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Referee form date
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 12:28 pm
by hotdiggitydog123
Hi, I've been working on my citizenship application for a couple months. I collected my referees signatures / forms end of May. If I submit my application in August, will that be alright or do I need more recently dated referee forms?
Thanks in advance.
Re: Referee form date
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 2:47 pm
by contorted_svy
within 3 months it is reasonable I would say, though you can get them signed more recently and you can do that digitally.
Re: Referee form date
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2025 11:11 am
by hotdiggitydog123
Oh amazing! I didn't realise there was a digital option. When I was doing my application it seem to suggest I print out the forms and attach a photo?
Thanks for answering.
Re: Referee form date
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2025 11:43 am
by lolo2
Everything is done digitally.
The instruction to write behind the photo and glue it to the form is an old thing from the times when the documents needed to be posted to the Home Office.
Referees can sign the form electronically as well.
Re: Referee form date
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2025 11:27 am
by hotdiggitydog123
I've selected the option for paid scanning to be done at the Biometric appointment. Does this mean I can't use digital signatures for my referees since I need to bring a hard copy of the referee form?
Re: Referee form date
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2025 12:56 pm
by contorted_svy
Just print the form that you got signed digitally and they will re-scan it. It's fine.
Final document check for citizenship application
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2025 8:34 pm
by hotdiggitydog123
Hi, I have my biometric appointment this week and would love to do a final check of my supporting documents. Thanks in advance for your help.
Applying under the 5 year route, received ILR last April. Became self employed last July, as such don't yet have a self-employed tax return so providing supporting documents to prove this (see below).
Proof of living in the UK for 5 years:
- Passport stamps
- P60s:
- 2023-2024
- 2022-2023
- 2021-2022
- 2020-2021
- Self employed period July 2024 - 2025: tenancy contract, council tax
- Self employed period 2025: tenancy contract, council tax
- ILR approval email
NZ Passport
Two referees
- One a civil engineer (digital signature / encrypted)
- Another a british citizen (e-signature - but matches passport)
Most recent tax year account statement and corresponding HMRC tax return as proof of self-employment
- SA302 for year 2023-2024
- Business bank account statement
- Cover letter explaining my transition from full-time employment into self-employed status
--
That's what I have so far. Do I need to include anything else in my cover letter? For example, I've travelled a lot with work - I've been absent for about 190 days in the last 5 years. Wouldn't hurt to mention the reasons for this?
Cheers.
Re: Final document check for citizenship application
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2025 9:48 pm
by contorted_svy
An important clarification. If you are applying in your own right (you are not married to a British citizen) you need to have held ILR for 12 months before applying. When did you secure ILR?
hotdiggitydog123 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 01, 2025 8:34 pm
Hi, I have my biometric appointment this week and would love to do a final check of my supporting documents. Thanks in advance for your help.
Applying under the 5 year route, received ILR last April. Became self employed last July, as such don't yet have a self-employed tax return so providing supporting documents to prove this (see below).
Proof of living in the UK for 5 years:
- Passport stamps
This is all you need. No need for anything else you listed here
- P60s:
- 2023-2024
- 2022-2023
- 2021-2022
- 2020-2021
- Self employed period July 2024 - 2025: tenancy contract, council tax
tenancy contract would not be accepted anyway.
- Self employed period 2025: tenancy contract, council tax
- ILR approval email
You only need this to prove you have had ILR for a year.
NZ Passport
Two referees
- One a civil engineer (digital signature / encrypted)
No, this must be a picture of their signature as it matches the one on their passport
- Another a british citizen (e-signature - but matches passport)
Most recent tax year account statement and corresponding HMRC tax return as proof of self-employment
- SA302 for year 2023-2024
You also need the full tax return for the year 2023-2024
- Business bank account statement
Not needed
- Cover letter explaining my transition from full-time employment into self-employed status
--
That's what I have so far. Do I need to include anything else in my cover letter? For example, I've travelled a lot with work - I've been absent for about 190 days in the last 5 years. Wouldn't hurt to mention the reasons for this?
Absolutely no need to mention that as you are well under the absence limit.
Cheers.
Re: Final document check for citizenship application
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2025 6:37 am
by elowenmarcelline
Thanks for sharing your detailed checklist
It looks like you’re well-prepared. Just make sure your referee signatures align with Home Office requirements, as that’s one area where applications sometimes get delayed. Always good to double-check official guidance before submission.
Re: Final document check for citizenship application
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2025 7:50 pm
by hotdiggitydog123
Thank you for your replies. So as I understand for proof of living for the past 5 years, all I need is passport stamps and ILR approval email. Do I need any document that suggests proof of living from when I got my ILR (April 2024) to now?
I've double checked and the digital signature and e-signatures match the passport so that should be no problem.
Re: Final document check for citizenship application
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2025 8:31 pm
by alterhase58
The 5 years residency period is worked out counting back from the AN application date.
So your passport covers.
