Experiences using new UKVCAS for naturalisation/citizenship applications

[dilse4srk]

One of my friend is a contractor and at the same time director of his limited company. Can he provide the reference. I checked on "Companies house " and i can see his company listed there.

[mtsgill]

You can check the following link to establish who can Be your referee!

https://www.gov.im/media/624353/listofreferees.pdf

[dilse4srk]

The link posted is for gov.im domain its not .uk

[CR001]

The link posted is for gov.im domain its not .uk

It is the correct link!!! .im is Isle of man.

[dilse4srk]

Can director of limited company provide reference if the company is not VAT registered and also if the director hold ILR and not british passport

[johnhkg]

Problem here is the online form asks for referee details and GP would want to see a paper based form which i can give it to him so he can sign and stamp. Until i fill in the online form i cannot go forward in the application. I am thinking to take my phone with me and ask GP to fill his details and at the end print the form. I doubt he will fill in the online details. Any ideas?

Your GP cannot be your referee.

There's a post in the professional referee sticky that helps here and partly explains why GP's are not acceptable (but of course this is subjective as the UKBA (now UKVI) explanations makes clear at the end)

I obtained a reply from UKBA, which I paste below. I have highlighted in bold what I think are the most important parts.

Please refer to Annex A - List of acceptable professional persons in the link below:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... er6/annexa

Note the list above is not an exhaustive list; therefore an individual’s profession may not be listed as acceptable although they may fall under the category of a person of any nationality who is of professional standing or a member of a professional association. If the caseworker is not satisfied with your referee they may request another.

Furthermore a referee who is a professional person should have had dealings with the applicant otherwise than in a professional capacity. However we would expect there to have been regular face-to-face contact between the applicant and his or her referees over the three-year period, such that both referees could confidently assert that the photograph submitted with the form was a true likeness of the person making the application.

Referees should also be prepared to inform us of anything known to them about the applicant that might cast doubt on his or her eligibility for British citizenship but it is accepted that referees will not necessarily be aware of any disqualifying factor or characteristic, particularly where their dealings with the applicant were solely in a professional capacity.

The requirement to nominate suitably-qualified referees is not a statutory one, and where it presents genuine difficulty for an applicant on account of his or her lifestyle or other circumstances this should be explained in the space provided for additional information on the application form.

Please note that as the onus is upon the individual to ensure that he/she satisfies the requirements set out in the guidance material that accompanies each and every application form, the Nationality Group is not able to give, indicate or advise upon the outcome of any such application prior to it being correctly submitted and being given full and careful consideration. Therefore, you are advised to read through the guide prior to submitting a future application.

[dilse4srk]

I am currently on employment history page. Do we need to put exact dates of employment start and end. As there are few employments for which i am unable to find the start and end date as i cant find the contracts

[makky86]

I am currently on employment history page. Do we need to put exact dates of employment start and end. As there are few employments for which i am unable to find the start and end date as i cant find the contracts

I didn't remmeber the dates either I just put as I could remember.

[Nerazzuri]

Problem here is the online form asks for referee details and GP would want to see a paper based form which i can give it to him so he can sign and stamp. Until i fill in the online form i cannot go forward in the application. I am thinking to take my phone with me and ask GP to fill his details and at the end print the form. I doubt he will fill in the online details. Any ideas?

Your GP cannot be your referee.

There's a post in the professional referee sticky that helps here and partly explains why GP's are not acceptable (but of course this is subjective as the UKBA (now UKVI) explanations makes clear at the end)

I obtained a reply from UKBA, which I paste below. I have highlighted in bold what I think are the most important parts.

Please refer to Annex A - List of acceptable professional persons in the link below:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... er6/annexa

Note the list above is not an exhaustive list; therefore an individual’s profession may not be listed as acceptable although they may fall under the category of a person of any nationality who is of professional standing or a member of a professional association. If the caseworker is not satisfied with your referee they may request another.

Furthermore a referee who is a professional person should have had dealings with the applicant otherwise than in a professional capacity. However we would expect there to have been regular face-to-face contact between the applicant and his or her referees over the three-year period, such that both referees could confidently assert that the photograph submitted with the form was a true likeness of the person making the application.

Referees should also be prepared to inform us of anything known to them about the applicant that might cast doubt on his or her eligibility for British citizenship but it is accepted that referees will not necessarily be aware of any disqualifying factor or characteristic, particularly where their dealings with the applicant were solely in a professional capacity.

