A section for posts relating to applications for Naturalisation or Registration as a British Citizen.
Naturalisation
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Shaun45
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by Shaun45 » Tue Nov 20, 2018 11:42 am
My UKM application as a British citizen has been approved and I will be attending my citizenship ceremony next month.
After that I will be applying for my first British passport. One thing that confuses me is the countersignatory requirement. Can I use a friend that is a holder of a British passport? What if I can't find a person of professional standing at the time of my application?
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Shaun45
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by Shaun45 » Thu Nov 22, 2018 7:35 pm
Bump.
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Archer1
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by Archer1 » Thu Nov 22, 2018 8:04 pm
Shaun45 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 20, 2018 11:42 am
My UKM application as a British citizen has been approved and I will be attending my citizenship ceremony next month.
After that I will be applying for my first British passport. One thing that confuses me is the countersignatory requirement. Can I use a friend that is a holder of a British passport? What if I can't find a person of professional standing at the time of my application?
You can use the same professional refree which you have had at the time of naturalisation application.
__A
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Shaun45
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by Shaun45 » Fri Nov 23, 2018 4:07 am
The only problem is the same professional referee I used for my UKM application will be away on business for 4 months when I apply for my passport and I don't know anyone else.
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vinny
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by vinny » Fri Nov 23, 2018 5:11 am
Shaun45 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 20, 2018 11:42 am
Can I use a friend that is a holder of a British passport?
What
profession is your friend?
Note also:
If you’re applying outside the UK
Your countersignatory must have a current British, Irish or other EU, US or Commonwealth passport.
If they have a US, Commonwealth, or non-British or non-Irish EU passport, you must include with your application a colour photocopy of the page with their photograph on it.
Your application will be processed faster if they have a British or Irish passport.
This is not intended to be legal or professional advice in any jurisdiction. Please click on any given
links for further information. Refer to the source of any quotes.
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Shaun45
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by Shaun45 » Fri Nov 23, 2018 5:16 am
My friend is not a person of professional standing, and is an electrician. He is only a British citizen by birth. I am not sure if I should chance it as it's the only countersignatory option I have.
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vinny
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by vinny » Fri Nov 23, 2018 5:34 am
Are you applying in the UK?
This is not intended to be legal or professional advice in any jurisdiction. Please click on any given
links for further information. Refer to the source of any quotes.
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Shaun45
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by Shaun45 » Fri Nov 23, 2018 6:15 am
No, I'm applying from South Africa.
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vinny
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Post
by vinny » Fri Nov 23, 2018 6:37 am
vinny wrote: ↑Fri Nov 23, 2018 5:11 am
Note also:
If you’re applying outside the UK
Your countersignatory must have a current British, Irish or other EU, US or Commonwealth passport.
If they have a US, Commonwealth, or non-British or non-Irish EU passport, you must include with your application a colour photocopy of the page with their photograph on it.
Your application will be processed faster if they have a British or Irish passport.
The professional countersignatory need not be British.
This is not intended to be legal or professional advice in any jurisdiction. Please click on any given
links for further information. Refer to the source of any quotes.
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Shaun45
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by Shaun45 » Fri Nov 23, 2018 6:44 am
Yes I understand that. He is a South African citizen and a person of professional standing according to the list and has known me for many years but unfortunately will be away when I apply for my passport.
The only other person I can think of is my friend who is a British citizen living in South Africa.
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CR001
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by CR001 » Fri Nov 23, 2018 6:48 am
Surely he can sign the referee page before he goes away??
Char (CR001 not Casa)
In life you cannot press the Backspace button!!
Please DO NOT send me a PM for immigration advice. I reserve the right to ignore the PM and not respond.
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Shaun45
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by Shaun45 » Fri Nov 23, 2018 7:14 am
He will have left before I do the application. Just before my citizenship ceremony.... unless what i think you are saying that I can do the application, print the documents and get him to sign it while he is here just before he leaves and just before my citizenship ceremony. That might work.
In the meantime I sent an enquiry to the Passport Office so will also see what they say.