General Discussion During Naturalisation Application Process

[Just Wondering]

Hi Forum,

Just a quick question; does the home office send out the approval letter and also notify the council at the same time?

If not, how long does it take for the council to be notified or for the council to receive certificate from the home office?

From what I gather, they're notified at the same time you are. They should receive the certificate around the same time.

[MwanaKay]

Hi Forum,

Just a quick question; does the home office send out the approval letter and also notify the council at the same time?

If not, how long does it take for the council to be notified or for the council to receive certificate from the home office?

From what I gather, they're notified at the same time you are. They should receive the certificate around the same time.

You are right Just Wondering, I got the invitation letter on the 22nd, called council and arranged a private ceremony for next day (23/01/2014), had it yesterday and posted the Passport application, now just waiting

[Kibria]

Hi Guys

I have a quick question and would appreciate if I can get some information regarding it.

I have submitted citizenship application for my children via royalmail service. I have also sent mine and my wife original passports.

However my wife has to travel to Pakistan in emergency and wanted to request return of her passport (not the others) but don't know how it can be acheived.

I sent email to Nationality HelpdDesk account but they keep on sending me link to the standard form for online return of documents.

The issue is that the form always asks of the main applicant detail which I am not sure who it is, is it me (legal guardian) or my children?

In any case the form doesn't tell how you can specify that I do not require the children application (whose application is sent) but one fo the parents?

Any help in this matter would be very much appreciated

Regards
Kibria

[sullah80]

Hi,
anyone can help?

I had my ILR and now will apply for nationality next month. I have a question regarding this.

1- in Good Character requirement: do i have to attach any document with my application to show good character like CRB? or will they check it by my NI number and other info provided?

2-List of documents should i prepare to attach with application?

2 whats the average processing time?

[Just Wondering]

However my wife has to travel to Pakistan in emergency and wanted to request return of her passport (not the others) but don't know how it can be acheived.

The issue is that the form always asks of the main applicant detail which I am not sure who it is, is it me (legal guardian) or my children?

In any case the form doesn't tell how you can specify that I do not require the children application (whose application is sent) but one fo the parents?

The form is the correct form you should be using. The main applicant it the person who is applying for citizenship - so if you (or your wife) is not applying then it would be your children who are the applicants.

Worse comes to worse - they will send back all the passports. This will not halt your application. If they need them back then they will request them.

[Just Wondering]

Hi,
anyone can help?

I had my ILR and now will apply for nationality next month. I have a question regarding this.

1- in Good Character requirement: do i have to attach any document with my application to show good character like CRB? or will they check it by my NI number and other info provided?

2-List of documents should i prepare to attach with application?

2 whats the average processing time?

1.) No.
2.) Depends on the basis of the application.
3.) It can take up to 6 months.

[jlj1982]

Hi,

I have been in the UK for close to 6 years on a work permit (2 years) followed by a Tier 1 visa (3 years). I obtained ILR on 21 February 2013 and I'm looking to apply for naturalisation next month. With regards to form AN, I have the following queries:

1. English language requirement: As I have previously satisfied the requirement for having obtained an academic qualification recognised by NARIC as being of the appropriate standard (through my WP and Tier 1 applications), what documentation do I need to provide proof of this?

Ordinarily I would assume it is flagged on the UKBA database that I have met this requirement but on this message board I noticed that people have mentioned that I need to print out the UKBA website calculator indicating this. I wanted to confirm whether this is all that's required because some of my friends have mentioned that an English Exam (through Trinity) is required or alternatively sending degrees and academic transcripts to obtain written confirmation from NARIC may need to be done.

There appear to be many different ways to go about this but I just wanted to confirm which of these is actually necessary.

2. Occupation: I am currently unemployed and looking to start my own business (but as of yet have not done so wrt. a legal entity). What option should I select in section 3.2? Additionally, I have sufficient funds to support myself during this period so is it recommended that I obtain bank statements and submit this with my application?

Some guidance would be greatly appreciated. Apologies if this has been answered to some degree in other threads.

[Just Wondering]

What country did you do your degree?

As for 3.2, the purpose of the question is to ensure you've paid the correct tax. Have you traded as a sole trader or self-employed? If not, I'd choose employee and put your last employer's details.

You do not need to prove self-sufficiency for naturalisation so you do not need to submit your bank statements for this purpose.

[jlj1982]

Hi Just Wondering.

