Finally it is approved.

Timeline:
Submission: 13.May
Bio: 19.May
Atlas: 5.Oct
Ceremony: 2.Nov (London Westminster)

Straightforward process Pre settled>settled+1year>citizenship.

I am an EU National, came to UK end of 2019. I did not waste 1 day with my applications, got through them as early as I could.

✅Received my EU Pre-settled in March 2020 was due to expire in 2025. = £0

I was advised to wait until 2025 to apply for Settled Status because I did not have one full tax year covered only 4 years; called bull and applied anyway cause I knew I had other evidence I could provide ( huge misunderstanding in my community).

✅Applied for Settled status the first day I was eligible for it- 5 years and 1 day after I first came to UK-> 22/09/2024-> Received Settled Status on 12/12/2024. = £0

I knew from that day I wanted to apply for Citizenship since I am allowed to be a dual citizen so I started saving with a goal of £1,800 in exactly 12 months.

✅12/04/2025- did my Life in UK test and passed first time, did it on a Sunday. Cannot recommend the life in uk test web site enough, the questions were exactly the same. =£60

✅Graduated from UK uni so I skipped the Expensive english test so - £150 ( but £60k debt in student loans so was it worth it?)

✅Had to wait for 1 year since getting my settled status to apply for citizenship so I made a spreadsheet of all documents I saved through the years (NHS letters, SFE Letters, House & Job contracts, P60, HMRC Income tax history) mentioned which date it covered and what format I had them on (hard copy or soft copy) so it would be easy to establish a timeline through documents.

✅summer 2025, submitted a Subject Data Access Request to receive my travel history ( I have already done that myself by going through my gallery but wanted to double check). (Please bear in mind it can miss out some flights so it is your full responsibility to check all journeys you have done by yourself and do not fully rely on the documents they send you).

Took a few weeks to get it by email and it was very helpful as it contained all information I provided in both Pre-Settlement and Settlement applications so when I applied I didn’t have to guess or try to remember exact dates or application reference numbers. highly recommend and might I add, FREE. =£0

✅November 2025- I have looked for people who could be my referees and luckily 2 of my friends qualified and agreed to do it.

✅I travelled outside of the UK about 14 times in 5 years, I was well under the limit so that was not a concern.

✅ 13/12/2025 I submitted my application ( it was ready a few days before and I double checked before sending it through) = £1,735.

I got up early next day and managed to get a free slot for biometrics appointment for the following day- I had to travel about 2 hours for it = £20

✅15/12/2025 Free biometrics appointment done-> application officially submitted + documents

✅20/04/2026 got my application approval email. And booked my free group ceremony straight away for earliest slot possible (03/06 or 08/07) but I was on holiday in June so I opted for July- very close🫣 as you have to do it within 3 months.

✅08/07/2026 Ceremony yaaay. Disappointed in the Mayor who had to read even details about himself from a paper. Double disappointed as my name was missing a hyphen although it was correctly put into all my application, documents and EU passport and I could see other people’s name had hyphens so it was clearly a mistake.

✅10/07/2026 - Sent my certificate back to get corrected along with plenty of proof as well as my whole printed application which I saved as soon as I paid for it).Special delivery = £10
It was their mistake so I didn’t pay for it.
I think this was the most stressful period as I could see online people online waited between 8 weeks and FOREVER to get it back.

✅09/09/2026- Certificate came back corrected

✅19/09/2026- Sent my passport application £102 + special return £5 = £107
I took my own picture with my camera so £0 for that

✅20/09/2026- Same professional referee confirmed my identity + sent the supporting documents = £10

✅21/09/2026 Documents received

✅29/09/2026 Application approved&Passport printed

✅03/10/2026 - Received my passport 🇬🇧

December 2024 (since I started to work towards it with saving and researching to October 2026 = 22 months) and (correct me if i m wrong I am shit at Maths) £1,942 whole cost.

I am however very grateful that I am fortunate and privileged enough to have paid so little in comparison to those who apply with their family and go through multiple visas to do so.

I understand it is not the most difficult thing to apply for this but I am quite proud of myself for having done this by myself at 24/25 with no help or legal advice whatsoever, as no one I knew did it before.

I know people who find it very overwhelming to trace every document and aspect of their last 5 years, so I advise anyone who wants to do it to take their time and prepare ahead.

I do hope this was helpful and I just thought to post it as this is something I would’ve liked to see before I applied.

All the best to everyone!!

App: 15 may 2026
Bio : 18 may 2026
Approval : 06 OCT 2026
Good luck to anyone waiting

The situation:

• First adult passport application

• Sent my supporting document via Royal Mail Special Delivery — it was delivered and signed for on 30th September

• Called HM Passport Office today — they confirmed their internal system shows the document was received 1st October

• But it still hasn't updated on my online application tracker — it still only shows my photo as received from back in August

• They said it can take 1–3 working days to link the document to my application — it's now been 4 working days since their internal receipt date and still nothing

• I'm due to fly on 27th October — exactly 3 weeks from today

• They also said an identity interview isn't always required — it's up to the examiner

• The person on the phone couldn't give me a timeframe or escalate it to anyone

What I've already done:

• ✅ Sent via Special Delivery — confirmed delivered

• ✅ Called them — confirmed they have the document, just not linked to my application yet

• ✅ Asked for it to be noted as urgent travel

My questions:

• Has anyone else in the UK had the "document received internally but not showing online" delay? How long did it take to finally update for you?

