General Discussion During Naturalisation Application Process

[Heeppy]

Have you guys apply for SAR?

What is SAR? any link for it plz?

[CR001]

Have you guys apply for SAR?

What is SAR? any link for it plz?

SAR = Subject Access Request!

general-uk-immigration-forum/how-to-do- ... 35376.html

[sunny007]

Hi everyone,

I've received my approval letter on 23 april 2020, and after that I contacted my local council to arrange Ceremony but due to Covid-19 they are not taking any ceremony at the moment, so my question is

1. will we get any letter from the council after receiving approval letter from the Home Office? or we just need to contact the local council.

Note I have contacted my local council and due to COVID-19 all process has been suspended till further notice.

2. In the mean time what is the best email to contact the home office for my own record, should I email my council and home office both?

Any email template will be much appreciated.
Stay Safe
Thanks

Similar situation, the council is not taking any ceremonies. I called home office and they were unhelpful and just asked me to send an email to citizenship.support@homeoffice.gov.uk and explain them my situation.
I have already done this, waiting for a reply.

I just explained that I’ve received the letter and since my council is not taking any ceremonies is there any alternative? I believe given the current situation home office needs to come up with an alternative rule. I’ll call them again on Friday if I don’t hear back. If you hear anything let me know.

Hi Polka909

Thanks for your reply, have you received any email reply from citizenship.support@homeoffice.gov.uk ?

[Heeppy]

Have you guys apply for SAR?

What is SAR? any link for it plz?

SAR = Subject Access Request!

general-uk-immigration-forum/how-to-do- ... 35376.html

Thank you!

[sanabibi123]

Hi everyone,

I've received my approval letter on 23 april 2020, and after that I contacted my local council to arrange Ceremony but due to Covid-19 they are not taking any ceremony at the moment, so my question is

1. will we get any letter from the council after receiving approval letter from the Home Office? or we just need to contact the local council.

Note I have contacted my local council and due to COVID-19 all process has been suspended till further notice.

2. In the mean time what is the best email to contact the home office for my own record, should I email my council and home office both?

Any email template will be much appreciated.
Stay Safe
Thanks

Similar situation, the council is not taking any ceremonies. I called home office and they were unhelpful and just asked me to send an email to citizenship.support@homeoffice.gov.uk and explain them my situation.
I have already done this, waiting for a reply.

I just explained that I’ve received the letter and since my council is not taking any ceremonies is there any alternative? I believe given the current situation home office needs to come up with an alternative rule. I’ll call them again on Friday if I don’t hear back. If you hear anything let me know.

Hi Polka909

Thanks for your reply, have you received any email reply from citizenship.support@homeoffice.gov.uk ?

Hi i didn't received any reply yet.i even email yesterday on futhernationalityenquries@homeoffice.gov.uk
just waiting for reply

[Polka909]

Hi Polka909

Thanks for your reply, have you received any email reply from citizenship.support@homeoffice.gov.uk ?

Nope nothing yet, I sent them an email last Friday. I will chase then next week if I don’t hear and keep you posted as well.

[PPTP]

applied twice, no response.

Hi topsecret
It takes 28 Working days to arrive. Due to coronavirus it will take a bit longer when did you apply if you don’t mind me asking?

1st time in mid November 2019 and 2nd one on 3rd of Feb 2020.

You should have received. It says that "You will receive a response within 30 days of your identity being verified by the Home Office." Not working days.
I applied 19 February 2020, nothing received yet. However, you should chase them. In this case if Home Office does not provide you the requested information, they are in breach of GDPR and DPA 2018 regulations as 30 days laps. That gives the bases to make a claim to court, but an official complaint must be made first. Unless they can refuse to provide it if Home Office does not like the grounds you provided in the form.

Simply check your spam inbox as well. But I would definitely chase them today - they had their time regardless any coronavirus of whatever!

I just wish to add. If the organisation does not provide a reply within 30 days it breaches GDPR and DPA and gives legal grounds for claims. In this case individuals have the rights to complain to ICO to inform about breaching and procession and accessing data. The complaint must be done via https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/you ... -concerns/

The more we do, the better. We must inform third regulation parties about breaches in the law as Home Office does not respect anyone.

