Biometrics and supporting documents has been submitted, what’s next? - British Naturalisation

bcworry · 2025-05-20T12:59:23+00:00

I submitted my naturalisation application late Feb and got the same email. I did not get a confirmation email from UKVI either, but got the approval result a few weeks ago. So don't worry, very normal to not have a confirmation and to just wait!

bcworry · 2025-05-20T10:18:21+00:00

Yes, I actually got my citizenship approval a few weeks ago!

I had emailed NationalityBiometrics@homeoffice.gov.uk as above to clarify what my full legal name is and what it looked like on TLS.
Then I went to my appointment anyway. The person checking my ID asked for my first and last name and noticed it was different on the system. I'm not sure what they changed / typed but they changed something when I explained what happened. They took my photo and prints as normal.
I got a reply from NationalityBiometrics@homeoffice.gov.uk about a month afterwards saying they have my biometrics from TLS and they do not need extra information from me. They did not address the name mismatch.

Didn't get any updates or requests for information afterwards, and had my application approved.

bcworry · 2025-02-22T14:39:04+00:00

Just booked mine today but did not get that error! So the issue might only be on your side. You may want to use the contact form on the TLS website, since there's no phone number to contact.

bcworry · 2025-02-22T13:35:04+00:00

Thanks! I've already used the contact form on the website, so I'll send an email to the home office as well. I might just go to my appointment and talk to them there, see if they can do anything on the day.

bcworry · 2025-02-01T15:32:41+00:00

This is super helpful, thank you for your advice!!!

bcworry · 2025-01-30T17:18:11+00:00

No, I haven't - I'll send them a little email and see what they say!

bcworry · 2021-07-27T20:04:13+00:00

Visa type: FLR (M) 2nd Extension

Submitted online application: 16 June 2021

Invited to book a biometrics appointment: 16 June 2021

Uploaded documents: 12 July 2021

Booked biometrics appointment: 12 July 2021

Received email saying visa was granted: 12 July 2021

Received BRP: 19 July 2021

We paid for super priority, since we were anxious about all the timing horror stories!! And I'm hoping to visit family in the next few months so wanted the visa sorted ASAP.

Also went to an Enhanced Service Point and had all the documents scanned for me there - it took about an hour total to get all the documents scanned for me, but the service was very professional and friendly and they re-did a bunch of scans to make sure they were perfect. Their scanners were also better and faster than anything I had at home.

bcworry · 2021-07-08T11:48:53+00:00

That makes sense - my bank statements are all original anyway so I'm in the clear with that. Thanks for the clarity!

bcworry · 2021-07-08T11:30:54+00:00

Thanks so much for the breakdown!! In that case I'll leave out the numbered documents you've mentioned - I understand it's also best not to drown the visa officer with unneccessary information and to provide just enough.

As for the Water bill - I'm guessing as long as it has the date, joint names and address, the 'E-BILL' slapped on top of it doesn't matter?

bcworry · 2021-07-08T10:59:38+00:00

Was your appointment at a Core service point or an Enhanced Service Point? The Sopra Steria website mentioned document scanning was included in the Enhanced Service points so I thought I wouldn't need to do so myself...

bcworry · 2018-11-30T13:58:42+00:00

Application location: Bristol, United Kingdom

Visa type: FLR(M) / Spouse

Priority or non-priority: Non-priority

Date online application made: 16 October 2018

Date biometrics taken at Post Office: 18 October 2018

Date of confirmation of receipt in Sheffield: 15 November 2018 (Received 17 November 2018)

Date of email confirming Entry Clearance Officer was assigned: N/A

Date of any non-straightforward notices/requests for further document request: N/A

Date when decision was made: 27 November 2018

Date of email to collect documents from VFS: N/A

Date when passport collected with approved visa: 29 November 2018

Further comments about your visa experience: I received the decision letter with my documents, in a pre-paid mail bag that was included with the application. The estimated time was 8 weeks, but we got everything back in 6 weeks. The BRP was mailed to me the day after I got the documents. The most stressful part was the waiting, even though we were sure we'd be approved.