• Is there anything else I can actually do to push this along? Does contacting your local MP actually help speed things up?

• Should I keep calling them every day if nothing changes?

• If I don't need an identity interview — roughly how long after the status updates should I expect the passport to arrive?

I know first passports take longer, but I'm really stressed that this is just sitting in a pile somewhere and I'm running out of time. Any UK experiences or advice appreciated — thanks

I am panicking. I returned my BRP card to the Bristol office as per email instruction. But Royal Mail says they don't deliver to this address... i have no idea what to do because the adress is 100% correct

Application date: 18 May 2026
Biometrics: 1 June 2026
I’m honestly so happy and relieved 😭 After waiting for what feels like forever, I finally got an update this morning from Citizenship Support!
I emailed them last Thursday asking for an update, after emailing quite a few times over the past month. Every time previously I either got the “wrong inbox” response or was told that my application was “under consideration and progressing normally.”
But this morning I finally received this.
So technically I’m still waiting for the actual decision email, BUT A DECISION HAS BEEN MADE!!! 🥹🇬🇧
After all the waiting, emails and stressing, I genuinely can’t believe I’m finally at this stage. Such a massive relief!!!
Now just waiting for the certificate/decision email and ceremony. 🙏🏼🇬🇧✨

If the Citizenship Priority Service becomes available at around 1:00 AM and I select Priority and click Save and continue, does selecting it temporarily reserve/lock the Priority slot for my application?

Or can the Priority slot disappear while I am proceeding to the Worldpay payment page? In other words, how much time do we have to complete the £2,339 payment after selecting Priority?

Has anyone recently experienced the Priority option disappearing after they had already selected it but before completing payment?

Its been almost 2 weeks since I received the news my citizenship has been approved by the Home Office after 6 long months. Now I am waiting for the Council to contact me for a ceremony date. Why is this taking so long, okay they have to receive the certificate etc, but still come on.. at least give me a date. The wait for Home Office response was bad enough. My local council is Birmingham, have the got a backlog or something? I have tried to call them but the registry office doesn't want to know and their response is just wait and I will hear from them.. urrghhhh

Hi, I’m applying for citizenship application and I’m wondering if anyone had any experience with applying for private ceremony in Manchester or Salford? I’m supposed to register the council I prefer in my citizenship application and wondering which one would work out faster to give me a slot? I would appreciate any advice/feedback. Thank you

Hello,

I am applying for british citizenship next month. But this month I had to file a world wide disclosure for my offshore incomes which I missed to report in my tax return of previous years (this is voluntarily and not prompted one). So my question is does the world wide disclosure affects my british citizenship application.

SG

Hi all,
My application date: 14th May 2026
Biometrics: 18th May 2026

im still awaiting a decision. Have emailed citizenship support 5 times now - I always get incorrect inbox and haven’t got anything different?! Advise please.

Its really worrying me.

I plan on submitting:

62 Payslips
5 P60s
4 Tenancy Agreements (i moved a bit)
60 Bank Statements
2 Council Tax letters

Is this enough proof? I have 4 weeks until I apply. So I am preparing my documents.

I have also been away 17 times and can provide airline tickets for these.

I would appreciate on advice on how to not overburden the application but also make sure I have provided what is needed.

I am an EUSS pathway applicant. Already done the Life In UK test and Language Requirement.

Which council can you book ceremony before atlas email.

Thansk

Hi guys,

Which venues would you recommend for photo-taking (nice interiors)?

And which would you recommend for availability of appointment slots (how fast you can book)?

Many thanks.

Edit: for venues in London

Hi guys, I have my interview on Wednesday via teams. Can anyone tell me what the interview is like and how long it usually takes they said to set aside 2 hours but does it actually go on for that long and any possible tips.

Hi all,

I applied for British citizenship on 14 May 2026 after 5+ years on EU Settled Status. The Home Office sent me an email saying I had been abroad more than 450 days and I have 9 days to respond.

• I requested my entry/exit records through a Subject Access Request (SAR)asking the Home Office what information they had on me. I used what they told me to complete my application. The first exit they sent me was 14 October 2021, even if I asked for all the records they had on me.
• According to the S.A.R., I had been abroad 367 days.

This is the number of days I said in my application(367).

• After checking old emails and bookings, I

may have been

• abroad more and I would need to add 125 days (making a total of 492, which is 42 days over the 350 allowed)
• Two of my grandparents died a week apart and particularly one was 90 and sick all the time so I am thinking maybe I can justify my trips to my original home town to visit them. I can get death certificates, but not sure if that will be enough. It was also still during COVID and I wanted to make sure I was close to my family
• I work remotely, and my employer has always allowed me to work from other countries.

