Naturalisation (marriage) Referees requirement and employmen

[wiltsduo]

Hi there

Am filling in the form now and on Section 5 Referees and Identity, must one of the referee be strictly as they demanded ie professional standing e.g. minister of religion (so many are not religious these days); civil servant or a member of a professional body e.g. accountant or solicitor. I don;t know how many of us have access to a solicitor/ accountant/ civil servant in your social circle. Any advice?

Two: I am currently unemployed (for around 2 years now, not on benefits) and wonder what to put in the Details of your employment. If I put in unemployed, will it be detrimental?

Thanks!!

[noajthan]

Hi there

Am filling in the form now and on Section 5 Referees and Identity, must one of the referee be strictly as they demanded ie professional standing e.g. minister of religion (so many are not religious these days); civil servant or a member of a professional body e.g. accountant or solicitor. I don;t know how many of us have access to a solicitor/ accountant/ civil servant in your social circle. Any advice?

Two: I am currently unemployed (for around 2 years now, not on benefits) and wonder what to put in the Details of your employment. If I put in unemployed, will it be detrimental?

Thanks!!

1) See the list:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... ersons.pdf

- you must know somebody.
Example, a pharmacist, a post office official, an optician, a pub landlord (licensee) etc etc.

2) No worries.
Employment is not a qualification for naturalisation.
(My wife is/was 'homemaker').

[secret.simon]

Surely you know a fair few people who qualify as "manager/personnel officer (of limited company)". I got my work colleague who had the word "manager" in her job title to do the honours. She likewise helped out with refereeing the passport application.

Remember that the referee has to know you personally. So, a neighbour who is a manager in a company counts.

The referee who is on the list of professionals also does not need to be a British citizen. It can be any legal resident of the UK.

[wiltsduo]

Thank you for prompt response!

What about my Hong Kong Neighbour who runs a fish and chips shop? They are British Citizens now and have been for 8 years now, will he suffice?

Thanks!

[secret.simon]

Is he registered as the director of a VAT registered company? If he is, yes, he qualifies.

[wiltsduo]

Surely you know a fair few people who qualify as "manager/personnel officer (of limited company)". I got my work colleague who had the word "manager" in her job title to do the honours. She likewise helped out with refereeing the passport application.

Remember that the referee has to know you personally. So, a neighbour who is a manager in a company counts.

The referee who is on the list of professionals also does not need to be a British citizen. It can be any legal resident of the UK.

I managed to find my old driving instructor and he is happy to help. The other is the chippy in the village.

Thanks!

[wiltsduo]

Update:

Just managed to get an appointment with the local authority for the Nationality Checking Services. A word of advice to those who are trying to beat the April extortion price hike, try ringing a few council near you as mine ran out of appointments and I have to go to another borough.

They will ask question like are you applying as marriage (you need to be married 3 years) or residency which was what I applied under since I held an ILR visa since 2007.

Finally, one last bit which is a bit odd is that they advised me not to travel from date of submission for 2 months as applicants can/ will be called up for biometrics registration during that period, just thought I share and let people know.

Fingers crossed!

[ohara]

The fee increase takes effect from the 18th March. Therefore the last day for NCS applications on the current fee would be the 17th, and postal applications would need to be sent on the 16th (by a guaranteed next day service so it is received on the 17th).

I hope your appointment is before the 18th

It is well known that applicants must submit biometric information for naturalisation.

[wiltsduo]

The fee increase takes effect from the 18th March. Therefore the last day for NCS applications on the current fee would be the 17th, and postal applications would need to be sent on the 16th (by a guaranteed next day service so it is received on the 17th).

I hope your appointment is before the 18th

It is well known that applicants must submit biometric information for naturalisation.

Damn it. Just noticed that they have upped the fee before April 2016! Felt robbed as appointment is on 23 March as that is all they have around Wiltshire/ Dorset/ Somerset/ Bath area.

[CR001]

You are also free to travel once application is submitted but would suggest you don't go abroad for 2 or 3 months in one go as you will missed the biometric enrollment letters.