Life has perfect timing. After two months of waiting, we finally received the email we’d been hoping for — our daughters’ British citizenship applications were approved. And the best part? The email arrived on the exact day of our 5th wedding anniversary. It felt like the universe was celebrating with us.
Our DIY Citizenship Journey
If you’ve been following DadBuhay, you’ll remember I started sharing our naturalisation journey a few months ago.
It began with my Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which I received in November. That milestone opened the door for us to apply for British citizenship for our daughters, both born here in the UK.
We decided to do the entire application ourselves — no solicitor, no agency. (If you haven’t read that post, I explained step-by-step how we prepared everything on our own.) It was nerve-wracking, but we wanted this to be a family journey from start to finish.
Appointment Day: TLSContact UKVCAS
August 9 was our big day, the girls’ biometric appointment at TLSContact UKVCAS.
We arrived 30 minutes early and waited for our number to be called. The process was smooth. The staff checked our appointment letters, the kids’ passports, and our IDs as accompanying adults.
We had to state their names and birthdays on camera before their photos were taken. Since they’re minors, no fingerprints were needed. The funniest part? Our youngest finished her photo in seconds, while our eldest got a little distracted by the stick the staff used to point at the camera.
The whole process was faster than the waiting time. We left hopeful but nervous, knowing the next step was simply to wait.
The Waiting Game: Two Months of Refreshing My Inbox
Anyone who’s gone through an immigration process knows how stressful the waiting period is. Every email notification made my heart race, “Did we miss something?”, “Will there be an issue?”, especially since we didn’t use an agent or solicitor.
But patience pays off. On the exact day of our 5th wedding anniversary, the email finally arrived. Approved. Both our daughters are now officially British citizens.
It’s hard to describe how that moment felt. Joy, relief, gratitude, all at once. All the paperwork, the DIY stress, the weeks of waiting — every bit of it was worth it.
Next Step: British Passports
Now that their citizenship is approved, the next milestone is applying for their British passports. It’s exciting for our family, not just for easier future travels, but because it marks a significant part of their identity, growing up as British-born Filipinos. 🇵🇭🇬🇧
Looking Back
When I moved to the UK in 2019, I never imagined how much life would change. My wife joined me in 2021. And now, here we are — parents of two British citizens.
From passing my Life in the UK exam, to getting my ILR, and now this moment, every step has been part of building a life for our family here.
Receiving that email on our anniversary felt like a reminder that we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be.
If You’re Planning to Apply Too
Before you start your child’s British citizenship journey, I recommend reading these posts:
• Guide to Applying for British Citizenship for Kids
• TLSContact Appointment Day: What to Expect
They’ll help you understand the process from a real parent’s point of view, no legal jargon, just honest experiences.
Final Thoughts 💭
This milestone is more than a new citizenship status. It’s about the future we dream of for our daughters — more opportunities, more doors open to them, and a deeper connection to both the Philippines and the UK.
It’s about building a future that once existed only in our dreams.
– Until then…Love you, bye! That’s #DadBuhay.
DadBuhay 
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