this post hasn't been repeated million times but I'm really confused as to whether to choose NCS or Individual method of application for naturalisation. I understand that with NCS, you get to retain your original documents, however there is a charge for it. How much is the extra charge?

Are the rumours about the speedy response from Home Office true if you choose NCS?

Thanks

Check the fees from where you want to apply.

Yes but are they worth the money if I don't have any plan to travel overseas during the time of my application? Do they seriously speed up the HO response?

They don't speed up anything - the two valuable things about NCS is that you get to keep your original documents (so they won't get lost in the post! - I for one don't want to send my passports via RoyalMail) and they check for the most obvious mistakes, like forgetting to staple/glue the photo. That's it.

My local NCS charges £50 - which I think is fair.

My opinion differs - it is not worth to pay for checking for obvious mistakes.
Check application yourself twice or thrice and give your friend to check it again.
Not stapling your photo is not a viable reason to refuse the application.
And NCS can't check essential data as they simply do not have a power - you put some data into your application and they have to treat it as granted. They can't confirm your arrival/departure dates, where do you live / lived in tha past 5 years, if your affairs with HMRC are in tact, if there is anything adverse against you like CCJ, convictions, etc.
They simply photocopy your supporting documents and charge for it.
Unless you really need your passport after applying, I personally can't justify paying £40-50 extra for the already expensive citizenship journey.

ukpl wrote:Not stapling your photo is not a viable reason to refuse the application.

Actually it is!

Wunder wrote:

ukpl wrote:
Not stapling your photo is not a viable reason to refuse the application.

Actually it is!

Sorry, how will not stapling a photo to your application cause HO to refuse it...can you give an example of somebody you know that had this kind of experience?

Please don't take that I support people that did/will not staple their photos on their applications...I do not!

I cannot give you an example from this forum, but have a look at what Westminster NCS states on their website:

Please ensure your photo is attached to the relevant page on the application form before your two referees complete their sections. You must attach this with either glue or a staple as paperclips are not secure. Please note: the Home Office state that if you have not attached the photos before your appointment then you must return with them attached on another visit and this will incur an additional fee as your appointment will have to be rescheduled.

wunder wrote:

ukpl wrote:Not stapling your photo is not a viable reason to refuse the application.

Actually it is!

no, it's not
and you are actually quoting above that Westminster NCS will not deal with unstappled photos, not that UKBA will refuse the application because of that

then, it would invalidate the reason given by you to use NCS to check for obvious and trivial things like unstappled photo - how it could be the reason to use NCS if they do not deal with such application?