[Jay-Brown]

Eligibility criteria: 14years, UK spouse, settled status, EU
Language/LIUK Criteria: both passed
Nationality : French
Method of application: online
Payment method: visa debit
Date of debit of fees: 2nd August 19
Date Biometrics enrolled: 14th August
Date on Approval letter: Waiting
Date of receipt of approval: Waiting
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: Waiting
*Nearly 8months waiting so far

I have a couple of questions I hoped someone can help me with. I would have thought my case was very simple, I've been living and working in the UK for 14years, I have a British Spouse, I'm from the EU and I have no criminal history/I meet the good character requirements.

My marriage is same sex, this definitely shouldn't effect things but wondering if this is slowing down the process?

Is there any way to enquire what the holdup could be or if they have even received everything? I've emailed but only received generic responses. I'm worried the letter has been lost in the post and I'd never even know about it.

How long can you leave the country for during the application process?

I'm self employed (but with a complete tax history) does this slow it down?

Thank you in advance for your advice.

[Sous49]

Eligibility criteria: 14years, UK spouse, settled status, EU
Language/LIUK Criteria: both passed
Nationality : French
Method of application: online
Payment method: visa debit
Date of debit of fees: 2nd August 19
Date Biometrics enrolled: 14th August
Date on Approval letter: Waiting
Date of receipt of approval: Waiting
Date of receipt of ceremony letter: Waiting
Date of Ceremony: Waiting
*Nearly 8months waiting so far

I have a couple of questions I hoped someone can help me with. I would have thought my case was very simple, I've been living and working in the UK for 14years, I have a British Spouse, I'm from the EU and I have no criminal history/I meet the good character requirements.

My marriage is same sex, this definitely shouldn't effect things but wondering if this is slowing down the process?

Is there any way to enquire what the holdup could be or if they have even received everything? I've emailed but only received generic responses. I'm worried the letter has been lost in the post and I'd never even know about it.

How long can you leave the country for during the application process?

I'm self employed (but with a complete tax history) does this slow it down?

Thank you in advance for your advice.

Hi Jay Brown

I am also waiting from August 2019. On the first week of December 2019 I had an email saying that I should be contacted by post with 21 days ..I haven't received any letter and all the following updates are generic as well. I thought that maybe the letter is lost but no certificate had been sent to my council..

I am aware that now things are fully frozen due to the Corona but I really do not know what to do rather than maybe sending a letter to the HO or even meaning a complaint or asking for Subject Access Request SAR

[Moa7]

I called the HO today and I have been told that they have stopped processing all the naturalization applications at the moment (mine was submitted about 2 months ago). The priority will be for Visa applications. So it look like that there will be a significant delay for all naturalization apllication as the situation will continue for at least few weeks if not months. I am not sure how accurate is the information that I have been given over the phone as it is not published any where!

Annoying that this hasn't explicitly been announced by the Home Office! Official guidance for naturalization applications will put so many minds at easy

[topsecret]

applied twice, no response.

Hi topsecret
It takes 28 Working days to arrive. Due to coronavirus it will take a bit longer when did you apply if you don’t mind me asking?

1st time in mid November 2019 and 2nd one on 3rd of Feb 2020.

You should have received. It says that "You will receive a response within 30 days of your identity being verified by the Home Office." Not working days.
I applied 19 February 2020, nothing received yet. However, you should chase them. In this case if Home Office does not provide you the requested information, they are in breach of GDPR and DPA 2018 regulations as 30 days laps. That gives the bases to make a claim to court, but an official complaint must be made first. Unless they can refuse to provide it if Home Office does not like the grounds you provided in the form.

Simply check your spam inbox as well. But I would definitely chase them today - they had their time regardless any coronavirus of whatever!

Applied for SAR third time on 26/03/2020, lets see what happen ???

[Polka909]

Hi Polka909

Thanks for your reply, have you received any email reply from citizenship.support@homeoffice.gov.uk ?

Nope nothing yet, I sent them an email last Friday. I will chase then next week if I don’t hear and keep you posted as well.