I obtained my degree / qualification in South Africa. Is any further documentation required considering my previously successful Tier 1 application?

I have not traded as a sole trader and I'm currently not self employed. I have been on a sabbatical sine July last year hence my question of whether I need to show that I am able to support myself.

Thanks

[MwanaKay]

Can someone please help me understand this

I called the HMPO to check on the progress of my application, I was told that apllications generally take two to three weeks with the check&Verification section before it is passed onto the processing section which then deals with the interviews, then sent to the dispatching section which then dispatches out the supporting docs and then passport thereafter.

My question is: If the HO takes all those months verifying and checking your naturalisation application, then they approve it, why then does the HMPO have to spend 2 more weeks cheking and verifying before they can send you application to the processing section to start the process? Also why is it that after paying for the Check and Send service, the HMPO also still starts making the "checking & Sending" before sending it to their other departments, who inturn (am assuming here) also does the same job all over again, WHYYYYY?

[90sBaby]

Hi All,

During the Nationality Checking Service process, do they process your card payment details there and then? OR do they just send off the details to the Home Office?

Kind Regards,

[Just Wondering]

Hi Just Wondering.

I obtained my degree / qualification in South Africa. Is any further documentation required considering my previously successful Tier 1 application?

I have not traded as a sole trader and I'm currently not self employed. I have been on a sabbatical sine July last year hence my question of whether I need to show that I am able to support myself.

Thanks

The strict requirement is that UK NARIC has confirmed that the qualification was taught or researched in English. Formally this is done via a letter from UK NARIC stating that the degree was taught in English http://ecctis.co.uk/naric/individuals/C ... sment.aspx. However, some people have put their degree through the PBS Calculator again and if it still awards the English language points, print off this as proof that the it satisfies the English language requirement. The latter option has been successfully done by others on the board, but it's at the discretion of the case worker to accept it.

Alternatively, you take an English language test as set out in the Booklet.

See pages 11-16: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... let_an.pdf

Whilst I understand the assumption that UKBA would keep a record of it, from what I understand, some degrees have been taken off of the PBS Calculator wtr to awarding English language points so it's best to provide the evidence that your degree does qualify.

As before, you do not need to demonstrate that you can support yourself. (I know it's weird considering you've probably spent the last 5 years through various visa application processes proving that you can support yourself!) However, you qualify for benefits as someone with ILR - so it's not really necessary to prove self-sufficiency anymore. It's more or less ensuring that you have paid your taxes and aren't in trouble with HMRC - so if I were you, I'd declare myself as an employee and submit the relevant tax information they've requested.

[Just Wondering]

Hi All,

During the Nationality Checking Service process, do they process your card payment details there and then? OR do they just send off the details to the Home Office?

Kind Regards,

They send the payment details to the Home Office to process which can take a number of weeks.

[Just Wondering]

Can someone please help me understand this

I called the HMPO to check on the progress of my application, I was told that apllications generally take two to three weeks with the check&Verification section before it is passed onto the processing section which then deals with the interviews, then sent to the dispatching section which then dispatches out the supporting docs and then passport thereafter.

My question is: If the HO takes all those months verifying and checking your naturalisation application, then they approve it, why then does the HMPO have to spend 2 more weeks cheking and verifying before they can send you application to the processing section to start the process? Also why is it that after paying for the Check and Send service, the HMPO also still starts making the "checking & Sending" before sending it to their other departments, who inturn (am assuming here) also does the same job all over again, WHYYYYY?

To ensure that those who are applying for a British passport are eligible for such a passport. Oddly enough, quite a few applications are fraudulent so they cannot really depend on the checks already being done.

[90sBaby]

Hi All,

During the Nationality Checking Service process, do they process your card payment details there and then? OR do they just send off the details to the Home Office?

Kind Regards,

They send the payment details to the Home Office to process which can take a number of weeks.

Thanks JustWondering!

[90sBaby]

Dear All,

If a given ceremony date is too far away, can you just pay for a earlier private ceremony to get around that wait?

[MwanaKay]

Dear All,

If a given ceremony date is too far away, can you just pay for a earlier private ceremony to get around that wait?

Yes you can if you contact your Council to Arrange for a private ceremony, they will telle you the cost and the available dates

[90sBaby]

Dear All,

If a given ceremony date is too far away, can you just pay for a earlier private ceremony to get around that wait?

Yes you can if you contact your Council to Arrange for a private ceremony, they will telle you the cost and the available dates

MwanaKay, thank you for your speedy response!

