Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[curious_sam]

Allhamdulillah!

Application: 03/06/2023
Biometric: 15/06/2023
Approval: 15/01/2024
Ceremony: 07/02/2024

Had sent 2 update emails but got no response, 1 after 5 months and 1 after 6 months.
Also, I had overstayed between February and June 2014, and didn't write a cover letter to say anything related to that.

Good luck to everyone awaiting their outcome!

[Naveed583]

Hi Everyone ,Need Advice
Eligibility criteria: BC spouse 15 years, ILR (10 years) going to expire in feb 2024
Language: B1 + Life in the UK
Nationality:Pakistan
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 30/09/2023
Payment: 30/09/2023 online debit
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 05/10/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 05/10/2023 (paid)
Date of acknowledgement: 05/10/2023
Date of receipt of approval: Pending its been morethan 3Months( did not receive any email from Home office)
Date of ceremony: received an email from registrar office on 19/01/2024, booked ceremoney on 3rd of feb2023

[liaamango]

Eligibility criteria: EUSS settled status
Language: B1 + Life in the UK
Nationality: Filipino
Method of application: Online
Date of application:12/10/2023
Payment: 12/10/2023 online
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 12/10/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 27/11/2023 (Aberdeen free)
Date of acknowledgement: 27/11/2023
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of ceremony: Pending

E-mailed FNE for an update on 15/01/2024 and got a response today 20/01 that it has been approved!! Just sharing this as this forum has been very helpful to me. Good luck everyone!!

[Jdf7000]

I applied online on 06/10/2023 and Biometric & UKVI acknowledged on 13/06/2023.

Emailed FNH and on 12/01/2024 and they replied today (20/01/2023 with a default message saying applications take 6 months and my application is still within the timeframe. I hope to hear something positive soon. I don’t want to be waiting too long as I am already getting anxious.

Congrats anyway. Goodluck

[hazekeiko]

Eligibility criteria: 5 yr + 1 week ILR (3yr spouse of BC)
Nationality: Taiwanese
Proof of language: B1 + Life in the UK
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 18.09.2023
Date of debit of fees: 18.09.2023
Biometrics appointment: 12.10.2023 Reading free appointment
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 12.10.2023
Date of receipt of approval: 20.01.24
Received a reply from FNE today 12:39pm (enquiry sent on 13.01.24) that my application has been approved on 16.01.24. Yet, no Home Office Altas email received to-date.
Date of receipt of Invitation Letter: Pending
Date of Ceremony: Pending

FNE also mentioned below:
we can confirm that we have just completed the processing of certificates and ceremony invitations for applications that were approved by 10 January and have now commenced processing those for applications approved on 11January. Ceremony invites are sent by 2nd class post and can take up to 10 working days to be delivered.

Hope this info helps who is still waiting. GOOD LUCK!

[Misbahmahib]

Eligibility criteria:- 5 years BC spouse (family with 2 kids)
Nationality:- indian.
Method of applications:- online
Date of applications:- 19th August 23.
Payment:- 19th August online debit.
Documents uploaded ×3 applications self on 03/09.
Biometric appointments ×3 on 15/09/23.
Receipt of approval:- 20/01/24.
Received a reply on 20.01 from FNE @ 09.30 am that all 3 (wife and 2 kids) applications are approved. ( enquiry sent on 03/01/24 for an update)
Date of ceremony:- pending.

Hope this timeliness helps to those who apply in late August.
Good luck to everyone.

[IndianinLondon]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2 + 5 year ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: Trinity College London GESE + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 30/09/2023
Payment: 30/09/2023 online debit
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 11/10/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 12/10/2023 (Croydon Service point)
Date of acknowledgement: 12/10/2023
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of ceremony: Pending
15/01/2024: Sent an email to Further National Enquiries to get an update. No response.

