British Citizenship Processing time and new biometric card

[andyn1066]

Hi All,

Has any one applied for citizenship recently and know appoximately the time to process their application. I read on the UKBA site it could take 6 months, it this right or just a figure they say to cover them selfs? Tomorrow I will be attending the local registry office for the paper work to be checked. The reason I ask is my step-sons name has been changed via name change deed, and I told everyone, School, NHS, education, dentist etc, but I some how forgot to update his biometric residence permit (BRP card) Oops!!. I have just read UKBA have to be told within 3 months of any change of circumstances, but if the application for citizenship takes 6 months I could leave my self open for a £1000 fine. Do you think I can send the BRP application form in with the citizenship application??

[9851colle]

6 months is a ball part figure as it could take that long depending on if the application is straight forward.

Also take into account any Bank holidays.

This is a Time line for my families application.

Processed Application through NCS on 17 Dec 12
Money taken 04 Jan 13
Letter of acknowledgment dated 4 Jan 13
applications processed 25 Jan 13
Citizenship Ceremony 10 Apr 13
British Passports issued 28 May 13

Hope this helps

Mick

[andyn1066]

Thanks Mick, thats helps. Sounds like it will be at least six months before we make any travel arrangments. I have copied my stepsons passport and residence permit card, and sent a letter explaining that the originals have been sent in with the citizenship apllication. Cost for updating the ID card £38 plus the price for that biometrics being taken again at a post office. Fingers crossed

[prioritypress]

Going to a local NCS on Friday.

We're hoping more like 3-4 months?

Possible?


Nick

[louialive]

We are in the process of arranging my wifes application, she has ILR etc. Just noticed her Thai passport has expired. Will she need to re new this before the application goes in.

[andyn1066]

Just got back from the checking service at the local registry office. After checking the paper work and passports etc, they copied all and even handed back the passports and residence permit cards. At least now if we want to plan a holiday we can!! I would advise others its worth getting everything checked, if you get your passports back straight away, if you send in the paperwork you could be with out for approximately 6 months.
Louialive I think the expired passport should be OK, because they want to see the stamps and first entry stamp/visa in the UK.
Prioritypress, the lady that we saw said someone she has seen recently had their application processed in 6 weeks!! She thought people who used the checking service, and were married to a British citizen normally would be processed quicker.

[prioritypress]

6 weeks would be brilliant.


Nick

[9851colle]

Going to a local NCS on Friday.

We're hoping more like 3-4 months?

Possible?


Nick

It only took that long for us to get the passports due to our circumstances with the Adoption (waiting for the long Birth Certificates), and doing everything from Germany.

Mick..

[prioritypress]

Applied at Sutton (South London) NCS as the easiest/quickest for an appointment near us.

Lovely and quiet little place. Cheap parking right outside. Arrived at about 10.10 for a 10.30 and seen early.

Friendly registrar called Maureen and out by 11 for a fry-up and a cup of tea.

Highly recommended


Nick

[RichardSt]

We used checking service at Leeds. Application to decision 4 weeks
Just the citizenship ceremony to attend now....
They officially say the checking service isn't a faster service but the lady that processed us (almost with a nod and a wink) suggested it was.... i.e. they have already checked the forms so the application is assumed to be more of a formality....

[upcountry]

I have just been told by my wife that her friends was processes in 2.5 weeks and that she has her ceremony date through for august 19th, the cost going through this third party was £150 on top of application fee, i thought the relevant places only charge £60 to check all application is correct etc, but seems my wife wants to go down this other route, to be fare it would cost us a day off work and £50 quid in petrol if we didnt... what I want to know is about references, would a business owner, land owner, talking about a major commercial UK farmer would qualify as a professional reference, my wifes friends references were a thai restaurant owner and her driving instructor

[prioritypress]

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si...xa?view=Binary

Is he a director of a Ltd company? You only need one professional. My wife got a teacher and a retail manager.

Price varies by a couple of quid at different NCS - but not seen £150! You sure it wasn't for more than one application?

BTW - naturalisation fee taken out of the wife's account today.


Nick

[RichardSt]

References - are important to have I am certain BUT neither of our 2 were even contacted...decision based on application only

[upcountry]

prioritypress
Yep both will be directors of limited companies. The £150 is for one application, think the place is an independent agency, i know its steep, but will save both myself and my wife taking time off work and travel costs which will amount to more. Her friends was processed in 2.5 weeks and you know what Thais are like when they get something In there head, there is no reasoning with them or peace until its done!

[prioritypress]

Where do you live?

Our NCS interview was done in about 45 minutes.

Could you not just take a morning off or half-day?

Don't know what a private agency would do and if it actually means anything?

Nick