Naturalisation application processing timelines (only)

[AnaPerov]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years tier 2 dependant + ILR (applied immediately after, as a spouse of a British citizen)
Language: B1 + Life in UK Test
Nationality: Non-EU (Russia)
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 09/11/2023
Date of enrolling biometrics: 15/11/2023 (Croydon, free)
Date of receipt of approval: 26/2/2024 (3.5 months since biometrics)
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: 06/03/2024 (Group, Merton Council)

[sevencakesfly]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years + 1 year EUSS
Language/LIUK Criteria: B1 SELT + Life in the UK test
Nationality: EU
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 03/11/2023
Payment: 03/11/2023 online debit
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 22/11/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 22/11/2023 (Mark Lane)
Date of acknowledgement: 22/11/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 26/02/2024
Date of ceremony: 28/03/2024
Good Luck Everyone!

[gag285]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: Tier 2 5 years + ILR 1 year (3 years now though)
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 09/02/2024
Date of debit of fees: 09/02/2024
Date of biometrics: 27/02/2024
Date of receipt of acknowledgment: 27/02/2024
Date of receipt of approval: Awaited
Date of Ceremony: Awaited

[damzz999]

Eligibility criteria: 11 years living in the UK + 1 year ILR/settled status
Language/LIUK Criteria: Life in UK Test + University degree
Nationality: Nigerian
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 11/11/2023
Payment method: Credit Card (Online)
Date of biometrics & supporting docs submission: 29/11/2023
Follow up email sent to FNE on 20.02.2024 - No response
Date on Approval letter: No approval letter sent however i received a call from the council they had received my naturalisation certificate - shortly after I received the Atlas email confirming i could book my ceremony. 26.02.2024
Date of Ceremony: 11/04/2024 (Newham)

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for this amazing forum, i was refreshing daily and this forum kept me sane on the timelines. Goodluck everyone still waiting!

[sbay]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years, spouse of a BC, ILR<1 month
Language: University degree, Life in the UK Test
Method of application: online
Nationality: Russian
Date of application: 12/11/2023
Date of biometrics & supporting docs submission: 19/11/2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement from UKVCAS: 19/11/2023
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

[snt]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 1 Entrepreneur + 1 year ILR
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKBA: 03/10/2023
Date of debit of fees: 03/10/2023
Date of biometrics: 20/10/2023 (Croydon, Free appointment)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 20/10/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 26/02/2024
Date of Ceremony: 30/04/2024

[tstrassberger]

Eligibility criteria: Long term ILR holder / spouse of British Citizen
Proof of language: Exempt (US Citizen) Life in UK Passed for ILR
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 27.08.2022
Date of documents submission: 27.08.2022
Date of biometrics: 03.10.2022
Date of acknowledgement email that docs and biometrics submitted to UKVI: Never received. Wrote to FNE 24.01.2023, received reply from FNE on 14.02.2023 saying 'All proceeding normally'
Further enquiries to FNE in April, July, August, 2023. September 2023, suddenly got email from Nationality Biometrics informing me that I never took biometrics. I provided proof of attendance at the appointment. SopraSteria complaint line writes back to confirm they sent my biometrics, and they can't do anything about it until UKVI raises the issue. UKVI says 'IT Issue' UKVI tells me the have raised the issue. Nothing to do but wait.
October 2023 - MP wrote on my behalf -- same reply 'IT Issue'
November 2023, December 2023 - Replies from FNE as well as UKVI complaints that there is an ongoing IT Issue. I've offered to have biometrics taken again. No reply.

UPDATE
Received on 14.02.204 email from the Atlas Caseworking team asking for information related to my Evidence of Working Abroad. They gave a two week deadline to provide the information. I sent it all the next day, no reply from them.
Date of approval email: on 23.02.2024 FNE replied to a previous email from more than a month before that application has been approved, and to expect a letter within two weeks, then to contact the council to schedule
Citizenship ceremony: none

So well into 18 months since initial application and things seem to be moving forward.

[sassyayyy24]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: 18 years Living in UK and EU settled Status
Proof of language: UK Degree + Life in the UK
Method of application: online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 29.11.2023
Date of debit of fees: 29.11.2023
Biometrics appointment: 21.12.2023 (free)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 21.12.2023
Date of receipt of approval:pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

Sent email to FNE today awaiting response

[almukhtar]

Application Timeline

Eligibility criteria: Tier 2 1 year + ILR 4 years
Method of application: Online
Proof of Language: UK Master's Degree
Date of receipt by UKVI: 18/02/2024
Date of debit of fees: 18/02/2024
Date of biometrics: 01/023/2024 [Paid Appointment Cardiff]
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 01/03/2024
Date of receipt of approval: Awaited
Date of Ceremony: Awaited

[Darklordmark48]

