British Citizenship - documents

[lana777]

Hi, I am married to a British citizen, I’ve got ILR and now applying for British citizenship. I’ve got some questions regarding filling in the application form and documents required, could anyone knowledgeable help me with my questions please?
1/ Regarding referees:
How should I answer the question in the application form: ‘How does the referee know the applicant?’ Both of my referees are my friends for more than 10 years - should I say that ‘we are friends’? Or anything else?
My both referees are British, one of them is a teacher/Head of department in a college, and second referee is an office clerk – I hope they are both OK, satisfy HO requirements?

2/ Regarding my employment: one of the required documents I need to provide is my ‘most recent tax year account statement and corresponding HMRC tax return as proof of self-employment’.
Well, I’ve been self-employed for the last 9 years, working as a part-time private tutor, but I never earned enough to pay any tax, always been earning below tax threshold (personal allowance). However, I have always been voluntarily paying national insurance contribution (NIC) for all these years. But, for some strange reason (they’ve changed something in their system) last year (which ended 5/04/23) HMRC didn’t even give me an option to pay voluntary NIC.
So, regarding this ‘recent tax year account statement’ that HO require: when I go to my HMRC online account, enter my UTR to get into my profile, I can see that there is an option 'View statements'. When I click on it - nothing is happening, the message on the screen is saying 'You do not have any statement information to view'. Is it because I haven't been earning above personal allowance and didn’t pay tax?
As I don’t have any account statements, I have downloaded the file 'Tax year overview' for the tax year ending 5 Apr 2023, but it shows lots of zeros in it: tax = 0; surcharges = 0; total = 0.
Will such document satisfy HO? Or I need to submit anything else? Maybe I should submit my tax return 2023? Or, I can also submit my National Insurance record file, where they can see that I’ve been paying NIC? Any advice, please?

3/ Section 'Immigration details'
Question in the form: 'Have you made any previous UK immigration applications in the UK or abroad?'
I have made quite a few immigration applications, so I've entered approximate dates (month and year) of such applications, based on my previous visas’ information.
But they are also asking question for each application 'Were your fingerprints taken as part of this application?'
For some applications - where I surely remember my fingerprints were taken - I've answered 'Yes'. But there are some occasions where I just don't remember whether my fingerprints were taken or not after I submitted my application... In total, I've made 8 immigration applications during my stay here in the UK, for nearly 20 years - so, I just can't recall this fact with fingerprints! So what should I say there? Either answer yes or no might be wrong for some of these applications!

Thank you very much in advance!!!

[contorted_svy]

Hi, I am married to a British citizen, I’ve got ILR and now applying for British citizenship. I’ve got some questions regarding filling in the application form and documents required, could anyone knowledgeable help me with my questions please?
1/ Regarding referees:
How should I answer the question in the application form: ‘How does the referee know the applicant?’ Both of my referees are my friends for more than 10 years - should I say that ‘we are friends’? Or anything else?
My both referees are British, one of them is a teacher/Head of department in a college, and second referee is an office clerk – I hope they are both OK, satisfy HO requirements? Friend is OK. Your referees seem fine.

2/ Regarding my employment: one of the required documents I need to provide is my ‘most recent tax year account statement and corresponding HMRC tax return as proof of self-employment’.
Well, I’ve been self-employed for the last 9 years, working as a part-time private tutor, but I never earned enough to pay any tax, always been earning below tax threshold (personal allowance). However, I have always been voluntarily paying national insurance contribution (NIC) for all these years. But, for some strange reason (they’ve changed something in their system) last year (which ended 5/04/23) HMRC didn’t even give me an option to pay voluntary NIC.
So, regarding this ‘recent tax year account statement’ that HO require: when I go to my HMRC online account, enter my UTR to get into my profile, I can see that there is an option 'View statements'. When I click on it - nothing is happening, the message on the screen is saying 'You do not have any statement information to view'. Is it because I haven't been earning above personal allowance and didn’t pay tax?
As I don’t have any account statements, I have downloaded the file 'Tax year overview' for the tax year ending 5 Apr 2023, but it shows lots of zeros in it: tax = 0; surcharges = 0; total = 0.
Will such document satisfy HO? Or I need to submit anything else? Maybe I should submit my tax return 2023? Or, I can also submit my National Insurance record file, where they can see that I’ve been paying NIC? Any advice, please? You need to submit your tax report for 2023 and download the SA302 and full tax return. doesn't matter if you've never earned enough to pay taxes.

3/ Section 'Immigration details'
Question in the form: 'Have you made any previous UK immigration applications in the UK or abroad?'
I have made quite a few immigration applications, so I've entered approximate dates (month and year) of such applications, based on my previous visas’ information.
But they are also asking question for each application 'Were your fingerprints taken as part of this application?'
For some applications - where I surely remember my fingerprints were taken - I've answered 'Yes'. But there are some occasions where I just don't remember whether my fingerprints were taken or not after I submitted my application... In total, I've made 8 immigration applications during my stay here in the UK, for nearly 20 years - so, I just can't recall this fact with fingerprints! So what should I say there? Either answer yes or no might be wrong for some of these applications! Provide details at the best of your recollection and state this in a cover note. If you want to reconstruct your history you can try a SAR and see if you can reconstruct more details.

