Referee question

I was wondering if I could ask a therapist who I see regularly as a non-professional referee? I've seen him during appointments maybe 3-4 times in the past 3 years. Would it be OK or would I need to look for someone else?

The professional referee would be my dentist who knows me as a patient.

I have some trouble getting referees as I have moved and changed jobs, I would need to wait another half a year for my current friends and co-workers to give me a reference and I don't want to wait.

Should be ok.

can i both the referees are professional ? Two of my colleagues are British citizens one was Limited company director. Other person was permanent employee.

Regards,
Suresh

"employee" isn't a profession in that context anyway. And yes both can be on the professional list as long as at least one is a British citizen. But if one is just an employee then they need to bea British citizen.

thank you ! do they both have to provide their passport numbers or can they just put 'additional information upon request' ? I don't think it's going to be a problem but I have a feeling at least one of them might prefer this option.

Riff_Raff wrote:I was wondering if I could ask a therapist who I see regularly as a non-professional referee? I've seen him during appointments maybe 3-4 times in the past 3 years. Would it be OK or would I need to look for someone else?

The professional referee would be my dentist who knows me as a patient.

I have some trouble getting referees as I have moved and changed jobs, I would need to wait another half a year for my current friends and co-workers to give me a reference and I don't want to wait.

Ref HO guidance on these vital questions:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... n-v6_0.pdf

6.3.7 For adult applications each referee should have known the applicant personally for at least 3 years.

6.3.7.9 Those acting in a professional capacity may not wish to provide their personal details. In such cases, we would be content for the person acting as a referee to put his or her business contact details. In addition, if the person does not wish their passport details to be seen by the person applying for citizenship, they can omit this from the form, entering “details available on request”.

Thanks! Does 'knowing personally' mean that being someone's patient is acceptable? It could be understood in different ways as in a HR officer who only knows you by name on the records is not acceptable but anyone who has personally met you and knows who you are is OK (and meets the 3 year & professional requirement) ?

Riff_Raff wrote:Thanks! Does 'knowing personally' mean that being someone's patient is acceptable? It could be understood in different ways as in a HR officer who only knows you by name on the records is not acceptable but anyone who has personally met you and knows who you are is OK ?

In the context of a professional referee, I interpret "personally" as simply known in person.
It would be unprofessional for a professional to the cross boundaries into 'friendship'.

In the context of a family friend, "personally" would suggest a friendship or at least an acquaintanceship (more than the impersonal, curt nod and brief "good morning, how are you" of a professional relationship).

I have question related to referee. Is HO contacting them for references every time or only sometimes?

Saladin0011 wrote:I have question related to referee. Is HO contacting them for references every time or only sometimes?

Referees are hardly ever contacted.

My dentist gave me a reference but he put his practice address and e-mail in the contact section, I was wondering if this is acceptable by the Home Office?

I asked for a reference today and my GP told me that they've recently stopped doing references for passports and such because they need to know you personally not just as a patient.... and he's pretty sure for naturalization it's the same.

I was wondering if that is the case and will Home Office accept a reference from someone who knows you as a patient not as a friend / colleague etc. ? I already asked my dentist for a reference and got it but was wondering if it's acceptable by the home office?

My dentist and GP have signed the referee form, I'm wondering if this is acceptable for Home Office as they both know me as a long time patient rather than personally knowing me (as in friend etc..). The also both gave the practice addresses and numbers and passport details upon request. Both British citizens.

In case if HO has problems with both will my application get rejected or will they ask me to provide different referees?

Posts merged.
No need for multiple posts.

Riff_Raff wrote:My dentist and GP have signed the referee form, I'm wondering if this is acceptable for Home Office as they both know me as a long time patient rather than personally knowing me (as in friend etc..). The also both gave the practice addresses and numbers and passport details upon request. Both British citizens.

In case if HO has problems with both will my application get rejected or will they ask me to provide different referees?

As long as not related to you (or each other); not your personal representative; no unspent convictions (etc) - then all good.

Professional addresses are ok.

If HO takes exception to one or other they will invite you to nominate another referee.
As explained previously, references are not usually taken up.

Hi,
Does anyone know when are the referees checked? Is it an approximate time after biometrics? I was wondering if this could give us a hint about the stage of the application process...
Thank you.

ujp wrote:Hi,
Does anyone know when are the referees checked? Is it an approximate time after biometrics? I was wondering if this could give us a hint about the stage of the application process...
Thank you.

From many postings on the subject it seems that referees are not normally contacted. Of course HO can easily check them out via their systems if they wish but applicants wouldn't know. Suggest you don't worry about it - it would just be gazing into the crystal ball.

alterhase58 wrote:

ujp wrote:Hi,
Does anyone know when are the referees checked? Is it an approximate time after biometrics? I was wondering if this could give us a hint about the stage of the application process...
Thank you.

From many postings on the subject it seems that referees are not normally contacted. Of course HO can easily check them out via their systems if they wish but applicants wouldn't know. Suggest you don't worry about it - it would just be gazing into the crystal ball.

Thank you for your quick reply. I must admit, I was hoping that they would do the checking and the referees would be aware of it. That way we could get a sense of 'staying in touch' with the process. So yeah, I guess it's just a waiting game.... Thank you for your advice.