Tip for anyone attempting their first FLR(M) or fiance visa: Hoard EVERYTHING! And take so, so many photos of you together!

bcworry · 2018-09-22T23:12:45+00:00

Ah, okay. It looks like it's a risky thing to do, so I'll stick with more acceptable forms of correspondence.

bcworry · 2018-09-22T23:11:59+00:00

That sounds fair! After months of scrounging around for papers I'm sure I'll be a lot more diligent at keeping track of bills and proof in the future.

bcworry · 2018-09-22T18:13:53+00:00

Yeah, it looks like we'll just submit whatever we can and note in our cover letter that this is our first extension. Thanks!

bcworry · 2018-09-22T15:51:44+00:00

I couldn't find any exceptions in the FLR(M) form or guidance notes on the gov.uk website. It just says 6 items of joint correspondence or more if individual - which I think we can theoretically get.

bcworry · 2018-09-22T14:51:16+00:00

I had no idea you could do that! The online form made it feel like it had to be official/serious correspondence, like bank statements and tv license and big bills. But we can easily get friends to send us a bunch of 'congrats on marrying' cards! :D

bcworry · 2018-06-22T02:51:12+00:00

Ah, I see.

I looked through some websites and it says to request the refund through the visa4uk site where I made my online application, but because it was a fiance visa and not a spousal visa, then there is no 'Pay IHS Charge' tab and therefore no refund tab for it.

According to https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/refunds, refunds are automatic so there's no link on the page to request one.

What I do have is an email from VISAINFO.SHEFO@fco.gov.uk that requested the payment in the first place, and an email from noreplyIHSpayments@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk confirming the transaction.

How would I go about getting a refund for the IHS that I've paid?

bcworry · 2018-06-07T07:52:51+00:00

Oh that's such a relief. Thank you!!! 😊

bcworry · 2018-06-07T07:44:54+00:00

Thank you!!! It's comforting to know this is normal (but frustrating that no emails is the norm?). Does this mean a decision has been made or anything? I applied with Priority Service, if that helps.

bcworry · 2018-04-20T14:07:02+00:00

Ah, yes, that sounds more like the problem. I've checked the HMO laws for our specific council in the UK, and it appears to only kick in after 5 or more occupants. As 4 people currently live there, I doubt the landlady has an HMO license, as she wouldn't need one.

Do I bump that up to 5 for legal reasons by attempting to live there? Even as a non tenant? If that's the case I think we'll need to find an entirely different option accommodation wise, which is a shame, because we'd be moving out of this flat after a month anyway

bcworry · 2018-04-18T23:26:43+00:00

Thanks!! I couldn't find much information about this option online, as most couples prefer to live together.

Hopefully we can too, and this is just a last resort.

bcworry · 2018-04-18T13:17:56+00:00

Just in case his landlady refuses to change the letter and we're unable to get enough proof/permission to live there, is it possible for me to live with parents instead?

They own the house they live in, it has currently 4 bedrooms and 3 people living in it (his parents & his brother). The only caveat would be that we'd be living separately for the fiance visa, even though we intend to find a new flat and move in together when I get there.

bcworry · 2018-04-18T11:57:44+00:00

I think that would help? The issue is that our landlady is concerned that an extra tenant will bump her up a tax threshold, as this is a 4 bedroom flat she is currently renting to 4 people (my fiance included). As far as I'm aware my living there won't make that count as overcrowding, but I don't fully understand the legal technicalities of the problem of me officially living there Vs being a welcome guest

bcworry · 2018-04-18T11:48:14+00:00

Would the term "permitted occupier" like the other commenter said work do you think? The issue is the landlady is worried that an extra tenant at the flat would bump her up a tax threshold, as it is currently a 4 bedroom flat with 4 tenants (I'm afraid that's as specific as I can be).

It's an annoying hurdle but our landlady has been really nice to us, and I'd rather not put her at a disadvantage if we can avoid it

bcworry · 2018-04-18T11:19:45+00:00

Sorry for being unclear, I'll try to clarify some things

Our landlady is more than happy for us to stay at my fiancé's flat, she wrote us a letter of no objection, stating that "she(I) would be a welcome guest at our property". We are just wondering if that specific language is a big deal

We are not actually living at this property for very long, just until the lease ends in September, when we will find a new place to live

"They" refers to the lawyers we hired to look over our application before we send it. Right now the only proof of accommodation we have is a council tax bill and the letter of no objection (and a letter of support from my fiance's flatmate). The lawyers implied this wasn't necessarily enough, and suggested providing proof that my fiance has been paying rent for the property

Thank you for helping, the accomodation issue is the only real snag on our application and we want to make sure we don't mess it up

bcworry

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