Thank you very much in advance!!!

[lana777]

contorted_svy --- Thank you very much for your help!

[lana777]

I am very sorry - but what does SAR mean?

[contorted_svy]

Subject Access Request - apply here https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... mmigration

[lana777]

Hi, could anyone please clarify: in referee declarations, do referees need to put my name at the back of my photo and then glue them to the declaration? Sorry, it doesn’t make sense to me, as nobody will be able to see what is at the back of the photo after it’s been glued to the form!
Feel a bit confused with it… :-/
Or do I misunderstand anything?
Thank you very much for your help!

[meself2]

AFAIK it's a line from the old days since referees are handled online?

[alterhase58]

Ignore

Leftover from the paper days.

[lana777]

Thank you very much for your kind help!

[lana777]

Hi, could you help please?
I’ve got a question regarding documents I need to provide for my application for British citizenship (3-year route, married to a British citizen, I’ve got ILR):
1// ‘Proof of living in the UK for applicant for 3 years if applying as the spouse of a British Citizen’ --- I’ve got an ILR, and have been living in the UK most of the time – only 18 days of absence in the last 3 years. Will my passport be enough for the proof? Or I need to provide anything else – e.g., council tax bills as well?

2// ‘Applicant’s most recent tax year account statement and corresponding HMRC tax return as proof of self-employment’ ---- in my HMRC online account I couldn’t find my account statement, a message on the screen says 'You do not have any statement information to view'.
I managed to find following documents in my HMRC account: ‘Tax year overview’ , ‘View your calculation’, ‘Tax return 2023’. Will it be enough for my citizenship application?

Thank you very much for your help!

[contorted_svy]

If your passport gets stamped when you travel, it is OK. It must cover the full qualifying period.
You need to download your tax return (view your tax return) and the document you find under "View your calculation" (which is the SA302). I submitted those and my application was approved.

[lana777]

Thank you very much for your prompt reply!
I've got another question - about uploading my documents after I submit my application.
If I choose to use Sopra Steria to upload my documents: my tax return is a 16 pages pdf document, then does it mean that I need to print out these 16 pages, and Sopra Steria officers will scan them to make a pdf file again – doesn’t make sense, to be honest! Is it a way so that I could take a memory stick with me to the appointment, with my tax return pdf file on it, and Sopra Steria will upload this tax return pdf document from my memory stick? Or is there any other way - e.g., is there an option so that I could email Sopra my tax return pdf file?
Thank you very much! I really appreciate your help!
Kind regards,
Svetlana

[alterhase58]

Have you actually booked the chargeable scanning service? You can upload free yourself on your account.
Not aware of them accepting files on a memo stick - organisations would/should be very wary of connecting external devices to their system (in my working life I have refused such requests....).

[SupperDog]

Thank you very much for your prompt reply!
I've got another question - about uploading my documents after I submit my application.
If I choose to use Sopra Steria to upload my documents: my tax return is a 16 pages pdf document, then does it mean that I need to print out these 16 pages, and Sopra Steria officers will scan them to make a pdf file again – doesn’t make sense, to be honest! Is it a way so that I could take a memory stick with me to the appointment, with my tax return pdf file on it, and Sopra Steria will upload this tax return pdf document from my memory stick? Or is there any other way - e.g., is there an option so that I could email Sopra my tax return pdf file?
Thank you very much! I really appreciate your help!
Kind regards,
Svetlana

Just upload it by yourselves when you book your biometric appointment. If you want UKVCAS centre to scan and upload it for you, you have to print it out. They don't accept digital files, including by email or in a USB drive.

[MuhammadM86]

Have you actually booked the chargeable scanning service? You can upload free yourself on your account.
Not aware of them accepting files on a memo stick - organisations would/should be very wary of connecting external devices to their system (in my working life I have refused such requests....).

They don't accept any device, the service only to scan your paper documents etc.

[contorted_svy]

Thank you very much for your prompt reply!
I've got another question - about uploading my documents after I submit my application.
If I choose to use Sopra Steria to upload my documents: my tax return is a 16 pages pdf document, then does it mean that I need to print out these 16 pages, and Sopra Steria officers will scan them to make a pdf file again – doesn’t make sense, to be honest! Is it a way so that I could take a memory stick with me to the appointment, with my tax return pdf file on it, and Sopra Steria will upload this tax return pdf document from my memory stick? Or is there any other way - e.g., is there an option so that I could email Sopra my tax return pdf file?
Thank you very much! I really appreciate your help!
Kind regards,
Svetlana

You can upload the documents yourself, after you apply you will be prompted to register for UKVCAS (run by Sopra Steria) and book your biometric appointment. Then you will be able to upload all your documents, without the need to print off digital documents.

[lana777]

Thank you very much everyone for answering my questions - kind people!