Application Timeline

Eligibility criteria: 5 years + ILR 2 years
Method of application: Online
Proof of Language: GESE English Test + Life in the UK Test
Date of receipt by UKVI: 27/02/2024
Date of debit of fees: 27/02/2024
Date of biometrics: 29/02/2024 [Free Appointment Croydon]
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 29/02/2024
Date of receipt of approval: Awaited
Date of Ceremony: Awaited

[Dave75]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Spouse + 1 weeks ILR
Method of application: Online
Nationality: Non-EU
Date of receipt by UKBA: 19/10/2023
Date of biometrics: 23/10/2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement from UKVCAS: 23/10/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 26/02/2024
Date of Ceremony: 15/03/2024

[bookerw100]

Method of application: Online
Date of application submission online: 28/11/2024
Date of debit of fees: 28/11/2024
Date of biometrics: 08/12/2024
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 08/12/2024
Email to FNE: 01/03/2024 (no response received)
Date of receipt of approval from HO Atlas: 04/03/2024
Date of Ceremony: TBC

[naughtydonkey]

Application Timeline
Eligibility criteria: (5yr Tier 2 + 1yr ILR, IELTS test)
Method of application: Online
Date of receipt by UKVI: 5 Sep 2023
Date of debit of fees: 5 Sep 2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement (biometrics): 27 Sep 2023
Date of receipt of approval: 4 Mar 2024 HO Atlas email
Date of Ceremony: pending Council's contact

Other Updates: Emailed FNE on 22 Jan 2024, after observing many applicants posting approval emails around the same time as mine on the forum. Received a reply 18 days later on 9 Feb 2024, stating that the application is still within the timeframe, with no further update provided. No additional inquiries were made afterwards.

Got approved about 5.3 months after the biometrics, within timeframe, so jolly good!!!

I believe the main reason for the extra time may be the English language, which stems from an issue in my initial Tier 2 application in 2017. At that time, the Home Office introduced the Secure English Language Test (SELT) around 2015-17 (?), rendering my IELTS test taken in 2015 invalid for the Tier 2 application. Consequently, I had to retake the IELTS test in 2017 and used that score for my Tier 2 visa application.
Upon reviewing my application form for this Tier 2 visa, I noticed that I inadvertently included the old IELTS test number instead of the new one. However, I am confident that I uploaded the correct, newer IELTS certificate with my Tier 2 visa application. To address this discrepancy, I provided a cover letter explaining the situation and attached both IELTS test certificates in my naturalisation application.
This complication likely requires additional time for the caseworkers to access and review archived documents from my previous applications, thus contributing to the extra time.

If your application is causing you anxiety, I hope my timeline provides some relief. Remember, sometimes waiting is the hardest part. If there's no news, it is good news. Let's stay patient and hopeful.

[Kad8888]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years Tier 4 + Tier 2 + Tier 1+ 1 year ILR
Proof of language: UK degree + Life in the UK
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission: 05.10.2023
Biometrics appointment: 21.10.2023
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 21.10.2023
Date of official approval from Home office (Atlas): 04/03/2024 (at 10:00am)

So, exactly 5months from the date of online submission.

Thank you very much everyone here who shared his experience. I encourage everyone to do so here as it helps others

Email sent to FNE on the 23.01.2024 and a response received on the 09.02.2024, specifying that my application is still within the service standard and therefore no update.

[sostresseddd]

Method of application: Online
Eligibility: 10 yr ILR + BC spouse
Date of application submission: 10/07/2023
Date of biometrics: 14/07/2023
Standard application delayed email received: 25/01/2024
Date of receipt of approval from HO Atlas: 04/03/2024
Date of Ceremony: TBC

Thank you to this forum and mods - the help I’ve received over the last decade has been invaluable. All the best to those waiting!

[Adnanali112]

Eligibility: refugee 5 year and 1 year ILR
Date of application: 20 july 2023
Bio: 20-07-2023 Birmingham paid
Date of approval: 04-03-2024
Ceremony:pending

Thanks all and good luck who are waiting

[Sambad501]

Eligibility criteria: 2.5 yrs spouse + 10yrs ILR
Method of application: Online
Proof of Language: B1 + Life in Uk
Nationality: Ghana
Date of receipt by UKVI: 18/12/2023
Date of debit of fees: 18/12/2023
Date of biometrics: 29/12/2023 (Paid,Glasgow)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: 29/12/2023
Date of receipt of approval: pending
Date of Ceremony: pending

[RowenaUK]

Eligibility criteria: 5 years ancestral visa + 1 year ILR
Language/LIUK Criteria: English B1 + Life in the UK
Nationality: South African
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 21/10/2023
Payment: 21/10/2023 online debit
Documents uploaded & submitted to UKVCAS: 21/10/2023
Biometrics Appointment: 26/10/2023 (Croydon paid appointment)
Date of acknowledgement: 26/10/2023
Date of invitation to ceremony: 12/2/2024

When I was able to log in, but unable to book for the ceremony, I called the borough on Wednesday 14th February who informed me that they only get paperwork once a week on a Thursday. Details are uploaded during the day on Friday and for me to check again on Monday 19th February. I have been able to book an appointment this morning, 17th February, and 13th March was the earliest available.

