Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

[Teedee]

Is there anyone from Hampshire council? Are they currently doing virtual ceremonies? My application was approved on the 3rd of December but I’m still waiting for my invitation.

Hi! Home office has cleared approvals of October and sent all invitation letters on 14th of January now they working on November so you need to wait little more

Hi - do you know if HO has cleared November approvals?

[Leo96]

Has anyone from Newham council been able to book ceremony (virtual/private/group) ??

I am with the same council and no confirm news so far about ceremonies.

I sent an email to the mayors office few weeks before and they said they might start virtual ceremonies but nothing is confirmed as of yet.

Also the registrar office advisors keep on giving different answers every single time I try and get in touch with them.

This is ridiculous service from newham council.

[Sufian_Fares]

Is there anyone from Hampshire council? Are they currently doing virtual ceremonies? My application was approved on the 3rd of December but I’m still waiting for my invitation.

Hi! Home office has cleared approvals of October and sent all invitation letters on 14th of January now they working on November so you need to wait little more

Hi - do you know if HO has cleared November approvals?

Approvals from the first two weeks of November seem to be getting their letters. I was approved 16/11, still didn’t receive anything, but it’s looking like it could be soon.

[Teedee]

Is there anyone from Hampshire council? Are they currently doing virtual ceremonies? My application was approved on the 3rd of December but I’m still waiting for my invitation.

Hi! Home office has cleared approvals of October and sent all invitation letters on 14th of January now they working on November so you need to wait little more

Hi - do you know if HO has cleared November approvals?

Approvals from the first two weeks of November seem to be getting their letters. I was approved 16/11, still didn’t receive anything, but it’s looking like it could be soon.

Thanks for the update! Getting there

[Yazzz95]

Has anyone from Newham council been able to book ceremony (virtual/private/group) ??

I am with the same council and no confirm news so far about ceremonies.

I sent an email to the mayors office few weeks before and they said they might start virtual ceremonies but nothing is confirmed as of yet.

Also the registrar office advisors keep on giving different answers every single time I try and get in touch with them.

This is ridiculous service from newham council.

Same here. Not been able to book any ceremony. First my ceremony was cancelled. Then I was advised to rebook again online but there's no dates available (private/group). Spoke to the advisor on phone and was told to wait and they will get back to me. Still waiting to hear back from them.
On the phone I was suggested by the advisor if I would like to change my council then inform home office and they will send my certificate to new council. I don't want to go this way. It will only delay things further.
Instead of arranging ceremonies, they are suggesting people to change a council. Bravo

[m_stram]

Hi everyone,

Quick question for the group as I'm a little confused. The timeframe for attending the ceremony - normally 3 months, but now extended to 6 months... - When does that start ticking from? The date the HO sent me my citizenship approval letter or is it from the date of the ceremony invitation letter?

On the gov website it just says "Usually you must attend a citizenship ceremony within 3 months of receiving your invitation from the Home Office. Because of coronavirus, this has been extended to 6 months."

Does that invitation refer to the original approval letter? Or the specific "Citizenship Invitation" letter, which follows that a couple of months later?

Can anyone clarify that, please?

Thanks!

[Amyx67]

Hello everyone, silent reader here!

I have just completed my citizenship ceremony with Lambeth Council, and it was quite quick and easy.

My timeline:
Approval Date: October 26th
Invitation letter received: 22nd January
Date on letter: 4th January
Ceremony date: February 1st

I would like to thank you all for your input and updates and hope everyone receives their invitations very soon. Thanks once again and will see you all on the passport thread

[CULLINAN]

Hi everyone,

Quick question for the group as I'm a little confused. The timeframe for attending the ceremony - normally 3 months, but now extended to 6 months... - When does that start ticking from? The date the HO sent me my citizenship approval letter or is it from the date of the ceremony invitation letter?

On the gov website it just says "Usually you must attend a citizenship ceremony within 3 months of receiving your invitation from the Home Office. Because of coronavirus, this has been extended to 6 months."

Does that invitation refer to the original approval letter? Or the specific "Citizenship Invitation" letter, which follows that a couple of months later?

Can anyone clarify that, please?

Thanks!

6 months after HO ceremony invitation letter.

[NinashK]

Thank you for the reply Glad to hear about the jam

i recieved my letter on the 20th of december and approval was 12 of October. When was your letter date?

My approval was 7th oct and received my letter from Kent Council on the 17th December then 20th from HO. Was booked initially for 21st of jan for ceremony but it was rescheduled to the 26th of Jan because government restrictions. But the registrar told me they've been told by home office to continue ceremonies.

I'm sure they will send you a letter or email soon.

[nadeem75]

Hello everyone, silent reader here!

I have just completed my citizenship ceremony with Lambeth Council, and it was quite quick and easy.

My timeline:
Approval Date: October 26th
Invitation letter received: 22nd January
Date on letter: 4th January
Ceremony date: February 1st

I would like to thank you all for your input and updates and hope everyone receives their invitations very soon. Thanks once again and will see you all on the passport thread

Thanks Amyx67
I am also in Lambeth council. And waiting for invitation letter. My approval was 30 nov,
Please advise did you attend vertical? And how did you book ? , after invitation letter through online or Lambeth called you for booking.
Regards.

[imaz8338]

Hi there, how many people waiting for Ceremony Invitation Letter whose approval was before or on 11th Nov.

I got approval on 9th November and didn't receive the Ceremony Letter either from Redbridge Council or HO as of yet. Please advise do I need to wait or write an email to the HO?

Thank you

[mrmo93]

Good news everyone, I got my ceremony (Kent) Booked for the 18th of February!