[upwardspiral]

Eligibility criteria: Settled status for 1 year + 5 year residency
Nationality: Pakistani
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 01/10/2023
Date of debit of fees: 01/10/2023
Date of Biometrics collection UKVCAS: 26/10/2023 (free appointment at Leeds Centre)
Date of receipt of approval: HO emailed 21/01/2024
Date of email from the council: 19/01/2024
Date of Ceremony: 15/02/2024

My Application has been approved within 3 months. Looking forward to the ceremony next month.

[JamesH41#]

Eligibility criteria: Ancestral Visa ILR (1 year and married to a British citizen)
Language: Master degree U.K. university + Life in the UK
Nationality: South African
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 16/10/2023
Payment: 16/10/2023 online debit
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 16/10/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 21/10/2023 (Leeds)
Date of acknowledgement: 21/10/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 22/01/2024
Date of ceremony: 06/03/2024

[aitunchurchh]

Eligibility criteria: 6 years + 1.5 year EUSS
Language/LIUK Criteria: BSc & MSc + Life in the UK
Nationality: EU
Method of application: online
Date of application: 30/09/2023
Payment: 30/09/2023 online debit
Biometrics appointment: 02/10/2023 (newham free)
Date of acknowledgment: 02/10/2023

Date of receipt of approval: 22/01/2024 @12:27pm
Letter from Council for the ceremony: 18/01/2024
Date of ceremony: 30/01/2024 (group)


PS: I emailed FNE on 15/01 requesting an update, and they got back to me on 18/01, confirming the approval of my application. I received the ceremony invitation from my council on the same day. In total, it took 108 days (around 3.5 months). All the best to everyone in this forum!

[Misbahmahib]

Eligibility criteria:- 5 years BC spouse (family with 2 kids)
Nationality:- indian.
Method of applications:- online
Date of applications:- 19th August 23.
Payment:- 19th August online debit.
Documents uploaded ×3 applications self on 03/09.
Biometric appointments ×3 on 15/09/23.
Receipt of approval:- 20/01/24.
Received a reply on 20.01 from FNE @ 09.30 am that all 3 (wife and 2 kids) applications are approved. ( enquiry sent on 03/01/24 for an update)
Date of ceremony:- pending.

Date of approval:- 22/01/24 ( home office atlas) all applications.

Hope this timeline helps to those who apply in late August.
Good luck to everyone.

[Free1102]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years ILR
Language: UK degree + Life in the UK
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 03/10/2023
Payment: 03/10/2023 online
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 03/11/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 03/11/2023 (EastHam free)
Date of acknowledgement: 03/11/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 22/01/2024 (Atlas email)
Date of ceremony: TBC

2 months 19 days from biometrics appointment. Good luck to everyone waiting

[Niroo11]

Eligibility criteria: Spouse of a British Citizen + 5 days ILR
Nationality: Iranian
Proof of language: UK masters
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 01 October 2023
Date of debit of fees: 01 October 2023
Biometrics appointment: 03 October 2023 (Cardiff)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 03 October 2023
Further info requested by Home Office: 07/01/2024 (Confirm place of Birth) (I was born in the UK) Replied same day.
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of receipt of ceremony Email: pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

Emailed FNE three times (01/01/2023- 10/01/2024 - 22/01/2024) no reply yet!

[Endelig]

Eligibility criteria: EUSS 5 years, ILR 5 months, BC spouse 4 years
Language: B1 + Life in the uk
Nationality: EEA
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 3/10/23
Payment: 3/10/23
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 5/10/23
Biometrics Appointment: 20/10/23 (free)
Date of acknowledgement: 20/10/23
Date of receipt of approval: 22/1/24 11am atlas
Date of ceremony: pending

[azimrad]

Eligibility criteria: Long residency , ILR 1 year
Language: UK Degree and Life in the uk
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 08/09/23
Payment: 08/09/23
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 13/09/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 14/09/23 (Manchester-free)
Date of acknowledgement: 14/09/23
Date of receipt of approval: 22/1/24
Date of ceremony: pending (email received from Leicester City Council to await a call to arrange a date)

Emailed further nationality enquires on 18/12, 09/01 and again on 13/01/24 - no response just auto reply

Altogether 4.5 months since biometric appointment

Good Luck Everyone!