I decided to go with a paid private ceremony and attended my ceremony on Friday.

Date of ceremony: 1/3/2024

Good luck to everyone waiting. Hang in there.
Application for passport posted directly after ceremony and documents were signed for by the passport office this morning

[n1k1ta]

Eligibility criteria: 1 year after getting ILR, Tier 2 General visa before that
Nationality: Russian
Proof of language: British Council IELTS for ILR
Life in the UK test: July 2022
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 16/11/2023
Date of documents submission: 13/12/2023 (I uploaded them after the application submission and before the biometrics appointment)
Date of biometrics: 13/12/2023 (Cardiff, free)
Date of approval email: 04/03/24
Citizenship ceremony date: pending
Slightly less than 3 months after biometrics
Good luck to everyone who is still waiting, it's been quite a stressor for those 6 and a half years but now I can finally make myself a cup of tea with milk!

[wildeteddy]

Eligibility criteria: EU Settled Status + 1y
Nationality: Italian
Proof of language: UK NARIC
Life in the UK test: July 2023
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 15/11/2023
Date of documents submission: 20/11/2023
Date of biometrics: 20/11/2023 (London Mark Lane, Paid)
Date of approval email: 26/02/24
Citizenship ceremony date: 04/03/24 (Private)

[Ago42]

Method of application: Online
Eligibility criteria: EUSS + 5 years
Nationality: Romanian
Proof of language: UK Degree + LIUK Test
Life in the UK test: July 2019
Date of application: 21/11/2023
Date of UKVCAS biometrics / documents: 12/12/ 2023 (London Mark Lane, Free)
Date of approval email: 04/03/2024
Citizenship ceremony date: 18/04/2024 (London, public ceremony)

83 days in total from biometrics / document submission to UKVCAS - very reasonable timelines. Good luck to everyone waiting!

[jkswda7]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 2 - ILR for last 7 years
Method of application: Online
Language : Masters Degree + LIUK Test
Date of receipt by UKBA: 31st October 2023
Date of debit of fees: 30th October 2023
Biometric: 31st October 2023 ( Paid @ Mark Lane)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: Sopra Steria Email
Date of receipt of approval: Awaited
Date of Ceremony: Awaited

Sent email to FNE on Feb 1st - Standard 6 Months Auto Response email
Sent email to FNE on Feb 26th, 2024 - ( New Email) - Standard 6 Months Auto response email
Forwarded email of Feb 1st to FNE on 01/03/2024

Moderator Edit : Please keep posts to timeline format only. If you have other questions, start a new topic and ask them.

[KLondon]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 1 Entrepreneur 5 years post entry
Language: Naric equivalent degree
Nationality: Non EU - South African
Method of application: Online
Date of application submission:4 June 2023
Date of enrolling biometrics: 12 June 2023
Date of receipt of approval: 16 February 2024
Date of Citizenship Ceremony: booked for 1 May 24 (Surrey)

Wrote several emails to FNE, called, filed complaint (helpline advised), and wrote to MP, finally received approval 8.5 months.

[sid0225]

Application Timeline

Eligibility criteria: 5 years EUSS (EU family member) + 1 year ILR
Nationality: Non-EU
Proof of Language: UK Masters Degree + Life in UK
Method of application: Online
Date of application & payment: 19/11/2023
Date of biometrics: 23/11/2023 (Bristol, paid)
Date of biometrics and supporting information submission: 23/11/2023
Date of receipt of approval: 26/02/2024 (3 months almost exactly)
Date of Ceremony: 04/03/2024 (private, attended)

Moderator edit : This is a Naturalisation Timeline Only. For Passports, post in the passport timeline.

[jkswda7]

Eligibility criteria: Tier 2 - ILR for last 7 years
Method of application: Online
Language : Masters Degree + LIUK Test
Date of receipt by UKBA: 31st October 2023
Date of debit of fees: 30th October 2023
Biometric: 31st October 2023 ( Paid @ Mark Lane)
Date of receipt of acknowledgement: Sopra Steria Email
Date of receipt of approval: Awaited
Date of Ceremony: Awaited

Sent email to FNE on Feb 1st - Standard 6 Months Auto Response email that we will strive to reply in 20 working days.
Sent email to FNE on Feb 26th, 2024 - ( New Email chain) - Standard 6 Months Auto response email

Forwarded email of Feb 1st to FNE on 01/03/2024

06.03.2023- 20 Working days have passed since I sent the first update request to FNE on February 1st: No response