Naturalisation Application- Sopra Steria appointment at Croydon

[hamalt66]

Hi all, I have just finished submitting our Naturalisation application, paying the fees, uploading the documents and booking our appointment next week for myself and 5 dependants (including young children). The appointment centre is in Croydon (Bedford Point, 35 Dingwall Road, CR0 9XF). I paid £100 per application (£600 for all 6 of us) as I couldn't find a free appointment for the next two weeks.

I have a few questions, I would really appreciate your answers and I thank you very much in advance for your help:

1) I will be driving to the appointment from Essex (two hours drive), from your experience if you have been to this location recently, is there a parking place that you recommend, preferably as close to Croydon centre as possible, but not insanely expensive?

2) What exactly will we be doing at the appointment other than bringing the original documents to be checked. Will we be giving our biometrics and photos be taken at this appointment, or is this something that we will be doing on a later stage?

3) How long approximately will the appointment take per person?

Your feedback is highly appreciated.

[hamalt66]

Hi all, I have just finished submitting our Naturalisation application, paying the fees, uploading the documents and booking our appointment next week for myself and 5 dependants (including young children). The appointment centre is in Croydon (Bedford Point, 35 Dingwall Road, CR0 9XF). I paid £100 per application (£600 for all 6 of us) as I couldn't find a free appointment for the next two weeks.

I have a few questions, I would really appreciate your answers and I thank you very much in advance for your help:

1) I will be driving to the appointment from Essex (two hours drive), from your experience if you have been to this location recently, is there a parking place that you recommend, preferably as close to Croydon centre as possible, but not insanely expensive?

2) What exactly will we be doing at the appointment other than bringing the original documents to be checked. Will we be giving our biometrics and photos be taken at this appointment, or is this something that we will be doing on a later stage?

3) How long approximately will the appointment take per person?

Your feedback is highly appreciated.

Please ignore the first question regarding the parking, I found one close by and will be using it. i would appreciate answers to the other questions. Thank you

[CR001]

2) What exactly will we be doing at the appointment other than bringing the original documents to be checked. Will we be giving our biometrics and photos be taken at this appointment, or is this something that we will be doing on a later stage?

Biometrics and documents. Thats it.

3) How long approximately will the appointment take per person?

It varies and depends how busy they are. Some have said an hour some had said much longer.

[hamalt66]

Biometrics and documents. Thats it.

Re biometrics, does this include photographs taken or just fingerprints?

For previous applications, our photos were taken too, but I guess it was for BRP cards!

[CR001]

Biometrics and documents. Thats it.

Re biometrics, does this include photographs taken or just fingerprints?

For previous applications, our photos were taken too, but I guess it was for BRP cards!

Both.

[hamalt66]

Biometrics and documents. Thats it.

Re biometrics, does this include photographs taken or just fingerprints?

For previous applications, our photos were taken too, but I guess it was for BRP cards!

Both.

Thank you very much indeed

[hamalt66]

This afternoon I was pleasantly surprised to have received the acknowledgement email below for the application we just made online yesterday.

Thank you for your application to the Home Office. Your application has been received and is being considered.

It may take up to six months to make a decision on your case. If we are unable to process your application within six months we will tell you as soon as possible

I am not complaining, I have never received any acknowledgment letters/emails for my previously applications! Also I was actually expecting this email after my appointment and biometrics next week! Is this the case for everybody else?

[feri_2017]

This afternoon I was pleasantly surprised to have received the acknowledgement email below for the application we just made online yesterday.

Thank you for your application to the Home Office. Your application has been received and is being considered.

It may take up to six months to make a decision on your case. If we are unable to process your application within six months we will tell you as soon as possible

No
This email is sent by Home Office when your online application has been received and assigned to a case worker.
It has nothing to do with your appointment.

FYI, I just did my appointment / biometrics at Croydon, it was amazingly quick and smooth.
I arrived 2 hours earlier, did my biometrics straight away and checking of the documents and submission after 5min, in total it took around 30min.

They all knew what they were doing, very welcoming and polite.
Also it was a free appointment so I didn't pay anything.

[hamalt66]

FYI, I just did my appointment / biometrics at Croydon, it was amazingly quick and smooth.
I arrived 2 hours earlier, did my biometrics straight away and checking of the documents and submission after 5min, in total it took around 30min.

They all knew what they were doing, very welcoming and polite.
Also it was a free appointment so I didn't pay anything.

Thank you for your response. We are six applications so you reckon if we need 30 minutes each, then I presume we should expect 3 hours at the centre?

I am thinking of using the Ruskin Square car park, if you parked there, may I ask if it is a pay and display or park and pay later?

[feri_2017]

No worries,
They were processing families all together so I think it might take much less than 3 hours for all of you.

I went there by train, but the car park is right next to the centre, not sure how their payment system work, sorry.

[bookerw100]

They all knew what they were doing, very welcoming and polite. That's something we don't hear very often :p

[feri_2017]

Lol
I know right? I was a bit surprised too but well I guess this Sopra Steria is doing a good job.

[O_Relly]

I picked an appointment in Glasgow for the £100 fee as I could wait for a week for a good spot. In fact I opted for a 6PM appointment, but got there for 5 PM and was immediately seen as they were waiting for me.

I had uploaded all my documents before hand, so it was only photograph and biometrics. Was done in 10 to 15 minutes.

[cocococo]

No worries,
They were processing families all together so I think it might take much less than 3 hours for all of you.

I went there by train, but the car park is right next to the centre, not sure how their payment system work, sorry.

We used Rushkin square car park too. Its very convenient and a 3 minute walk to the centre down the same road. Its park and pay later.

[hamalt66]

No worries,
They were processing families all together so I think it might take much less than 3 hours for all of you.

I went there by train, but the car park is right next to the centre, not sure how their payment system work, sorry.

We used Rushkin square car park too. Its very convenient and a 3 minute walk to the centre down the same road. Its park and pay later.

Thank you very much for your feedback

[hamalt66]

No worries,
They were processing families all together so I think it might take much less than 3 hours for all of you.

I went there by train, but the car park is right next to the centre, not sure how their payment system work, sorry.

Can I get into the biometrics booth with my young children to help them take their photos, or is there no space for two people?

[CULLINAN]

No worries,
They were processing families all together so I think it might take much less than 3 hours for all of you.

I went there by train, but the car park is right next to the centre, not sure how their payment system work, sorry.

Can I get into the biometrics booth with my young children to help them take their photos, or is there no space for two people?

You can. Also, there is staff to help you out so dont worry.

[hamalt66]

No worries,
They were processing families all together so I think it might take much less than 3 hours for all of you.

I went there by train, but the car park is right next to the centre, not sure how their payment system work, sorry.

Can I get into the biometrics booth with my young children to help them take their photos, or is there no space for two people?

You can. Also, there is staff to help you out so dont worry.

Great thank you