[mr86]

Eligibility criteria: LR + 3 year ILR
Language: B1 + Life in the UK
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 03/10/2023
Payment: 03/10/2023 online
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 02/11/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 02/11/2023 (Oxford free)
Date of acknowledgement: 02/11/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 22/01/2024 (Home office Atlas email)
Date of ceremony: 21/02/2024

[echoeara]

Eligibility criteria: Tier-4 (9 years) + Tier-2 (3 years) + ILR (Set LR) 1 year ( living in the UK since 2010)
Language: UK PhD Degree and Life in the UK
Nationality: Turkish
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 03/10/23
Payment: 03/10/23
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 13/10/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 13/10/23 (Bristol)
Date of acknowledgement: 13/10/23 (Acknowledgement for the submission of the documents)
Date of receipt of approval: 22/01/24 (11:25 a.m)
Date of ceremony: pending

I believe my case was straightforward, I have a pristine clear immigration and criminal record, and it took 3 months and 9 days to receive approval after submitting the biometrics. I did not contact FNE at any point nor did the home office contact me. I hope this gives an idea of how long it might take.

[NFSMW]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 2 + 1 year ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: IELTS for UKVI (2017) at the time of entry clearance + Life in the UK test
Nationality: Indian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 11/11/2023
Payment: 11/11/2023 online credit card
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 08/12/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 08/12/2023 (Birmingham)
Date of acknowledgement: 08/12/2023 (Acknowledgement for the submission of the documents from UKVCAS)
Date of receipt of approval: Pending
Date of ceremony: Not applicable yet

[Rj2023]

Eligibility criteria: 13 yrs ILR + Spouse of BC
Nationality: Indian
Language + LIUK: NARIC letters + Degree + Life in UK Test
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 22 Sept 2023
Date of receipt by UKBA: 22 Sept 2023
Date of debit of fees: 22 Sept 2023
Date Biometrics enrolled: 30 Sept 2023 (139£ Leicester)
Date of acknowledgement documents submitted to UKVI: 30 Sept 2023 (email)
Date of receipt of approval: approval email received on 22nd Jan 2024
Date of email from the council: Citizenship ceremony invitation email received 18th Jan 2024
Date of Ceremony: Booked for 24th Jan 2024 (Free group ceremony)

Approved within 3.5months. I was little worried due to 8.5 months of holidays on single trip to India in middle of last 3 qualifying years. Surname was missing on current passport & all previous visas issued with middle name as surname.
Thanks and best of luck to you all.

[Ssu13]

Eligibility criteria: EU Family member + 12 EU Settlement.
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 22/07/2023
Date of debit of fees:22/07/2023
Date Documents Submitted: 09/08/2023
Date Biometrics enrolled (UKVCAS):09/08/2023 free
The date of Approval letter/Email: 22/01/2024
Date of receipt of ceremony invitation:pending
Citizenship ceremony date: Pending

It is taking longer than I expected

Emailed FurtherNationalityEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk on 20/01/24, got a reply on 22/01/24 saying my application has been approved and the approval email could have gone to spam otherwise should be received within 2 weeks.
Now just waiting to get the invitation letter to go ahead and book my ceremony .
Have faith everything will work out.

[Ssu13]

Eligibility criteria: EU Family member + 12 months EU Settlement.
Nationality: Non-EU
Method of application: Online
Payment method: Online
Date of application: 22/07/2023
Date of debit of fees:22/07/2023
Date Documents Submitted: 09/08/2023
Date Biometrics enrolled (UKVCAS):09/08/2023 free
The date of Approval letter/Email: 22/01/2024
Date of receipt of ceremony invitation:pending
Citizenship ceremony date: Pending

It is taking longer than I expected

Emailed FurtherNationalityEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk on 20/01/24, got a reply on 22/01/24 saying my application has been approved and the approval email could have gone to spam otherwise should be received within 2 weeks.
Now just waiting to get the invitation letter to go ahead and book my ceremony .
Have faith everything will work out.

