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Can I get a reference for naturalisation from somebody who lives abroad but is a UK citizen? He is visiting the UK at the moment, but will be back to his current country of residence at the time I apply for citizenship.

Any advice would be highly appreciated.

doesnt seem like a good idea. what if UKBA wants to ring him to ask about you? This person lives abroad, and then making a statement about your character. Doesnt sound like a credible reference in any sense.

mrlookforward wrote:doesnt seem like a good idea. what if UKBA wants to ring him to ask about you? This person lives abroad, and then making a statement about your character. Doesnt sound like a credible reference in any sense.

I dont know the answer, but I find your logic twisted. So what you are saying is that people who have known me all my life (old school friends who I have kept in touch over the years, uncles, aunts, etc) but don't live in the UK are not credible references, just because they don't live in the UK? What about a reference from someone who lives in London, but I live in Aberdeen? Is that distance too much?

Ray

raymasa2 wrote:

mrlookforward wrote:doesnt seem like a good idea. what if UKBA wants to ring him to ask about you? This person lives abroad, and then making a statement about your character. Doesnt sound like a credible reference in any sense.

I dont know the answer, but I find your logic twisted. So what you are saying is that people who have known me all my life (old school friends who I have kept in touch over the years, uncles, aunts, etc) but don't live in the UK are not credible references, just because they don't live in the UK? What about a reference from someone who lives in London, but I live in Aberdeen? Is that distance too much?

Ray

They would not be credible references if they have had limited contact with you over the last three years which would be much more likely if they live abroad. Picking someone who has lived for the last 3 years at the opposite end of the country to you is not a good idea too.

Just bear in mind that your application may be held up (or possibly refused I guess) if the BIA is unhappy with your choice of referees or cannot contact them if they wish to.

So it doesn't sound like a good idea to me either.

Ray[/quote]

Picking someone who has lived for the last 3 years at the opposite end of the country to you is not a good idea too.[/quote]

The referee should know the applicant atleast minimum 3 years, I think that it is not necessary to be last 3 years. It could be anytime.

raymasa2 wrote:

mrlookforward wrote:doesnt seem like a good idea. what if UKBA wants to ring him to ask about you? This person lives abroad, and then making a statement about your character. Doesnt sound like a credible reference in any sense.

I dont know the answer, but I find your logic twisted. So what you are saying is that people who have known me all my life (old school friends who I have kept in touch over the years, uncles, aunts, etc) but don't live in the UK are not credible references, just because they don't live in the UK? What about a reference from someone who lives in London, but I live in Aberdeen? Is that distance too much?

Ray

Uncle, aunts or other relatives cant be references even if they were in UK.

senthil78 wrote:Ray

Picking someone who has lived for the last 3 years at the opposite end of the country to you is not a good idea too.[/quote]

The referee should know the applicant atleast minimum 3 years, I think that it is not necessary to be last 3 years. It could be anytime.[/quote]

it has to be for recent years otherwise it's a waste of time as people can change.

djb123 wrote:

senthil78 wrote:Ray

Picking someone who has lived for the last 3 years at the opposite end of the country to you is not a good idea too.

The referee should know the applicant atleast minimum 3 years, I think that it is not necessary to be last 3 years. It could be anytime.[/quote]

it has to be for recent years otherwise it's a waste of time as people can change.[/quote]

Yes I agree, but it is not the requirement by HO.

senthil78 wrote:Yes I agree, but it is not the requirement by HO.

I think you find it is. I can see why you could try to argue that "they have known the applicant personally for more than 3 years" could mean that the referee knew the applicant well for a period of three years, just not the last three years, but as you admit it doesn't make sense.