The reply I got:
You must normally book the ceremony within three months of being sent an invitation from the Home Office, however, due to the current circumstances we have extended this period to six months. We will keep this under constant review. No adverse decisions will be made on applications because of delays caused by Coronavirus.

[sanabibi123]

Hi Polka909

Thanks for your reply, have you received any email reply from citizenship.support@homeoffice.gov.uk ?

Nope nothing yet, I sent them an email last Friday. I will chase then next week if I don’t hear and keep you posted as well.

The reply I got:
You must normally book the ceremony within three months of being sent an invitation from the Home Office, however, due to the current circumstances we have extended this period to six months. We will keep this under constant review. No adverse decisions will be made on applications because of delays caused by Coronavirus.

Thank you that's good at least they said the period is extended to six months now.hope for the best for everyone.

[PPTP]

Applied for SAR third time on 26/03/2020, lets see what happen ???

Btw I chased my request and they said they will process it shortly and even apologised - I am surprised ! If no reply by the end of this week, I will arrange a complaint to ICO.

[Stefan Piatek]

I called the HO today and I have been told that they have stopped processing all the naturalization applications at the moment (mine was submitted about 2 months ago). The priority will be for Visa applications. So it look like that there will be a significant delay for all naturalization apllication as the situation will continue for at least few weeks if not months. I am not sure how accurate is the information that I have been given over the phone as it is not published any where!

I'm confused.
Today my daughter called HO and they said, that all of the applications are being processed as usual and the normal waiting times apply.

[rozearo]

I would wish that to be the case! However, the information that I was given over the phone on 25 March is that all the naturalization applications are in hold at the moment. As I explained earlier, I am not sure how accurate the information is as it is not published any where! However, if you follow this forum, you should have noticed that no one has received any approval last 7 days. This is an indication that the application are on hold at the moment. It can not be a coincidence!

[Stefan Piatek]

[...] if you follow this forum, you should have noticed that no one has received any approval last 7 days[...]

That is why I wrote I'm confused - I did notice that.

[rozearo]

[...] if you follow this forum, you should have noticed that no one has received any approval last 7 days[...]

That is why I wrote I'm confused - I did notice that.

I found that on the application page: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/

(( Due to the impact of COVID-19 and the worldwide border, travel and public health restrictions our appointment locations are temporarily closed. You should complete your application and any further actions as usual. Your application will not be affected by the centres closing.

It is not possible to offer a Priority or Super Priority service, do not choose these services when you apply.))

I am not sure how it works!

[PPTP]

[...] if you follow this forum, you should have noticed that no one has received any approval last 7 days[...]

That is why I wrote I'm confused - I did notice that.

I found that on the application page: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/

(( Due to the impact of COVID-19 and the worldwide border, travel and public health restrictions our appointment locations are temporarily closed. You should complete your application and any further actions as usual. Your application will not be affected by the centres closing.

It is not possible to offer a Priority or Super Priority service, do not choose these services when you apply.))

I am not sure how it works!

HO must work even remotely and process the application. At least they can clean the backlogs.

[secret.simon]

I called the HO today and I have been told that they have stopped processing all the naturalization applications at the moment (mine was submitted about 2 months ago). The priority will be for Visa applications. So it look like that there will be a significant delay for all naturalization apllication as the situation will continue for at least few weeks if not months. I am not sure how accurate is the information that I have been given over the phone as it is not published any where!

HO must work even remotely and process the application. At least they can clean the backlogs.

It is quite likely that in the current environment, naturalisation applications will go to the back of the queue in terms of priority of work.

The Home Office, apart from immigration and nationality, is also responsible for policing and security. It is quite likely that currently Home Office resources will be diverted to policing and security rather than immigration and nationality.

The process of naturalisation also has multiple background checks with other government departments, such as HMRC, DWP, the police, the NHS, among others and these other government departments will also likely be diverted to other functions.

Factor in the fact that many people in both the Home Office and other government departments will be working from home, which may impact their productivity negatively.

Finally, keep in mind that the Home Office's view is that naturalisation applications can take as long as it takes, because the applicant's right to reside in the UK is already indefinite (a requirement for a naturalisation application to start with).