[Teedee]

Hi there, how many people waiting for Ceremony Invitation Letter whose approval was before or on 11th Nov.

I got approval on 9th November and didn't receive the Ceremony Letter either from Redbridge Council or HO as of yet. Please advise do I need to wait or write an email to the HO?

Thank you

Hi - you could try contacting your Council first to find out if HO has sent your paperwork to them. Otherwise, you could reach out to HO via citizenship.support@homeoffice.gov.uk

Hope this helps

[YanisAAK]

Has anyone from Newham council been able to book ceremony (virtual/private/group) ??

I am with the same council and no confirm news so far about ceremonies.

I sent an email to the mayors office few weeks before and they said they might start virtual ceremonies but nothing is confirmed as of yet.

Also the registrar office advisors keep on giving different answers every single time I try and get in touch with them.

This is ridiculous service from newham council.

Same here. Not been able to book any ceremony. First my ceremony was cancelled. Then I was advised to rebook again online but there's no dates available (private/group). Spoke to the advisor on phone and was told to wait and they will get back to me. Still waiting to hear back from them.
On the phone I was suggested by the advisor if I would like to change my council then inform home office and they will send my certificate to new council. I don't want to go this way. It will only delay things further.
Instead of arranging ceremonies, they are suggesting people to change a council. Bravo

Hello
Same situation here. I am anges to speak to the customer service advisor (totally useless) but the register office people are hiding, impossible to get through (who do they think they are!)
Complete shamble and mismanagement by the council. Do you mind sharing the mayor s office email please. I ll complain to them. Newham is always the last council to achieve progress.

[Gard]

Has anyone done Virtual ceremony by using Microsoft Team for Manchester City Council yet?

[Sab172]

Has anyone done Virtual ceremony by using Microsoft Team for Manchester City Council yet?

Same would like to know that too please, as I just received an email reply to saying-

Microsoft Teams meeting Join on your computer or mobile app and link to join.

My ceremony is next week have downloaded Microsoft teams hopefully its just clicking on the link on the day I guess?

[lhrflyer]

Got my invite letter today, date on letter 25/1, approved 13/11

[Rabs]

AlhamduLillah!

Application: 15 Sep 2020

Biometrics: 06 Oct 2020

Approval: 12 Nov 2020

Invitation letter received : 01 Feb 2021:

Date on letter 22 Jan 2021

NB: I also received invitation letter for my 5 year old daughter instead of the Naturalisation certificate. But the letter states that she doesn't need to attend any ceremony. My question is why send the invitation letter?

[askmeplz82]

After nearly 4 months waiting i got a letter from Ealing Council inviting me to book ceremony

in the letter it says " we are offering a limited number of ceremonies. These are subject to availability and will be offered on a first come first serve basis "

Approval : 2nd October
Invitation from Home Office : 8th December
Letter from the Council inviting me to book Ceremony: 1st Feb
Ceremony : don't know yet. i emailed council and now it's another waiting game

[askmeplz82]

Ealing Council is so backdated. Councillor xxxxxx (Leader of Ealing Council ) saying they don't have IT INFRASTRUCTURE for ONLINE ceremonies and their staffing is currently restricted . What a Joke !!

[russn]

Ealing Council is so backdated. Councillor xxxxxx (Leader of Ealing Council ) saying they don't have IT INFRASTRUCTURE for ONLINE ceremonies and their staffing is currently restricted . What a Joke !!

Congrats ! At least it's good to know that they are actually sending out those letters. And yea, I honestly don't understand why they can't offer virtual ceremonies. Esp for a big council like Ealing smh...

[Gard]

Hi Gard,

Same here I emailed them the dame day confirming my attendance but have not heard anything back yet. Hopefully they will update us soon with further details.

Hi jasmine, just got the email from Manchester city council. By the way my name isn't Gard, its Syed actually

I have just received mine not long ago, virtual ceremony link for next Wednesday 10:30Am -11:00. Good luck to everyone.

Lucky you. Mine is on tuesday and still no sign of email.

Jasmine, have you done ur ceremony? Could you please tell me how was that and how it works? Thanks

[Jim123]

Currently waiting for invitation. Email received from HO on 7/12/2020.

[jasmine89]

Hi jasmine, just got the email from Manchester city council. By the way my name isn't Gard, its Syed actually

I have just received mine not long ago, virtual ceremony link for next Wednesday 10:30Am -11:00. Good luck to everyone.

Lucky you. Mine is on tuesday and still no sign of email.

Jasmine, have you done ur ceremony? Could you please tell me how was that and how it works? Thanks

Hi syed.

Thank God the process is finally completed:). It was very straight forward. Download the app on your tablet or phone. Click on the link in email and it will take you to the meeting. They will ask you to show them your ID and invitation letter. Once the ceremony is concluded they will send out the certificates by post. You will most likely receive it next week. Best of luck to everyone who is waiting.

[Gard]

I have just received mine not long ago, virtual ceremony link for next Wednesday 10:30Am -11:00. Good luck to everyone.

Lucky you. Mine is on tuesday and still no sign of email.

Jasmine, have you done ur ceremony? Could you please tell me how was that and how it works? Thanks

Hi syed.

Thank God the process is finally completed:). It was very straight forward. Download the app on your tablet or phone. Click on the link in email and it will take you to the meeting. They will ask you to show them your ID and invitation letter. Once the ceremony is concluded they will send out the certificates by post. You will most likely receive it next week. Best of luck to everyone who is waiting.

One more question jasmine. Did you mean the link where it says join the meeting, and after clicking that link do I have to join as a guest or do I have to enter anything else? Also at what time I should click on the link? How long before the meeting I mean.

Pleased to know that you have done yours, mine is tomorrow and I'm confused