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Citizenship Referees
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2024 7:26 pm
by skydove
Hello everyone.
Can anyone confirm that the following are the referee declarations we need to submit with our naturalisation application? I found them via Google:
https://visas-immigration.service.gov.u ... on_MN1.pdf
https://visas-immigration.service.gov.u ... on_MN1.pdf
I'd just like to double-check these are the correct ones. I understand we can also download them from the HO document platform after submitting the application, but I'll rather get this done now.
Thanks so much!
Re: Citizenship Referees
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:13 pm
by contorted_svy
Yes, they are the correct form. You can fil them in digitally as far as the referee signature is consistent with what appears on their passport (ie not a typed signature).
Re: Citizenship Referees
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2024 9:30 pm
by skydove
Thanks very much!
Re: Citizenship Referees
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2024 10:22 pm
by skydove
Also, two more questions that just came to mind:
-Is it necessary for the photo to be different from the one in my ID, or can it be the same? I'm thinking of using the same one I recently sent to the HO to update my profile at
https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status (which is different -more recent- from the photo in the passport I'll be submitting with my application).
-Are the referees themselves the ones who have to write the name and DOB on the back (though
not sign it)? Or us, applicants?
Just to make sure I get it right!
contorted_svy wrote: ↑Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:13 pm
Yes, they are the correct form. You can fil them in digitally as far as the referee signature is consistent with what appears on their passport (ie not a typed signature).
Re: Citizenship Referees
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:39 pm
by alterhase58
skydove wrote: ↑Tue Mar 19, 2024 10:22 pm
Also, two more questions that just came to mind:
-Is it necessary for the photo to be different from the one in my ID, or can it be the same? I'm thinking of using the same one I recently sent to the HO to update my profile at
https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status (which is different -more recent- from the photo in the passport I'll be submitting with my application).
Yes no issue, it's only purpose is for the referee form.
-Are the referees themselves the ones who have to write the name and DOB on the back (though
not sign it)? Or us, applicants?
No - and not required - this goes back to the paper form days.
Just to make sure I get it right!
contorted_svy wrote: ↑Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:13 pm
Yes, they are the correct form. You can fil them in digitally as far as the referee signature is consistent with what appears on their passport (ie not a typed signature).
Re: Citizenship Referees
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2024 9:15 am
by skydove
Many thanks! Just to clarify, when you answer "Yes, no issue, it's only for the referee form," do you mean it'll be fine when the photos I provide are more recent from the ones in my passport?
Thanks very much again!
Re: Citizenship Referees
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2024 9:54 am
by contorted_svy
Yes of course, you can provide different pictures than what you have in your passport (arguably more recent is better).
Re: Citizenship Referees
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2024 11:44 am
by skydove
contorted_svy wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2024 9:54 am
Yes of course, you can provide different pictures than what you have in your passport (arguably more recent is better).
Thank you so much!
Up to 730 Absences
Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2024 4:12 pm
by skydove
Hello!
I have been reading the AN naturalisation booklet, I have noted that it says that, for the five-year qualifying period, it states that:
"if your absences are up to 730 days we would expect you to have been resident in the UK for the last 7
years."
(see
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... t_2023.pdf)
The citizenship application form says:
"If you are the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen, provide details about trips from the last 3 years, otherwise provide
details from the last 5 years."
My concern is that I'm not sure whether to include all the absences from year 5 to 7, as the form is only asking for up to 5 years.
If I need to, do I also need to gather evidence for those 2 extra years and present it with the rest of documents?
I was granted pre-settled (September 2020) and settled (October 2020) status.
Once again, thanks very much.
Re: Up to 730 Absences
Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2024 7:12 pm
by alterhase58
Only absences for 5/3 years are requested - if you are over then you are expected to have been resident for 7 years, it doesn't ask for 7 years worth of absences.
Re: Up to 730 Absences
Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2024 8:12 pm
by skydove
alterhase58 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 21, 2024 7:12 pm
Only absences for 5/3 years are requested - if you are over then you are expected to have been resident for 7 years, it doesn't ask for 7 years worth of absences.
Ah, many thanks. I thought I needed to provide the dates of my trips in/out of the UK for the last seven years.
From people's experience,
how will Home Office confirm that I have been here for seven years? Will they check their own immigration records? Or may they ask for further evidence from me at a later stage?
And related to that question:
Do I need to mention anywhere -or upload some declaration or sth- stating that I have been in the UK for more than seven years?
Many thanks.
Re: Up to 730 Absences
Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2024 9:54 pm
by alterhase58
skydove wrote: ↑Thu Mar 21, 2024 8:12 pm
alterhase58 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 21, 2024 7:12 pm
Only absences for 5/3 years are requested - if you are over then you are expected to have been resident for 7 years, it doesn't ask for 7 years worth of absences.
Ah, many thanks. I thought I needed to provide the dates of my trips in/out of the UK for the last seven years.
From people's experience,
how will Home Office confirm that I have been here for seven years? Will they check their own immigration records? Or may they ask for further evidence from me at a later stage?
Not an everyday scenario so not many members with that experience and we don't know what they would check or what additional evidence they would/might request, if any. Your best option, if you wish to go ahead, is to explain your case concisely and best to add say a P60 or council tax bill for each of the two years.
And related to that question:
Do I need to mention anywhere -or upload some declaration or sth- stating that I have been in the UK for more than seven years? I think a specific declaration is not required, just a covering note to explain your case and documents as mentioned above. That's how I personally would approach it if I wanted to ask for discretion. Though I would wait and reduce my absences, better than asking for discretion. Discretion is not a statutory right that you can enforce, as far as I know.
Many thanks.
Re: Up to 730 Absences
Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2024 8:14 am
by contorted_svy
In the part about discretion it does specify that you shouldn't have hd a long absence before the start of the qualifying period if you are asking for discretion. As said above we are not exactly sure of what it is expected to provide - maybe I would provide trips in all 7 years to be on the safe side as well as a P60/council tax bill for each year and comment in a cover note.
Re: Up to 730 Absences
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:56 am
by skydove
Thanks very much, both!