The requirement to nominate suitably-qualified referees is not a statutory one, and where it presents genuine difficulty for an applicant on account of his or her lifestyle or other circumstances this should be explained in the space provided for additional information on the application form.

Please note that as the onus is upon the individual to ensure that he/she satisfies the requirements set out in the guidance material that accompanies each and every application form, the Nationality Group is not able to give, indicate or advise upon the outcome of any such application prior to it being correctly submitted and being given full and careful consideration. Therefore, you are advised to read through the guide prior to submitting a future application.

You can complete the online application without submitting it. You will then have access to the referee form to download.

[arre]

After submitting my application on-line on 20 November, I have booked my biometrics appointment on 23rd November at UKVCAS centre in Croydon.
It was their 1st day running, all staff very stressed, everyone was watching other people hands.
Anyway, biometrics went just fine, had my documents with me, however lady at till didn't scan all my documents, as she said it wasn't necessary.
Surprise, surprise, after over 2 months waiting for any response, last Friday received email form Home Office regarding my application.
Apparently, I had to send additional documentation confirming my presence in UK between Nov 2013 - Apr 2017.
Can you imagine my frustration, as I had all those documents with me in Croydon over 2 month ago, and I've been told they are not necessary for my application.
So, all P60's and Payslips have been sent on Friday, and I'm waiting for positive outcome at the end.

[Lorycyyk]

Good evening everyone!
What a great website, it took me an hour to read all the post and clarify some of my questions in regards to the new service.

Me and my husband are applying through the new system, hopefully this week we will finish with the application and submit it.

I think i saw eariler in this thread that the “old system” “ is still available ???!!!! Meaning that you can still use the paper form and apply through post office ?? Or maybe i was reading too much about this subject today

[anilondon2018]

Just quickly wanted to cheer up people who applied through New service UKVCAS

I applied to the British Nationality on 19th Nov 2018 using New Service UKVCAS London center. I've received approval on 28th Jan 2019. It was a long wait and I was frustrated as others but I just wanted to assure everyone that all is fine with UKVCAS applications, however only waiting period is longer as compared to old NDRS process.

Question to moderator:

I've received the approval letter on 28th Jan, but I have a family emergency, therefore, need to travel to India. I am planning to book my Oath ceremony in mid-Feb and then continue with the British Passport application. Would it be a problem now to travel with my Indian passport and current ILR to India this weekend?

[alterhase58]

Just quickly wanted to cheer up people who applied through New service UKVCAS

I applied to the British Nationality on 19th Nov 2018 using New Service UKVCAS London center. I've received approval on 28th Jan 2019. It was a long wait and I was frustrated as others but I just wanted to assure everyone that all is fine with UKVCAS applications, however only waiting period is longer as compared to old NDRS process.

Question to moderator:

I've received the approval letter on 28th Jan, but I have a family emergency, therefore, need to travel to India. I am planning to book my Oath ceremony in mid-Feb and then continue with the British Passport application. Would it be a problem now to travel with my Indian passport and current ILR to India this weekend?

That's ok - you will only be British once the ceremony is completed.

[dilse4srk]

Just quickly wanted to cheer up people who applied through New service UKVCAS

I applied to the British Nationality on 19th Nov 2018 using New Service UKVCAS London center. I've received approval on 28th Jan 2019. It was a long wait and I was frustrated as others but I just wanted to assure everyone that all is fine with UKVCAS applications, however only waiting period is longer as compared to old NDRS process.

Question to moderator:

I've received the approval letter on 28th Jan, but I have a family emergency, therefore, need to travel to India. I am planning to book my Oath ceremony in mid-Feb and then continue with the British Passport application. Would it be a problem now to travel with my Indian passport and current ILR to India this weekend?

That's ok - you will only be British once the ceremony is completed.

Hi Would you be able to let me know which docs you submited regarding employment

I do not have all the p60's for past 10 years. I have few from all jobs i did. Is that going to be ok?

[CR001]

Just quickly wanted to cheer up people who applied through New service UKVCAS

I applied to the British Nationality on 19th Nov 2018 using New Service UKVCAS London center. I've received approval on 28th Jan 2019. It was a long wait and I was frustrated as others but I just wanted to assure everyone that all is fine with UKVCAS applications, however only waiting period is longer as compared to old NDRS process.

Question to moderator:

I've received the approval letter on 28th Jan, but I have a family emergency, therefore, need to travel to India. I am planning to book my Oath ceremony in mid-Feb and then continue with the British Passport application. Would it be a problem now to travel with my Indian passport and current ILR to India this weekend?

