Priority service requests for nationality applications are now available for £500 as per Home Office guidance published recently. This priority fee is in addition to the standard nationality application fees.
How to request priority service
Applicants can submit their citizenship application through the nationality priority service for an additional fee of £500. A citizenship application that has already been submitted cannot be upgraded to a priority service application.
Priority processing time
Customers submitting a priority service application should normally expect to receive a decision within 30 working days from the date of biometric submission. Currently the standard processing time for nationality applications is up to 6 months, and therefore the new priority service is a welcome change. However, it is important to remember that in standard applications and priority applications the Home Office processing time is not 100% guaranteed.
Priority processing timeline is not fully guaranteed
Applications requiring enhanced scrutiny, external checks, national security/identity enquiries or applications that are particularly complex may fall outside the priority processing timeframe. Unfortunately, some nationality applications for various reasons may be pending Home Office decision for years.
For guidance on the nationality priority service see: Applying for a faster decision.