[lana777]

Hi everyone,
Thank you very much for your helpful advice here, in this forum!
I’ve got some more questions about this application, I really appreciate if anyone could answer them please:

1// In the British citizenship application form there is a question – when did I first arrive in the UK.
Well, I first arrived in the UK in June 2004 on a student visa, then student visa was extended (here, in the UK, I didn’t leave), then I applied and was granted a work permit twice (again – I applied here, in the UK, didn’t leave the country). In 2013 I married a British citizen here, in the UK, but after that I left the UK and applied for a spouse visa from Moscow. After 3.5 months waiting in Russia my spouse visa was granted, so I came to the UK on a spouse visa in December 2013 and have lived here ever since. Now I’ve got ILR and am applying for British citizenship as a spouse of British citizen.
So, what should I put as for when I first arrived in the UK --- June 2004 or December 2013?

2// There is a question in the application form: ‘Do you have any other details that you would like to be considered regarding this applicant and their application to be registered as a British Citizen?’

What are applicants supposed to put down here, could you please clarify?

Thanks a lot, I appreciate your help very much!!!

[contorted_svy]

Hi everyone,
Thank you very much for your helpful advice here, in this forum!
I’ve got some more questions about this application, I really appreciate if anyone could answer them please:

1// In the British citizenship application form there is a question – when did I first arrive in the UK.
Well, I first arrived in the UK in June 2004 on a student visa, then student visa was extended (here, in the UK, I didn’t leave), then I applied and was granted a work permit twice (again – I applied here, in the UK, didn’t leave the country). In 2013 I married a British citizen here, in the UK, but after that I left the UK and applied for a spouse visa from Moscow. After 3.5 months waiting in Russia my spouse visa was granted, so I came to the UK on a spouse visa in December 2013 and have lived here ever since. Now I’ve got ILR and am applying for British citizenship as a spouse of British citizen.
So, what should I put as for when I first arrived in the UK --- June 2004 or December 2013? December 2013

2// There is a question in the application form: ‘Do you have any other details that you would like to be considered regarding this applicant and their application to be registered as a British Citizen?’ If you have nothing to add (eg exceptional circumstances, details on convictions) put it here. If not, no need to write anything.

What are applicants supposed to put down here, could you please clarify?

Thanks a lot, I appreciate your help very much!!!

[lana777]

Thank you very much for your help!

[lana777]

Hi, I’ll be very grateful if anyone would answer my question, please:
Yesterday (16 Feb) I submitted my application form for british citizenship, paid the fee £1580, and was re-directed to ukvcas (Sopra Steria) website to book biometric appointment. Well, all nearest appointments were very expensive - -- £139 or even £245, so I looked a bit further and noticed that on 14 March there are some free appointments, so I’ve booked a free appointment for 14 March.
But now I'm thinking – does it matter much that there is a big gap (nearly a month) between submitting the application form and doing biometrics? Are there any bad consequences of that at all? Could you please advise? If such a gap is too long, then I probably need to pay that high fee for biometrics, and do it earlier… Or it doesn’t matter much?
Thank you very much for clarifying!

[alterhase58]

I understand biometrics should be done within 45 days of application. Not aware that applicants have been penalised due time to biometrics.

[contorted_svy]

Hi, I’ll be very grateful if anyone would answer my question, please:
Yesterday (16 Feb) I submitted my application form for british citizenship, paid the fee £1580, and was re-directed to ukvcas (Sopra Steria) website to book biometric appointment. Well, all nearest appointments were very expensive - -- £139 or even £245, so I looked a bit further and noticed that on 14 March there are some free appointments, so I’ve booked a free appointment for 14 March.
But now I'm thinking – does it matter much that there is a big gap (nearly a month) between submitting the application form and doing biometrics? Are there any bad consequences of that at all? Could you please advise? If such a gap is too long, then I probably need to pay that high fee for biometrics, and do it earlier… Or it doesn’t matter much?
Thank you very much for clarifying!

I applied on the 19 May and attended free biometrics on the 15 June - no issue, my application was approved, and it's pretty much the same time gap you outlined.

[lana777]

I understand biometrics should be done within 45 days of application. Not aware that applicants have been penalised due time to biometrics.

Thank you very much for clarifying!

[lana777]

Hi, I’ll be very grateful if anyone would answer my question, please:
Yesterday (16 Feb) I submitted my application form for british citizenship, paid the fee £1580, and was re-directed to ukvcas (Sopra Steria) website to book biometric appointment. Well, all nearest appointments were very expensive - -- £139 or even £245, so I looked a bit further and noticed that on 14 March there are some free appointments, so I’ve booked a free appointment for 14 March.
But now I'm thinking – does it matter much that there is a big gap (nearly a month) between submitting the application form and doing biometrics? Are there any bad consequences of that at all? Could you please advise? If such a gap is too long, then I probably need to pay that high fee for biometrics, and do it earlier… Or it doesn’t matter much?
Thank you very much for clarifying!

I applied on the 19 May and attended free biometrics on the 15 June - no issue, my application was approved, and it's pretty much the same time gap you outlined.

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience!