Travel during application process and earliest app date

[Abhishek_P]

Hello Everyone

I found this forum immensely useful in all my past uk visa/extension applications; you guys are doing a great job and thanks to this forum for all the info.

Now I have been living in London for ~6 years (completing on 7-Oct-2015). I was initially on Tier-1 visa (for 5 years) and got my ILR on 2-Sep-2014. I am employed in London since then and my case is quite straightforward. I have a few questions. Could you guys please help me with these:

1) How soon (earliest) I can make an application for British citizenship. More specifically can I apply a few days before 2-Sep-2014. I could apply ILR 1 month before completing my 5 years on Tier-1.

2) What are the steps in the process. More specifically, when do I need to surrender my passport and need to be in UK. Can I travel while application is in process.

Thanks
Abhi

[geriatrix]

Citizenship FAQs - Common Questions - Read before posting

[Abhishek_P]

Hi

I am filling naturalization form AN for british citizenship and in section 6.5 it asks for Place of issue for BRP.

My BRP card has no mention of place of issue so not sure what to write here.

Please advise.

Thanks
Abhi

[Abhishek_P]

Hi

Given the naturalization application processing can take upto 6 months, I am not comfortable submitting my passport and BRP. I have to travel for family and business purpose in coming weeks.

The naturalization application requires submitting old/new passport and BRP. It has specifically asked for reasons to not submit BRP in section 6 of form.

However, I am advised by a few consultants that it is alright to submit certified (notarized) copies of passports and BRP. Does anybody has done so. Please share your experiences.

Many Thanks
Abhi

[HelloitsmeAbby]

How did you acquire the BRP? Did you get it from following a PEO appointment? or what?

[HelloitsmeAbby]

That is what the council provide. Nationality Checking Service.

They provide certificed copies with your application and you keep your originals. The only thing they do, is the original life in the UK pass notification is not given back to you - that original has to be submitted with the application and you will be given a photocopy of that.

[Abhishek_P]

How did you acquire the BRP? Did you get it from following a PEO appointment? or what?

I am referring to BRP given after successful ILR application.

[Abhishek_P]

That is what the council provide. Nationality Checking Service.

They provide certificed copies with your application and you keep your originals. The only thing they do, is the original life in the UK pass notification is not given back to you - that original has to be submitted with the application and you will be given a photocopy of that.

Thanks for your response. So are you saying that it is alright to NOT submit original passport(s) and BRP. Instead provide certified copies; that should do?

[geriatrix]

Please keep your queries about naturalisation in a single topic.

[geriatrix]

All BRPs are issued in the "UK".
Read Nationality checking service

[Abhishek_P]

Hi

I am Indian ILR holder (5 year Tier-1 + 1 year ILR) and is eligible to apply for British Citizenship now.I have been browsing this forum for a few days and got a decent idea of steps involved. However can someone share their experience in terms of approximate downtime during the process when one doesn't have full travel documents to travel to India.

I learned that following are the steps with approx. timelines:

1) Apply for Naturalization (incl. biometric): Approx. 3-4 months
2) Attend ceremony: Approx. 2 weeks more
3) Apply & secure British Passport: Approx. 4 weeks
4) Surrender Indian Passport and receive surrender certificate: ?
5) Apply for OCI: ?

One of the passport agent advised that I don't need to submit original passport and BRP for step#1 and provide notarized copies. However Home Office can make a request for original documents. However if they do so, then I am not sure how long will it take before I get travel docs back and be able to travel to India.

Also, I do not know if any of the above 5 process can be carried in parallel and approx. how long could be the window during which I will not be able to travel to India.

I have this condition at home in India and I might have to travel multiple times. I am not sure how to go about it; whether to make an application or not. I want to understand the travel risks involved in making a naturalization application for Indian national.

Any help from those who have gone through the entire process or moderators is hugely appreciated.

Many Thanks
Abhishek

[geriatrix]

1. You have already been advised to use NCS if you wish to keep your documents with you. If you don't want to, then it can take from 10 days to a month, and sometimes repeated requests to get your documents back.
2. Once your naturalisation application is approved, you have 21 days to book a place in a ceremony to be held within 90 days of approval. Assuming this happens while you are away this can be managed easily if someone has access to your post and can inform you without delay about receipt of approval.
2. Everything in that list happens sequentially in the order you have noted.
3. For a British passport application, you will need to submit your Indian passport (no way out). So, this window is the only one where you may find yourself downed in the UK.
4. Once you are naturalised, you'll be able to use your Indian passport only for 3 months without incurring a financial penalty.
5. While your OCI application is in the works, you may travel to India as a visitor.

For any further queries and information regarding Indian immigration / options, post in and browse this forum.

Alternatively, you may choose to minimize any risks by applying for naturalisation after completing your "multiple trips" to India.

[Abhishek_P]

Hello sushdmehta,

Many Thanks for your quick respone. Its really very helpful. Can you please comment if I understood it correctly below:

1. You have already been advised to use NCS if you wish to keep your documents with you. If you don't want to, then it can take from 10 days to a month, and sometimes repeated requests to get your documents back.
2. Once your naturalisation application is approved, you have 21 days to book a place in a ceremony to be held within 90 days of approval. Assuming this happens while you are away this can be managed easily if someone has access to your post and can inform you without delay about receipt of approval.
3. Everything in that list happens sequentially in the order you have noted.
4. For a British passport application, you will need to submit your Indian passport (no way out). So, this window is the only one where you may find yourself downed in the UK.
5. Once you are naturalised, you'll be able to use your Indian passport only for 3 months without incurring a financial penalty.
6. While your OCI application is in the works, you may travel to India as a visitor.

So does that mean if I use NCS, then
(a) Home Office will not ask me to submit ILR BRP card at any stage. Also they will not ask for original Indian passport. Further, I can retain my ILR BRP card + Indian passport until the ceremony is completed. That is, even after approval of naturalization application AND subsequently completion of ceremony, Home Office will not ask me to surrender ILR BRP card.

(b) If #a above is true, then is it possible to apply for British passport in 3 months window while using Indian passport and ILR card for india travel. Then I will surrender my Indian Passport after I get British passport.

Basically, I am wondering how far until the process I can retain ILR BRP card + Indian passport for travel.

Thanks a lot again.

Regards
Abhi

[CR001]

So does that mean if I use NCS, then
(a) Home Office will not ask me to submit ILR BRP card at any stage. Also they will not ask for original Indian passport. Further, I can retain my ILR BRP card + Indian passport until the ceremony is completed. That is, even after approval of naturalization application AND subsequently completion of ceremony, Home Office will not ask me to surrender ILR BRP card. You will get to keep your ILR BRP and your Indian passport if you use NCS. HO will not ask you to send them in later.

(b) If #a above is true, then is it possible to apply for British passport in 3 months window while using Indian passport and ILR card for india travel. Then I will surrender my Indian Passport after I get British passport.You need to submit your ORIGINAL Indian passport (all uncancelled passport) with your British passport application. This is the point where you will not be able to travel until you receive your documents back, which takes a few weeks.

Basically, I am wondering how far until the process I can retain ILR BRP card + Indian passport for travel. Until you submit your British Passport application.

Thanks a lot again.

Regards
Abhi

[Abhishek_P]

Thanks CR001. You saved the day. I can now apply for Naturalization application through NCS. I believe getting new British passport is 3-4 weeks long affair (at max).

Regards
Abhi