How long does it take to apply for a British passport?

[MadCatEnthusiast]

So, I'm thinking of doing a second degree in 2020 but of course, will have to apply next September. It's been confirmed that fees won't change for 2019/20 students. Although, it would probably change for the 2020/21 academic years.

However, I am a 'settled' EU citizen (Dutch) with a permanent residence document so I can now apply for British citizenship just to make life here a little bit easier post Brexit. I wouldn't have bothered if the fees aren't subject to change though

The Netherlands typically don't allow dual citizenship but I fit into the lucky exceptions of having lived here in the UK before I was an adult. Lucky I must say.

How long does it take to process the citizenship application? I'm taking the Life in The UK test soon as well as the spoken English test. A bit weird since English has become my first language and the Home Office don't accept GCSEs nor A levels but it's no problem.

I just don't want them to take too long. There have been so many horror stories about it taking years or months. Has anyone been through this?

No idea. But if you go to the Brexit board, some people there might have a clue.

bump.

Thanks MrsTerryPratcett

My Polish pals became citizens and now have passports (obviously). The applying for passports bit is the easy cheap bit of the process.

I did it over a year ago. English test and Life in the UK in February, applied in March with all the documents and got a reply in August. Official ceremony in September. So over 6 months when I did it.

6 months? That's not too bad actually

You have to take the "life in the UK" test - a couple of months to get a date plus revision
you have to do the application and interview - a couple of months plus getting ALL your papers in order
you have to go to the citizenship ceremony
you then apply for your first UK passport

so about 6-8 months
and around £3000

Start to finish 6 months. 1 month for permanent residence document, just over 1 month for LIU test (no English language test needed) , then just over a month for an appointment to get my application and documents checked, 1.5 months to get my application approved, then a few weeks for biometric data, then just over a month for my ceremony. Straightforward case, though.

I just went through the process, it took me 5.5 months in total from the day of English language test till receiving naturalisation decision. It only took 5 weeks to receive a decision from HO once l sent it all. Much faster than what l expected.

Bits that take time: availability of exam slots, especially for life in the UK test, l had to wait for over 4 weeks. Online form and gathering of all supporting documents. If you want to send your documents via council service it can take weeks to get an appointment too.

Good luck.

I had the two hour interview with the Border agent
did others not have it?
T'was quite a laugh though as I've lived here so long

No? Any reason given?

Well I'm non commonwealth
and I was never fully documented when I arrived
and I still have my original passport
apart from that not much