Referees' forms signed before or after date of submission?

[sm12]

I've been supporting my brother with his application and the forms to be completed by the referees haven't come up anywhere on the application yet. I'm guessing these will be next after the payment page?

I have two questions:

• Do the forms have to be signed and dated before the application date or after the application date? Or does it not matter?

• He has found one referee so far and he lives on the other side of the country. My brother is disabled so travelling is not easy for him. Can the form be signed electronically or must it be done in person? I could travel and get it signed if needed but not sure if he needs to be present.

Thank you.

[kamoe]

Do the forms have to be signed and dated before the application date or after the application date? Or does it not matter?[/list]

Doesn't matter too much, before or after, as long as is relatively close to the application date. Can't say exact timeframe, but several people here have sent referee forms dated within several days/weeks from application date that have worked out. That's to say don't lose sleep over it if they sign it a few days before or after!

Can the form be signed electronically or must it be done in person?

I can confirm first hand it can all be done electronically (one of my referees was in the US). See this post.

[sm12]

Thank you.

In the following question, can he write ILR?

"Do you have a previous visa, entry clearance or leave to remain where you had to prove your knowledge of English?"

Also, there is a question in the form about Identity Cards. Our country does not provide any ID cards in addition to the passport, but there is a tax card. Should he provide that or just reply no?

[CR001]

"Do you have a previous visa, entry clearance or leave to remain where you had to prove your knowledge of English?"

Yes ILR is fine.

Also, there is a question in the form about Identity Cards. Our country does not provide any ID cards in addition to the passport, but there is a tax card. Should he provide that or just reply no?

Not required. Just state no.

[sm12]

"Do you have a previous visa, entry clearance or leave to remain where you had to prove your knowledge of English?"

Yes ILR is fine.

Also, there is a question in the form about Identity Cards. Our country does not provide any ID cards in addition to the passport, but there is a tax card. Should he provide that or just reply no?

Not required. Just state no.

Thank you.

He started a self-employment business to do some work from home in October and hasn't yet filed his tax return.
But upon entering the date as 10/2022, the application still asks for these documents:
"most recent tax year account statement and corresponding HMRC tax return as proof of self-employment"

As newly self-employed, he doesn't have these. Would it be best to write a cover letter?

[sm12]

Also, he was in our home country during the COVID outbreak, returning after almost a year in April 2021.
Will this lead to problems under 'future intentions'?

[sm12]

Would be grateful if someone could please advise, thank you.

[alterhase58]

Also, he was in our home country during the COVID outbreak, returning after almost a year in April 2021.
Will this lead to problems under 'future intentions'?

This would come under the heading "absences from the UK" in the "past" residency period.
Future intentions is in the "future", at the time of application.

[AmazonianX]

"Do you have a previous visa, entry clearance or leave to remain where you had to prove your knowledge of English?"

Yes ILR is fine.

Also, there is a question in the form about Identity Cards. Our country does not provide any ID cards in addition to the passport, but there is a tax card. Should he provide that or just reply no?

Not required. Just state no.

Thank you.

He started a self-employment business to do some work from home in October and hasn't yet filed his tax return.
But upon entering the date as 10/2022, the application still asks for these documents:
"most recent tax year account statement and corresponding HMRC tax return as proof of self-employment"

As newly self-employed, he doesn't have these. Would it be best to write a cover letter?

A note in cover letter stating why the said document can not be provided suffices.