[jlj1982]

Hi Just Wondering.

I obtained my degree / qualification in South Africa. Is any further documentation required considering my previously successful Tier 1 application?

I have not traded as a sole trader and I'm currently not self employed. I have been on a sabbatical sine July last year hence my question of whether I need to show that I am able to support myself.

Thanks

The strict requirement is that UK NARIC has confirmed that the qualification was taught or researched in English. Formally this is done via a letter from UK NARIC stating that the degree was taught in English http://ecctis.co.uk/naric/individuals/C ... sment.aspx. However, some people have put their degree through the PBS Calculator again and if it still awards the English language points, print off this as proof that the it satisfies the English language requirement. The latter option has been successfully done by others on the board, but it's at the discretion of the case worker to accept it.

Alternatively, you take an English language test as set out in the Booklet.

See pages 11-16: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... let_an.pdf

Whilst I understand the assumption that UKBA would keep a record of it, from what I understand, some degrees have been taken off of the PBS Calculator wtr to awarding English language points so it's best to provide the evidence that your degree does qualify.

As before, you do not need to demonstrate that you can support yourself. (I know it's weird considering you've probably spent the last 5 years through various visa application processes proving that you can support yourself!) However, you qualify for benefits as someone with ILR - so it's not really necessary to prove self-sufficiency anymore. It's more or less ensuring that you have paid your taxes and aren't in trouble with HMRC - so if I were you, I'd declare myself as an employee and submit the relevant tax information they've requested.

Thanks Just Wondering. Much appreciated.

[liuzhbob]

Hi, can anyone help with the following:

One of the requirements for naturalisation is "been present in the UK five years before the date of your application", what's the best way to demonstrate/evidence this?

I was suggested that stamps on passport would be sufficient. However, not all trips get stamped, especially on exit.

Thanks very much!!

[Just Wondering]

You demonstrate this through your passport.

If you're not sure if you were present in the UK, wait to apply during a time you are sure you were in the UK 5 years before.

[MwanaKay]

Hi, can anyone help with the following:

One of the requirements for naturalisation is "been present in the UK five years before the date of your application", what's the best way to demonstrate/evidence this?

I was suggested that stamps on passport would be sufficient. However, not all trips get stamped, especially on exit.

Thanks very much!!

Well, for one to qualify for ILR, one should have had other visas that allow one to qualify for ILR. It is that passport/passports showing your previous visas going back, plus the stamps in your passport showing return dates to the UK, plus the dates stamped in by the countries you've been to, that allow the caseworker to calculate dates away from the UK and years been in the country. You need to satisfy the caseworker that you've been in the country going back five years from the date of application.

[salman4uall]

hi Forum

I had my ILR Accepted on 4/2/2013.

My question are

English Knowledge

1) as I read some thread my life in uk test is still valid (done in dec 2012) and also my English knowledge is ok because I did my MSC degree from Middlesex University in 2005. Is it Correct?

Good Character

I) Regarding Good Character once I been fined( I don't remember exact which year but I am sure its more the 5 years before) for travelling in bus without ticket, I rcv fine and I paid it within 1 month. As I never mention declare this during my 1st hsmp , 2nd hsmp approval and not even in my ILR ( my solicitor advise not to...) do you think I should mention this now if YES in which section.

ii) in sept 2013 I rcv fine from my borough because of my daughter didn't attend school for 3 days as we where in abroad even though we inform them. I paid this fine is this I have to mention or not.


Thank you.

[England135]

Dear all,

I am applying for naturalisation next month, but there is technical problem I want to resolve:

Me and my wife both are on ILR. I got my ILR on 05/03/2013 and my wife on 09/04/2013. The question is that if we apply as joint applicant what would be the status of my wife?

1: she will be consider as a spouse of British citizen and her qualifying period will be on 3 years based?

OR

2: she will be consider on her merits and the residential qualifying period will on 5 years based?

One of the term for 5 years period is that applicant must have ILR for 12 months which she has not if she apply with me as joint applicant.

please if any one can guide me because its going to make a lot of difference.

I got my ILR on 10 years and my wife is with me for 8 years.

Many thanks

[90sBaby]

Hi,

The lady who checked my Naturalisation application this week said that fees will be going up from £874 to £980 (approx.) and so there might be a surge of people putting in applications before April.

People may already know that, but it's something to be aware of in regard to processing times. Let's hope UKBA can handle the last minute rush!