[App2024]

Eligibility criteria: BC spouse 5 years, ILR
Language: B1 + Life in the UK
Nationality: Russian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 01/10/2023
Payment: 01/10/2023 online debit
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 12/10/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 12/10/2023 (Croydon free)
Date of acknowledgement: 12/10/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 21/01/2024
Date of ceremony: 26/02/2014

Good luck to everyone who is still waiting, hope you get your approval soon

[NV319]

Eligibility criteria: 5yrs of family member of an EU national in UK+ 12 months and 1 day of holding EUSS Settled Status.
Proof of language: UK degree
Life in the UK test: September 2019 Passed
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 14/03/2023
Date of documents submission: 14/03/2023
Date of biometrics: 17/03/2023
Date of Acknowledgement email that docs and biometrics submitted to UKVI: 17/03/2023
Date of approval email: pending
Citizenship ceremony date: pending

Emailed Further Nationalities on 1/9/2023 waiting for a response - no response.

Emailed again Further Nationalities on 11/09/2023 waiting for a response.

Also asked MP to email HO to get an update on 11/09/2023. Awaiting response.

Received a response today from Further Nationalities that application is still being processed and the enquiry has been forwarded to caseworker team.

Received a similar above response from HO via MP. I guess we must just wait as they say enquiries are ongoing.. so frustrating process this is..

Received an email regarding service standard stating:
This is because your application raises exceptionally complex issues and we require further time to consider your case thoroughly and reach a decision.

Emailed MP today to request to follow up with HO to check what is so complex about my simple straight forward application and also to ask if that is a generic email template that I have received.

Raised a complaint end of Sept 2023, and still, no response from HO. Asked MP to chase this, they received a normal standard reply. Email FNE, they also replied and said if I have not received a response within 3 months, then I should get back in touch with them. Seems like I have reached a dead end.. nothing else to do apart from waiting..very frustrating.

Received first response from HO on 27/11/23 saying they cannot uphold my complaint and gave a standard response. I replied back on the same day escalating it and saying I am unsatisfied with their response and it is a generic response they have provided and that no proper investigation has been undertaken.

HO emailed on 29/12/23, saying they require more time to investigate and get back regarding the second review of the complaint - therefore, still waiting.

Once they respond back to me on the review of their first response to my complaint, if I am unsatisfied, I will escalate it to an independent body called IEC to review the HO responses to my complaint.

My MP is also chasing them up, however, no response.
I have also submitted another SAR on 5/12/2023. Waiting for it to come through this week.

SAR came through on 12/01/2024. There is a note stating that IT issues preventing progression on the application on 21/09/2023!!

I have requested for an urgent update on the matter via MP and have escalated the matter to IEC.

IEC proposed to UKVI that a decision and timeline for the decision should be given on 17/01/2024. On 22/01/2024, IEC cane back to me and said UKVI have agreed to IEC proposal and that the case-working team have concluded this case. I had sent an email to FNE for an update on 22/01/2024 and FNE came back to me on 23/01/2024 confirming my application was successful and invitation will be sent out within the next 3 weeks.

I believe this is the end of the journey for me (hopefully)!

Best of luck all!

[KS09]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years in UK(presettled status/settled status+spouse of BC)
Nationality: Non-EU -Ukraine
Language: B1 + Life in the UK test
Method of application: 01.10.2023 online
Date of receipt by UKBA: biometric appointment 22.10.2023 Edinburgh (paid)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement:22.10.2023
Email Further Nationality Enquiries on 14.01.2024.
Date of receipt of approval: received email 15.01.2024 at 7.20am from Further Nationality Enquiries that my application has been approved.
Home office Atlas email to book Ceremony: 22.01.2024
Date of Ceremony: 14.03.2024 West Lothian council

[popeangela]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years in UK (tier 2) + 1 year ILR
Language: UK degree
Method of application: 2.10.2023 online
Biometric appointment 9.10.2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement:9.10.2023
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

Emailed FNE on 16th Jan but no reply yet. Thanks!