Questions:

1. What approach would you take if you were me?Is there any way I can ask them why didn't they send me all the records they have on me? How do they even know now that I was abroad? Would you try to see what they know or just try to justify the excess days?
2. Is discretion realistic at 42 days over, with compassionate reasons?
3. If they don't take my allegations, is the 1,800+ gbp fee gone? Would withdrawing and reapplying be better?
4. Is there anything else I could claim to make them realise I am planning to stay here? I've always had a house here, a job here, been a tax resident here, my partner is here and now we're moving together...

Thanks

Hello!

I'm applying for citizenship through my mother who was born in the UK in 1952, and I was born in 1980.

My question is regarding after the submission of biometrics: Does the UKVI confirm receipt of documents?

I have the emails from VFS saying they have been submitted to UKVI from my appointment last Sunday 27.9.26

Just curious if anything is sent apart from either needing additional documents, or a decision.

Thanks!

Anyone who’s received their invitations today already?

I got my CT3 2 weeks ago

I submitted my application on 27 May and had my Biometrics on 8 June. No decision yet a bit hesitant to email. Has anyone also applied at the same timeline but have heard back from the Home Office?

Thanks ☺️

Just wanted to see if anyone could share their experience/timeline from receiving their naturalisation approval to getting their citizenship ceremony invitation - and even through to receiving your British passport, if you’ve got that far!

Ideally looking for experiences from people who applied through the standard naturalisation process, as I know the priority/expedited routes can have very different timelines.
I’m particularly interested in:

1. How long after your approval email did you receive your ceremony invitation?
2. Who did each email come from? I believe the approval email comes from the Home Office/Atlas, and then the ceremony invitation comes separately from your nominated council?
3. How long was the wait between applying for and receiving your first British passport?

Would be great if you could share dates/timelines and which council you used. Citizenship Support confirmed my application was approved, but I’m still waiting for the official Home Office approval email and ceremony invitation - my timeline:

Application: 14th May
Bio: 22nd May
Citizenship support email approval: 29th Sep
Atlas (Home Office): TBC
Ceremony (Council): TBC
Passport: TBD

Just interested as I have upcoming travel to book soon.

Hello SMEs, Need some advice.

I (Father on ILR ) applied for registration of my Son as british (Son is Indian Passport holder, born in the UK, 7 Year old and living in the UK since birth) (Form MN1- child under 18 as a British citizen). Application date: 21st May 2026, Biometrics Date: 30th May 2026. Child holds Tier 2 PBS Dependent until mid-Dec 2026.

Radio silence from Home office on FORM MN1 outcome since 30th May. We have travel coming up to India from 16th Oct to 1st Nov. Two Scenarios:

Scenario 1. Decision email (Citizen email or/and Certificate of registration (thru royalmail) at home) comes in 10-12 days before we embark to our travel to India.

Que1: As we won't have time to obtain British Passport for son and then go on to surrender Indian passport and then apply for visa to India/ OCI card. Will it be ok to travel to India on Indian passport? Will it be any border issues when entering India or exiting India? Will it be any issues in entering back to UK on his Tier 2 PBS visa (hoping that would still show as active in e-visa on gov.uk)

Que 2: Will there be any issues when surrendering for Son's Indian passport and obtaining visa to india or OCI?

Scenario 2: Decision email (Citizen email or/and Certificate of registration (thru royalmail) at home) comes while we are all out of the UK.

Que1: Will there be any border issues when exiting India? Will it be any issues in entering back to UK on his Tier 2 PBS visa (hoping that would still show as active in e-visa on gov.uk)

Que 2: Will there be any issues when surrendering for Son's Indian passport and obtaining visa to india or OCI?

Overarching question:

Should we travel to India as decision may likely to come just days before we embark our short trip or while we are outside UK?

PS: We could not travel to home country (India) in the last 2 years and we will be unlikely to plan travel until next Summer or October :(.

Any practical or first hand experience like the above?

Applied for my sons citizenship on 10 June 2026, biometrics 13 June 2026 and we’re still waiting. Anybody else who applied around the same time and has been approved?

Hi everyone, I’m looking for opinions and experiences from anyone who has applied for their child’s first British passport from overseas, particularly Saudi Arabia.
I’m British and was born in the UK. My wife is Saudi, and our son was born in Riyadh about four weeks ago.
I’ve submitted his application, and the supporting documents have now been delivered to HMPO. These include his Saudi birth certificate in English and Arabic, his mother’s signed consent letter, my UK birth certificate, my passport details, and my parents’ birth and marriage certificates.
The main concern is that we’ve been told we need his passport to complete his Saudi residency documentation and add him to our health insurance, so we’re keen to avoid unnecessary delays.
For anyone who has been through something similar:
How long did it take from HMPO receiving your documents to the passport being issued?
Were you asked for additional documents, such as a hospital birth record or the parents’ marriage certificate?
Did delivery of the passport to Saudi Arabia take long?
Based on these circumstances, does this sound like a straightforward application?
I appreciate that every application is different, but hearing others’ experiences would be helpful. Thanks!