That's ok - you will only be British once the ceremony is completed.

Hi Would you be able to let me know which docs you submited regarding employment

I do not have all the p60's for past 10 years. I have few from all jobs i did. Is that going to be ok?

Employment is NOT required for citizenship and neither is employment documentation.

Please continue your questions in your topic you already have as has already been asked a few days ago.

[anilondon2018]

Just quickly wanted to cheer up people who applied through New service UKVCAS

I applied to the British Nationality on 19th Nov 2018 using New Service UKVCAS London center. I've received approval on 28th Jan 2019. It was a long wait and I was frustrated as others but I just wanted to assure everyone that all is fine with UKVCAS applications, however only waiting period is longer as compared to old NDRS process.

Question to moderator:

I've received the approval letter on 28th Jan, but I have a family emergency, therefore, need to travel to India. I am planning to book my Oath ceremony in mid-Feb and then continue with the British Passport application. Would it be a problem now to travel with my Indian passport and current ILR to India this weekend?

That's ok - you will only be British once the ceremony is completed.

Hi Would you be able to let me know which docs you submited regarding employment

I do not have all the p60's for past 10 years. I have few from all jobs i did. Is that going to be ok?

Answer to above question:

Bank statement, P60, Salary slips etc are not required. I uploaded 5 yrs P60 because i had scanned copies. I think you just upload what you have....don't worry too much.

Trust me if you are coming via Tier 2 General ->ILR -> Citizenship route like me then they already have everything on you.

[CR001]

That's ok - you will only be British once the ceremony is completed.

Hi Would you be able to let me know which docs you submited regarding employment

I do not have all the p60's for past 10 years. I have few from all jobs i did. Is that going to be ok?

Answer to above question:

Bank statement, P60, Salary slips etc are not required. I uploaded 5 yrs P60 because i had scanned copies. I think you just upload what you have....don't worry too much.

Trust me if you are coming via Tier 2 General ->ILR -> Citizenship route like me then they already have everything on you.

The user is NOT a tier 2 to ILR route applicant.

[Nusratali786]

Hi
Do we get any confirmation when ukvcas sopra steria submit our scanned documents to home office????

[mtsgill]

Hi
Do we get any confirmation when ukvcas sopra steria submit our scanned documents to home office????

No. They confirm it verbally during your appointment.

[Nerazzuri]

Hi
Do we get any confirmation when ukvcas sopra steria submit our scanned documents to home office????

no

[dilse4srk]

That's ok - you will only be British once the ceremony is completed.

Hi Would you be able to let me know which docs you submited regarding employment

I do not have all the p60's for past 10 years. I have few from all jobs i did. Is that going to be ok?

Answer to above question:

Bank statement, P60, Salary slips etc are not required. I uploaded 5 yrs P60 because i had scanned copies. I think you just upload what you have....don't worry too much.

Trust me if you are coming via Tier 2 General ->ILR -> Citizenship route like me then they already have everything on you.

What about the referee form. i filled in online form and given referee details, are we going to get referee form to print at the end. Also another question is do we need to write our name at the back of the photos . Please let me know how this thing works. Apart from this i am all done

[makky86]

What about the referee form. i filled in online form and given referee details, are we going to get referee form to print at the end. Also another question is do we need to write our name at the back of the photos . Please let me know how this thing works. Apart from this i am all done

Yes, that's correct. Even though you have to write your name on the back of it but it doesn't make any sense as we upload the front copy and keep the original

[dilse4srk]

This is exactly what i wanted to mention here is that whats the point of writing the name at the back when we are uploading the front part

[johnhkg]

This is exactly what i wanted to mention here is that whats the point of writing the name at the back when we are uploading the front part

UKVI haven't changed the online application to fully reflect the UKVCAS system. No doubt they will do so in due course. Before November last year the original referee form was sent to UKVI. Writing the name and date of birth on the back was to enable them to reattach the photo to the correct form if it became detached.

[starsgate]

I applied using the New service on 14-01-2019 , used UkVCAS document checking and recieved email confirming the document uplouded correctly. Finger print taken after two days at Manchester central library after paying £100 for the apointment in addition to £35 for checking the documents. Now I am waiting ? People Told me that waiting time mostly depend on the personality of your case worker , wether if he is a lazy or hard worker. confused to see people met all the requirment get approval in one month while others wait two or three months .Not including the applicants who got legal problems and might wait longer . I hope that is not true