Accepted Professions (sticky)

[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

[cssaini]

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

Hi this is an interesting topic of discussion I may sound stupid too but can't help but bit confused myself about this referee situation.

I am also filing my application this Saturday through NCS and all looks pretty straight forward to me except referee section. Basically I am quite clear as stated in application that one referee should be a person of any nationality who has professional standing and other referee must normally be the holder of a British citizen passport and either a professional person.

So I am using one of my friend who is NHS doctor and like me a permanent British resident (ILR holder since April 2011) as first referee and my wife’s friend who is dentist as second referee. My only confusion is that can I use two referees from same profession? As both the referees are doctors.

Or can I use my company director as my second referee? But same director has also signed my employment letter stating number of years I am with company(over 6 years) to show my association to company I work with and highlighting my financial status. Ideally I would like to us my NHS friend(ILR holder) and director as referees but wonder if it can be done

Please advise.

[neoseal]

Should be fine. No where it says that other referee has to be non-professional.

[cssaini]

Should be fine. No where it says that other referee has to be non-professional.

Thanks neoseal for the quick response.

So can I use My NHS doctor friend who is ILR holder and my company director who is British passport holder but also signing my letter as my referee?

[Derivaz]

Should be fine. No where it says that other referee has to be non-professional.

Thanks neoseal for the quick response.

So can I use My NHS doctor friend who is ILR holder and my company director who is British passport holder but also signing my letter as my referee?

a professional standing means that they have to be registered with a professional body like Health Professions Coundil; I assume NHS doctors are registered with one, so that would work, regardless of the nationality.

regarding the British Passport holder; I think the only requirement is that they have to be over 25 and not related to you or the other referee, but i didn't see anything saying that he can't issue your letter of employement too, etc... so I think you are fine.

[luk1c]

Hi, warehouse manager will be accepted?

[Derivaz]

Hi, warehouse manager will be accepted?

don't take my advice on this too serious, cos I'm not sure, but why would a warehouse manager be considered a personal of professional standing?

Anyone, without any education or registration with any professional body could be a warehouse manager; so my guess is no, but again; I'm not an expert in this

[luk1c]

Hi, warehouse manager will be accepted?

don't take my advice on this too serious, cos I'm not sure, but why would a warehouse manager be considered a personal of professional standing?

Anyone, without any education or registration with any professional body could be a warehouse manager; so my guess is no, but again; I'm not an expert in this

Ok, but still manager. On list accepted professional person is manager limited company!

[neoseal]

Manager in a limited company is acceptable. Many on the list do not require much education. Very vague list with lot of room for interpretation or misinterpretation.

[Derivaz]

Manager in a limited company is acceptable. Many on the list do not require much education. Very vague list with lot of room for interpretation or misinterpretation.

But a warehouse manager? I wouldn't think they are a person of professional standing, but like you said the list is very vague as most HO's rules, so if they want to refuse someone's application they can always find a reason....

Although, from what I've read here, they rarely refuse an application over their choice of referees... so I guess the risk is pretty low...

[luk1c]

What about HR officer? Where I can confirm 100%.