British Citizenship Application

[Azzi]

Hello,

I received my ILR based on the 10-year Family Route on 21 August 2024. I am now preparing to apply for British citizenship.

I am not married and not in a civil partnership. I understand that, in this case, I must provide evidence that I have been living in the UK for the past 5 years.

On the Online Application, the guidance says that bank statements or household bills are not suitable proof of residence.

My question is: which documents can I provide to support my application?

Thank you in advance for your advice.

[alterhase58]

As ILR holder you provide your passport covering the residency period. Scan and upload with your other documents.

[Azzi]

Thank you for your advice. However, on the online application it does say that I need to provide supporting residency documents. I also checked on an online forum and saw that when applying, these documents are usually required to prove residency. Could you please advise if there is any official link or Home Office guideline regarding the supporting documents?

[Azzi]

Hi can I have advise on this

"Your application may be rejected if you were not in the UK exactly 5 years before the Home Office received it. This depends on the reason why you were not in the UK. The Home Office will consider if there are special circumstances, for example:

you were not able to live in the UK at the start of the 5 year period because of health reasons or travel restrictions
you were told to leave the UK during the 5 years but this decision was later overturned"

1st: if apply on 20th September 2025 home office will consider 1st day 20th September 2020 or 21st September 2020

the reason I m asking and worried I was abroad in September 2020

2nd: questioned home office consider application date When you apply online pay fee or the date of biometric ?
thanks

[Azzi]

Hi can I have advise on this

"Your application may be rejected if you were not in the UK exactly 5 years before the Home Office received it. This depends on the reason why you were not in the UK. The Home Office will consider if there are special circumstances, for example:

you were not able to live in the UK at the start of the 5 year period because of health reasons or travel restrictions
you were told to leave the UK during the 5 years but this decision was later overturned"

1st: if apply on 20th September 2025 home office will consider 1st day 20th September 2020 or 21st September 2020

the reason I m asking and worried I was abroad in September 2020

2nd: questioned home office consider application date When you apply online pay fee or the date of biometric ?
thanks

[contorted_svy]

Hi can I have advise on this

"Your application may be rejected if you were not in the UK exactly 5 years before the Home Office received it. This depends on the reason why you were not in the UK. The Home Office will consider if there are special circumstances, for example:

you were not able to live in the UK at the start of the 5 year period because of health reasons or travel restrictions
you were told to leave the UK during the 5 years but this decision was later overturned"

1st: if apply on 20th September 2025 home office will consider 1st day 20th September 2020 or 21st September 2020 21 sept 2025. wait to apply until the appropriate date you were back in 2020.

the reason I m asking and worried I was abroad in September 2020

2nd: questioned home office consider application date When you apply online pay fee or the date of biometric ? Online fee payment. The online system is 1 hour behind so consider that. If you apply at 1am the system will see that as 12am of the new calendar day
thanks

[contorted_svy]

Thank you for your advice. However, on the online application it does say that I need to provide supporting residency documents. I also checked on an online forum and saw that when applying, these documents are usually required to prove residency. Could you please advise if there is any official link or Home Office guideline regarding the supporting documents?

This is reported on the official AN guidance. We routinely advise applicants of this. Review the guidance to assuage any doubts.

Hi can I have advise on this

"Your application may be rejected if you were not in the UK exactly 5 years before the Home Office received it. This depends on the reason why you were not in the UK. The Home Office will consider if there are special circumstances, for example:

you were not able to live in the UK at the start of the 5 year period because of health reasons or travel restrictions
you were told to leave the UK during the 5 years but this decision was later overturned"

1st: if apply on 20th September 2025 home office will consider 1st day 20th September 2020 or 21st September 2020 21 sept 2025. wait to apply until the appropriate date you were back in 2020.

the reason I m asking and worried I was abroad in September 2020

2nd: questioned home office consider application date When you apply online pay fee or the date of biometric ? Online fee payment. The online system is 1 hour behind so consider that. If you apply at 1am the system will see that as 12am of the new calendar day
thanks

[Azzi]

st: if apply on 20th September 2025 home office will consider 1st day 20th September 2020 or 21st September 2020 21 sept 2025. or 21st SEP 2020 ?


I was abroad from 30 September 2020 4 October 2020

which dates will be safe in September 2025 as i m planning to apply this month

thanks

[contorted_svy]

Until the 1 Oct.

[lolo2]

I was abroad from 30 September 2020 4 October 2020

which dates will be safe in September 2025 as i m planning to apply this month

You can submit the application any day in September except on the 30 September.

The proof of residence is a scanned copy of the stamped pages on your passport covering the qualifying period - last five years. You don't need any other document for this purpose.

[Azzi]

Until the 1 Oct. ? that will for 5 yrs 02 OCT 2020
and I was Abroad from 30 September 2020 4 October 2020

In Case I was not in the country Physically Present ?

I am bit worried about the advice now

[contorted_svy]

You are correct, the last possible day to apply is the 29 Sept 2025. Or you can wait another week and apply on the 5 Oct 2025.

[alterhase58]

Until the 1 Oct. ? that will for 5 yrs 02 OCT 2020
and I was Abroad from 30 September 2020 4 October 2020

In Case I was not in the country Physically Present ?

I am bit worried about the advice now

Probably a typo ... it's a straightforward requirement.
In your case Just apply after 4th October, i.e. on the 5th (when you were back in the UK) or later.

[Azzi]

I want to apply sooner rather than later.

If I apply on any date before 29 September 2025 ? ,

will I still meet the Home Office requirement to be physically present in the UK on the first day of the 5-year qualifying period?

I’m worried about being caught out by my short absence abroad from 30 September 2020 to 4 October 2020.

You can probably sense the anxiety in my question — I just want to be sure I won’t trip up on this rule.

[contorted_svy]

You have asked already and we replied already - yes, you will be OK if you apply before the 29 Sept. Or, apply after the 5 October.

[Azzi]

Thank you for all your advice and assistance.

Each referee must not be:
• related to you ?
• related to the other referee
• your solicitor or agent representing you with this application
• employed by the Home Office


Can you please advise me about the referee requirement?
What does this refer to exactly — does it mean relatives or family members,

or can I use my friend as the second referee?
I’ve known this friend for the last 10 years.

thanks

[alterhase58]

A friend, colleague, neighbour can be a referee if they meet the requirements to be a referee.

Anyone who is related to you through blood or marriage can’t be a referee.

[Azzi]

Thanks for your advice and support so far.

After submitting my application and completing the biometric process,
what is the advice regarding travel? 
travel outside the country at this stage, or is it better to wait?

[CR001]

You are free to travel.

[Azzi]

Thanks for your answer.

In this regard, are there any time restrictions on travel?
For example, is there a maximum of 90 days outside the country,
or do I need to b in the country at the time of decision by the Home on my application?

[alterhase58]

The decision email from UKVI is just advisory.you are only British once you have attended the ceremony and received your certificate. Plan travel accordingly.

[contorted_svy]

You can travel but absences over 6 months or if you rent/buy a property abroad and start to live there may cast doubts on your future intentions. Short holiday/family/business trips are OK.