So, in this environment, I would make a working assumption that naturalisation applications will take much longer than expected. In any case, most local councils are not conducting citizenship ceremonies right now.

[mrafgsharoon]

Mine is taking much longer than I was expecting
This is the... 32nd.. Month of waiting that's nearly 3 Years lond wait .

Application date 25-july-2017
My case is very straight forward 11 years long residency + ILR. Due to covid19 virus the applications might take longer .

[PPTP]

Mine is taking much longer than I was expecting
This is the... 32nd.. Month of waiting that's nearly 3 Years lond wait .

Application date 25-july-2017
My case is very straight forward 11 years long residency + ILR. Due to covid19 virus the applications might take longer .

I am really sorry to hear. I feel your pain. Have you already tried all resources to chase and speed up.

[gofornaturalisation]

I called the HO today and I have been told that they have stopped processing all the naturalization applications at the moment (mine was submitted about 2 months ago). The priority will be for Visa applications. So it look like that there will be a significant delay for all naturalization apllication as the situation will continue for at least few weeks if not months. I am not sure how accurate is the information that I have been given over the phone as it is not published any where!

Hi rozearo,

Interestingly, I got the complete opposite response three times when I called the HO (3 times) yesterday. All the HO staffers on the phone said that they are most definitely still processing citizenship applications, at least for the moment. The 3rd person in particular was very emphatic and even asked where I got the information that they had been suspended. I called three times to see whether the responses varied but they all said the same thing, citizenship applications are being processed. So that's interesting that they're giving out contradictory advice!

[Stefan Piatek]

I called the HO today and I have been told that they have stopped processing all the naturalization applications at the moment (mine was submitted about 2 months ago). The priority will be for Visa applications. So it look like that there will be a significant delay for all naturalization apllication as the situation will continue for at least few weeks if not months. I am not sure how accurate is the information that I have been given over the phone as it is not published any where!

Hi rozearo,

Interestingly, I got the complete opposite response three times when I called the HO (3 times) yesterday. All the HO staffers on the phone said that they are most definitely still processing citizenship applications, at least for the moment. The 3rd person in particular was very emphatic and even asked where I got the information that they had been suspended. I called three times to see whether the responses varied but they all said the same thing, citizenship applications are being processed. So that's interesting that they're giving out contradictory advice!

The lack of official information is really frustrationg, considering, that the informationg they are giving people over the phone are contradictory. As you can see on the forum, no one has gotten a letter in over a week, and if they are working as usual, someone should get a letter. And if they stopped sending the letters, they should put that information somewhere, like they did with MOT or about postponing the ceremonies.

[gofornaturalisation]

I called the HO today and I have been told that they have stopped processing all the naturalization applications at the moment (mine was submitted about 2 months ago). The priority will be for Visa applications. So it look like that there will be a significant delay for all naturalization apllication as the situation will continue for at least few weeks if not months. I am not sure how accurate is the information that I have been given over the phone as it is not published any where!

Hi rozearo,

Interestingly, I got the complete opposite response three times when I called the HO (3 times) yesterday. All the HO staffers on the phone said that they are most definitely still processing citizenship applications, at least for the moment. The 3rd person in particular was very emphatic and even asked where I got the information that they had been suspended. I called three times to see whether the responses varied but they all said the same thing, citizenship applications are being processed. So that's interesting that they're giving out contradictory advice!

The lack of official information is really frustrationg, considering, that the informationg they are giving people over the phone are contradictory. As you can see on the forum, no one has gotten a letter in over a week, and if they are working as usual, someone should get a letter. And if they stopped sending the letters, they should put that information somewhere, like they did with MOT or about postponing the ceremonies.

Yep I totally agree with you, I feel like I just got caught up in the mess of delays but there's nothing we can do now. I think the proof is sadly in the pudding, there have been no approval letters since 23 March, which suggests they've at least slowed down due to working from home etc, or have literally put them all on the back-burner and we're being sold the company line over the phone.

Hopefully we can all get out of this virus situation safely and quickly and get on with getting citizenship soon!