Accepted Professions (sticky)

[John]

Well the Manager in charge of Production is a Manager!

Need I say more?

[MisfitMeL]

Does anyone know if a retired nurse would be an acceptable referee?

There seems to be no way to get in touch with the UKBA for such enquiries

[neoseal]

I doubt, as retired, the professional registration may have lapsed, however that doesn't mean that she will not be called a nurse. Bit of grey area.

Ask if the registration is valid.
Looking at the list, seems like person has to be working.

Find someone else to be on safe side.

[MisfitMeL]

Thanks neoseal. I'll check if their registration is valid, but like you say it's a grey area and I'd rather be on the safe side.

I think I have another potential though - a sister of a friend. We only occasional meet at gatherings so we know each other but are not close friends.

What sort of questions would I be asked about a referee, or what sort of questions would the referee be asked about me?

I don't think we know too much about each others personal lives, but she knows I'm not a criminal

[Derivaz]

I doubt, as retired, the professional registration may have lapsed, however that doesn't mean that she will not be called a nurse. Bit of grey area.

Ask if the registration is valid.
Looking at the list, seems like person has to be working.

Find someone else to be on safe side.

It's a grey area; for instance, when you apply for a passport, they have the same list of professionals and they specify that the person can be retired (and must have known you for 2 years); in case of BC application, they must have known you for 3 years and it doesn't say if they can be retired or not; my guess is that if you use a retired person, they are probably not going to check, but if they do check and find out, it's not clear if they will accept this person or not; so basically, it's riskier than using someone still working, but not a huge risk, because they might not even check and if they do, they might still accept it and if they don't accept them, they normally ask you for another Referee; so I'd say the risk of refusal is low.

[Derivaz]

I doubt, as retired, the professional registration may have lapsed, however that doesn't mean that she will not be called a nurse. Bit of grey area.

Ask if the registration is valid.
Looking at the list, seems like person has to be working.

Find someone else to be on safe side.

It's a grey area; for instance, when you apply for a passport, they have the same list of professionals and they specify that the person can be retired (and must have known you for 2 years); in case of BC application, they must have known you for 3 years and it doesn't say if they can be retired or not; my guess is that if you use a retired person, they are probably not going to check, but if they do check and find out, it's not clear if they will accept this person or not; so basically, it's riskier than using someone still working, but not a huge risk, because they might not even check and if they do, they might still accept it and if they don't accept them, they normally ask you for another Referee; so I'd say the risk of refusal is low.

[MisfitMeL]

It's a grey area; for instance, when you apply for a passport, they have the same list of professionals and they specify that the person can be retired (and must have known you for 2 years); in case of BC application, they must have known you for 3 years and it doesn't say if they can be retired or not; my guess is that if you use a retired person, they are probably not going to check, but if they do check and find out, it's not clear if they will accept this person or not; so basically, it's riskier than using someone still working, but not a huge risk, because they might not even check and if they do, they might still accept it and if they don't accept them, they normally ask you for another Referee; so I'd say the risk of refusal is low.

Ah good. At least I can use the retired nurse as a referee for my passport!

[neoseal]

6.3.7.13 Referees are asked:
* how long they have known the applicant
* how, when and for what reason they met or meet the applicant

The risk is low, however, would you dare?

[MisfitMeL]

I don't know anyone else who fits the list of approved professions so I will have to take the chance

[felix2005]

Hi there, just wonder if someone knows the answer.

Can a retired sergeant from the army be considered as a referee with a professional standing?



thank you
Joanna

[Derivaz]

Hi there, just wonder if someone knows the answer.

Can a retired sergeant from the army be considered as a referee with a professional standing?



thank you
Joanna

The guide is not clear about retired people; the passport rules indicate that you can use a retired person, but the BC one doesn't say anything; so it's not clear, what I'd do is: If you can use another referee, use it, if you don't have anyone else, use this one, if they don't accept it, i think they'll ask you for another one.

Regards

D

[luk1c]

Hi, can I use HR officer in limited company as my professional referee?

[MisfitMeL]

Hi there, just wonder if someone knows the answer.

Can a retired sergeant from the army be considered as a referee with a professional standing?

thank you
Joanna

Hi Joanna,

The BC list of acceptable referees annexa show the following:

Officer of the armed services (active or retired)

I am not sure if a sergeant qualifies as an officer? I know very little about the structure of the armed forces

I would go with Derivaz suggestion and try to avoid retired referees. That's what I did.

[MisfitMeL]

Hi, can I use HR officer in limited company as my professional referee?

I can't see it listed in the UKBA guide but then again it is meant to be a sort of sample and not an exhaustive list.

Is there anyone else you know?

[luk1c]

But you can see personnel officer! Is the same like HR

[Derivaz]

But you can see personnel officer! Is the same like HR

I'd say that HRand Personnel officer are the same thing; so if the company they work for is VAT registered or Limited company; I think it's a valid referee; I'd ask them to write down "personnel officer" as profession.

Regarding retired referees; they say "active or retired" for one of the professions, so I guess the rest of the referees have to be active....

Have you tried emailing the HO? they'll probably give you some vague answer that won't clarify it, but you never know, they might give you a straight answer for a change

[luk1c]

But you can see personnel officer! Is the same like HR

I'd say that HRand Personnel officer are the same thing; so if the company they work for is VAT registered or Limited company; I think it's a valid referee; I'd ask them to write down "personnel officer" as profession.

Regarding retired referees; they say "active or retired" for one of the professions, so I guess the rest of the referees have to be active....

Have you tried emailing the HO? they'll probably give you some vague answer that won't clarify it, but you never know, they might give you a straight answer for a change

But everyone know HR is the same think as personnel officer!

[neoseal]

Once upon a time there use to be "Industrial Welfare" department then it was called "Personnel Department". Then some new management graduates came and said that we don't like "personnel" name and will we call it "Human Resources" so came in new name for that department, though the job and roles and responsibilities remained the same, i.e to convert "Human Resources" to "Human Remains".

[luk1c]

Once upon a time there use to be "Industrial Welfare" department then it was called "Personnel Department". Then some new management graduates came and said that we don't like "personnel" name and will we call it "Human Resources" so came in new name for that department, though the job and roles and responsibilities remained the same, i.e to convert "Human Resources" to "Human Remains".

So its fine HR referee?

[Derivaz]

Once upon a time there use to be "Industrial Welfare" department then it was called "Personnel Department". Then some new management graduates came and said that we don't like "personnel" name and will we call it "Human Resources" so came in new name for that department, though the job and roles and responsibilities remained the same, i.e to convert "Human Resources" to "Human Remains".

So its fine HR referee?

I think it is, everyone thinks that HR and Personnel are the same thing, so I'd use that ref; although, one has to bear in mind that you are never 100% sure with the HO, they create vague laws intentionally to give themselves room for interpretation and make it difficult for anyone to complain against them.....

[luk1c]

Thanks

[Derivaz]

Thanks

No problem; let us know how you get on.

[luk1c]

One more question. Professional refeere have to be first on page I mean on left site or doesnt mater?

[neoseal]

Doesn't matter, unless you believe that you will get fast decision if they sign on right or on left, or just toss a coin

[Derivaz]

Doesn't matter, unless you believe that you will get fast decision if they sign on right or on left, or just toss a coin

I think tossing a coin will give you a more accurate prediction of how fast your application will be lol